Enso, (also known as the “Zen circle”), is the quintessential Japanese tattoo design. It was meant to serve as a reminder that by simply observing your thoughts and accepting them without judgment, you can find peace in any moment.
Elements of this philosophy are found across nearly every ancient Asian culture, but it is truly perfected in Japanese Zen Buddhism.
In the simplest of terms, an enso is a circle drawn with a single fluid brushstroke.
However, to truly understand this tattoo’s meaning, one must take time to embrace its symbolism. Visually it looks like nothing more than a simple round shape; something you might find on any given surface if you gazed out your window.
But its simplicity is what makes it so powerful, and once you learn more about the concept of enso tattoo design, you’ll be left with something that can bring you peace in any given moment.
So, What do Enso tattoos mean?
An enso tattoo is a symbolic representation of the Zen Buddhist concept of ‘beginner’s mind’.
In essence, it represents a moment when you are completely consumed in observing life as it comes to you. For a fleeting second you become one with your surroundings and nothing else in the world matters.
This doesn’t happen every day, but when the mind is open to the possibilities, you will find glimpses of perfection in even the most mundane of experiences. It’s at that moment that you can truly appreciate life for what it is; something that only happens once and will never happen again.
Enso tattoos are not merely symbolic representations of daily mindfulness – they’re reminders to embrace the moment each time you look at your skin. Sure, it may seem simple enough to do this in theory, but remember that the human mind is fickle and will eagerly take you into various directions if you let it.
Zen practitioners are taught to embrace life with a beginner’s mindset because it opens up possibilities for things that never existed before. This is done through embracing all sensory input and learning to understand it without bias; experiencing life in its fullest capacity.
If the mind is cluttered with judgment or preconceived notions, you may lose sight of this moment – like a child who quickly forgets their favorite toy simply because they had more fun playing with something else.
So, remember to embrace this philosophy with your enso tattoo every time you look in the mirror. It may be difficult to hold on to at first, but over time you will develop the patience necessary to experience it more often.
Another important thing to remember is that enlightenment doesn’t happen all at once – it’s a gradual process of letting go.
It may take years for you to completely understand the meaning behind an enso tattoo, but it will be worth every single moment.
What do black ink enso tattoos mean?
So, what is the purpose of getting an enso tattoo in black and grey? The great thing about this design is that its simplicity makes it very versatile.
It works well with all skin tones and can be modified in countless ways to make it unique.
This is why many people getting an enso tattoo go for black ink – because it can easily be covered up or made more subtle with another color.
What about other colors though?
For example, what does an enso tattoo in red mean?
If you want to get a permanent reminder of how much you appreciate the small things in life and embrace your upbringing, an enso tattoo in red can be a great way to do it.
The color itself is symbolic for blood ties that connect family members; something that every human shares.
Since this is such a universal design, it can be modified in countless ways. You could add dots around the outside of the circle for example, or you could change its orientation entirely and turn it into an enso tebori tattoo.
What about an enso niho shark tattoo? So, what would that mean?
An enso niho shark tattoo is symbolic for balance, family values and all things natural – like the ocean.
It’s also representative of the Hawaiian culture (since Hawaii was originally settled by Polynesians) and can be modified to include elements that are specific to you.
For example, if you love sea creatures you could include either an ocean scene or enso niho shark tattoos similar to the ones below.
Enso tattoo designs are available in hundreds of variations, so it’s important to consider what you want before making up your mind.
After all, this design isn’t small at all and will occupy a large portion of your body if you don’t plan ahead.
If you’re not sure what to get, a black ink enso tattoo is always a safe bet because it can be modified with other colors later on.
How do I design my own perfect enso tattoo?
This question comes up quite often and there isn’t a single answer.
After all, there are countless elements that you could add to the design and personalizing it is a lot of fun.
What if you want your enso tattoo on your upper arm? Or, what if you want to have an enso on the back of your neck instead?
In these cases, a black ink enso tattoo can be modified by adding more elements or turning it into a full back design.
You could also use colors to make it pop out more and turn your black ink enso tattoo into an amazing colorful masterpiece.
What if I don’t want to go for something so abstract?
If you prefer having something with meaning, getting an enso tattoo with the dates of your family members’ birthdays can be a great alternative.
This design is also available in hundreds of variations, so you could even put an enso tebori tattoo behind it or use dots to make the dates pop out more.
If that doesn’t suit your style, try thinking about what represents family for you personally and get a design that fits your needs even better.
If you keep thinking about it this way, you’ll end up owning an amazing piece of artwork that’s specific to you and will inspire others for years to come. This is why getting an enso tattoo has become such a popular choice among artists – because the possibilities are endless!
