32 Best Teddy Bear Tattoo Ideas
Josie Costigan
Table of Contents
About Teddy Bear Tattoos
A teddy bear tattoo is one of the most classic reminders of childhood. The stuffed animal has been carried through childhood into adulthood by following the latest trend of getting the bear as a tattoo.
The teddy bear tattoo can represent and mean different things to each person. Whether it’s a reflection of your favorite childhood toy or you resonate with one of the deeper meanings, it’s a sweet, cute design choice.
There are a few different ways you can design this tattoo. It can be a replica of the teddy bear you grew up with, a more cartoonish design, or an element incorporated into a larger tattoo.
There’s so much you can do with this tattoo, but we’re here to help you settle on a design you love.
After reading this guide, you’ll understand:
- The teddy bear tattoo meaning and symbolism
- Best places to get the tattoo
- The average cost you can expect
- A list of teddy bear tattoo ideas
- History of teddy bear tattoo designs
So get ready to warm up (or cuddle up) to the idea of the teddy bear tattoo. The meanings and symbolism of this tattoo may grow on you or they might make you think about your favorite bear growing up.
Either way, this tattoo can be designed in various ways and mean something special to anyone.
What Do Teddy Bear Tattoos Mean And Symbolize?
They’re not just soft, cuddly stuffed animals. The teddy bear has a lot of deeper meanings hidden behind all that stitching. Simply put, the teddy bear tattoo is a symbol of innocence, love, and unconditional affection.
Contrary to popular belief, a teddy bear tattoo doesn’t necessarily mean the person has a childish personality. In fact, it could represent their optimistic lifestyle or their choice to be happy.
It’s also a great way to make others smile, and a way to remember one’s carefree youth.
A teddy bear tattoo is also a symbol to remember the loss of a child. Individuals who are mourning a difficult loss may get the bear and incorporate their child’s name within the design. It is one of the more gentle designs to commemorate a loss.
Instead of featuring an angel or details that reflect death, a teddy bear tattoo is a more tender, innocent, and delicate design choice.
As we mentioned, it’s not uncommon for people to get a teddy bear tattoo that resembles their favorite teddy. Growing up, most of us adored our stuffed animals.
Personally, I felt invincible with mine. I wouldn’t be scared of the dark and the cuddles were always enough to cheer me up. Who wouldn’t want to get that feeling reflected in artwork that’s on your body forever?
A teddy bear tattoo could also be a softer, more gentle design to reflect the animal itself. Bears have some powerful, strong meanings associated with them that you may love but also might be intimidated by.
So, if you’re unsure about getting the muscular creature as a tattoo, then swap it out for a stuffed version!
Where To Get A Teddy Bear Tattoo
Where you can get your teddy bear tattoo is based on whether you choose to get a huge stuffed bear or a smaller one.
The bigger the canvas, the more room your artist has to get creative with your design without it looking muddled. So, with that in mind, some of the best areas you can get this tattoo are:
- Back
- Bicep
- Thigh
- Calf
- Shoulder
- Ribcage
- Wrist (for smaller designs)
- Ankle (for smaller designs)
When it comes to each of these areas, there are a few other factors to consider and each one of them will affect the longevity and overall appearance of your tattoo.
Tattoos that are constantly soaking up the sun are more likely to fade—especially during the first few weeks. If you live in a sunny area, you’re lucky, but you’ll need to be more cautious.
So, areas like the biceps and calves may have more sun exposure. You can either choose a different spot or make the effort to cover the ink often.
The same rule applies to spots on the body that have to deal with excessive sweating or rubbing from things like purses or backpacks.
This could also destroy the ink or cause it to fade more quickly than you’d like. If you’re spending a decent amount on your teddy bear tattoo then you’ll want it to look fresh for the longest time period possible.
Taking care of your new ink during the healing process, which typically lasts a few weeks, is crucial. This is when your teddy bear tattoo will begin to scab and might be itchy.
In case your artist doesn’t give you instructions, fragrance-free moisturizer is the key to a smooth healing process and it will lessen the urge to scratch your tattoo.
How Much Do Teddy Bear Tattoos Cost?
The price of your teddy bear tattoo will be calculated based on a few different factors. Your artist will consider the following things when deciding the final price:
- Size of the tattoo
- Amount of details included in the design
- Time spent
- Quality of the ink
Bigger tattoos require more time and materials to complete. With that in mind, you can expect that any larger tattoo will rack up a more expensive cost. So, if you’re wanting to feature a big version of the stuffed animal then you might need to save up a bit.
The quality of ink is an important factor to consider when getting your teddy bear tattoo. I’m sure a few of us have ‘been there’ and chose to go to the studio offering a cheaper price. Some studios may even advertise deals on their windows or online.
The best piece of advice we can offer is this: the amount of money you invest in your tattoo will show in your finished design.
So always try to choose an artist who values the quality of the ink they use. Because the better the ink, the better your tattoo will look and the longer it will last on your skin.
If you’re wanting a more concrete price point, the best thing to do is to head to your tattoo studio for a consultation.
During the consultation, you’ll be able to speak to the artist and they can visualize the look you’re wanting—plus they may even sketch something up for you quickly! From there, they’ll be able to give you a more accurate cost for your tattoo.
32 Best Teddy Bear Tattoo Designs
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History Of The Teddy Bear Tattoo
Real-life bear tattoos are known to be one of the most popular design choices for those who enter a tattoo studio. Although a teddy bear tattoo is a more modern and artistic design, it still encompasses the look of a bear.
The ferocious animal has been a dominant figure in many cultures throughout history and to this day.
Indigenous and Native American cultures have an abundance of cultural and spiritual references to the animal. For them, the bear is a symbol of being free, courageous, and of self-control.
Additionally, it reflects rebirth since the animal is known to hibernate and return to the world once the winter season has passed. Many say it’s also a symbol of protection.
They admire how a mother bear protects her cubs and try to embody that quality when fighting to preserve their land and culture from colonization.
In some Japanese cultures, animals are considered to be gods. However, the bear is considered the head of the gods. It’s an ongoing symbol of wisdom, power, and self-restraint.
Chinese culture believes that the animal has a connection to Yang energy, which is masculine energy relating to power, strength, and might.
In the Chinese philosophy of Feng Shui, placing a bear figure in your home has many benefits. Since they believe a bear encompasses masculine energies, they say to place the symbol near the front of your home.
By placing the bear in the front of your home, you are circulating the masculine energy that is often associated with protection.
Which Celebrities Have A Teddy Bear Tattoo?
Ed Sheeran added a teddy bear design to his collection of tattoos. Like most of his tattoos, the bear is colorful and has the appearance of being drawn by a child.
His body looks like a canvas for children’s artwork—but we mean that in a good way! His design is on his inner bicep and features a teddy bear that looks ready to be cuddled.
Singer Melanie Martinez has a basic teddy bear tattoo on the inside of her bicep. The sitting teddy bear is cartoonish in design, featuring a blue ribbon tied around its neck. For Martinez, this is one of three teddy bear tattoo designs she has inked on her body.
Singer Robbie Williams has a simple teddy bear tattoo on his arm. The design includes basic linework featuring an outline of the bear wearing a shirt with the letter ‘T.’ The musician said the bear is dedicated to his daughter, Tedd. Perfect choice, Robbie!
American singer, Keyshia Cole, has a cute teddy bear tattooed on her ankle. The singer said her design is meant to reflect a bear she loved throughout her life. Which makes perfect sense—we all had one stuffed animal we never let go of as a kid!
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