Tribal Tattoo Designs for Men


The art of tattooing has been around since time immemorial and it still continues to enchant men from different walks of life. Experts believe that the reason behind the popularity of this art form is due to our nature of wanting to stand out in the crowd or be different. Whatever the reason, more and more men are using their body as a canvas and getting a tattoo. Tribal tattoo designs are one of the most popular designs mostly due to the uniqueness these designs have to offer. Tribal designs are mostly abstract with long flowing lines and symmetrical designs. Artists use shading techniques to make these designs look very powerful and eye catching.

Many ancient tribes used tattoos to mark their warriors and to showcase their loyalties to the leader, and these tribal tattoos are a representation of their culture and belief system. For example Native American shamans marked themselves with wolf tattoos as they believed that the wolves were the link to the spirit world.

Crocodile Design
Popular with African tribes as they believe the crocodile to be a symbol of adaptability. You could tattoo just an open jaw of a crocodile with its sharp teeth as part of your tribal tattoo theme. To make the design unique, you can show a crocodile with its tail enmeshed in a spiders web.

Wolf Tattoo
Considered as a link to the afterlife by some and as an omen of evil by others, the wolf tribal design looks especially cool if done on the bicep. Showcase a wolf's face looking on with piercing eyes and a long flowing mane in the background. One of the other designs is to have it howling at the moon with its front paws in the air.

Celtic Cross
This weaving design is very popular as it represents the guy's faith in a higher power. The Celtic cross engulfed with a verse from the bible using Latin font is one of the unique designs that you could opt for. You can also have the Celtic cross done in color weaved into an armband as if showing a circle of protection.

Kokopelli Design
A Native American symbol of a hunch back flute player represents fertility and is one of the great tattoo ideas for men. You could incorporate this design of a flute playing stick figure with a shining sun on top. If you want a design that will stand out you could have the Kokopelli play a guitar instead of a flute in your tattoo art.

Shark Tattoos
Very popular with the Polynesians, the shark design till today evokes some of the best reactions from people. A Polynesian shark with small intricate designs on its body making its way through with a twisted tail is a great way to cover your bicep or rib cage. You could also show two sharks forming a circle by touching their jaws and tails together.

Dragon Designs
The Chinese revere the dragon, for them it's a symbol of wisdom and power, so a fire breathing dragon with its claws and flowing tail is a great tribal design. A dragon standing guard with a spear in its claw is one of the design ideas that you could explore. Another design is to have a dragon with its eyes closed resting on an intricate pattern formed by rose petals.

Phoenix Tattoos
The phoenix rose from the ashes and hence epitomizes resurrection, this design also allows artists to use their imagination. A Phoenix rising towards a brightly colored sun with its wings spread looks great. This design looks very cool if done with bright colors like yellow and orange. A phoenix coming through a ring of fire or a phoenix holding a crown on top of its head with its wings are some of the designs you could try.

You could also inculcate a skull pierced with the weaving patterns of a Celtic cross, a snake wound up against a crocodile or a butterfly done in the Celtic tattoo design. Whichever design you choose just make sure that the tattoo parlor you go to has high hygiene standards and uses sterilized equipment.

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