Nationality

• Integrate your nationality or heritage into the design of the tattoo. Choose the colors of the country's flag or a symbol of the country, such as an oak tree for Ireland or a bald eagle for America. Add the child's name into the design in a script you like or entwine it into the design, such as in the scroll work on a tribal tattoo. You can also take a more abstract approach and use a mythological creature from the country of choice. A Chinese dragon or Norse sea serpent work well with child dedications.
  
  

Occult Symbols

• Astrology, numerology, Native American power animals, or runic symbols all work well in dedication tattoos. Use the child's sun sign or animal as the center of the design. You can also use a rune that stands for a powerful attribute in the child or spell the child's name in runes. For a larger tattoo, add in the parent's signs or animals as well. Join them together with your child's favorite color in swirls or a tribal pattern if using the power animals.
  
  

Photograph

• An excellent tattoo artist will be able to render a photograph onto your skin. Pick a favorite photo of the child. A clear, close-up picture works best, allowing for the artist to add detail and capture the child's face properly. A tattoo in black and white is better able to capture the image successfully, but you can add splashes of color into the details if desired. A picture with a smiling or laughing child will remind you daily of a favorite time in your child's life.
  
  

Child's Artwork

• For a unique dedication idea, choose a favorite piece of artwork that your child has drawn. It could be something small she drew that caught your eye or a picture she worked on just for you. Use the same colors and effects the child used. A tattoo artist should be able to replicate different mediums, such as crayon or watercolor, on the tattoo. If the child signed her name on the artwork, add that as well in her script.