What's the Meaning Behind an 8 Ball Tattoo?

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Learn the spiritual and personal meanings of an 8-ball tattoo

Co-authored by Luke Smith, MFA Reviewed by Stina Garbis

Last Updated: May 10, 2024 Fact Checked

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8 Ball Tattoo Symbolism

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8 Ball Tattoo Design Ideas

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You might’ve seen an 8 ball tattoo while out and about, or are thinking about getting one yourself. But what do they mean, exactly? Every tattoo means something different, and they’re often highly personal, but 8 ball tattoos often symbolize good luck, fortune, or fate. We’ll fill you in on plenty of other meanings, as well as give you ideas for your own 8 ball tattoo design.

Things You Should Know

8 ball tattoos often represent both good and bad luck, or fate or the future, calling to mind fortune-telling magic 8 balls.
8 ball tattoos might also represent victory, loss, or skill, as many games of pool hinge on sinking the 8 ball at the very end.
8 ball tattoos can also represent a simple love for the game of pool, or are chosen because of their aesthetic value—they look cool!

Section 1 of 2:

8 Ball Tattoo Symbolism

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Good luck (and bad luck) Winning or losing a game of 8-ball pool often comes down to the placement of the 8 ball itself, which can decide your luck in that game—players want to avoid it until the very end. That’s why the 8 ball is a popular symbol of luck, as well as a reminder for how fickle luck can be.
- The phrase “behind the 8 ball” originates from the idea that a ball you need to sink is “hiding” behind the off-limits 8 ball, which is a super unlucky position to be in.^{[1]
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- Because of its association with pool, 8 ball tattoos are also often associated with things like gambling or chance.
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Victory or loss In 8-ball pool, the game hinges on whether or not a player can sink the final 8 ball.^{[2]
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Research source} That’s why 8 balls are often a symbol of triumphant victory, tragic loss, or even both at the same time. An 8 ball tattoo reminds its owner of both the highs and lows of life.
- Similarly, the 8 ball is often a symbol of risk. There’s no winning or losing if you don’t play the game, after all.
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Fate or fortune Magic 8 balls have been a cultural staple for years. Ask it a question, and your fortune appears in the murky window. Because of this, 8 balls have come to be associated with the future and fate, and a reminder that the future is often out of our control.
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Skill and ability Sinking that 8 ball at the end of a game of pool is no easy task—it takes years of practice, immense concentration, and unwavering confidence to get it right every time. Someone with an 8 ball tattoo may be reminding themselves to trust in their own abilities to get them through even the trickiest situations.
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Appreciation for pool Some people with 8 ball tattoos might just love the game of pool—its aesthetic, history, and the hours of enjoyment it brings them. These people might simply want a visual reminder of the sport that brings them so much joy.
- Or, someone with an 8 ball tattoo might just like the way an 8 ball looks—stately, simple, and mysterious.
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Avoiding trouble When playing 8-Ball pool, players must avoid the 8 ball until the very end of the game, after they’ve pocketed their other balls.^{[3]
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Research source} With this in mind, the 8 ball becomes a powerful symbol for keeping out of trouble—at least until the time is right.
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Make-or-break decisions When a pool game comes down to the final shot, victory hangs on a single decision. One wrong move, and it’s over. An 8 ball tattoo, then, reminds its owner to think carefully, act wisely, and trust in the outcome of even the hardest decisions.

Section 2 of 2:

8 Ball Tattoo Design Ideas

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Get a minimalist 8 ball tattoo for a cute and simple design. A simple linework or even dotwork 8 ball makes for the perfect small or unassuming tattoo, if you’re not looking for a big statement piece. Go without shading for a sparse and elegant look, or fill the ball in with black for something that pops a little more.
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Get an American Traditional 8 ball for a classic burst of color. The American Traditional style often features bold linework and vivid color.^{[4]
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Research source} Its classic and timeless aesthetic is a perfect match for something as iconic as an 8 ball, no matter the meaning behind your tattoo.
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Add other pool, cards, or gambling references to the tattoo. If your 8 ball tattoo symbolizes luck, fortune, or something similar, consider adding other iconic game pieces into the mix, like dice or a 4-of-a-kind hand, to really lean into the theme.
- These might also emphasize your love for casino games, risk-taking, or a plain old good time.
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Add flames to your 8 ball to emphasize passion, luck, or skill. Fire is a common symbol of passion or love, and some flames around your 8 ball can drive home your love of the game. Or, fire can call to mind the phrase, “You’re on fire,” meaning you’re on a roll or doing great, luck is on your side, and now you want to keep that momentum by immortalizing it with a tattoo.
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Add special meaning to your 8 ball tattoo with its placement. Where you choose to place your tattoo can add to its meaning. Getting an 8 ball on the back of your hand, for instance, can be a visual reminder to trust in luck, or a sort of good-luck token when you cue up in your next game.
- An 8 ball on your chest or over your heart can emphasize your love for pool, or your passion despite a loss.
- An 8 ball on your back or neck might represent unseen fortune or fate.
- An 8 ball on your legs or feet might represent a sure step, or confidence.

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In some circles, “8-ball” is slang for 3.5 grams (0.12 oz) (or ⅛ of an ounce) of a drug, most often cocaine.^{[5]
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Some say that the 8 ball tattoo originated in prison cultures to ward off trouble, or in gang cultures to represent a drug-related crime.

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