Dolphin Tattoo Symbolism

Meaningful Dolphin Tattoo Ideas

Dolphin Symbolic Meanings: Intelligence, Playfulness, Friendship, Freedom, Intuition, Sensitivity, Dreaming, Connection, Happiness, Protection, Love

The dolphin is renowned for its sense of play, joy and freedom.

Dolphins are noted for their intelligence. 

In ancient Greece, the dolphin symbolized god-like intelligence and was associated with the powerful god Apollo. Apollo is also a deity who represents light and so dolphin tattoos will convey higher thought, and an illumined life. As an associate of Apollo the dolphin will also have kingly traits like: Strength, Power and Authority. We also see these themes in the dolphin's association with Poseidon.

The ancient Greeks also viewed the dolphin as the transporter of souls to Isles of the Blessed. So we have the symbolic themes of transition, transformation andascending to new levels of being.

 Symbolism of resurrection and dolphins also shows up in Christian art as the dolphin is also featured as a carrier of souls.

Dolphins also have a lunar connection. It's semi-circle body shape looks like crescent moons. The dolphin is also a companion of Aphrodite who maintains feminine and moon symbolism. With moon associations comes traits like: Intuition, Dreaming, Psychism, Depth, Emotion.

Two dolphin tattoos together will represent both sun and moon. It also symbolizes duality, partnership, cooperation and balance.