There are thousands of different designs that can be used in a tattoo. Some will be more common than others, but they all have their own unique style and meaning behind them. Every culture has its own set of traditions and conventions when it comes to ink. While some cultures only allow certain people to have tattoos, others have strict rules about what designs are acceptable. In any case, there are many different styles of tattoos that you can choose from as well.
If you’re curious about what the different types of tattoos are then keep reading! Here’s everything you need to know about the 13 most popular tattoo styles.
Gothic Tattoos
Gothic tattoos are a popular style for both men and women. These tattoo designs are often found on the lower back, chest, and arms. The style is characterized by dark colors that may be combined with small amounts of black or red ink so as to make intricate designs.
A gothic tattoo typically features a lot of black ink, but some may also include white ink. Some may also use a different shade of black to create an even more detailed design. Gothic tattoos are usually done in black because it’s easy to cover mistakes that might occur during the tattooing process.
As a result, this is a great choice for people who want something that will look like it was professionally done with little effort on their part. This is also a popular style for people looking for something that’s unique and interesting to them since they’ll never see another person wearing the same design!
This design comes from dark medieval times when warriors would wear armor made primarily out of metal and then paint their faces with war paint to make themselves more intimidating while they were fighting in battle (or really just looking cool).
Japanese Tattoos
Japanese tattoos are often connected with the spirit of the samurai. These tattoos are done in a solid black ink, and they are often referred to as “irezumi.” There is a lot of symbolism behind these types of tattoos.
Japanese tattoo designs typically use animals or nature-inspired images like flowers, bamboo, trees, etc. These designs can also be seen in tattoos on other parts of the body like the feet or hands.
Celtic Crosses
Celtic crosses are symbols of ancient Celtic culture. They are used to identify people as Irish or Scottish, in which case they are usually used on the hands and arms. These intricate designs have been around for at least 2,000 years and typically symbolize the Christian cross with a variant of a sun.
Colorful Hearts
This is one of the more common tattoo styles for women. The colorful design can be seen on arms, legs, and sometimes even the stomach. These designs are often low-key with muted colors, but they can also be very vibrant.
Flowers and Birds
Some tattoo designs are drawn for their beauty and the way they move. This is the case with flowers and birds, which have distinctive patterns that can be very calming to look at. Both of these designs can be used in a number of ways. For example, you could have one of these inked on your wrist or arm as a reminder of something important to you. Alternatively, you could put one on your chest as a signifier of your love for someone special in your life.
Another example of this style is using images that represent nature and life, such as forests or fields. These are often drawn in vivid colors so they’re easier to see when viewed from distance and also stand out against any skin tone. A common design like this would be one that depicts flowers near a river or an ocean shoreline, which is intended to convey a sense of peace from being surrounded by nature and its beauty.
Tribal
One of the most popular styles of tattoos is tribal tattoos, which are a mix between traditional Japanese tattooing and American Indian style designs. Tribals are usually very large and take up a lot of space on the body. They can also be created from either one or two panels.
Tribals sometimes have a specific meaning behind them, such as lions holding up three arrows to symbolize success in business. Other times, they are just fun and represent the wearer’s personality or affinity for another culture like a dragon or tiger head with some flowers on it.
Symbolism
Symbolism is a type of tattoo that is full of meaning. These tattoos are usually done in a traditional style, but not limited to just this one style. The designs can be based on anything from religious or spiritual beliefs to personal experiences. They are generally more detailed and intricate than other tattoo styles.
Starlight and Night Sky Tattoos
These tattoos are typically found on the upper back, or around the shoulders. They are often drawn in black and white out of all colors to signify a person who feels like they don’t belong in this world.
Anchor and Sea Turtle Tattoo Designs
The anchor and sea turtle tattoo designs have been around for a long time. These tattoo styles are sometimes referred to as the traditional tattoos. The designs are typically black ink on a white background, but they can be done in other colors as well.
This style of tattoo is often seen on sailors and those who want a tattoo that represents their naval career. They also represent the desire to never give up and always strive towards your goal or destination regardless of how difficult it may seem.
If you’re looking for an anchor and sea turtle design that’s different from the traditional look, you might consider getting this design in color! This design might even make sense if you want a piece of art that represents both your military history and your artistic side.
Spider Webs and Inkblot Tattoos
Spider webs and inkblot tattoos are one of the most popular tattoo styles out there. Spider webs have been used for centuries to symbolize protection, escape, and renewal. The design is often seen in Native American culture and has also become popular in tattooing. Inkblot tattoos utilize one or more colors to depict a particular figure or event. They express emotions through color rather than through words or images.
Inkblots can be seen as a form of art with the colors being used to illustrate an idea or feeling that’s important to the wearer. There are many different styles out there including a few that are becoming quite popular among both males and females alike such as lucha libre tattoos and sailor tattoos.
Other inkblot designs include mandala designs which can depict different ideas like enlightenment, balance, health, peace, etc. Despite their popularity in recent years, they’ve been prevalent since ancient times where they were used by members of various spiritual practices including Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity.
Varied Backdrops and Palmsprints
The first style is palmprint tattoos. These are often seen on the back of the hand, but can also be found on other parts of the body such as biceps and shoulders. The reason for this is because these tattoos are meant to resemble a palm print. Palmprint tattoos symbolize protection and strength.
The second style is cliche-style tattoos. This ink art became popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It includes tattoo designs that have been around for quite some time but have a unique twist to them. The main idea behind these tattoos is that they make an individual look tough and interesting while still being simplistic in their design.
Another popular style of tattoo that is on the rise these days is tribal-style inkings. These designs were first created by Native Americans, and they offer a wide range of intricate patterns, colors, and shapes that draw attention to what makes this type of design so special in comparison to others; i.e., its place in history.
There are also geometrical tattoos designed with simple lines or shapes like hearts, swirls, stars, or flowers which can be found everywhere from necks to wrists or ankles.
Wrapping up: What’s your favourite tattoo style?
-Approachable: Most of the time, people will be drawn to a more approachable tattoo style. These tattoos are often less detailed as they’re meant to be seen by anyone and usually have a cute or cuddly design.
-Abstract: Abstract designs are ones that aren’t too detailed, but still have enough detail for you to enjoy their beauty. They can also incorporate various ideas into one piece of artwork, like different shapes and symbols that represent different meanings.
-Animated: Animated tattoos are fun to look at. This style is defined by its colourful and lively designs that move while you watch them on your skin. The most popular options are cartoon characters and animals that make it easy to pick one out among many other options.
-Arrows: Arrows are symbolic of direction, movement, and power in this tattoo style. They can also symbolize hope or the idea of freedom in some cultures. There’s a lot of creative potential with this tattoo design as well as an emphasis on simplicity and beauty.
-Aztec/Mayan: Aztec and Mayan tattoos have deep meaning behind them due to their deep spiritual significance in these cultures’ histories. With these tattoos, you’ll find intricate artwork with geometric patterns that make sense within their culture’s timeline and spirituality.
-Babylonian/Sumerian: These types of tattoos signify fertility, prosperity, renewal, health, and happiness in the Sumerian culture from ancient Mes