I’ve always loved tattoos that carry a sentence you can live inside. Few lines do that like “as above, so below.” The phrase is a modern paraphrase of the Emerald Tablet—a cornerstone of Hermetic philosophy about the mirror between the macrocosm and the microcosm, heaven and earth, and inner life and outer actions. Below are 29 design ideas inspired by your images—each one decoded for meaning, placement, styling, and how to keep it looking sharp long-term.
1) Radiant Eye, Sun & Moon On The Chest
This bold chest composition centers an all-seeing eye with solar rays, flanked by hands gesturing upward and downward—an elegant shorthand for “above” and “below.” The crescent and darkened sun anchor the celestial/earthly polarity. It’s a statement piece for men or women who like front-and-center symbolism and a touch of sacred geometry in their symbols.
Meaning. The eye invokes spiritual vigilance and protection—the Eye of Providence/Eye of Horus lineage—while the sun/moon adds cycles, clarity, and shadow.
Style notes. Open-collar shirts, linen camp shirts, and tanks showcase the symmetry. Pair with simpler sleeves so the chest focal point stays dominant.
Artist tip. Ask for crisp line weight on the rays and gentle stipple in the iris to avoid muddiness over time.
2) Vertical Blackletter Script On The Upper Back
Gothic words running vertically—split into two columns—give the motto a medieval gravitas. Blackletter (aka Gothic art script) carries centuries of European typographic heritage and instantly reads as ceremonial rather than casual.
Meaning. A pure text piece foregrounds intention: you’re wearing the principle itself, no filter.
Style notes. Works beautifully on the back or shoulder blade where the vertical cadence has room. Looks great under a slouchy knit or off-shoulder top—when it peeks out, the reveal feels intimate.
Stencil/Design. Consider initial caps with extended swashes and tighter tracking on the body text to keep the columns clean.
3) Paired Gesture Hands On The Calves
Mirrored hands framed by floral elements sit on both legs, creating an above/below dialogue every time you walk. The placement near the knee is clever—the joint literally “hinges” the concept.
Meaning. Hands are agency; point them up/down, and you’re making the Hermetic line kinetic.
Style notes. Mid-length shorts or cropped trousers let the pair read as one composition. For runners or cyclists, the rhythmic motion turns this into moving art.
Design option. Ask your artist to add tiny directional symbols (star above, roots below) to amplify the axis without crowding.
4) Overlapping Hands With a Hidden Eye (Forearm)
A single forearm piece with interlaced hands and a discreet eye delivers mystery at an everyday scale. The narrow negative space creates a triangle—a nod to sacred geometry—and the slim linework keeps it simple yet loaded with meaning.
Style notes. Roll sleeves twice and let the composition sit just under the watch line. Works with both tailoring and streetwear.
Symbol roots. Eye motifs often signal insight and guidance; many wearers read it as a reminder to act with awareness “below” because something wiser watches “above.”
5) “As Above / So Below” With Roots & Mushrooms (Thighs)
Here, heavy blackletter words sprout tree-like roots populated with fungi—a witty natural-world metaphor for the maxim. The roots (below) mirror the unseen network that feeds what grows (above).
Meaning. Perfect for gardeners, hikers, or anyone who finds the sacred in ecology: what’s thriving above ground is always fed by what’s hidden.
Style notes. Mid-thigh shorts or tennis skirts showcase the pair; winter styling with sheer tights still preserves legibility.
Type a note. Keep the serif weight stout so the caps don’t bleed into root lines as the tattoo ages.
6) Sun, Crescent Moon & Coiled Snake Around the Hand
A luminous sun and crescent moon frame a hand while a star-spangled snake coils through bone and flesh—day/night, life/death, shedding/renewal. The palette sings in neo-traditional color.
Meaning. Snakes symbolize rebirth and wisdom; paired with the sun/moon, they emphasize cyclical balance—the heartbeat of “as above, so below.”
Style notes. This vertical stack loves the outer calf or forearm. Color pops against black denim and leather; in summer, it’s radiant with white tees and sandals.
Design tweak. A thin halo line around the crescent keeps the silhouette crisp from a distance.
7) Delicate Dual Hands With Stars & Botanical Sprig
Two graceful hands, a tiny starburst, and a leafy branch deliver the theme in a whisper. It’s feminine without being precious; the simple dotwork reads airy and modern.
Meaning. Celestial symbols (star, crosslets) meet earth (leaves). That quiet tension is the motto.
Style notes. Lovely on the inner forearm or ankle. Pair with fine-line pieces on the neck or rib to build a cohesive light-ink story.
Stencil tip. Ask for a slightly heavier outline on fingertips and star points so they don’t fade faster than the rest.
8) Framed Sun–Moon Handpiece With Florals
An elegant pair of hands balances a radiant sun at the top and a crescent moon at the base, all set inside a diamond frame. The bannered words “As above / So below” are rendered in blackletter—a wink to symbols of Gothic art—while soft dot-shading and tiny blossoms keep the design light.
Meaning. The geometric frame reads like a little altar: cosmos contained, intention focused. Sun = action; moon = reflection. Together they’re a daily checkpoint for balance.
Placement & styling. Works beautifully on the outer thigh or upper leg; it follows the muscle line and looks sharp with shorts or a slit skirt.
Ask your artist for a clean stencil with separate passes for dotwork vs. linework so the gradients heal simply and crisply.
9) Yin-Yang World Tree With Spiral Core
A branching tree crowns a yin-yang disc whose root half dives into dark soil. At the center, a hypnotic spiral suggests breath or time. Slim serif words arc left and right to complete the motto.
Meaning. A perfect microcosm/macrocosm read: canopy above, roots below. The yin-yang nods to sacred geometry symbols and complementary forces—light/shadow, mind/body.
Placement & styling. Side rib or high hip gives this room to breathe. Keep line weight a touch heavier on roots so they don’t blur as the tattoo ages.
10) Two Gesture Hands With Watchful Eyes
A playful, surreal take: both hands carry a detailed eye in the palm, surrounded by tiny dotted grids and a vine. The words float in a modern sans, which keeps the piece contemporary rather than traditional.
Meaning. The “seeing” hands suggest accountability—what you do below is seen by the wiser self above. Great for creatives who use their hands—designers, stylists, and tattooers.
Placement & styling. Mid-calf or forearm. Pairs well with other fine-line symbols (stars, tiny crosses) scattered around as satellites.
11) Delicate Celestial Hands With Botanical Sprig
Two slender hands—one pointing upward to an eight-point star, one down toward a leafy branch—do the whole job with restraint. The lacey cuffs and faint stipple keep it airy.
Meaning. The star and leaves echo sky/earth without shouting. If you like simple compositions that still carry weight, this is a quiet powerhouse.
Artist note. Ask for subtle negative space between fingers and leaf stems; the small contrasts are what make minimalist design ideas read clean.
12) Mirrored Calf Gestures (Set For Men)
A matched pair on both calves makes the phrase literal in motion: one sign points skyward, the other earthward. The cuffed wrists add a touch of vintage traditional styling. On a walk, the two panels “talk” to each other.
Meaning. Ideal for men who want clarity and graphic punch. The piece reads from across a room and doubles as a performance of the motto every step you take.
Styling. Mid-length athletic shorts or rolled chinos keep the dialogue visible. Request a robust stencil and solid blacks so the shapes hold under sun exposure on the leg.
13) Ivy-Wrapped Back Composition With Twin Crescents
A large back tableau: two hands, one rising to a crescent and one lowering to its twin, bound by ivy. Fine, even stipple shapes the forms without heavy outlines.
Meaning. The ivy hints at continuity—seasons, growth, return. It’s a living version of the maxim and a smart alternative if you prefer nature to occult symbols.
Placement & styling. Center-back from shoulder blades down. Looks incredible under open cardigans or low-back dresses. Consider a tiny Latin date or initial tucked into the vines as a private anchor.
14) Bold Blackletter Motto (Stand-Alone Script)
Sometimes all you need are the words. Here, heavy blackletter with tight spacing packs attitude and readability—pure meaning, zero decoration. It’s classic, readable, and complements other pieces well.
Placement & styling. Outer thigh, inner arm, or beneath the knee line are all options. For coherence with the larger collection, repeat blackletter elsewhere—date, city, or an occasional gothic art drop cap.
Pro tip. Ask for slightly rounded corners on sharp corners so dense script mends smoothly and remains readable.
15) Minimal Moon-Marked Gesture on the Forearm
Two hands interlock into the time-honored “up/down” signal, reduced to the bare bones with narrow lines, black nails, and minute crescent symbols nestled at the joints. It’s uncomplicated on purpose—a little shading would detract from the outline.
Meaning. The crescents hint at “cycle and return,” but the crossed wrists frame the phrase without any words whatsoever.
Placement & styling. The inner forearm works best for fast readability. Stack with a thin silver band: the metal line repeats the movement and gives the design a finished look. Order your artist to render a clean stencil with it.
16) Hermetic Medallion with Ouroboros & Latin Script
An oval talisman ringed by an ouroboros frames mirrored sages, a six-point star, and banners in Latin. It’s pure symbols of sacred geometry: macrocosm above, microcosm below, bound by the serpent of eternity. Finely dotted shading recalls 19th-century occult engravings and traditional esoteric plates.
Meaning. A scholarly read of the maxim—the piece wears like a portable bookplate for philosophy fans.
Placement & styling. The outer arm or calf gives the oval room to breathe. Pair with a monochrome wardrobe or raw denim; the antique vibe loves texture.
17) Split Grunge Script Across Both Forearms
Here the motto is reduced to raw words—“As Above / So Below”—stamped one per forearm in distressed lettering. It looks like it was pulled from a zine, not a cathedral.
Meaning. Direct, punk, and unpretentious. You’re not hiding the statement behind imagery; you’re claiming it.
Placement & styling. Great for men who want impact without ornament. Keep kerning loose so letters don’t close up over time. Looks strongest with tees, hoodies, and workwear.
18) Thorn-Wreathed Gesture on the Shoulder
A bold single panel: upward/downward hands surrounded by a spiked halo. The heavy blacks and jagged wreath lean into symbols of gothic art—saintly but dangerous.
Meaning. The crown of thorns suggests discipline; the message isn’t just cosmic balance but earned balance.
Placement & styling. Upper arm or chest cap. Works under a tank or strappy dress; black leather and chunky rings amplify the edge.
19) Tarot-Style Sun & Moon with Doves in a Frame
A rectangular “card” design holds a radiant sun, a guiding star, a crescent moon, and two mirrored birds—one rising, one descending. Laurel branches and micro text in the border nod to traditional cartomancy illustration.
Meaning. A lyrical take on polarity: flight toward light, surrender toward rest. Ideal if you love narrative pieces more than blunt icons.
Placement & styling. Upper arm or mid-back as the centerpiece of a future panel set. Keep adjacent tattoos lighter so the frame reads clean.
20) Engraved Hermetic Oval (Forearm Edition)
Another antique-plate beauty: mirrored patriarchs, interlaced triangles, and a Latin motto inside a braided border. Dotted gradients and crosshatching scream “museum print,” landing squarely in sacred geometry symbols and classic occult aesthetics.
Meaning. If you’re the person who annotates books, this is your lane—a wearable footnote to the meaning of the maxim.
Placement & styling. The forearm is perfect; cuff your sleeve and let the oval align with your watchband. Ask for extra time on the stencil so the micro lettering heals legibly.
21) Cursive Motto on the Backs of the Hands
“As above” and “so below” flow across the hand backs in elegant script. It’s intimate and a little rebellious; few placements broadcast intention like the hands you shake with.
Meaning. A vow you see all day—every task is a chance to align the inner and outer worlds.
Placement & styling. Hand tattoos age fast; choose a slightly thicker stroke and plan for touch-ups. Looks sharp with short nails, minimal jewelry, and clean cuffs.
22) Sunburst & Crescent Banner on the Calf
A radiant orange sun crowns the upward gesture, while a charcoal crescent anchors the downward hand; a ribbon with the words ties the axis together. The warm/cool palette makes the polarity instantly legible.
Meaning. Day and night—the classic “macro/micro” read without leaning on heavy occult symbols. Great for anyone who wants the phrase to feel alive and optimistic.
Placement & styling. On the outer leg, this climbs vertically and stays readable from a distance. Style with cropped trousers or shorts; black sneakers echo the nails and balance the color.
23) Florals Interlaced With Minimal Hands (Forearm)
Two clean-lined hands overlap, surrounded by blooming petals and serrated leaves. No text—just a botanical frame that softens the geometry.
Meaning. The design speaks to balance as something that grows. The flowers are a gentle “as above,” while foliage reaches down “so below.”
Tips: Ask your artist to keep petal lines lighter than the fingers so the hierarchy stays clear. Works beautifully as a feminine but simple read.
24) Gothic Hands With Palmar Eyes (Stomach/Lower Rib)
Chunky shading, dagger nails, and tiny irises set in each palm give this piece a moody, traditional-meets-occult tone. Curved blackletter words orbit the hands.
Meaning. Action with awareness—the hands do, the eyes witness. If you like symbols and gothic art but want something visceral, this lands it.
Placement. The lower stomach/rib lets the curve of the text follow the body. Wear with high-waist denim and crop tops to frame the arc.
25) Micro Serif Motto Along the Collarbone
The phrase is broken into a winding ribbon of small caps that traces the clavicle. Each letter feels like a bead on a chain.
Meaning. Quiet devotion: you carry the line close to your voice and lungs—the “breath” of above/below.
Styling. Delicate necklaces and scoop necks mirror the curve. Keep the stroke weight slightly thicker than usual for microscript so longevity isn’t an issue.
26) Hermetic Linework Oval With Ouroboros (Thigh)
An ouroboros frames mirrored patriarchs, crescents, pyramids, and all-seeing eyes—pure symbols and sacred geometry. The banners mix English and Latin for scholarship-forward flair.
Meaning. Macrocosm/microcosm illustrated like a plate out of a Renaissance grimoire—heady, historic, and nerdy in the best way.
Tips: Keep the stencil extra crisp around micro text. Matte black clothing and linen textures make this look museum-worthy.
27) Blackwork Sun–Moon Gesture With Starlets
High-contrast blackwork with a haloed sun up top and a heavy crescent below. The ribboned words nestle into the knuckles; tiny star dots punctuate the void.
Meaning. A bold, no-nonsense thesis: assertive “above,” grounded “below.”
Placement & care. Forearm or calf. Since the blacks are dense, moisturize lightly during healing to avoid shine that hides the gradient.
28) Split Mini Script on the Wrists
Tiny blackletter—“as above” on one wrist, “so below” on the other. Minimal, personal, and surprisingly elegant when hands meet.
Meaning. Every reach or handshake becomes a reminder to align intention and action.
Styling. Works with stacked bracelets or a slim watch. Expect periodic touch-ups; wrists live hard.
29) Blackletter Thigh Pair with Wildflowers & Roots
A split layout spreads the motto across both thighs: gothic words in bold blackletter read “As Above” on the left and “So Below” on the right. Around each word, meadow flowers, bees, and mushrooms sprout upward while vein-like roots and an earthworm sink beneath—nature’s own diagram of reciprocity. It’s a clever design that turns the maxim into a living cross-section: bloom above, soil network below.
Meaning. This piece leans into ecology rather than occult symbols—an earthy reminder that what thrives on the surface is fed by the unseen. The tiny pollinators deliver a sweet “give and take” metaphor, while the roots act like a miniature tree system tying both thighs together.
Placement & styling. Because the composition sits high on the leg, it reads beautifully with mid-thigh shorts, tennis skirts, or a slit dress that reveals one side at a time. For festival looks, pair with ribbed socks and chunky sneakers; for evenings, sheer tights keep linework crisp while softening contrast.
Balance is the quiet promise behind every “as above, so below” tattoo. Whether you choose bold blackletter across the thighs, an engraved Hermetic oval, or minimalist hands with celestial symbols, each piece is a reminder to align what we think with what we do. I’d love to hear how you read this motto—spiritual, ecological, or simply personal. Include your story (and the file number you would like featured first) in the comments, ask any placement or aftercare questions, and tell us what you would wear next. Your feedback so often spawns the best contributions to this portfolio.
