30+ Barbed Wire Tattoo Ideas for Men and Women

Barbed wire design is one of the most popular tattoos among tattoo enthusiasts, especially the young ones. Having a lot of synergy with other symbols, barbed wire tattoos come in a variety of styles and designs. Generally speaking, barbed wire tattoos stand for protection, suffering, not giving up and faith. Though looking quite simple, barbed wires can be depicted in a variety of ways by competent tattooists.

Barbed wires symbolize many things and they are endless. This tattoo can be used to let everyone know that you are a badass or outsider. Also, there is a meaning associated with jail. People who spent years in jail get it as a way of signifying how many years they spend there. Another popular symbolism is crown of thorns, so this tattoo can also be used to show religious faith.

We’ve rounded up some of the best barbed tattoos for you. Keep on reading and decide which barbed wire tattoo will suit on you.

1. Heart Shape Barbed Wire Tattoo

Barbed wires symbolize strength. With your heart-shaped barbed wire tattoo, you can make everyone think that the way you love is tough. If you are in a tough love, you do not let anyone ruin your relationship, right? To symbolize this meaning on your body, go for this beautiful tattoo.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUoIm-mhoJX/

Barbed wires symbolize strength. With your heart-shaped barbed wire tattoo, you can make everyone think that the way you love is tough. If you are in a tough love, you do not let anyone ruin your relationship, right? To symbolize this meaning on your body, go for this beautiful tattoo.

2. Barbed Wire Tattoo on Thigh

Thigh cover up tattoos are one of the sexiest things in this world. If you agree with me, just look at the perfection of this barbed wire tattoo on thigh. Can you see how clean the tattoo is? You should find a talented tattoo artist to get it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ChBvu4lswfE/

Thigh cover up tattoos are one of the sexiest things in this world. If you agree with me, just look at the perfection of this barbed wire tattoo on thigh. Can you see how clean the tattoo is? You should find a talented tattoo artist to get it.

3. Minimal Barbed Wire Tattoo

You may go through a lot in your love life and this is okay. If you want to protect your heart in a metaphorical way, there is a perfect tattoo for you. In this heart-shaped barbed wire, there is a woman weeping. Try it out if you feel the same.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CcCmWEgOUpw/

You may go through a lot in your love life and this is okay. If you want to protect your heart in a metaphorical way, there is a perfect tattoo for you. In this heart-shaped barbed wire, there is a woman weeping. Try it out if you feel the same.

4. Barbed Wire with Butterfly

A different type of barbed wire can take your tattoo to a whole different level. In the middle of this arm cover up barbed wire, there is a butterfly which is made of wire. Butterflies symbolize rebirth and they will suit with your protection wire. Go for it to protect your rebirth.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgmt1QIp3jU/

A different type of barbed wire can take your tattoo to a whole different level. In the middle of this arm cover up barbed wire, there is a butterfly which is made of wire. Butterflies symbolize rebirth and they will suit with your protection wire. Go for it to protect your rebirth.

5. Barbed Wire Tattoo on Hand

The old school feel that barbed wire tattoos create is just amazing. To show your love of old school vibes, you should try this arm tattoo. One short strip barbed wire on each hand is quite matching. Plus, the dark nailpolish looks amazing with it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXPQf8OhCq1/

The old school feel that barbed wire tattoos create is just amazing. To show your love of old school vibes, you should try this arm tattoo. One short strip barbed wire on each hand is quite matching. Plus, the dark nailpolish looks amazing with it.

6. Barbed Wire Tattoo on Ankle

Do you know what these numbers symbolize? They are two of many angel numbers. The meaning of 777 is consciousness and helping people. 999 means enlightment, so it has a spiritual message. Have these angel numbers on your body forever and protect these numbers with a barbed wire.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cin8AWyIJF3/

Do you know what these numbers symbolize? They are two of many angel numbers. The meaning of 777 is consciousness and helping people. 999 means enlightment, so it has a spiritual message. Have these angel numbers on your body forever and protect these numbers with a barbed wire.

7. Tiger & Barbed Wire Tattoo

Tigers are super-wild and strong animals. They are mostly chosen as a tattoo since they offer a wild and tough look. In this tattoo, a roaring tiger is combined with a barbed wire and this is all you need to show your wild side with its protection.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CimCUQluDXD/

Tigers are super-wild and strong animals. They are mostly chosen as a tattoo since they offer a wild and tough look. In this tattoo, a roaring tiger is combined with a barbed wire and this is all you need to show your wild side with its protection.

8. Spider Web & Barbed Wire Tattoo

Barbed wire heart is worth a try if you want to get some fresh ink to look amazing. As a nice detail, the spider inside the heart looks like he has made a net to give it a heart shape. The barbed wire and the net are ready to save you from any harm.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CikGnGRM1RD/

Barbed wire heart is worth a try if you want to get some fresh ink to look amazing. As a nice detail, the spider inside the heart looks like he has made a net to give it a heart shape. The barbed wire and the net are ready to save you from any harm.

9. Butterfly & Barbed Wire Tattoo

It is definitely a tattoo done by a great tattooist. The details of butterfly and barbed wire make this artwork look so real that it makes you to touch to see if it is real. The barbed wire surrounds the butterfly and protects it from any damage since it is a very delicate animal.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CiiRhpQrFqF/

It is definitely a tattoo done by a great tattooist. The details of butterfly and barbed wire make this artwork look so real that it makes you to touch to see if it is real. The barbed wire surrounds the butterfly and protects it from any damage since it is a very delicate animal.

10. Barbed Wire Behind the Ear Tattoo

Getting a tattoo behind the ear is something that hurts but it seems like it's worth trying. A big size barbed wire will make you shine out with its perfect shading. Everyone will realize your tattoo every time you turn your head.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CiiLNhbIbcv/

Getting a tattoo behind the ear is something that hurts but it seems like it’s worth trying. A big size barbed wire will make you shine out with its perfect shading. Everyone will realize your tattoo every time you turn your head.

11. Single Eye & Barbed Wire Tattoo

The most common meaning of single eye is associated with God. It represents all-seeing eye of God. If you believe in the power of God above the clouds, you should get it with a barbed wire to take it to another level. The strength and power of God will be quite matching with it!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CilHhIuPOB7/

The most common meaning of single eye is associated with God. It represents all-seeing eye of God. If you believe in the power of God above the clouds, you should get it with a barbed wire to take it to another level. The strength and power of God will be quite matching with it!

12. Golden Barbed Wire Tattoo

Here is a badass barbed wire tattoo. With this shiny golden wire on your leg, everyone will understand that you are an outsider and unapproachable type of person. Plus, the color of golden offers a rich look to your tattoo. Let's go and get it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CiiIUA3D-sN/

Here is a badass barbed wire tattoo. With this shiny golden wire on your leg, everyone will understand that you are an outsider and unapproachable type of person. Plus, the color of golden offers a rich look to your tattoo. Let’s go and get it.

13. Cartooned Barbed Wire Tattoo

A dimensional barbed wire tattoo has some cartoon vibes, doesn't it? It has a dimensional and it makes it look like it is two-sided. Just a simple and minimalist barbed wire can be enough to make you stand out from the crowd. Are you ready for it?

https://www.instagram.com/p/CifL-Oyqzyg/

A dimensional barbed wire tattoo has some cartoon vibes, doesn’t it? It has a dimensional and it makes it look like it is two-sided. Just a simple and minimalist barbed wire can be enough to make you stand out from the crowd. Are you ready for it?

14. Heart Shaped Barbed Wire & Dog Tattoo

Our pets are our family members and they are one of the most adorable things in life. No matter which pet you have in your life, you can keep them on your body as a tattoo. A barbed wire surrounding your pet will symbolize that you do not let anyone give harm to your loved one.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CidTEFPPqb4/

Our pets are our family members and they are one of the most adorable things in life. No matter which pet you have in your life, you can keep them on your body as a tattoo. A barbed wire surrounding your pet will symbolize that you do not let anyone give harm to your loved one.

15. Betrayed Heart & Barbed Wire Tattoo

Betrayals in relationships break your heart in a way that you can't get over it for a long time. If you have a bad experience like this want to get a tattoo that symbolizes what you feel, the one above is for you. A barbed wire breaks the heart in the middle and blood drops fall down to symbolize how painful it is.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CicGeVvIIUW/

Betrayals in relationships break your heart in a way that you can’t get over it for a long time. If you have a bad experience like this want to get a tattoo that symbolizes what you feel, the one above is for you. A barbed wire breaks the heart in the middle and blood drops fall down to symbolize how painful it is.

16. Barbed Wire Bankroll Tattoo

Bankrolls make everyone get excited because who does't like them? In this tattoo, however, a different meaning is on the stage. People are crazy about money and they sometimes let it buy their personality. In order to show your disagreement with this situation, why don't you get a tattoo of a barbed wire with a bankroll?

https://www.instagram.com/p/CiZi6sADtzB/

Bankrolls make everyone get excited because who does’t like them? In this tattoo, however, a different meaning is on the stage. People are crazy about money and they sometimes let it buy their personality. In order to show your disagreement with this situation, why don’t you get a tattoo of a barbed wire with a bankroll?

17. Decorative Barbed Wire Tattoo

 Collar bone tattoos are super sexy, aren't they? However, this one is only for those who are bold enough to get it. Small and simple barbed wires get together in your collar bone separately to make you shine. It is quite extraordinary and it will change your look forever. Are you ready for it?

https://www.instagram.com/p/CiUm1sxo2vE/

Collar bone tattoos are super sexy, aren’t they? However, this one is only for those who are bold enough to get it. Small and simple barbed wires get together in your collar bone separately to make you shine. It is quite extraordinary and it will change your look forever. Are you ready for it?

18. Smile Face Barbed Wire Tattoo

Pain is not an optional thing and people do not choose to feel it. However, there is something that you can choose: Happiness. If you choose it, you will feel better and you know what? Your pain will get easier to bear. Get this smiley tattoo with barbed wires for it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CiO4f1crsMI/

Pain is not an optional thing and people do not choose to feel it. However, there is something that you can choose: Happiness. If you choose it, you will feel better and you know what? Your pain will get easier to bear. Get this smiley tattoo with barbed wires for it.

19. Realistic Barbed Wire Tattoo

Maybe when you first see this tattoo, you've checked it closely since it looks so real. This big size barbed wire will catch everyone's attention with its super realistic look. If you like this type of dimensional tattoos, give this one a shot.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CiKbUIRtraV/

Maybe when you first see this tattoo, you’ve checked it closely since it looks so real. This big size barbed wire will catch everyone’s attention with its super realistic look. If you like this type of dimensional tattoos, give this one a shot.

20. Rose & Barbed Wire Tattoo

Rose barbed tattoos rock! The black ink rose tattoo above offers a quite fabulous look, for sure. Can you spot its shading details? They make it look dimensional in a perfect way. Also, it has an old school tattoo vibe. If you like old school tattoos and can't give up on having a rose tattoo, go for it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch-AxB0Mvbu/

Rose barbed tattoos rock! The black ink rose tattoo above offers a quite fabulous look, for sure. Can you spot its shading details? They make it look dimensional in a perfect way. Also, it has an old school tattoo vibe. If you like old school tattoos and can’t give up on having a rose tattoo, go for it.

21. Floral Barbed Wire Tattoo

There is a beauty in everything, right? Even the situation sucks, there is always something to see the beauty in it. One of the symbols of barbed wires is prison. Standing behind the wires is not something easy but letting yourself grow and take lessons from it can make it bearable. Why don't you show this with flowers on a barbed wire?

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch7gBRDAQNp/

There is a beauty in everything, right? Even the situation sucks, there is always something to see the beauty in it. One of the symbols of barbed wires is prison. Standing behind the wires is not something easy but letting yourself grow and take lessons from it can make it bearable. Why don’t you show this with flowers on a barbed wire?

22. Scary Barbed Wire Tattoo

If you watch horror movies, you know that barbed wires are used in many of them. Barbs are so sharp, so they have the power to harm someone, To show that someone who dishonors deserves bad things in the world, you can get this tattoo.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cidoe9XPQkJ/

If you watch horror movies, you know that barbed wires are used in many of them. Barbs are so sharp, so they have the power to harm someone, To show that someone who dishonors deserves bad things in the world, you can get this tattoo.

23. Skull Barbed Wire Tattoo

How can we get a super cute skull? Just put a hairband with rabbit ears! It is questionable if this skull is scary but showing a contrast is someting creative, for sure. A barbed wire can be added below your cute skull to make it cuter, or scarier.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cif6lQQLT4j/

How can we get a super cute skull? Just put a hairband with rabbit ears! It is questionable if this skull is scary but showing a contrast is someting creative, for sure. A barbed wire can be added below your cute skull to make it cuter, or scarier.

24. Cute Barbed Wire Tattoo

Hormone Monstress is a cartoon character from a Netflix series called 'Big Mouth'. She is cute monster with horns on her head. If you have a favorite character like this one, you can show your love in a heart shaped barbed wire. If it is a bad character, wires will be more matching, tough.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch1yX5LtMEt/

Hormone Monstress is a cartoon character from a Netflix series called ‘Big Mouth’. She is cute monster with horns on her head. If you have a favorite character like this one, you can show your love in a heart shaped barbed wire. If it is a bad character, wires will be more matching, tough.

25. Blackwork Barbed Wire Tattoo

Rose thorns represent that nothing is perfect. Every beautiful thing in this world has a negative side and we should all be aware of that. In this tattoo, heart shape barbed wire is combined with rose thorns. The barbs and thorns may symbolize that every love is not perfect.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ChzL1ScLrPe/

Rose thorns represent that nothing is perfect. Every beautiful thing in this world has a negative side and we should all be aware of that. In this tattoo, heart shape barbed wire is combined with rose thorns. The barbs and thorns may symbolize that every love is not perfect.

26. Ram Skull Barbed Wire Tattoo

Ram skulls are so cool, aren't they? In many ancient societies, this ram skull is a symbolic figure. It symbolizes determination, renewal and boldness. To take this cool and wild ram skull to a whole different level, adding a barbed wire around its horn is all you need.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ChwW3ltK6cW/

Ram skulls are so cool, aren’t they? In many ancient societies, this ram skull is a symbolic figure. It symbolizes determination, renewal and boldness. To take this cool and wild ram skull to a whole different level, adding a barbed wire around its horn is all you need.

27. The Grim Reaper & Barbed Wire Tattoo

This scary tattoo may not be appealing to everyone but we know that there are lovers of it. A grim reaper is a personification of death in the form of a skeleton. It is believed to claim one's life when the time comes. To make it look scarier, a barbed wire can be added to its knife.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ChsOaCxuOtS/

This scary tattoo may not be appealing to everyone but we know that there are lovers of it. A grim reaper is a personification of death in the form of a skeleton. It is believed to claim one’s life when the time comes. To make it look scarier, a barbed wire can be added to its knife.

28. Cute Rose & Barbed Wire Tattoo

Roses have been a popular choice thought the ages for those who want to get a tattoo. They are the symbol of beauty and this type of rose has an old school tattoo vibe. If you like this style, matching it with a barbed wire can be a wonderful idea to rock. Protect your beauty with wires.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ChlUhSIrh4B/

Roses have been a popular choice thought the ages for those who want to get a tattoo. They are the symbol of beauty and this type of rose has an old school tattoo vibe. If you like this style, matching it with a barbed wire can be a wonderful idea to rock. Protect your beauty with wires.

29. Dotwork Barbed Wire Tattoo

In order to create this masterpiece above, 3L tattoo needle is used to give it a dotwork look. It is simply a masterpiece since all the details are perfectly done and this is what makes this barbed wire tattoo look realistic. Give it a shot and make your wrist shine out with it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ChVUyYuOtWF/

In order to create this masterpiece above, 3L tattoo needle is used to give it a dotwork look. It is simply a masterpiece since all the details are perfectly done and this is what makes this barbed wire tattoo look realistic. Give it a shot and make your wrist shine out with it.

30. Savage Cat & Barbed Wire Tattoo

Wanna get a tattoo that will show everyone that you are wild? Then, the one above is definitely for you! This savage cat will change your vibe on your arm forever. The way it roars with its yellow teeth is enough to get scared, isn't it? Plus, to show your love for this animal, you can cover it with a heart shaped barbed wire.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ChY3QmRgwNP/

Wanna get a tattoo that will show everyone that you are wild? Then, the one above is definitely for you! This savage cat will change your vibe on your arm forever. The way it roars with its yellow teeth is enough to get scared, isn’t it? Plus, to show your love for this animal, you can cover it with a heart shaped barbed wire.

31. Barbed Wire Rose Tattoo

Creative tattoos always one up over the other ones because they are the work of imagination. Here is an inspiring barbed wire tattoo here. A barbed wire rose may mean a lot. For example, since a rose symbolizes love and passion, a barbed wire rose may mean that the love is not alive anymore and the only way to keep it alive is painful wires.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ChS_WtbO76f/

Creative tattoos always one up over the other ones because they are the work of imagination. Here is an inspiring barbed wire tattoo here. A barbed wire rose may mean a lot. For example, since a rose symbolizes love and passion, a barbed wire rose may mean that the love is not alive anymore and the only way to keep it alive is painful wires.

Barbed wires are a widely known tattoos. It is sure that they will never go out of style. Are you ready for something big or small? From the list above, which barbed wire tattoo is your favorite? Please let us know in the comments. We’re looking forward to reading them!

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Soheil Khaledi

I've been a tattoo artist for over 13 years, working in 35 states and abroad. My art is prominent in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii. I also tattoo on military bases in foreign countries. I share my inspirations on my blog.

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