Tattoos - Which Tattoo Designs are Most Popular?
Tribal Tattoos - Tribal tattoo designs have been around for hundreds of years and are becoming more and more complex and constantly evolving and morphing into what has become known as neo tribal tattoo styles. Tribal tattoos can be traditional 'black work' on the arms and legs or more colorful styles characterised by the 'Modern Primitive' look covering the entire body.
'Old School' Style Tattoos - Anchors and swallows seem to be making a comeback and not just amongst old sailors and bikers. A lot of females are asking for tattoos of swallows and anchors on their neck and chest while many guys are going for the ol' sailor Jerry tattoos on their forearms. This style is further fueled by the 1950's revival characterised by retro vixens such as the Suicide Girls.
Lower Back Tattoos - These are a perennial favorite particularly amongst females. The most popular lower back tattoos are still tribal designs but dragons, lotus flowers and eastern symbolism seems to be popular as well.
Dragon Tattoos - Dragon tattoo designs are another style of tattoo that seems to be enjoying a revival. There are so many styles of dragons from the traditional chinese dragon tattoo to more mythical dragons.
Celtic Tattoos - Celtic tattoos are being done on people with a celtic heritage but also by many people with no celtic origin. Some of the celtic symbols are universal in nature and have universal meanings common to all races. This may explain why celtic tattoos are being mixed with tribal tattoos creating a style of tattoo known as tribal celtic tattoos.
Tips for Getting Tattoos
Choose your tattoo carefully. Don't go for some off the wall 'flash' tattoo. A good tattoo artist is capable of doing 'custom work'.
Try not mix different tattoo styles such as Japanese and Tribal styles. It doesn't work!
Go to a reputable tattoo artist not some backstreet 'scratcher' who is cheap but you will inevitably regret later. Build a relationship with the tattoo artist if you plan of getting a lot of tattoos.
Take proper care especially of newer tattoos. In summer many people get tattooed and can't wait to flash their tattoos in public. Be careful that you do not expose your new tattoos to too much sun which will fade them. Use plenty of sunscreen to avoid them fading prematurely.
By Declan O Reilly
Tao of Tattoos
[October 15, 2006]
