A classic American traditional design is a heart tattoo with a banner over it that says “mom” to depict a person’s devotion to their mother.
Mom heart tattoos were made famous by Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins and the artists of yesteryear. The old school tattoo style is usually done simply in bold black or the limited color palette of red, black, green, or yellow ink.
Modern variations of the best mom heart tattoo ideas have branched out from a simple heart and banner. These neo traditional designs still feature old ink principles of bold line and flat shading, but may include realistic, mechanical, or anatomical hearts done with contemporary bright inks.
The following list of mom heart tattoo ideas showcase the fusion of traditional ink principles with brilliant modern options. They’re sure to help inspire your next piece.
1. Bold Black Ink Tattoos
2. Tattoo Ideas for the Forearm
3. Heart with Rose Tattoo Designs
4. New School Neo Traditional Tattoos
5. Shoulder Tattoo Designs
6. Simple Tattoo Designs
7. Small Tattoo Ideas
8. Classic American Traditional Tattoos
9. Upper Arm Tattoo Ideas
FAQs
What does a mom heart tattoo symbolize?
A mom heart tattoo comprises two elements; the first and most obvious depicts one’s love for their mother, while the second is a nod towards the lengthy history of traditional tattoos.
A classic American traditional design is a heart tattoo with a banner over it that says “mom,” either in black ink or limited color.
Modern variations of the best mom heart tattoo ideas have branched out to include realistic, mechanical, or anatomical hearts done with contemporary bright inks.
What style mom heart tattoo should I get?
Most often mom heart tattoos are etched in three different variations, which include:
- The classic American Traditional design in black or limited color ink made famous by artists such as Sailor Jerry
- The neo traditional design style mixing old school tattoo principles with contemporary design flair and color
- Simple black ink tattoos with delicate, flowing linework
How much does a mom heart tattoo cost?
Most tattoo artists charge an hourly rate which may be as low as $80 or as high as $200 an hour for experienced professional artists.
When looking at a midsized mom heart tattoo there is little chance that a design will take less than an hour, so a simple mom heart will range from $150-300 for bold black ink, all the way up to $800 or so for a badass neo color piece
Most shops have a minimum price—usually between $50 and $100—because even for a small heart the artist must set up, sanitize, and apply a stencil before they can even begin to tattoo.
Where should I place my mom heart tattoo?
Old school American Traditional tattoos were focused on the maxim, “not above the cuffs or below the collar,” and mom heart ink was no exception. Most often they were found on the biceps, shoulder blades and chests of sailors abroad.
Contemporary attitudes to visible ink have slowly changed this ideal, and you’ll now found designs featuring a mom’s regard in a wider range of spaces, including on the hands, wrists, neck and nape.