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The Meaning of Tattoos

130 Designs and What they Mean
By Nick Schonberger
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Brief Description
Following the success of the bestselling The Language of Tattoos, this stunning new volume takes you even deeper into the rich symbolism of body art. Featuring 130 completely new tattoo motifs, The Language of Tattoos Vol. 2 explores fresh themes—from rebellion and adventure to folklore, Greek... Read More
Format: Hardback
$4500
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Releases 3rd November 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "The Meaning of Tattoos" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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A companion volume to the hugely successful The Language of Tattoos, this is an entirely new volume of 130 tattoo symbols

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Following the success of the bestselling The Language of Tattoos, this stunning new volume takes you even deeper into the rich symbolism of body art. Featuring 130 completely new tattoo motifs, The Language of Tattoos Vol. 2 explores fresh themes—from rebellion and adventure to folklore, Greek gods, cosmic psychedelia, and rock 'n' roll.

Each symbol is accompanied by specially commissioned artwork from acclaimed tattoo artist Ollie Munden, blending fine-line precision with bold Japanese-inspired designs. Alongside these visuals, tattoo expert Nick Schonberger reveals the fascinating history and cultural significance behind every image—uncovering the meanings that make tattoos more than just decoration.

Whether you're searching for inspiration for your next tattoo, curious about the stories behind iconic designs, or simply captivated by the artistry of ink, this book is a must-have. Beautifully illustrated and endlessly informative, it's the perfect gift for tattoo lovers and anyone intrigued by the language of symbols.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781805701385

Publisher: Quarto Publishing PLC

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 29 October 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Frances Lincoln

Illustration: 130

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Oliver Munden

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 170.0mm

Height: 224.0mm

Weight: 810g

Pages: 224

Collections

Arts & Culture Education & Reference Nick Schonberger Non-Fiction Pre-order Books Pre-orders Pre-orders by Release Date Science & Nature

About the Author

Nick Schonberger is a writer, blogger and critic on fashion, culture and music, based in New York. He is the co-author of TTT: Tattoo (2018) and The Graphic Art of Tattoo Lettering (2019). Oliver Munden is an illustrator and tattoo artist who has turned his hand to all manner of styles and applications for almost two decades. Vintage skate art, psychedelia, renaissance art, and most notably European, American and Japanese tattoo aesthetics are combined to create a recognisable signature style which has attracted many commercial clients as well as private clients in his work as a tattooist. He is the creator of the Tattoo Colouring Book (2013), Tattoo Flash Colouring Book (2017) and Tattoo Tarot card deck (2018).

Also by Nick Schonberger

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  • The Language of Tattoos
    This beautifully illustrated guide delves deep into the meaning and significance of different tattoo symbols, exploring the rich cultural history around the world of this widespread form of body art. Tattoos are everywhere: one in three of us has at least one. Body art is one of the most popular ways of expressing our identity and beliefs. But whether we're...
    By Nick Schonberger
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  • The Graphic Art of Tattoo Lettering
    The Graphic Art of Tattoo Lettering is a visually led, comprehensive guide to designing and realising hand-drawn letterforms in the most widely used contemporary tattoo styles. Each chapter provides an accessible overview of these key tattoo styles, including an account of their history, complexities, and relevant sub-styles. The book includes interviews spotlighting leading practitioners, galleries of exemplary artists' work, sketches,...
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  • TTT: Tattoo
    TTT: Tattoo is a visually stunning, high-quality art book that explores contemporary tattoo culture across the world. The book features the work of over 300 of the world's best studios and individuals, including Rock of Ages, Saved Tattoo, Into You, the Leu family, Scott Campbell, Duncan X, Maud Dardeau, Stephanie Tamez, Tomas Tomas, and Kenji Alucky. Exploring the connections between...
    By TTTism and Nick Schonberger
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