8 Awesome Enso Tattoo Ideas With Their Meanings
This Zen symbol can humbly elevate your aesthetics while adding meaning to your existence.
Ruslan Millinhton has been tattooing since 2015. While he is originally from the city of Sumy in Ukraine, he now spends most of his time in Charlotte, NC, USA. He has been doing tattoos for over 10 years. He primarily works in color and black & gray realism.
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Experience: 3 yearsManjari is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over three years of experience in writing across different niches, including beauty, health, wellness, and technology. She first discovered her passion for writing in school and has since honed her craft to perfection.
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Experience: 7 yearsAnjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.
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Joyce Joyson is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over a year of experience crafting short-form content for the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle niches. She has a triple majors bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science, and Geography from IIS University and a master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kristu Jayanti College.
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Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
If you’ve noticed many people flaunting a paint-stroke circle tattoo and are wondering what it is about, you have come to the right post! The enso tattoo is a simplistic symbol in Zen Buddhism comprising a circle made with a single or two strokes using a traditional calligraphy brush. This circle may be complete or, more popularly, simply not quite have its ends touching. Its appeal lies in the raw and rough quality of the circular brush stroke with uneven contours in the overall shape. Its unique appearance, minimalistic undertone, and artsy finish make it quite the popular tattoo subject. If you would like to check out some creative tattoo designs using the enso circle, all you have to do is check out our super cool list of enso tattoo ideas below. Read on!
In This Article
Meaning Of Enso Tattoos
In broad terms, the enso tattoo or the enso circle, represents the Zen mind, symbolizing a high state of enlightenment, further supported by values like strength and the simplicity of universe which is perhaps only complicated by our complex minds. This symbol emphasizes the importance of emptying one’s mind completely, allowing oneself the freedom to accept things as they are without worrying about them and letting enlightenment flow in freely. The enso circle, often done in a single or two brush strokes can either be an open circle or a closed one. An open enso circle represents constant movement, progress, or development while also reflecting on the appreciation of imperfection and the possibility of constant emptiness which can be rewarding. On the other hand, a closed enso circle symbolizes completeness, unity, or a sense of perfection. Overall, this symbol focuses on the interconnectedness of all living beings and that perfection and imperfection are two sides of the same coin and our interpretation of it can make or break our sense of inner peace.
This symbol can be illustrated in a number of ways for truly unique body art masterpieces, helping the wearer embrace themselves and express their Zen mind. The following section can show you a few artistic ways to do so.
8 Mesmerizing Enso Tattoo Ideas
The enso circle is a very basic shape and by itself, there is nothing artistically complicated about it. However, you can always employ creative tweaks to make a symbol your own in your tattoos. Check out the following enso tattoo designs for fun ideas on customizing this symbol for your unique body art.
1. Minimalist Enso Tattoo
The enso circle is conceptually a minimalistic symbol that encapsulates deep philosophical values. A basic black enso circle naturally fits the minimalist theme. However, if you would like to customize it to hold personal meanings without meddling too much with the symbol, you may opt to get it done in a color that is associated to meanings that align with your ideologies. For instance, red is a color associated with passion and vitality in Zen Buddhism thus expressing a passionate interconnectedness between all life forces.
2. Enso Arm Tattoo
The arm is a fun placement for tattoos as the skin canvas space is decent and it can pair with your outfits to create a certain vibe around you. The above image features two concentric enso circles for a large statement-making arm tattoo. The rough brushstroke effect of both circles adds a distinct edge to the design, making for a charismatic piece of body art that will seldom fail to draw attention. If you have any special quotes you’d like to get tattooed and they fit your tattoo’s overall theme, consider getting them along the circumference of this design for a uniquely appealing tattoo.
3. Thin Enso Tattoo
It is interesting to note how experimenting with the basic shape of a universally iconic symbol can bring about creatively refreshing results. Imagine the enso circle done using a finer brush which results in a thinner and delicate-looking silhouette. This enso circle tattoo can be left as it is for a micro-minimalist tattoo art or can be further modified by adding to it other attractive elements like florals or jewel shapes for an intricate, feminine design.
4. Enso Wave Tattoo
One popular variation of the enso tattoo on the internet combines the enso symbol with The Great Wave off Kanagawa painting by the historic Japanese artist, Katsushika Hokusai. This iconic painting of tidal waves brilliantly fits with the enso circle as its frame. The enso circle shows a constant state of evolving and the waves can also represent the unstoppable flow of life. This combination is said to symbolize the interconnectedness of all things in the universe or the cyclical nature of life.
5. Colorful Enso Tattoo
The enso tattoo is most popularly portrayed either in jet black or any other color in monotone. This seems to best fit the idea of a single, or two brush strokes. You can always opt for more colors to add depth or movement to your enso tattoo. The above tattoo depicts the enso circle done in two colors with a solid-shade sun inside it. It may have a correlation to the fact that Japan is known as the land of the rising and setting sun, which also plays into the country’s national flag. You may also build around this tattoo to extend your personal story and incorporate colors that fit your theme.
6. Traditional Enso Tattoo
While some people like going all out with their creativity to incorporate more modern or new-age design elements in art depicting classic symbols, some prefer sticking to basics. If you are one of them, you would appreciate the deep pigmentation and bold, flat strokes done in traditional tattooing. Tattoos that are done in this style age gracefully as they are slow to fade and retain the initial polish for a longer time. Note how the borders remain crisp, without compromising the look of the tattoo.
7. Enso Shoulder Tattoo
The shoulder placement for a tattoo can be instrumental in complementing a unique fashion statement. From the shoulder joint, the design can be extended in the front toward the collarbone or at the back toward the shoulder blades for curiously creative looks. The above enso tattoo resembles that of a coffee stain from a mug which can hold a surprising amount of appeal for those with a cottage-core or earthy sense of aesthetic. Adding some heartfelt quote to this design can further elevate it.
8. Japanese Enso Tattoo
Although the Enso circle is Japanese in origin and essence, it also has an appearance of modern-day, minimal abstract art. To drive home the realization of its ethnic characteristics, you may pair them with other iconic Japanese imagery. The above tattoo smartly combines the Enso circle with Cherry blossoms blooming around it like a wreath, painting a charming picture of a warm and refreshing spring in the countryside. You may experiment with cranes, koi fish, sea serpents, and so on, as other symbolic Japanese subjects for your Enso tattoo.
A simple enso tattoo is proof of the marvelous ways in which the human psyche works, drawing attention to how it is truly fascinating that a mere brushstroke can hold so much philosophical value. Not just that, it can also help people align themselves and find peace in places that previously nurtured chaos. While the basic shape of the enso circle is great for a minimalistic tattoo, those with more elaborate and experimental tastes can easily combine other elements with this symbol to build a more intricate tattoo pattern. It is just as convenient to simply illustrate this symbol is a vibrant color to express dynamic emotions and values. We hope this tattoo inspired you to get an enso tattoo of your own and creatively embark on the pursuit of your Zen mind.
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