These days, it seems as though tattoos have become part of the new norm. What was once regarded as rebellious and almost frightening, something that defined people at the edges of society, is now etched on the skin of your neighborhood's real estate agent. However, tattoos have a rich history, and even the most modern designs draw inspiration from ancient and fascinating cultures worldwide. Here are some of the most beautiful and eye-catching tribal-inspired tattoos!
Tattoos From the Tribes of Hawaii
Tribal tattoos from Hawaii are called Kakau and have been part of their culture since before they left the shores of the Polynesian islands in search of a new home. It can be a sleeve or it can cover the legs, torso, and faces too.
These tattoos are used to express their belief in their gods and their culture. These beautiful and meaningful tattoos can symbolize strength, wisdom, or protection, among other meanings, and have thick lines which are normally used for the sleeves and generally follow a distinct curvy design that is easily identifiable.
A Tribal Tattoo for Your Shoulder
If you have decided what design you want to get for your tribal tattoo then the next step would be to choose where to put it. This is just as big a decision to make, same as the design. There is no normal when it comes to where it must go.
You can get your tattoo done on any part of your body. If you don’t want it on your legs or arms then why don’t you get it done on the shoulder? In fact, the first place a lot of people decide on would be the shoulder before they move their next tattoo to other areas on their bodies.
An Amazing Mexican Design
The two continents of the Americas have got numerous different indigenous people. In the middle of the Americas, we have Mexico, which has a rich and long history of tattoos. One of their biggest influences for tattoos is the dead and the gods they worship.
This lady has a perfect example of what a Mexican tribal tattoo looks like, with this one featuring an image resembling the Aztec god of the Sun. Mexican tattoos have a distinct pattern they follow as you can see with the animals on the outside with the face in the middle.
Tribal Tattoos From the Philippines
Tattoos have graced people's bodies for a long time. In fact, tattoos have been a part of the indigenous people worldwide since the dawn of time. They can be big or small.
It all depends on the individual. Follow us as we dissect the origin of some of the craziest and most beautiful-looking tattoos that ladies have tattooed on different parts of their bodies. The first country we are focusing on is the Philippines. Their tattoos have to follow the rules. It is not allowed to be rude and has to interpret correctly by the country's cultural standards.
Tribal Tattoos of the Sun
There is no shortage of ideas when it comes to deciding what sort of tattoo a person must get. Firstly, you have to be comfortable getting a tattoo in the first place. Then secondly, you have to be confident of the design you want to be tattooed on your body.
One of the favorite themes for a tattoo would be animals. The elements are also great themes to use. The same goes for tribal tattoos and the sun is used in a lot of indigenous peoples' tattoo designs. The sun has a deep meaning to a lot of the tribes of the world because it resembles life and warmth.
Tribal Tattoos From the Americas
Tattoos are vastly different as you travel from country to country. One of the biggest ways to identify where the tattoo comes from would be by the design. They all have different characters that are unique to every tribe. The following tattoo is the perfect example of a tribal tattoo from the Aztec people.
One of the biggest differences between different tribal tattoos would be the patterns you find on the tattoos. The Aztec tattoos have lots of lines and characters that have been inspired by the sun and their different gods. This type of tattoo has become very popular with women from all over the world.
The Howling Tattoo
Animals have been a great source of inspiration when people decide to get a tattoo. These animals have a deep meaning to a lot of the indigenous tribes that are scattered around the world and they have been successfully incorporated into the modern world.
One of the most popular animals to get a tattoo on is the wolf. The following lady tattoed a wolf that is busy howling. The wolf has a lot of meanings to it. It represents family and loyalty and is the perfect tribal tattoo to get for oneself if you are a firm believer in tattoos and their meanings.
Tribal Tattoos From the Polynesian Islands
So far we have seen some amazing tattoos from the indigenous tribes of the world. The next tribal tattoo selection comes from the Polynesian Islands. There are thousands of islands that form this group and that also means that there is a huge selection of tattoo designs to choose from.
Their designs are very similar to the Hawaiian Kakua tattoos. They all have thick lines that bring the tattoo to life. They use nature as their source for tribal tattoos. Here we see thick curved lines with the floral influence drawn in between the lines. Therefore these tattoos are the perfect design for ladies who want to get one.
The Tribal Tattoos of the Cherokees Indians From North America
The Native Americans of the Cherokee nations, with their complex and unique culture, are probably the ones who inspired this specific tattoo. Just like the other tribes their tattoos also have a very deep meaning for them.
As you can see, they also have thickish lines but they do focus on the animals in their surroundings. Here they used the paw print of the mountain lion with an eagle feather as the main focal point, and they love using subtle colors too.
Tribal Tattoos of the Vikings
The following tribal tattoo we are looking at is from the Scandinavian countries. The Vikings are sea-faring tribes from Denmark, Sweden, and Iceland. Their tattoos were normally used by their warriors to intimidate their foes.
Unlike the Mexican tribal tattoos, the Viking tattoos also follow a unique pattern that is easily recognizable. They like to follow straight lines in their designs with little or no color, as you can see. This lady decided to mix in the old and the new and got a beautiful tribal tattoo to show off.
Tribal Tattoos From India
Tattoos are a great way to express oneself. It does not have to a be big tattoo to get your point across. They can be small too. It does not necessarily have to have color in them either. It does not matter what you get as long as you are happy with it.
Tattoos differ from each other as people do. The same goes for which tribal tattoo you get. The following tattoo is from India. As you can see there are no longer thick lines like you would with tattoos from the Polynesian islands. These Indian tattoos also tell a story of their culture and beliefs.
Tribal Tattoo From the Island of Samoa
So far, we have seen some amazing tattoos from different parts of the world. The next country we are going to visit is Samoa. This small island is well-known all over the world for its tribal tattoo designs.
Unlike other islands like Hawaii, these tattoos have a very deep meaning to the Samoans. These tattoos are only supposed to be worn by the Samoan indigenous people. It is frowned upon by the locals if you have a Samoan tribal tattoo. Their tattoos symbolize their positions in their communities. These tattoos were also used to intimidate their enemies.
Tribal Tattoos From the African Continent
Indigenous people come from all over the world. In the west, it is the Native American Indians, in the east, we have the Aboriginals from Australia, and In the middle we have Africa, our next destination. The amazing tapestry of cultures in Africa inspired many different kinds of tattoos.
African tribal tattoos are unique to the African continent. There are numerous tribes scattered all over the vast African continent. Their unique styles can be identified by their particular patterns and that is what draws ladies to get them tattooed on their bodies.
A Tribal Tattoo That Covers the Arms
Tattoos come in all shapes and sizes. There is no normal when it comes to deciding what sort of tattoo you want to get. As long as you get one that defines who you are. Some ideas for tattoos can be animal related or they can be something completely the opposite.
The following tattoo is normally seen by the tribes from the islands of the Pacific and South America. These tattoos cover the arms and are called sleeves. It can be a half sleeve that covers the shoulder to the elbow or it could be a full sleeve which means that it covers the whole arm.
Tribal Tattoos on the Arm
Tattoos don’t have to be small. They can be as big as the person wants them. Having said that, they can also be tattoed anywhere on the body. From the top of the head to the tip of the toe. There is no normal when it comes to deciding where to get a tattoo.
One of the favorite parts of the body would be the arm. It doesn’t have to be a half or full sleeve. Here we see a thin area on the forearm is just as good a place as any. This tribal tattoo has distinctive curves and patterns and is ideal for the thin area on the back of the forearm.
King of the Jungle Tribal Tattoo
Tattoos have been embedded in the cultures of indigenous tribes all over the world. It could be a symbol of their beliefs or it could have something to do with their everyday lives too. It could also be a symbol of power or intimidation.
One of the biggest ideas for tribal tattoos comes from the animals they hunt or the animals they celebrate. Here we see when you take a lion and create a tribal tattoo from the feline’s features. This is a perfect example of what you can do when you take a tribal tattoo with a modern twist to it.
Using the Elephant as Inspiration for a Tribal Tattoo
So far we have seen a lot of different animals that were used to inspire some of the most iconic tattoos that people had done. Some were based on real animals while some we based on myth. One of the most loved animals to use is the elephant.
This lady’s elephant design shows a person that you don’t have to go overboard when you use this beautiful animal as your inspiration. The elephant is a great symbol to use for people that are kind and loving and are very protective over their young.
Using the Astrological Signs as Inspiration for a Tribal Tattoo
People look for inspiration everywhere when they are trying to decide on what theme they must go for when they get a tribal tattoo. It can be anything as long as you keep with the style of the tribal tattoo.
You don’t have to follow the crowd when you decide on a tattoo. Not everyone wants an animal on their body. Some people would take their astrological sign and incorporate it into their tribal tattoos. So, if your Zodiac sign is a Scorpio then why not use that as your inspiration for your tribal tattoo?
Tribal Tattoos for the Arms
So far we have seen numerous tribal tattoos that are influenced by animals, elements, and mythical creatures. We also have seen plenty of different areas where a person can get them done. Like the legs, the back, the chest, the shoulders, and the arms. Pretty much anywhere you like.
If you want your tribal tattoo done on your arms then you have to decide if you want to go big or not so big. Meaning, do you want a full or half sleeve? Here we can see the lady opted to get a half sleeve. This beautiful tribal design with thick lines is perfect for a half sleeve.
Using the Powerful Tiger as Inspiration
People love using animals for designs. And big cat tribal tattoos are a big favorite amongst women. Why not? They resemble power and elegance. Earlier we gave an example of a lion's face that was incorporated into the tribal design. Now it's the tiger's turn.
Tigers are powerful animals that have strong maternal instincts. Here we see the tiger's head that has thick lines flowing down from it. You don’t have to articulate the face as they did with the lion. This lady kept the tribal design flowing through the tigers' features.
Tribal Tattoos Can Be Grim Too
If you don’t like having animals tattooed on your skin then try thinking of something that you like. Insects also work very well as tattoos. If that doesn’t work then try looking a bit further. You will know what you want when you see it.
This lady decided going dark would be the perfect theme for a tattoo. She opted for skulls. Skulls may look eerie, but getting a skull tattoo could mean a lot of things. They do make for some beautiful tattoos, especially if you incorporate them into a tribal tattoo.
Tribal Tattoo on Your Hand
Tattoos can be done on any part of your body. There is no rule that says you have to get in on your back, legs, arms, and chest. One of the less used areas would be the feet and hands. Probably because it really hurts when you get it done.
This tribal tattoo was inked onto this lady’s hands. As you can see, this tattoo has a lot of details, even if the area it was done on has a limited surface area. These hand tattoos have slowly been getting a firm foothold in the tattoo world. It is no longer reserved for seedy characters across the globe.
Uncomplicated Tribal Tattoos
So far, we have seen some remarkable tribal tattoos that ladies have inked onto their skin. If you are not a hundred percent sure what you want, then the best course of action would be to keep it simple. You don’t have to go overboard when you get one.
This lady went the simple route. She did not want a lavish-looking tattoo with lots of intricate designs to it. This tattoo, although it is a simple design, still brings out the tribal feel to it. You don’t need to go overboard. Sometimes it’s the simple ones that make the biggest impact on people.
Get a Straightforward Looking Tribal Tattoo
Tattoos don't have to be elaborate designs. Sometimes the best ones to go for would be the simpler ones. If you a getting your first tattoo and you don’t really know what sort of animal or theme to get, then why don’t you try a tribal band tattoo?
They don’t need a lot of intricate details in the design to make it look good. This lady decided to get a tribal band tattoo on her forearm. These types of tribal tattoos are normally perfect for the arms and legs and are a great introduction for a first-timer to the tattoo world.
Getting a Tribal Tattoo of a Turtle
There is no shortage of ideas a person can use for their tribal tattoo designs. If you can think of something then it probably has been done before. All you have to do is ask your tattooist to design a tribal tattoo with the animal of your choosing.
This lady decided she wanted a turtle tattoo done in a tribal design. As you can see, this makes for a perfect-looking tribal tattoo. They used thick lines for the flippers and the head while the body has thinner lines with more detail in between. This beautiful tribal tattoo almost feels Hawaiian when you look at it.
Getting Tribal Tattoos on the Legs
One of the better areas to get a tattoo would be on the legs. The leg is a lot tougher than areas closer to the bone. That is if you don’t do well with pain. If you don’t mind the pain that is.
This lady decided to get a beautiful tribal tattoo on her leg. It looks like she got her inspiration from an octopus. Look at the thick lines with the tentacle curving on the top. The theme of this tribal tattoo changes slowly as you go further down her leg. This is a great way to show off those beautiful legs.
Fierce Fantasy Creatures
One thing the different tribes from all over the world has in common is the fact that they have stories of creatures that do not necessarily exist in the world. These stories are rooted deep in the history of tribes and have been a massive motivation for a lot of tribal tattoos for women.
One of the biggest legends used for tattoos is dragons. These mythical creatures are a great source for getting a tribal tattoo. Dragons are seen as creatures that embody wisdom as well as intelligence and strength. This is why women love getting a tribal dragon as a tattoo.
A Tribal Tattoo With the Phoenix in Mind
There is no shortage of options when it comes to designing your tattoo. It does not have to be about things that exist in our world. It can be mythical creatures from the stories that we read too. From dwarves to dragons, the choices are unlimited.
This tribal tattoo the lady got is the perfect example of what can be done. She opted to get a tribal phoenix tattoo on her shoulder. A phoenix gets reborn out of the ashes of a fire which could mean a lot of things to a person that has a phoenix for a tattoo.
Get a Tribal Tattoo on Your Fingers
Getting a tattoo can be quite a daunting task. If you do have the tattoo you want then the next step would be to decide where to put it. It is fine if you get it done on the soft tissue part of your body, like, your thighs, arms, or stomach.
What you have to watch out for is the areas closer to the bone, like the knees, feet, and hands. This lady got her beautiful tribal tattoo done on her hand and fingers. She must have shed a few tears when they started on her index finger.
A Butterfly Tattoo That’s Gone Tribal
Animals have had a massive impact on tribal tattoos. But it is not only big animals that make great tattoos, it’s the small ones too. Insects have also been used in tattoos, maybe just as much as the large ones do. Why not? They make beautiful tattoo designs.
Insects like the ladybird and butterfly have had massive collaborations with tribal designs. This lady’s tribal butterfly tattoo turned out to be a beautiful design. Butterflies are seen as the next step in evolution for this little critter. They can be seen as the next step in a person’s life. Shedding off the old and starting with the new.
A Tribal Tattoo With a Modern Twist
Tribal tattoos have come a long way. It has been part of the culture of numerous indigenous people across the planet. They have a deep understanding of each tribe and that is what makes them special. Lately, we have seen a newer version of these iconic designs.
Here we see what happens when you combine the old with the new. Tribal tattoos like this have given the older version a new fresh look without having to skip on the deep meaning these tattoos have on the culture of the indigenous people. This way the new generation can also participate in the old traditions of the indigenous tribes.
Get a Tribal Tattoo on the Neck
Are you a woman who likes to take chances? If you are, then picking the right spot for your tattoo could be just as important as getting the right tattoo that expresses who you are. One of those places that will make a bold statement is the neck area.
Getting tattooed on your neck can be painful, and it would be visible to everyone. Getting it is already a statement on its own and the neck area will tell everyone that you are a risk taker with a cause.
A Tribal Tattoo of a Horse
Animals have always been used as inspiration for a lot of things. Body art is no different. The horse is one of those animals that have long been part of our everyday lives and is the perfect example to express who you are.
Horses are seen as graceful creatures and resemble wisdom, freedom, and loyalty. If this is your character then think of getting a tribal tattoo with the horse as your inspiration. This lady took the horse and incorporated it into her tribal design with a little color to bring out the curves of this beautiful creature.
Inspiration From Flowers
Flowers are often used to decorate a person's home and garden. That is why they are also a great way to express a person’s personality. You can be bold and use lots of colors but they are equally beautiful without it. There are also thousands of flowers to choose from when you decide to get a tattoo.
Flowers have long since been used for various artworks .ike paintings. Tattoos are no different because tattoos are artwork too. This lady’s beautiful tribal tattoo has been inspired by flowers. Flower tattoos do symbolize love, death, and vitality and can have lots of colors or no color at all.
Get a Tribal Tattoo on Your Back
Tattoos are a great way to express a person's personality. Choosing where to get it done is just as important as deciding what your design must be. Getting a tattoo on your back is a great area to put the beautiful artwork.
A tattoo on a person's back does not necessarily have to cover the whole surface of your back. This lady opted to get a tribal tattoo on her back. As you can see the curves and lines of this tattoo on this lady’s back are a fantastic way to express her beauty and femininity.
The Iconic Sea Turtle
Tattoos have always used the elements of nature and its creatures as the inspiration behind the different tribal tattoo designs. The indigenous people that inhabit the inner parts of a country would use land animals in their designs and the people closest to the coast would use marine animals as their inspiration.
This lady’s design has incorporated the beautiful sea turtle for her tribal tattoo. This beautiful creature is seen to have wisdom and live a long time. They can also be interpreted as the vessel that would take you to your next destination after death. These tattoos are normally used by people from the Polynesian islands.
Using the Bear for Your Tribal Design
One of the favorite animals to use for tribal tattoos come from the North American continent, the bear. The bear has had a long history with the tribes of the natives American Indians. These animals have also got strong maternal instincts, and that is the reason why women are drawn to use them.
This lady took the bear and tattooed a tribal design onto her thigh. They are powerful animals and were often used as spiritual guides by the Native American ancestors. There are different meanings for the bear. Apart from courage and power it also has a strong association with healing.
Using the Thigh as the Canvass for a Tribal Tattoo
So far, we have seen numerous tribal tattoos from all walks of life. The animals are vastly different from tribe to tribe and are depicted in their own unique way by these tribes. These tribal tattoos are also inked onto many different surface areas of the body.
This lady took her tribal tattoo design and had it tattooed on her thigh. The thigh has always been one of the most used areas to use for a tattoo. Using the thigh does not necessarily mean you have to cover the whole area. These thigh tattoos are often used by the different tribes from the Polynesian islands.
Tribal Tattoos From Africa
We have seen lots of tattoos from countries across the world. They all have their characteristics. The Samoan tattoos use long thick lines in their design, and the tattoos from the native Americas use the buffalo and eagle as inspiration for their designs. So now we are focusing on the African continent’s tribal tattoo designs.
This lady decided to get a tattoo that depicts the African continent and use African patterns to fill the inside of the borders. The African designs have always had a deep spiritual meaning with the different cultures of the African continent. These patterns and designs resemble power and compassion.