Badass Latin Phrases For Tattoos #badass Latin quotes #latin phrases about death #latin quotes about success #latin love quotes #the phoenix codex bryn donovan pdf #the phoenix codex free ebook

 

 

 

 

Badass Latin phrases are so satisfying, and I guess it’s not surprising. Latin mottos are appealing as tattoos for a number of different reasons. First of all, obviously, these sayings have endured the test of time. They’ve been meaningful to Western civilization for centuries, so you’re not likely to grow tired of them quickly. Additionally, because few people speak Latin these days, their meaning is often private unless you choose to share the meaning with others. They are also, quite literally, classic. And finally, some things just sound better in Latin!

When I was revising a paranormal romance novel (this one), I was researching a bunch of Latin phrases about death and Latin quotes about success and so on, as one does. I realized many of these  would be fantastic for tattoos, so I thought I would share them with you!

But please, you ink any of these badass Latin quotes on your skin (or engrave any of the Latin love quotes onto your wedding rings)…

Double-check the phrase’s meaning and the spelling!

Do your research and cross-reference it with other sources.

You’ve been warned! I’m not a Latin scholar, I’m only human, and I do make a mistake now and again.

 

Badass Latin Phrases For Tattoos #badass Latin quotes #latin phrases about death #latin quotes about success #latin love quotes #the phoenix codex bryn donovan pdf #the phoenix codex free ebook

Badass Latin Phrases

Please note: I’ve gotten great suggestions in the comments, so I’ve added to the list! Thank you, everyone!

ad astra per aspera – “through difficulties, to the stars”
This is the motto of the state of Kansas, and of bunches of colleges and military organizations. So it’s very common. But still nice!

alis volat propriis – “she flies with her own wings” This is also popular for tattoos, and why not? It’s awesome.

amor ipse notitia est – “love itself is a form of knowing”

amor vincit omnia – “love conquers all”
You might’ve known that one!

ancora imparo – “I am still learning.”
It’s supposedly something Michelangelo said when he was in his 80s. Pretty awesome, right?

audere eat facere – “to dare is to do”

aut viam inveniam aut faciam – “I will either find a way or make one”
Attributed to Hannibal. The ancient military commander, not the cannibal.

carpe diem – “seize the day”
A classic.

contra felicem vix deus vires habet – “against the lucky even the gods are powerless”

dulce periculum – “danger is sweet”
To let everyone know you are a badass.

dum spiro spero – “while I breathe, I hope”

Richard Armitage’s character Lucas North had this one on the back of his neck in the TV show Spooks (called MI-5 in the U.S.) North got the tattoo during the eight years he was in prison in Russia. Great show, by the way. A variation suggested in the comments is: quamdiu spirabo, numquam despondebo – “as long as I breathe, I will never quit”

esto quod es – “be what you are”

ex favilla nos resurgemus – “from the ashes we will rise”

excelsior – “ever higher”
The motto of the late, great Stan Lee. (And also Bradley Cooper’s character in Silver Linings Playbook.)

fiat lux – “let there be light”
From the book of Genesis in the Bible.

finis vitae sed non amoris – “the end of life, but not of love”
This would be appropriate for a memorial tattoo.

fortes fortuna adiuvat – “fortune favors the bold”
I actually think this is the rare phrase that sounds better in English, but that’s just me.

fortis et liber – “strong and free”

frango dura patientia – “I break hard things through perservereance”
This makes me think of how drops of water…the softest things in the world…can bore a hole through solid rock over time.

ignis aurum probat – “fire tests gold”
This might be nice if you’ve been through some bad times lately.

in omnia paratus – “ready for anything”
Another choice for a badass. This is also the motto of the U.S. Army’s 18th Infantry Regiment, but you can use it too.

invictus maneo – “I remain unvanquished”

lege atque lacrima – “read ’em and weep”

As noted by the anonymous commenter who kindly contributed this one, it’s perfect for poker aficianados!

luctor et emergo- “I struggle and emerge”

(Thanks for this one, Sara!)

memento vivere – “remember to live”
Similar to “carpe diem.”

minima maxima sunt – “The smallest things are the most important.”
This might be a good tattoo after you have a baby. For you, not the baby.

non ducor, duco – “I am not led; I lead”
You tell ’em, honey.

non timebo mala – “I will fear no evil”
This is probably one of my favorite badass Latin phrases. I know from the TV show Supernatural, because it’s inscribed on the barrel of a Colt that can kill demons. Of course, it’s from Psalm 23 in the Bible.

omnia causa flunt – “Everything happens for a reason.”
I do not believe this, personally, but I know lots of people do.

pax aeterna – “eternal peace”
Might be a graceful alternative to “R.I.P.” for a memorial tattoo.

per volar sunata – “born to soar”
Damn right you were!

primum non nocere – “first, do no harm”
This sentiment is the most famous part of the Hippocratic oath for physicians, and the Wiccan rede paraphrases it (“an you harm none, do as you will.”) No matter who you are, it’s a great philosophy to live by.

pulchrum est paucorum hominum – “Beauty is for the few”
A tattoo for the smugly attractive.

quia pulvis es et in pulverem reverteris – “for dust you are, and unto dust you shall return”

quid ad infinitum – “what is it in the light of eternity?” Or, what does it matter in the infinite scheme? (Thanks for this, Susan!)

semper ad meliora – “always toward better things”

tempus fugit – “time flies”

totus tuus – totally yours”
So romantic!

usque ad finem – “to the very end”

veni et pugna, a die bono non est mori – “I came to fight, it is a good day to die”

vincit qui se vincit – “one conquers who conquers himelf”
This would be amazing for a recovered addict…maybe to celebrate a year or more of sobriety?

vivamus, moriendum est ~ “let us live, since we must die”

I love that last one especially!

Badass Latin Phrases For Tattoos #latin quotes

Do you have others to add, or do you have a phrase (in any language) that means a lot to you? Let us know in the comments! 

Want to check out the book that inspired the research? The Phoenix Codex is the first book in my series about the secret society called Manus Sancti.

THE PHOENIX CODEX by Bryn Donovan #best paranormal romance books 2017 #urban fantasy #secret society book

Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you have a great week!

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