Top 60+ Best Small Elephant Tattoo Ideas – [2022 Inspiration Guide]

Considering the mammoth proportion of the elephant, there is some surprise in the fact it makes for a popular small tattoo design choice. 

Elephants are often used to represent wisdom in tattoo design. Their vaunted memory and long lifespan feed into this ideal. 

Their naturally vast and wrinkled look means realistic tattoos are often used to illustrate this sentiment and can be incorporated into a variety of different types of small tattoo. 

The size of the elephant, and it’s relationship as a herd – you’ve often seen elephants ‘holding hands’ and protecting the calves when under threat – also represent strength, family and loyalty.  

As a symbol to Eastern religions the elephant is a forger of new paths who clears away obstacles – in the Hindu religion he is known as Ganesh. 

The following top 61 small elephant tattoo ideas feature brilliant tattoo art from a variety of talented artists, while towards the end of the article you’ll find a range of FAQ questions to help you in making a new tattoo choice.

1. Eastern Influenced Small Elephant Tattoo Ideas

Source: @dtayehtattoo via Instagram

Source: @daniela_giorgione_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @inkaddictthailand via Instagram

Source: @droppedinwonderland via Instagram

Source: @cara_hayward_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @anahatayogatoulouse via Instagram

2. Small Elephant Back Tattoos

Source: @a.rtattoos via Instagram

Source: @ancicams via Instagram

Source: @bhargav_sonu19 via Instagram

Source: @celticarttattoo via Instagram

Source: @em.has.ink via Instagram

Source: @la_fucking_zona via Instagram

Source: @mandalatattoostudio via Instagram

3. Minimalist Ankle and Foot Small Elephant Tattoos

Source: @alinaandreev via Instagram

Source: @thaibambootattoo via Instagram

Source: @rudy_tattoos_ via Instagram

Source: @rocknrolla_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @creep_in_whispers via Instagram

4. Cute Small Elephant Tattoos

Source: @misci_gale via Instagram

Source: @vagonski via Instagram

Source: @dtayehtattoo via Instagram

Source: @dpereira_tattooartist via Instagram

Source: @dewatattooandbodypiercing via Instagram

Source: @electricdreamscollective via Instagram

5. Black and Gray Realism Small Elephant Body Art

Source: @tattoosuzette via Instagram

Source: @tattoosbydaveyjones via Instagram

Source: @leehumphs_tattooer via Instagram

Source: @kruger_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @heize.latte via Instagram

Source: @fax_tats via Instagram

Source: @edgar_bigserio_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @y_m_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @angelcabanartwork via Instagram

6. Colorful Small Elephant Tattoos

Source: @alexotattooartist via Instagram

Source: @eder_cruz25 via Instagram

Source: @javimetaltattoo via Instagram

Source: @k_ink_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @kevkapo_dg via Instagram

Source: @parthiban_guna via Instagram

Source: @remember_me_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @tattoostarstudiojagodina via Instagram

7. Geometric Small Elephant Tattoo Designs

Source: @dewatattooandbodypiercing via Instagram

Source: @aangie_gooderson_ via Instagram

Source: @dewatattooandbodypiercing via Instagram

Source: @dezink via Instagram

Source: @tattooer_phantom via Instagram

Source: @madridarttattoo via Instagram

8. Small Elephant Shoulder Tattoos

Source: @eightballinktattoo via Instagram

Source: @flo_venam_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @jesi.f.tattoo via Instagram

Source: @luahermanni via Instagram

Source: @ricardotattoo13 via Instagram

Source: @rosanerotattoostudio via Instagram

9. Small Elephant Tattoos on the Arm

Source: @ninelivestattoos via Instagram

Source: @gabikatattoo via Instagram

Source: @jessicapaigetattoos via Instagram

Source: @judilda via Instagram

Source: @spookytats via Instagram

Source: @rodrigomtattoo via Instagram

9. Small Elephant Wrist Tattoos

Source: @aleinwonderland9087 via Instagram

Source: @constattoo via Instagram

Source: @federica.mar_ via Instagram

Source: @justin_sentiment via Instagram

Source: @lastinginktattoo via Instagram

Source: @morris_the_persian_kitty via Instagram

Source: @radicalrootstattoos via Instagram

Source: @takecaretattoo via Instagram

Source: @lil_c_tatts via Instagram

Small Elephant Tattoo FAQs

What does an elephant tattoo symbolize? 

Elephants are often used to represent wisdom due to their vaunted memory and long lifespan, while it’s relationship as a herd – you’ve often seen elephants ‘holding hands’ and protecting the calves when under threat – also represents strength, family and loyalty. 

Elephants are also used as pop culture references, are linked with eastern religion, and US Politics as a symbol of the Republican Party. 

What does an elephant represent in the Hindu religion? 

Another popular aspect for elephant tattoo designs are concepts of divinity and reincarnation, given the relationship to Lord Ganesh and positive depictions of the creature in a wide variety of Eastern religions. 

Ganesh (or Ganesha) is known as the elephant-headed Hindu god of beginnings. He is traditionally worshipped before the beginning of any any major enterprise – as the remover of obstacles – and is the particularly popular with intellectuals, bankers, scribes, and authors.  

What style of small elephant tattoos are most popular? 

There’s tremendous versatility in small elephant tattoos, although the natural color of the massive animal lends itself to depictions etched in black and gray ink. The most popular styles for small body art include: 

• Animal Realism 
• Single Needle fine detailed 
• Cartoon/cute designs and pop culture (such as Dumbo) 
• Eastern religion, philosophy and henna pattern influenced designs 
• Minimalist linework or heavy black ink silhouette 
• Abstract and geometric tattoos 

Did you enjoy these small elephant tattoo designs? If you’re interested in elements that can be applied to small animal tattoo, then click on the gallery links below: 

Categories: Tattoos
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