Inspired by the three of swords cards in the tarot deck, the 3 swords tattoo has become popular over the years among card games lovers.
It is mainly depicted as three swords piercing into a heart. Sometimes the heart is not present.
Three swords tattoo meaning was intended to show sorrow, but it can also show love and understanding in some instances.
3 Swords Tattoo Meaning

In the tarot deck, the three swords card symbolizes suffering. A heart was freely floating in the air when it was punctured by three swords. The sky became dark and rained heavily to show grief. The heart is a sign of love, while swords are actions and words that can destroy someone’s emotions.
In relation to the card in this suit, the 3 swords tattoo illustrates some pain that you didn’t expect. Perhaps your lover cheats on you, or your best friend and confidant betrays you. It leaves you so disappointed and hurt emotionally and mentally. It could also mean you intend to hurt others, which is wrong in life.
Inking the three swords can be done upright or inverted, each design bearing different meanings. As mentioned before, besides sorrow and suffering, 3 swords could signify joy and happiness. Here is how these two instances are interpreted:
Upright 3 Swords Meaning
A tattoo with three swords upright, whether piercing a heart or puncturing through each other at a common point, represents sadness that has gripped the wearer. It shows the pain you have felt from being hurt by someone you loved or trusted. This makes you isolated from friends and loved ones and could leave you in a mentally bad state.
Inverted 3 Swords Meaning
When inked upside down, a three sword tattoo signifies relief, especially from a feeling of sorrow you recently experienced. It is a sign of strength you showed during the difficult period and gracefully made it through it. You stepped back, analyzed your life, and didn’t let the situation push you into resentment.
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Why are 3 Swords Tattoo Popular?
It has become a norm to come across different ink designs drawn on the skin. Many people have gone out of their way to use tattooing as a means of self-realization, to express personal identity, and to show growth.
Life has both ups and downs, which makes it beautiful. We create relationships, both intimate and friendships that may not last long. You may fall in love with an emotionally unavailable person. Such things bring out the urge to have a tattoo to represent what you feel about someone or something.
Many people have used the three swords tattoo to show a feeling of disappointment, betrayal, loneliness, rejection, and isolation. If hurt by someone or something, you should give yourself time to experience the pain or sorrow, as only that will help you overcome it. Denying pain will not make it go away.
After addressing the emotional issues we face, we finally get the light and strength to move on. It is a show of healing and self-acceptance. At this point, an upside-down three swords tattoo is popularly used to show recovery. It symbolizes the strength and courage you used to take you out of a dark place.
Who is 3 Swords Tattoo for?
The three sword tattoo is commonly drawn by people in some pain after losing someone or something dear to them. It can be interpreted as a loss that you foresee, are currently going through, or in the past according to how you like it. It is also perfect for people who have lost opportunities or jobs.
If you are foreseeing a loss, this ink will symbolize strength. If you overcome sorrow or bouts of sadness, you can also draw upside-down swords to show that you’re a fighter and came out strong. It becomes a symbol of joy and happiness in your life. It is a way of appreciating the healing process.
Best Placement for 3 Swords Tattoo
Most people drawing this tattoo prefer to have it on the arm, but it can be drawn on any part of the body for different reasons. It is a sign of boldness and enthusiasm when drawn on the forearm. You can have it tattooed independently or as part of a large sleeve tattoo design.
Another popular place is the lower leg and knee, where it can be seen too. If you wish to have it less visible, you can have it on the back and chest. When inked on the chest, it resonates with the pain felt in your heart from whatever tribulations you are going through.
Conclusion
Like in the tarot deck, three swords tattoo symbolizes the pain you may experience in life. This includes rejection, betrayal, reversed fortunes, and abandonment. Some of these pains happen when you least expect them. If you’re a body art lover, you can get tattooed with the three swords to signify grief or to overcome whatever life throws at you.
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