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. 

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1. Eastern Influenced Small Elephant Tattoo Ideas

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2. Small Elephant Back Tattoos

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3. Minimalist Ankle and Foot Small Elephant Tattoos

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4. Cute Small Elephant Tattoos

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5. Black and Gray Realism Small Elephant Body Art

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6. Colorful Small Elephant Tattoos

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7. Geometric Small Elephant Tattoo Designs

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8. Small Elephant Shoulder Tattoos

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9. Small Elephant Tattoos on the Arm

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9. Small Elephant Wrist Tattoos

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What does an elephant tattoo symbolize? 

See more about - The Top 51 Awesome Small Tattoo Ideas

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.  

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: 

  • Top 91 Elephant Tattoo Ideas
  • Top 55 Geometric Tattoos
  • Salvador Dali Elephant Tattoo Designs
  • Silhouette Tattoo Ideas
  • 60 Geometric Animal Tattoo Ideas