Carpe Diem Tattoo Designs & Their Meanings

“Carpe Diem” is Latin and roughly translates to “Seize the Day,” emphasizing that we should always live our lives in the present moment. You can incorporate elements like flowers, ships, feathers, and the like into the tattoo design to personalize it. Different fonts, sizes, and placements also help you customize the artwork to your liking.

Carpe Diem: Meaning

“Carpe Diem” is more a philosophy than a quote. Those who sport these tattoos believe in making the most of the day or living in the moment. While it’s commonly translated as “Seize the Day,” the original phrase literally means “Pluck the Day” – a call to be the best you can be in the “now.”

This tattoo design serves as a constant affirmation that the wearer has the potential to be better. People with strong anxiety might particularly benefit from this aspect of the Carpe Diem depiction. It’s also useful for the adventurer who wants to push the boundaries of what’s achievable.

Popular Designs

If you want to add more vibrancy to your Carpe Diem tattoo and emphasize its message, consider some of these examples.

Flowers

They represent vitality and life and serve as a great reminder of the importance of being in the moment. You can also use withered or dried flowers to emphasize a more somber meaning of the imagery.

Flowers are a common element paired with this text. The original use of the phrase actually referred to the plucking of flowers, making them a fitting element to add to your tattoo

Butterfly

Butterflies are considered beautiful, delicate, and free, making them a fitting reminder of life’s fleeting joys. Pairing with a butterfly illustration can be easily adapted to various styles, from traditional to watercolor.

Sketch out the butterfly’s outline and combine it with the font of your choice. You can also get creative and place the phrase around, beneath, or above the design.

Clock

Clocks are a great way to emphasize the meaning of the text. Time can slip away if you’re not mindful of living in the moment and appreciating what you have. To accentuate this idea, the text can be imprinted on the face of the clock. Placement above or below would also work.

Hourglass

Hourglasses are another way to emphasize the “time is running out” theme of the tattoo. Even though they are a classic tattoo element, there are various ways to incorporate them. Design the hourglass to be more intricate or simplistic by adjusting the style and color.

Use contrasting shades for the text and the glass if you want to juxtapose the desire to live in the moment against the constraints of time. An hourglass, symbolically, differs from a clock. The glass is more definitive, conveying a sense of finality or limitation, while a clock is cyclical, resetting every 12 hours.

Compass

A compass indicates an open future, almost like a crossroad. Every direction is available, so which one should you take?

Paired with the quote, this tattoo would be ideal for free spirits who don’t let others’ opinions sway them. Seize the moment and follow your heart to find happiness, because tomorrow is always uncertain.

Ships or Ship Wheels (Helm)

The ship’s wheel follows the same line of thought as a compass but with even more determination. Sometimes, you need a reminder that you can steer the ship of your life wherever you want.

This tattoo beckons you to trust yourself and chart your own course. Adding a ship or other nautical elements to your tattoo emphasizes a message of freedom and independence.

Feathers

Feathers have an element of freedom to them, as they fly with the wind. They look really nice with the quote added above or underneath. The feather is light and subtle, and the design is especially common for women, combined with a delicate font.

Feathers underpin the theme of flexibility—you’re ready to embrace whatever will help you enjoy life more.

Ancient Scrolls or Books

Sometimes the quote is incorporated into an ancient scroll or an old book. This emphasizes that the phrase is filled with age-old wisdom and universal truth. This style should particularly fit well with more traditional or realistic themes. It’s also great for writers, as text and paper are their tools of the trade.

Musical Symbols, Brushes, or Other Artistic Elements

All these elements, when combined with the quote, can symbolize the need for self-expression. If you’re the creative type, this should resonate. Choose elements that match any existing tattoos you have. This way, the Carpe Diem tattoo will seamlessly blend with your other artworks.

Skulls and Skeletons

Imagery associated with death serves as a reminder of the inevitable end we all must face – a poignant nudge to make the most of life. These types of designs work best with darker colors, traditional fonts, vibrant Mexican-inspired artwork, or a combination of all these elements.

Lettering

While there are many options to add other elements, this tattoo doesn’t necessarily need anything else. The universal appeal and recognizability of the quote ensure it stands strong on its own.

If you’re leaning towards this idea, show personality in the choice of font. For a minimalist, a simple typeface might just be enough to make your tattoo stand out. Bold and large letters will also make a statement. If you’re more quirky, opting for an unconventional font will truly make the tattoo your own.

Old English

Arguably, the most traditional fonts for quote tattoos are old or biblical-style lettering. They work well in large or small sizes, horizontally or vertically, and as part of larger pieces

Cursive

Various cursive styles are among the most popular for this kind of work. They are subtle and adaptable to different personalities and many other elements. Yet, they pair best with finer designs and objects, like birds, butterflies, and feathers.

Typewriter Font

This font is somewhat unconventional and works great if you’re looking for something that stands out. It pairs nicely with birds or butterflies, or more traditional, masculine elements like Vikings and dragons.

Graffiti

Various styles of graffiti designs allow you to unleash your creativity with colors. With the right color choices and shading, you can add depth, vibrancy, and emphasis to the illustration. Graffiti-style tattoos provide ample opportunities for personalization and artistic expression.

Block Letters

Simple block letters can be powerful and add a distinctive touch to the traditional quote. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re aiming to make a bold statement, you might appreciate this design.

Handwriting

Using handwriting is another beautiful way to make the tattoo even more meaningful. Your own handwriting or that of a loved one you want to pay tribute to can add a deeply personal touch to the tattoo, making it uniquely yours.

Black Background with White Letters

If you truly want your tattoo to stand out, consider a black sleeve where the uninked letters stand out. It’s a highly effective symbol of hope in challenging times, embodied by the text emerging from the dark background. This design not only emphasizes the “Carpe Diem” message but also adds a unique and powerful visual element to your tattoo.

Common Colors and Styles

The most common color for this and other text tattoos is black. If you want something different, consider adding more color to the text or the surrounding objects.

Birds, butterflies, and flowers allow your imagination to run wild with color combinations. Skulls, roses, and maritime themes are highly versatile as they can adapt to different styles, from Mexican to hyper-realistic. If you want more color for your Carpe Diem tattoo, opt for a nature-themed approach.

Common Placements

The most common placements are the upper arms and the back. If you want to try something new, consider placing it vertically.

Areas where the skin stretches significantly can lead to your tattoo becoming less legible after a few years. It’s ideal to keep this in mind when choosing a location. The choice of placement also depends on the font. Delicate fonts go well on smaller body areas, while old biblical styles may require more space to look good.

The Best Carpe Diem Tattoos