Calling it quits with someone you love is always a difficult task. While getting closure, talking to friends, and practicing self-care can surely be a good way to heal from a split, a common and accessible way to kickstart your road to recovery can be achieved through the means of a broken heart tattoo.
Containing the shape of a heart that is then split into two parts, the symbol of a broken heart is extremely common these days. Although I particularly prefer suggesting the tattoo to one of my clients for how easy it is to recreate, I also believe that a broken heart tattoo doesn’t get the credit that it deserves!
Moving on, whether you’re healing, have healed, or have just called things off with your beau, keep moving forward to find out why a broken heart tattoo is all you need!
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Meaning and Symbolism Of Broken Heart Tattoos
The symbol of a broken heart is often used as a coping mechanism for a break-up, however, it can also be worn to cope with loss or to convey feelings of excruciating pain as well.
Although the former meaning explains the existence and purpose of most broken heart tattoos, the symbol is very much comfortable with being seen as an open book.
On the regular, some of my clients see this symbol as a sign of wisdom. Even though the way they perceive this artwork is often hard to explain in words, I believe that they associate the emblem closely with the saying “no pain, no gain,” which is very much appropriate for the situation.
On-Trend Broken Heart Tattoo Ideas To Cope With A Break-Up
I always tell my clients that relationships often fade, and encourage them to cherish the presence of each person while they’re still around. I also let them know how painful it is to let go of someone indefinitely.
Getting the symbol of a broken heart could be a good idea to get by and recuperate at the same time. Additionally, due to its seamless and straightforward structure, the icon of a broken heart can be a useful installation as a new tattoo, and can even be an additional component to a pre-existing tattoo.
Over the span of a decade, loads of customers came up with marvelous and authentic ways to create and display broken heart tattoos. While all the designs were equally glorious in my eyes, only a minor portion of the variations grew on me over time:
Black Broken Heart Tattoo
Since the color black is usually associated with deep feelings of despair and cynical emotions, the most common broken heart tattoo that I often picked or was asked to create is the black broken heart tattoo.
I typically draw the outline first to ensure the shape doesn’t seem off. I use a round liner needle to maintain the fine-line structure of each border, and take my time for first-timers to reduce the trauma caused by the needle. After creating the outline of the broken heart, I start taking minor steps to create the shattered portions to amp up the visuals of the heart.
Once the design is complete, I use a magnum shader to create the jet black paint job. I often switch the needle for a round shader if the wearer wants the artwork to have a low contrast appeal.
Heartache Broken Heart Tattoo
Another entry that grew on me over time is the heartache broken tattoo. This form often comprises a portrait or a sketch figure which usually resembles the wearer of this tattoo, with a dialogue cloud of a broken heart.
Due to the minimalist details, it’s usually easier for me to create this variant in contrast to the first entry.
To draw the box, a round liner is often my most reliable piece of equipment.
For the colors, I use the finest flat shader needle that I have so that the faded shade of black is installed without hurting my client physically.
Broken Heart Face Tattoo
If you want your tattoo to be compact, visible, and look visually presentable, incorporate it into a face tattoo.
The tattoo should be installed in the form of a colorless, fine-line tattoo if you want it to stay subtle and bring out the best in your facial features. However, if you don’t want the artwork to lack color, use shades like black or gray to upgrade the visuals while conveying the same message.
For the placement, I would suggest the area above the eyebrows. Since it comprises a hard surface, it might sting a bit, but will also look the meanest and cleanest. On the contrary, if you don’t want to place it above the eyebrow, obtain the artwork underneath the eye.
Small Broken Heart Tattoo
A symbol of a broken heart can very well be displayed magnificently with a wrist tattoo.
Due to the narrowness of the placement, the artwork itself can be very time-efficient. On average, creating the sketch and filling in the colors often takes around 10 minutes if you find me on a good day.
Additionally, even though it would be wrong of me to downplay the color scheme of red used for reference, I’d advise you to pick a color that resonates with you and your current scenario for optimal results.
Broken Heart Chest Tattoo
Another design that often allows me to enjoy my work as an artist is the broken heart chest tattoo.
The structure of it is what often stands out to me. While it usually comprises a black and gray color scheme, the intricate details that the artwork comprises are usually enjoyable to create and sublime to look at.
To add more realism to this variant, I usually add the facial features of a skeleton. I believe the element of a skeleton further allows me to give the wearer an artwork that is a bit more meaningful and easy on the eyes.
Lil Peep Broken Heart Tattoo
Musician Lil Peep isn’t just hailed for the music he left for us, but is also known for just how creative he used to be.
He was also known for the whooping 59 tattoos that he had all over his body, especially the face tattoo he had of a broken heart; which coincidentally was his first ever tattoo.
In an interview with global lifestyle magazine GQ, he revealed how he obtained the micro symbol of a broken heart right beneath his left eye as a means of motivation to make music.
Broken Heart Hand Tattoo
A broken heart can also be showcased using a much larger artwork, but needs to be placed on the hand to be displayed in an exceptional manner.
To create this design, I believe quite a few needles were used. For starters, an 8 gauge round liner was used to create the layout on the hand to keep the borders as thin and make the process as gentle as possible. The black and gray shade for the rose and the heart was created using a magnum shader needle and a curved magnum shader needle to create the freehand look and incorporate the shade into the design.
Personally, this is a remarkable pattern to create if you want to wear your heart on your sleeve. However, ensure to use a magnum shader needle throughout the process to ease the pain.
Red Broken Heart Tattoo
A glass-like broken heart tattoo in cherry red is an excellent variation that I got to work on in multiple scenarios.
The realism that this artwork carries is unparalleled. The shape is often created in a three dimensional manner and the color is brushed in with a double stack shader needle to bring out that glossy, high-spirited, and rich shade of red.
As for placement, this artwork can fit anywhere. However, open areas and spots that accumulate fat could bring to the table good results.
More Broken Heart Tattoos To Wear This Year
The ways in which one can obtain a broken heart are endless. Likewise, there are loads of steps one can take in order to heal from it. Therefore, if you’re still struggling to find a way to recuperate from your heartache, be sure to skim through the following list, which contains more broken heart tattoos!
Which Area Is The Best Placement For A Broken Heart Tattoo?
Typically, many people place the ink of a broken heart on smaller locations, with the forearm being the most popular one. In my opinion, however, I believe that the right placement for this tattoo is very much open to interpretation.
In short, while areas like the forearm and the wrist could offer admirable results, a broken heart tattoo can even be expressed using a much larger image on a chest tattoo for an outcome just as positive.
What Should I Pair With A Broken Heart Tattoo?
The energy of the counterpart should match the aura of your broken heart tattoo. For instance, if you’re seeking to make the symbolism more dark, pair it up with the symbols of creatures that are associated with darkness, like a death moth.
On the other hand, if you want to achieve spiritual growth from your heartbreak, pair it up with a symbol that will provide you with eternal protection and make you a stronger individual once you enter a new chapter, like the symbol of a peacock’s feather.
Bottom Line
A broken heart tattoo might seem corny on most occasions, but has admirable traits that are often dismissed in my opinion. It allows an individual to show their vulnerable side to the world, and carries a pattern that meshes well with the layout and hues of many other symbols that are currently trending on the tattoo market.
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