Tattoos For Men

When planning tattoos for men, the two most important decisions to make are choosing a design style, and choosing a location on the body to ink it. Some men prefer to start by choosing a design, and then think about the location later, while other men decide where they want a tattoo, and then search for suitable designs. Neither way is better than the other, and most men consider both the design and the body area simultaneously during the planning process.

There are a huge variety of design styles that make fantastic tattoos for men, and there really is something for everyone. Some of the most popular tattoos for men include Celtic, cross, dolphin, eagle, fish, heart, scorpion, star, tiger, tribal, and zodiac design styles. There are a wide variety of ink colours available, meaning that you can get your chosen design inked in whatever colours you want. It is important to remember however that some of the more traditional designs, such as Celtic and tribal designs, look best inked in black, so if you want a very colourful tattoo these designs are probably not for you.

Tattoo enthusiasts see the whole body as a canvas, and pretty much any area of skin can accommodate some kind of tattoo. That said, the most popular tattoo body areas for men are the arms, back, chest, legs, neck, and shoulders. When deciding on a body area to ink, its vitally important to think about how easy it will be to cover up, and expose. Many men have to think about the practicalities of their working lives, as many employers have no tattoo policies. Other men prefer to get tattoos in very conspicuous places. It all depends on your individual situation.

Your choices of where to ink your chosen design may also be limited by the size of the design. Large designs need large areas of skin, such as is provided by the back, chest, arms and legs. Smaller designs are not so restricted, and can be inked pretty much anywhere. Some areas of the body are too small to accommodate anything but the smallest tattoo designs, such as the wrist and ankle.

Whatever combination of tattoo design and body area you choose, please take your time to do so. I find it astonishing just how many people ink tattoos on the spare of the moment without really thinking about it. Needless to say these men often regret their decisions later on. Do not make the same mistake, think long and hard about what you want before committing to anything. Tattoos are permanent and the design that you ink will be with you forever.

Good places to find tattoo designs include the internet, collections held by tattoo artists and tattoo shops, as well as tattoo design books. I recommend that you browse through as many designs as possible to get some ideas and ensure that you get a really good feel for what is available. I also recommend that you talk to a reputable tattoo artist about your ideas, and show them some of your favourite designs. Any good artist will be able to give you expert advice and guidance to ensure that you get a tattoo that you really love.

Back Tattoos

The human back makes an ideal canvas for a tattoo artist's needles. If you are considering your first tattoo could do worse than to have it be an upper back tattoo. Why?

Upper back tattoos can range from small and simple to large and elaborate, and can stand alone or be the foundations for larger and more elaborate tattoo work if you like the outcome and want to add to it. Upper back tattoos are, more often than not, covered in indoor settings so they won't be an issue in professional environments.

Women considering upper back tattoos will have to decide if their social life is a deterrent; backless formal gowns may be out of the picture once upper back tattoo enter it. But a small tasteful tattoo has found its way to many a female celebrity's upper back, so the bias against female tattoos in upper social circles may be fading. Tank tops and bating suits will also be a giveaway for upper back tattoos, but in the casual environment at poolside they are not only accepted; they are often admired.

Any upper back tattoos you are considering should be a topic of conversation between you and your tattoo artist before you make any decisions. Placement is key, so that you can incorporate you design into a later full back tattoo if you so desire. At the same time, you don't want you upper back tattoo to be so oddly positioned that it sticks out like a sore thumb.

Skull Tattoo Designs

Tattoos are the icons of many cultures because the tattoo often holds deep meanings for the cultures that practice tattooing. For the individual, the tattoo design is one of the most carefully chosen things that a person has to think of, because to have a tattoo inscribed on one's body means that the person must be ready to live with the chosen symbol for a very long time, because of the permanence that tattoos entail. While tattoos are iconic for many, the skull tattoo design is one of the most iconic tattoo symbols that can be chosen. There are various meanings for the skull tattoo design.

The skull tattoo design often talks about the value of life and death. Today, many western people simply associate the skull with death, but in many cultures the skull and bones is a symbol of something much more, life, as well as death. It is seen as the demarcation between the living and the vestige of those who have moved on to the sphere after death.

When somebody chooses the skull tattoo, one of the things that the person is symbolizing is the mature realization of a continuity of life into death, and the ability to accept death. This is very important because it is only when a person can live with the presence of death that he can fully learn to appreciate life.

Wisdom is another of the many meanings behind the symbolism of the skull tattoo. If you will look back at the art work produced by the ancient and medieval periods, the skull is often portrayed next to an open book because the skull is seen as a representation of the highest form of knowledge and wisdom, one that is achieved only when a person has lived a full life.

For the wiser people of the past, a full life is naturally not characterized by the excesses of youth, but by the wizened truths of aging as symbolized by skull tattoo designs. After all, it is only in today's culture that people have suddenly and exaggeratedly idealized the ageless and young. Before, it was the character-rich elders who held the high posts of society.

Age and experience is, therefore, one of the strong points in the skull tattoo design. Naturally, the skull is the result of age, and not only age but one that has reached the point of moving over towards death.

When a person looks at a skull, it shouldn't be death only that is seen, however, but the experiences that a person has undergone before reaching death. The skull then becomes a great symbol of everything that has come to pass and which has filled the pages of the book of life of a person.

In the end, the skull tattoo designs are a mixture of various symbolic elements that are each related to the other. Whether it is strength, life, wisdom, or death, the various interpretations that are available with this type of tattoo design has made it one of the most popular

Tribal Designs

Choosing the right design for a tattoo is somewhat confusing for most of you. But if I were you, I would go for tribal designs because not only are they considered the most popular, they are the oldest tattoo design there is. For one, these tribal tattoos have a lot of meanings based on one's cultures, region and style. Everyone can choose a tribal design that suits his personality and identity and it is also very stylish. And because this has existed for the longest period of time, they will always be in vogue even in the years to come. So do get one for yourself now.

For those of you who are thinking what tribal designs means, just when you hear the word "tribal" speaks for itself. These tattoo designs vary from one culture to another and the are popular worldwide. In order to distinguish the tribal designs, check the symmetrical black lines. In the past, those who were painted with tribal designs showed heir status in the society or group. It was impossible that they did not have any meanings. For example, they symbolize spiritual beliefs among Indian tribes and identification among Hawaiians. They were also considered sacred among Polynesians

Animals of various kinds are used as tribal tattoos. During the earlier times, animals were thought of as totems. Even until now, whatever animal you choose also indicates the representation of the design. Butterflies for one represent lightness and immortality. These are often preferred by women because they are really beautiful but in some cultures, they are usually made in remembrance of their lost loved ones. Bear tattoo obviously represent power and good nature. These are often made by men for good luck. Freedom and strength are symbolized by eagles.

In general, animal's character is depicted by the chosen animal tattoo. This is because the traits and personality are reflected and revealed through the tribal designs. Nowadays, the size, style and form matter greatly when it comes to choosing the right tribal design for you. But then you also have to know that most of these designs are associated with one's cultural background. Furthermore, the meanings of these tribal designs are very individual and whatever you chose could really speak a lot about who you are as a person. They are not only filled with so many meanings but they are also majestic and stylish in their own ways.