Introduction to Heart Locket Tattoos
Heart locket tattoos are a relatively new phenomenon. In the past, lockets did not have keyholes. However, today, heart lockets have keyholes in the tattoo designs. Heart-shaped lockets were the most popular shape of lockets in the past. They were suspended on chains of length that allowed them to rest over your heart area. It signified that you were holding something dear to your heart. They usually opened and held tiny pictures of loved ones, either alive or passed on. People gave them as gifts to their loved ones during special holidays, such as Valentine’s Day.
Different Styles of Heart Locket Tattoos
Heart locket tattoo designs incorporate a heart shape, a keyhole, a loop at the top for the chain, and possibly a portion of the chain attached. Designs for this tattoo are as wide open as your imagination. Here are some suggestions.
Victorian Style
The heart locket tattoo designs originated from the Victorian Era. The design possibilities range from extremely elaborate to the minimalist style. If you are choosing elaborate design, study some Victorian art locket images and galleries for ideas.
Couples often wear heart locket tattoos; the female is wearing the locket with the keyhole, and the male is wearing the key. Remember that originally the idea was to wear the locket close to your heart. However, now it is appropriate to tattoo the locket anywhere because it is symbolized as a locket and the meaning is clear.
Because the female is wearing the locket, you can choose the elaborate Victorian style that gravitates toward the female design style. Feel free to add swirls, flowers, cameos, fleur-de-lis, and any other symbols popular from that era. If you want the minimalist, which also is very popular, keep it simple and use color to make your tattoo pop.
Heart Locket Tattoos With Names
Traditional Heart Locket Tattoos
Heart Locket Tattoos With Keys
Small Heart Locket Tattoo
Trendy Designs
If you already wear body art, a heart locket tattoo will incorporate nicely with them. You can get them in almost any size to fit anywhere and match all your existing body art. Remember that if get a heart locket tattoo and its visible, you may be asked for some explanation about where the key is. If you don’t want to explain, hide it. Make sure to involve your partner when designing so that your key and locket will be compatible. After all, isn’t that what this tattoo is about?
Also, these lockets were given as special gifts on holidays representing love. Wouldn’t it be a great idea to get your heart locket tattoos together as gifts to each other on a special day that represents love to the two of you?
Color & Placement
Heart locket tattoo coloring is all over the place, from simple black shaded to full-blown color. Some are in a theme while others sit alone. Those that are alone in color are usually gold, silver, orange, yellow, and red. Keys for heart locket tattoos are generally skeleton keys. Usually, they are inked in black or gold.
Because of the meaning, it seems appropriate to keep them at least on your upper body area, visible, such as your waist, chest, arm, neck, back, or anywhere else close to your heart.