The proverb “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” has evolved over time and done much the same as a tattoo design idea.
These days in the West, an individual who will see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil feigns ignorance to having witnessed someone else doing wrong.
The popular Japanese proverb “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” is carved at the famous Tōshō-gū Shinto shrine in Nikkō, Japan and builds on early Eastern philosophy and the Buddhist tenet to not dwell on evil thoughts.
No matter the type of message, or style of ink you want to get tattooed there’s an interpretation of “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” body art that you can apply to your design and make unique.
Read on for 97 awesome gallery example designs you can take to your tattoo artist for your next tattoo.
1. American Traditional Ideas
Source: @haywoodarts via Instagram
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2. Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Linework
Source: @xristoforosmav via Instagram
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3. Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Arm Skulls
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4. Pop Culture Crossover Designs
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5. Eastern Influenced Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Tattoos
Source: @tattooforyouandyou via Instagram
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6. Innovative Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Inspiration
Source: @scrappystattoos via Instagram
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7. Classical Cherub/Angel Tattoo Art
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8. Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Linen Wrapped Figures
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9. Full Sleeve Tattoo Ideas
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10. Girl Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Tattoos
Source: @_angeltattoos via Instagram
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11. Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Leg Tattoos
Source: @jerryluckycat via Instagram
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12. Innovative 3 Wise Monkey Tattoos
Source: @morphictattoocollective via Instagram
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13. Chicano Style Skull Designs
Source: @eazyface via Instagram
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14. Color and Cartoon Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil Tattoos
Source: @neffewink via Instagram
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15. Traditional Black and Gray Body Art
Source: @hookupstattoo via Instagram
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What do hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil tattoo ideas symbolize?
In Western Civilization the term “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” breaks down to the following:
An individual who will see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil feigns ignorance to having witnessed someone else doing wrong.
They are not responsible for fixing the problem nor bound to tell someone else what has occurred and considers it not their problem to address.
In the West the phrase has come to mean something different than was originally intended, which was essentially do nothing evil and live virtuously. The original proverb was made popular by the three wise monkeys in Japan.
Where did three wise monkey tattoos originate?
The Japanese proverb “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” is carved at the famous Tōshō-gū Shinto shrine in Nikkō, Japan.
Monkeys are important in the Shinto religion, the proverb represented by three monkeys in the carving:
- Mizaru, covers his eyes and sees no evil
- Kikazaru covers his ears and hears no evil
- Iwazaru covers his mouth and speaks no evil
The proverb builds on early Eastern philosophy and the Buddhist tenet to not dwell on evil thoughts. Three wise monkeys illustrated the necessity to protect yourself from difficult behavior, thought, or words.
There was originally a fourth monkey part of the adage, Shizaru, who means “to do no evil” and is either represented by covering his genitals or crossing arms.
What are popular hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil tattoo designs?
Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil tattoos are not confined to just the three wise monkeys. There are a lot of cool ink interpretations of the proverb which include:
- Chicano style – La Chica ink, bandana coverings, traditional black and gray art
- Skulls and American Traditional style tattoo art
- Buddhist and Eastern philosophy where the original proverb came from
- Pop culture – movies, memes, art, cartoons and books
- Classical angels and cherubs
- Figures with linen wrappings covering ears, eyes, and mouth
No matter the style of ink you like or wish to get tattooed there’s an interpretation of “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” body art that you can apply to your design and make unique.
Did you enjoy this collection of “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” tattoos? Click on the links below for more brilliant tattoo galleries featuring quote, proverbs, and adages:
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