Tattoos have become increasingly popular over the past few decades, with studies estimating that 30% of people aged 18-50 have at least one tattoo. Tattoos can hold a variety of meanings for the wearer, from artistic expression to representations of important memories or beliefs. One tattoo element that holds symbolism and meaning for many is the use of numbers, and the number 7 is no exception.
Significance of the Number 7
The number 7 has held mystical and symbolic importance in many cultures and belief systems throughout history. Here are some of the common associations and meanings tied to this unique single-digit number:
- In Christianity, 7 is considered a holy number representing spiritual perfection or God himself. Examples include the 7 days of Creation, 7 sacraments, 7 deadly sins, 7 heavenly virtues, 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit, etc.
- Judaism also considers 7 holy for its association with Creation and the Sabbath. The menorah has 7 branches representing the 7 Classical Planets.
- In Islam, 7 has significance as the number of heavens and hells.
- In Hinduism, there are 7 higher worlds representing the 7 chakras and their associated planes of consciousness.
- Ancient Greek philosophy proposed 7 “planets” including the Sun and Moon representing the days of the week.
- The 7 Wonders of the Ancient World embodied great human achievement in ancient times.
- 7 is seen as a lucky number in many cultures, from lucky 7s in slot machines to the 7th son of a 7th son being destined for good fortune.
- The 7-pointed star represents perfect order to occult groups and pagan faiths.
- 7 deadly sins and 7 heavenly virtues represent a complete set of virtues and vices.
With such rich symbolism across cultures and eras, it’s no surprise that 7 holds appeal in tattoo artistry and body ink design.
Common Meanings of 7 Tattoos
Here are some of the commonly intended meanings behind 7 tattoos:
- Luck & Good Fortune – As a lucky number, 7 tattoos can represent hopes for success, good luck charms against misfortune, or serve as symbols of progress towards one’s goals.
- Spirituality – For religious individuals, 7 tattoos can represent spiritual perfection, divinity, spiritual awakening, or protection by a higher power depending on one’s faith.
- Personal Growth – The evolving nature of the number 7, starting from a single unit and building, embodies the process of personal growth and improvement. 7 tattoos can mark stages of growth.
- Virtues – A 7 tattoo can be a reminder to uphold virtues and principles, whether the classical 7 virtues, Buddhist precepts, or personally chosen values.
- New Beginnings – With 7 days in a weekly cycle, the number 7 embodies the start of new cycles. 7 tattoos can signify moving through transitions or milestones.
- Mysticism – As a mystical number, 7 tattoos are sometimes worn by those interested in ancient systems of numerology, metaphysics, or occult studies.
Of course, a 7 tattoo can hold personal meaning beyond these common associations. The wearer may ascribe their own significance to the number 7 based on life experiences, interests, or beliefs.
7 Tattoo Designs and Body Placements
When it comes to aesthetically rendering the number 7 as body art, there are many creative options for visual styles, complementary elements, and body placement.
Visual Styles
7 tattoos are inked in diverse artistic styles, including:
- Plain black or colored numeral 7
- Stylized fonts like calligraphy or script
- Creative numbers integrated into objects like dice, cards, or slot machine reels
- Geometric 7 shapes and patterns
- Realistic or cartoon 7 imagery
- Incorporation into other designs like flowers, mandalas, hearts, etc.
This flexibility allows a 7 tattoo to be inked in a style that matches the wearer’s aesthetic preferences.
Complementary Elements
7 tattoos are often combined or enhanced with complementary symbols or imagery, including:
- Dice, poker chips, cards
- Four-leaf clovers, horseshoes, rainbows
- Stars, crowns
- Hearts, butterflies, birds
- Flowers like roses, lotuses, lilies
- Feathers, dreamcatchers
- Crosses, praying hands, angel wings
- Words like “Lucky 7”, “Seventh Heaven”, “7th Son”
- Yin yang symbols
- Zodiac symbols
These additions can strengthen the symbolic meaning of the 7 tattoo or simply add aesthetic appeal.
Body Placement
Given the small size of single-digit tattoos, 7 designs can be inked nearly anywhere on the body, including:
- Wrists, ankles, or sides of hands and feet
- Fingers
- Behind the ear
- Biceps, forearms, shoulders
- Chest or over the heart
- Along the spine
- Ribs, hip area, lower back
- Back of the neck
- Behind the knee
- Thighs
More private or discreet 7 tattoos are often placed along the hip, ribs, or back of the neck.
7 Tattoo Ideas
Here are some creative examples of 7 tattoo designs:
- Blackwork style 7 on the wrist, with dot work shading
- Geometric 7 made up of triangular shapes on the index finger
- Script 7 behind the ear, with a small heart dotting the i
- Watercolor style 7 across the ankles, colored with shades of purple
- 7 made to look cracked or crumbling, giving an edgy vibe
- Lucky 7 dice above the elbow in a flash tattoo style
- 7 of spades playing card blended with skull imagery as a chest tattoo
- Old English font 7 on the outer forearm
- 3D or shadow effect 7 on the side of the middle finger
- 7 clouds floating across the shoulders and back
For more inspiration, browsing tattoo art on social media sites can reveal creative ways artists have rendered the number 7 as body art.
7 Tattoos Combined with Other Design Elements
Due to their compact size, 7 tattoos are often combined with additional symbols or images to create more elaborate designs. Some ideas include:
- 7 made out of flower petals like roses, lotuses, or lilies
- 7 and crescent moon side tattoos
- Angel wings embracing a 7
- 7 inked within a geometric mandala design
- 7 blended with wolf or owl imagery
- 7 shooting stars trailing down the arm
- 7 integrated into a tree of life back tattoo
- 7 within a circle lined with runic symbols
- 7 and crown chest or neck tattoo
- 7 touching the sun in a solar system thigh piece
Choosing complementary designs that hold personal symbolism can make a 7 tattoo more unique and meaningful.
7 Tattoos Paired with Other Numbers
The symbolism of 7 can be enhanced or contrasted when paired numerically with other tattooed numbers, such as:
- 7 & 7 – Two 7s, either identical or in different styles, can amplify the meaning of luck, blessings, or spiritual influences.
- 7 & 3 – Some choose 3 and 7 for good luck, as on dice, or to signify the human trinity of body, mind and spirit.
- 7 & 13 – Showing opposing luck, with the unlucky 13 balanced by the lucky 7.
- 7 & 12 – Can represent the 7 chakras moving energy through the 12 zodiac archetypes.
- 7 & 5 – The number of days in the work week balanced with days of relaxation or spirituality.
Creative number pairings like this can add deeper meaning to 7 tattoos.
Conclusion
While a simple single digit, the number 7 carries a diverse array of symbolic meanings. As a tattoo, 7 can signify concepts like divinity, luck, growth, virtues, new beginnings, and mysticism. With creative visualization through different artistic styles, complementary elements, and body placement, a 7 tattoo can be an intriguing yet meaningful design choice.
