Teardrop Tattoo Ideas have grown extremely fashionable in recent years, not to mention that a sizable portion of the population is tattooed. Tattoo crazes are prevalent these days, but they’ve been around for a long time. The origins of tattoos can be traced back to the Neolithic period and indigenous populations. These were done for a variety of reasons, including religious ceremonies or rites performed in accordance with their beliefs.
Although we don’t know when the first tattoos appeared, Dr. David Lane, an adjunct professor at Illinois State University who has conducted significant research on tattoos, believes they have been around for at least 5,000 years. “The oldest human remains that we have recovered have tattoos,” he explains. Today, we’ll discuss a specific tattoo that you’ve probably seen thousands of times: the teardrop beneath the eye, as sported by artists such as Lil Wayne, The Game, and Gucci Mane.
Table of Contents
History
The tattoo’s melancholy story and message were inspired by Alexandre Cabanel’s work: a Lucifer banished from paradise, with a tear poised to fall. The Apocalypse of the New Testament portrays an epic battle between Saint Michael and Lucifer, who decided to rebel against God and was exiled from paradise. Alexandre Cabanel painted this picture, adding a famous teardrop to it.
Before his defeat, Lucifer, God’s right hand, gathered an army of renegade angels to take action against his creator, whom he saw as an equal, if not inferior. In 1667, John Milton published the poem Lost in Paradise, in which he attempts to convey what Lucifer thought and felt before rebelling against God and becoming the image of evil for Christians: “Better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven.”
Symbolism
The Lucifer tattoo, also known as the Last Tear of Lucifer, depicts impotence, wrath, anger, and despair, as it represents the rupture of purity caused by a betrayal that fueled the person’s drive for vengeance. Those who have this form of tattoo on their skin want to convey a message of agony produced by the individuals they care about the most or in whom they have the most faith. The significance of the teardrop tattoo differs greatly, since some claim that it is utilized when a person is humiliated or raped in jail.
Modern day Significance
In other circumstances, persons who get this tattoo are thought to have committed a murder; if this is the case, it usually appears under the left eye. However, having this tattoo might cause serious complications because, in a 2004 court case, a young man of only 17 years old was convicted of manslaughter for wearing a teardrop tattoo, which resulted in a 25-year prison sentence. The irony is that his lawyer filed an appeal, saying that he should be allowed to wear cosmetics to the trial to conceal the teardrop tattoo, so circumventing the judge’s request to view it.
In many circumstances, the teardrop tattoo, which is positioned under the right eye, can also indicate grief. This might involve gang members remembering a slain friend or a spouse standing in solidarity with their inmate lover. This, however, is not restricted to gang or jail culture. In the 1990 film Cry-Baby, actor Johnny Depp gets a teardrop tattoo as a brooding heartthrob for his ability not to shed a single tear at command. To reflect her personal sadness or loss, the late Amy Winehouse got a teardrop tattooed on herself in the 2000s, as did rapper Lil Wayne in 2012. On rare circumstances, this tattoo can demonstrate someone’s tenacity or strength to carry on with their plans.
Tear Tattoo Designs
1. One Tear on Face Tattoo
Most people only have one real love. This elderly lady had lost her one and only love. She remembers him through her one tear tattoo. We get emotional when we view this teardrop tattoo.
2. Three Tear on Face Tattoo
Three blue tears fall from a man’s blue eye. The blue tear tattoo depicts a man’s heart’s tremendous pain, a pain as vast as the ocean.
3. Black Teardrop Tattoo
As he recalls the loss of someone important to him, the elderly man sheds a dark tear. The dark hue of the tattoo and the reflection are very striking.
4. Crying Eye Tattoo
One eye is traced to a guy’s leg, and there is also a teardrop; this tattoo portrays a man alone, without anybody to communicate his feelings with, but yet moving forward in his life.
5. Teardrop on Finger Tattoo
This finger tattoo shows that you were strong in your sad and lonely times, and you wiped your own tears.
6. Illuminati Teardrop Tattoo
Add a tear to the Triangle tattoo of Illuminati eye, symbolizing that power and position is not enough for creating happiness
7. Lucifer’s Last Tear
A perfect symbolic tear tattoo design for history and art enthusiasts
8. Lucifer’s Last Tear Minimalist Tattoo
This tattoo design depicts Cabanel’s fallen angel, but in a minimalist style appropriate for today. The tattoo artist continues through the outlines to represent the suffering angel while maintaining minimalism. This fallen angel tattoo, like almost other minimal tattoos, would look great on the forearm or just above the elbow.
9. Weeping Statue Tattoo
For Catholics, Mary’s tears have special meaning: she weeps not just for the sins of the world, but also for the anguish she underwent during her earthly existence, which is referred to as “the seven sorrows of Mary.” These sorrows, which include Jesus’ crucifixion and death.
10. Heart’s Tear Tattoo
A fantastic little design Crying heart tattoos are a good option for a filler tattoo because they offer something to any classic piece, such as a sleeve.
11. Blue Tear Tattoo
It shows the beauty of vulnerability. Crying is a vulnerable act, but there is no shame in it. That is what this tattoo stands for.
12. Geometrical Tear Tattoo
Add a couple of sharp geometrical designs and angles in your teardrop tattoo to give it a hint of futuristic look.
13. Tribal Tear Tattoo
A very unique design of teardrop tribal tattoo that people with unique taste will definitely like.
14. Ankle Teardrop Tattoo
Get a crying eye on your ankle for less painful inking. Read more about painful tattoo placements here.
15. Skull Teardrop Tattoo
This tattoo represents the idea that sadness is inevitable and goes with you beyond this life.
16. Mask Teardrop Tattoo
This tattoo tell the world that you are trying your best to mask away your sadness and tears.
17. Comedy and Tragedy Mask Tattoo
Melpomene is the name of the tragedy mask or Muse of Tragedy, and Thalia is the name of the comedy mask or Muse of Comedy.
18. Clown Tear Tattoo
Clown’s tears represent a person who makes everyone around them happy but is secretly suffering from sadness himself.
19. Teary Matchbox
Teary Matchbox. What an amazingly detailed tattoo idea. This design portrays a matchbox with a teary eye printed on it. The ominous vibe makes this tattoo a little gothic.
20. Barbed Wire Teary Eyes
This tattoo is a great choice if you want a tattoo with a pop of color. The tattoo has a teary eye wrapped into barbed wire that has the shape of a soft heart.
21. Portrait in a Tear
This has to be the most detailed tattoo that we have mentioned in our blog. The teardrop tattoo is amazing because of ho detailed the tar looks. The adorable portrait within the teardrop is also amazing.
22. Cry Baby Juice Box
Cry baby juice box tattoo is a fun idea if you are looking for a filler tattoo design. It looks cool and fun at the same time and you can add whatever meaning you wish to add with this.
23. Minimalist Tear Drop View
This minimalist side view tear drop is an amazing tattoo idea for those who like to have a subtle tattoo to begin with.
24. Teardrop Daisy
This tattoo idea is very abstract in its execution. It is actually an upside down lotus that has a tear drop dropping out of it. Overall it appears to look like a daisy.
