What Does A Spade Tattoo Mean – Complete Explain In 2023

Ace of Spades is the most valuable card in most card games. The symbol spade has never been limited to only card games. The spade is a widely used symbol even if you look back a few hundred years. The symbol is fairly popular when it comes to tattooing too. Even though the spade tattoo is not very common still it is seen as an elite tattoo.

People have been tattooing spades on their bodies for a long time now. The interesting thing is, spade changed its meaning quite a few times. At times the meaning became positive and at times it became negative. Even today a spade tattoo can mean various things. But as awareness grew, it is no longer a negative tattoo or a taboo tattoo. We will discuss why many thought it is negative and what a spade tattoo means now in this piece.

Key Takeaways

• The spade symbol originated from the French military & came into card games during the 15th century.
• Mainly spade tattoos mean power, death, and luck. But nowadays it can mean various things.
• Spade tattoo is not so common, it is unique and gives off a fresh vibe.
• It can be of any color ink you desire and not just black color ink.

Origin of Spade Tattoo

It is said that the spade symbol is first seen in the French military. The French used to use the spade as a symbol of nobility. Later it became a part of the card game in the French iteration of the sword suit. It was during the 15th century. And the word spade is from earlier English spada or spadu. The actual meaning behind the word spade aka spade is a sword. As the card game grew in popularity so did the popularity of the spade tattoo.

Meaning of Spade Tattoo

The spade tattoo has changed its meaning over time many times. When it first appeared in card games it meant military, nobility, and strength. Because of the military origin and meaning later the symbol carried three meanings in general. Those three meanings are power, luck, and death. There were plenty of people who believed that a spade tattoo is the opposite of luck, meaning it is bad luck. Sailors believed if they get a spade tattoo their corpses will be lost in the sea and won’t get a proper send-off.

Let’s discuss the 3 main meanings of the spade tattoo.

Power

The spade is considered to be a powerful symbol since the beginning. People would tattoo spades to show they are from noble families and powerful. Of course, later it changed dramatically and mostly criminals and prisoners would get spade tattoos to show power, strength, and dominance. But now it is fairly neutral when it comes to who gets this tattoo. At the current time many high-profile celebrities such as David Beckham, Jesy Nelson, and Alexis Ren, have been seen rocking a spade tattoo.

Death

The word spade came from spada which means sword. Because the symbol originated from the military and the meaning behind its name it is closely related to war, hence related to death.

Spade a symbol of death has a close relationship with America. Many say it is a dark history of the spade symbol. American soldiers used the spade symbol and spade tattoo during world war two and in the Vietnam war. During the Vietnamese war, a false rumor got spread among American soldiers that spade means death in Vietnam. So they started putting spade cards on deceased Vietnamese soldiers to strike fear into the Vietnamese. Sometimes American soldiers would put spade cards on the open field so that the Vietnamese get scared of the symbol and avoid the area. Even after the war ended, many soldiers would get spade tattoos to remember fallen comrades or remember the war.

Luck

If you look into lucky design tattoos you will surely find spade designs in them. Spade and luck have always been closely associated. Because spade is an ace of clubs and is the most powerful card in many card games. So when players get a powerful spade card they feel lucky, and from that, the association of spade and luck began. Many would tattoo spades on their body so that they can get lucky for not just card games but for various aspects of life.

Other meanings of spade tattoo

Spade tattoo is not limited to the three meanings that I mentioned above. It can be a highly versatile tattoo conveying various meanings. Such as:

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14 Designs of Spade Tattoos & Their Meaning

The spade tattoo is very unique in its design, which means there are a lot of design options to choose from for a spade tattoo. I have chosen some of the best design concepts here and also mentioned what they mean!

1. Upside-down Spade Tattoo

An upside-down fruit tattoo can have a peculiar meaning. But an upside-down spade tattoo means reborn.

The logic behind this meaning could go like this: because a spade means war and death so an upside-down spade would mean the opposite such as rebirth. And if you notice an upside-down spade appears to resemble a heart shape.

2. 13 Spade

It is believed that the number 13 brings misfortune. And the spade symbol resembles the spear that ancient people used in wars to kill. So a spade tattoo that has 13 on it means bad luck, misfortune, and death.

You might be surprised to know that there are quite a few rebellious young folks that have 13 spade tattoos on their body.

3. Ace of Spades

Among spade tattoos, ace of spades is the most popular one. Using black ink to get an ace of spades tattoo means luck. If you believe in luck, then this could be a good choice of tattoo for you.

During world war two, American soldiers would use the spade sign on their helmets to attract luck. So you could go for an ace of spade tattoo to show respect and honor someone you knew who fought in world war two.

If you are a card player, then it can also be a way to be recognized by other card players.

4. Skull Spade

Including a skull in your spade tattoo will give it a dark theme. It can mean death, destruction, or someone who is not very friendly. This tattoo can be a bit intimidating too.

5. Spade Tattoo

Spade tattoos on women can mean something related to sexual desire.

Especially if the spade has a Q in it, it means queen of spades. If a woman particularly a white woman gets a spade tattoo it could mean she has a preference for black men when it comes to sexual desire.

6. 7 Spade Card

The 7 spade card tattoo means luck. Many consider 7 to be a lucky number and the spade symbol also means luck. So combining these two can mean immeasurable luck, fortune, and success.

7. Bohemian Spade

Instead of a simple spade, you can go for a bohemian style for your spade tattoo.

It will showcase your artistic side and unique taste. You can use red ink on the black spade to make it more appealing.

8. Unisex Spade

Spade is unisex, to begin with. If you include your preferred design in it, it can mean gay pride or spreading transgender awareness.

9. Gambling Spade

If you are into gambling you can use gambling elements such as dice, and poker chips on your spade tattoo. It will showcase your interest in gambling.

10. Tribal Spade

You can easily include a spade in your tribal tattoo or shape the spade in tribal style. It can mean you hold the value of your tribe high and consider yourself to be lucky that you belong to that tribe.

11. Star Spade

Including a star in your spade tattoo can be another way to attract luck. The Star and spade both symbol mean luck. Together it can also mean protection and strength.

12. Leaf Spade

A green leaf over a spade tattoo is really unique and uncommon. The tattoo usually has a ring around it. Instead of going with the usual black ink, this tattoo uses red for the ring and spade and green ink for the leaf. It may mean love for green nature or the cycle of life.

13. Grim Reaper Spade

Adding a grim reaper to your spade tattoo can give it a dark theme. It may mean do not mess with the tattoo bearer, scary, spooky, etc.

14. Face in Spade

Instead of putting just a spade, you can choose to put a face in the spade. It can be your loved one’s face or your favorite celebrity. It means your love and admiration toward that individual whose face you tattooed in spade.

10 Elements You Can Add to Your Spade Tattoo

There are many elements out there that you can include in your spade tattoo. To give you a heads-up, here are the 10 most used and versatile elements to choose from.

With these design elements, you can enhance your spade tattoo even further! The versatility of the spade tattoo means there could be even more things that you can incorporate into it. That is why for the design, make sure you go through the elements to see which suits you the best!

FAQs

What does a spade tattoo under the eye mean?

A spade tattoo under the eye is common in prisoners and criminals. It may mean “mi vida local” which can be translated to “my deranged life”.

What does a red spade tattoo mean?

Women may get a red spade tattoo on their fingers to show power and strength.

What does black spade mean?

It may carry various meanings depending on the tattoo bearer but mostly it means good luck.

Final Thoughts

The spade tattoo may not be in fashion but it still holds an elite spot. Spade tattoos can be a great choice for men, women, gays, and transgender because it is a versatile symbol. A spade tattoo can mean luck, death, and power to anything you can imagine of. If you go for a spade tattoo don’t be shy to give it your own spin and create a unique design. There is no rule that a spade has to be of black ink. You can use red, green, or any color ink you want. Use any color or design to express your imagination through the spade.

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