TATTOO DESIGNS & SYMBOLS - HARLEY DAVIDSON TATTOOS Tattoo Symbol Index - ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Tattoo designs - H >> Harley Davidson
Harley Davidson - Motorcycle Tattoo Meanings - When we think of tattoos, often times one of our first associations is with bikers and motorcycles, and the motorcycle that we think of first is usually the legendary Harley-Davidson. 'Harley Davidson' -- America's symbol of the road. And for many a potent symbol of freedom. No less so than some peoples consideration of a tattoo as an expression of personal freedom. It's no accident that tattoos and bikers are intertwined in the public's imagination.
If you're sporting a 'Harley Davidson' tattoo, you likely own a Harley. While the name can be incorporated into any graphic arrangement of eagle, wings and wheels, the standard 'bar-and-shield' logo that appeared in 1910 is still the defining symbol of Harley Davidson to this day. While the logo depicts nothing in itself, it invokes a myth that's summed up in the philosophy 'Live to Ride, Ride to Live'. The Harley is also unique in the way it has been altered and customized over the years by its owners. Like tattoos, a Harley can be made into a very specific expression of its owners vision of what a bike should be, a one-of-a-kind individual expression of motorcycle art.
| Harley owners aren't buying the best motorcycle in the world, they're buying the rugged and masculine Harley mystique, the 'easy rider' legend with its worship of American individualism, complete with its bad boy connotations, its rebel macho image. The Hell's Angels love their Harleys. The 'underground' associations with Harley Davidson contributes to the myth, sometimes with negative consequences to the brand name. |
Nobody buys a Harley specifically for its performance, such as its 0-60 acceleration. Technical stats aren't as important to the Harley owner as participating in the mystique, which is comprised in no small way by the bike's unique sound - 'potato-potato-potato'. Speed is good, but the way it growls upon take-off, the way the low-end torque 'gurgles down in your groin', as one observer put it -- that's what gives the Harley its all-important 'feeling' of power. Other bikes may claim superior performance, but heads don't turn to Japanese bikes as they do to a Harley when it rumbles away, exhaust pipes snapping, cracking and popping the Harley symphony. The sound of a Harley is so synonymous with the brand that at one time the company tried to copyright it!
William Harley and Arthur Davidson came up with their first prototype bike in the early 1900s. You had to peddle it uphill. In WWI, the company provided over 20,000 machines to the military forces, and by 1920 was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. The tear- drop gas tank appeared in the 1920s. To crank up sales during the Great Depression of the 1930s, the company added the Art Deco eagle to that gas tank. The bike earned a patriot reputation when Harley gave over its entire production to the cause of WWII. But it wasn't until Hollywood deployed the Harley in a raft of outlaw biker gang movies in the years 1950-70 that the bad boy image became firmly established.
For Harley insiders, the name and winged logo inspires an astonishing devotion to the Harley cult, which includes a certain dress code and occasional rituals such as cruising in packs. The brand name implies a counter-culture lifestyle that's designed to exclude more people than it includes. While Harley owners may like their 'Harley' T- shirts, when the company came out with Harley aftershave, they turned up their noses en masse. The company quickly realized they were messing with a powerful icon.
Harley-Davidson tattoo designs usually make heavy use of the HD logo, but you will also frequently find patriotic design elements and symbols such as the American Bald Eagle and the Stars and Stripes of the American Flag. Other popular design elements are engine parts like spark-plugs, pistons and connecting rods. And in an homage to the biker philosophy of 'Live Fast, Die You, Leave a Good-looking Corpse', many tattoo designs feature skulls, a stark reminder that life is transitory and short. Ride while you can!
Get inspired by some great images and photos in ourHarley Davidson Inspiration Gallery
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Tattoo designs - H >> Harley Davidson
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FAQs
The shield represents two of the qualities you should look for in a motorcycle: stability and strength. The colors of the Harley-Davidson logo are black, orange, and white, which represents brand reliability and the rider's coolness as well.
What does the Harley-Davidson logo mean? ›
The shield represents two of the qualities you should look for in a motorcycle: stability and strength. The colors of the Harley-Davidson logo are black, orange, and white, which represents brand reliability and the rider's coolness as well.
What tattoos do bikers get? ›
Symbols of freedom, wings, eagles, flame, etc. Those are classic biker tattoos reflecting the belonging to the biker community.
Why do people get Harley-Davidson tattoos? ›
Since the favorite brand of American bikers was (and still is) Harley-Davidson, they started marking their bodies with HD motorcycle tattoos, V-twin engines, and simply the logo of this legendary company. Such ink, to some extent, became a link between individual riders and American biker culture.
What does the skull mean on a Harley-Davidson? ›
It was painted on every Harley in 1933 to try and stimulate sales after the depression. It was after 1930 when motorcycle riders were being thought of as outlaws, and using the skull and crossbones as their emblem.
What is the Harley motto? ›
“Live To Ride, Ride To Live.”
What does a green Harley mean? ›
Green Bikes are Bad Luck
If you rode a green bike, it was believed, you were more likely to crash and die. Since nobody likes to do either of those things, motorcycle makers found green was an extremely unpopular color. The whole thing might have started because of World War II.
Why do bikers show two fingers down? ›
This is a way of expressing respect towards the other motorcyclist. It's our way of saying, “Hello! Keep the rubber side down, keep both wheels on the ground”. It signifies that the rider is wishing the fellow rider to stay safe and ride safe.
What does a 13 tattoo mean biker? ›
The number "13" holds significance within motorcycle clubs, serving as a symbol that encapsulates secrecy, rebellion, and an outlaw ethos.
Why do Harley riders wear black? ›
Furthermore, many riders wear black because most motorcycle gear is made of black leather. Leather provides excellent abrasion resistance, padding, and freedom of movement for riders, allowing for easy maneuvering and protection while motorcycling.
Disney was the most tattooed brand in the world as of December 2021, with a total of 474,458 tattoo posts on Instagram mentioning the entertainment colossus. Nintendo followed with 43,648 Instagram tattoo posts, while Harley-Davidson rounded out the top three with 11,804 posts.
What does broken wings mean Harley? ›
Broken Wings = a patch meaning the rider has been in a crash. Burnout = Spinning the rear wheel while holding the front brake. Many places have contests to time how long it takes for the tire to blow out.
What do bikers call their Harley? ›
Hog/hawg: Nickname for almost any Harley, but usually reserved for the bigger bikes in the lineup (as in, not Sportsters). Also, HOG is the acronym of the Harley Owners Group. Usage: “I'll meet you at the pool hall for some nine-ball in a couple of hours.
Why is a Harley called a Softail? ›
The Softail® has rear wheel suspension hidden away under body panels held in place with a swingarm. They're soft on your tail, hence the name. Models produced between 1984 and 2017 have shock absorbers along the bike's axis. On 2018 and later bikes, the shocks are under the seat.
Where did the Harley-Davidson logo come from? ›
In 1953, for the company 50° Anniversary, Harley-Davidson came up with a celebrative design: it was composed of a circle and a V that symbolized the engine structure.
What is the history of the Harley-Davidson V logo? ›
So interestingly, in 1953 Harley-Davidson celebrated their 50 year anniversary. Issuing this elaborate new logo design in order to commemorate it. The 'V' was included in order to honour the type of engine so commonly used in the company's bikes.
What was the original Harley-Davidson logo? ›
In 1910, the company introduced the now-famous bar-and-shield logo. It featured a stylized bar with the words "Harley-Davidson" written inside and a shield with the letters "HD" on it. This logo would go on to become one of the most recognizable symbols in the world of motorcycles.
Why do bikers wear skulls? ›
A skull is a visual recognition of fate. Riding a motorcycle is a constant risk, regardless of how masterful you are with it. A skull ring on your finger is a reminder that you can't hide from fate, can't fool or bribe it. Death and life are tied together and they cannot exist without each other.
Harley Davidson - Motorcycle Tattoo Meanings - When we think of tattoos, often times one of our first associations is with bikers and motorcycles, and the motorcycle that we think of first is usually the legendary Harley-Davidson. 'Harley Davidson' -- America's symbol of the road. And for many a potent symbol of freedom. No less so than some peoples consideration of a tattoo as an expression of personal freedom. It's no accident that tattoos and bikers are intertwined in the public's imagination.
For Harley insiders, the name and winged logo inspires an astonishing devotion to the Harley cult, which includes a certain dress code and occasional rituals such as cruising in packs. The brand name implies a counter-culture lifestyle that's designed to exclude more people than it includes. While Harley owners may like their 'Harley' T- shirts, when the company came out with Harley aftershave, they turned up their noses en masse. The company quickly realized they were messing with a powerful icon.
