Most people choose religious tattoos to represent their own beliefs. This has not left Buddhists (the religion and philosophy founded by the Nepalese teacher Gautama Buddha) out. Other than Buddhist many people from different religious backgrounds like Buddha tattoos this is because they are aesthetically appealing to them, they are also associated with honesty, luck, wealth, purity, and blessings. Buddha tattoos can also be used to avoid harm and to prevent from misfortunes of any evil spirits.

Buddha tattoos center around images of buddha, bodhisattvas, lotus flowers, and Dharma wheels each with a meaning. For instance, lotus flower means strength, rebirth, and enlightenment, Dharma wheels is to represent Buddhism the same way cross is used to represent Christianity or a Star of David represents Judaism, buddha is used to represent one who has achieved a state of perfect spiritual enlightenment thereby attaining a nirvana. Buddha also represents the likeness of Budha.

The different tattoo designs of buddha tattoo are; Buddha hand tattoo, head tattoo, elephant tattoo, Big buddha tattoo, skinny buddha tattoo, and laughing buddha tattoo is also known as a Golden Happy Buddha. Laughing Buddha tattoo was founded in 1996, it is a recognizable and light-heart tattoo to have one on your back or stomach.