Breathe tattoos are a popular contemporary design idea.
In a society where mental health issues – most commonly depression and anxiety – are increasing for both women and men, it’s a sound mantra intended to help each person fall back on when presented with challenges that create discomfort.
Check out the variety of breathe tattoos in this comprehensive gallery to help you find the right type of meaningful design for you.
1. Upper Arm Tattoos



2. Back and Neck Tattoo Ideas






3. Cursive Script Tattoo Art






4. Tattoo Ideas for the Forearm












5. Hand and Finger Tattoo Ideas






6. Simple Tattoo Designs






Source: @babaxx11 via Instagram

7. Small Tattoo Ideas






8. Symbolic Tattoo Ideas












9. Tattoos for the Wrist














Breathe Tattoos and Mental Health
The concept of a breathe tattoo – or ‘just breathe’ in pop superstar Miley Cyrus’ case – is to help each individual slow down and take stock when things are becoming uncomfortable.
Being able to control your breathing is one of the simplest, most surefire ways to start feeling better when you’re overwhelmed, anxious, or uncomfortable.
A breathe tattoo is a simple way to help a panicked person evaluate their thoughts or remind them to keep things simple when confronted with an uncomfortable or difficult situation – no matter what it is – and use the tattoo’s simple message to reinforce the basics.
Whether folded into a larger tattoo image, outlined in simple text, or even displayed in the ancient Sanskrit pictogram version, the message to breathe is always a fundamental mantra to help you regain balance and control over your body or a situation.
FAQs
What does a breathe tattoo symbolize?
A breathe tattoo is a simple way to help a panicked person evaluate their thoughts or remind them to keep things simple.
Being able to control your breathing is one of the simplest, most surefire ways to start feeling better when you’re overwhelmed, anxious, or uncomfortable.
When confronted with an uncomfortable or difficult situation – no matter what it is – using the tattoo’s simple message as a reference point to reinforce the basics can help significantly.
What style of breathe tattoo should I get?
There are three major types of breathe tattoos.
- The Sanskrit symbol for breathe. This beautiful and ancient symbol works well as a standalone image and is often tattooed by itself in simple black ink.
- Simple lettering. Many breathe tattoos are simple cursive, or other basic lettering styles designed to keep the message/reminder as simplest as possible
- As part of larger images. Some breathe tattoos are folded into larger images, such as an infinity loop, semicolon, or enjoyable flower image to add more depth to the tattoo while retaining the message
Where should I place my breathe tattoo?
The choice of placement comes down to how visible and accessible you want your reminder to be.
Some collectors prefer their body art hidden somewhat, so many – mostly women – put the symbol along the neckline or behind the ear, where the hair can often cover the tattoo.
For others’ the back, side and ribs – close to where the lungs live – are often the place to put a breathe tattoo.
For those collectors, who want full accessibility to their tattoo and have no issues with visibility, may choose their arms or hands to get the breathe design. For example, I have a text tattoo on both my inner and outer right forearm that I often trace with my fingertips when I’m looking to calm down or steady myself.
