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What to consider when choosing a tattoo location
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Many people enjoy getting tattoos—whether because they want to mark an important life event, recognize a special symbol, display a certain character trait, or just have fun adding art to their body! However, did you know that every tattoo placement can have a different meaning? Where someone places a tattoo on their body can have a personal, spiritual, cultural, or aesthetic significance, depending on the person and their beliefs. We’ll break down the meanings of every tattoo placement in the article below.
Tattoo Placement Symbolism
- Ankles : Discreet, balanced, honoring a loved one.
- Arms : Bold (full-sleeve), balanced (half-sleeve), pragmatic (stickers).
- Back : Confident, sensual, strong.
- Chest : Sentimental, loving, confident.
- Ears : Discreet, creative, empathetic.
- Face : Bold, proud, intelligent.
- Feet : Mysterious, discreet, shy.
- Fingers : Bold, courageous, non-committal.
- Forearms : Confident, strong, tough.
- Neck : Tough, proud, courageous.
- Ribcage : Brave, strong, artistic.
- Thighs : Sentimental, confident, adventurous.
- Wrists : Reflective, sentimental, healing wounds.
Steps
Section 2 of 3:
How to Choose Your Tattoo Placement
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Consider how visible you want your tattoo to be. The visibility of your tattoo will also influence the potential size and location of your design. Start by considering how visible you want your tattoo to be—if you want a hidden tattoo, choose a concealed spot like your torso, upper thighs, back, upper arms, or feet. Then, consider how big or detailed you want a tattoo to be—if you want a small tattoo, it can’t be as detailed, but if you want a large tattoo, you’ll have to choose a larger area. A good tattoo artist will likely inform you if your tattoo design and placement aren’t compatible, but you can also follow the guide below: [19] X Research source
- Small tattoos can be simple designs with basic shapes. Possible placements include the wrist, back of the palm, top of the foot, fingers, ankles, behind the ear, above the elbow, and knee.
- Medium tattoos can be flash tattoos, script tattoos, and any relatively simple design that can fit on a long and skinny area. Possible placements include the forearm, calves, shins, neck, shoulder, upper arm, inner thigh, and sternum.
- Large tattoos can be more detailed tattoos with more elements. Possible placements include the upper thigh, upper back, lower back, chest, stomach, hip, and ribs.
- Extra large tattoos can be more expansive pieces of work designed with the tattoo artist. Possible placement options include a full arm sleeve, a full leg sleeve, a chest and stomach piece, and a full back piece.
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Consider how the tattoo will lay on your body. Some people like to take into account the shape of their body when choosing a tattoo, although this step isn’t at all required. Some people prefer larger designs that emulate strength and help to define their muscles. Often, these pieces require placements like an arm sleeve or a neck, calf, chest, or back tattoo. [20] X Research source
- Others choose tattoo placements that highlight their body’s natural curves. For example, a larger tattoo may wrap around the hip and thigh or curve around the chest.
- For smaller tattoos, some individuals opt for placements that make their ink resemble jewelry. For instance, wrist tattoos = bracelets, sternum tattoos = necklaces, ankle tattoos = anklets, and finger tattoos = rings.
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Take into account your pain tolerance and tattoo experience. If you have a low pain tolerance or are brand new to getting tattoos, you may want to stay away from large tattoos or particularly painful placements (e.g., the ribs, armpits, or other bony spots). Unless you really have your heart set on a certain placement, consider sticking to less painful areas like the thigh, outer bicep, or forearm. [21] X Research source
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Consider your future with this tattoo. You might have career plans, physical goals, or even future tattoo plans that can influence your current placement. For instance, despite the fact that mainstream attitudes toward tattoos are changing, “hand, neck, and face tattoos are ‘job stopper’ tattoos,” says professional tattoo artist Burak Moreno. As Moreno goes on to advise, “it’s very important to think about where you work or are planning to work in the future” before getting a high-visibility tattoo.
- “Job-stopper” tattoos may even affect the way you are treated by others, including security guards, police officers, and other authority figures.
- Alongside career goals, you might have future plans to make changes to your body. While all bodies naturally change over time, major changes like weight loss, pregnancy, or significant muscle gain may warp the tattoo design in areas like the stomach, hips, upper arms, and upper legs.
- Lastly, consider any plans you have for getting larger tattoo pieces in the future. If you want a full sleeve in the future, for instance, avoid getting smaller tattoos dotted on your arms. These tattoos will make it harder to get a cohesive sleeve later on.
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Get inspiration from common tattoo design and placement pairings. While you can definitely get your tattoo anywhere on your body that you like, you may be unsure about where your design will look best! For instance, a swirling vine design may look best wrapping around your thigh or on a long and narrow area like your forearm. If you haven’t decided what kind of tattoo you want or where you want it placed, check out this list of some of the most common combinations of designs and placements:
- Ear tattoos: Possible placements on the earlobe, behind the ear, or on the cartilage. Try delicate and tiny designs, like a music note or wrapping vine.
- Neck tattoos: Possible placements on the nape or front of the neck. Try small and dainty or large but moderately-complex designs, like geometric patterns or cursive script.
- Shoulder tattoos: Possible placement on the shoulder blade or draping across the shoulder. Try large floral designs or angel wings.
- Chest tattoos: Possible placements on one pectoral muscle, on the sternum, over the heart, or across the entire chest. Try a floral wrap or outstretched wings on the sternum, an animal face on the pec, or a special someone’s name over the heart.
- Arm tattoos: Possible placements on the upper arm or forearm. Try a sticker tattoo or geometric design on the upper arm and a large script tattoo or floral design on the forearm.
- Thigh tattoos: Possible placements on the upper or inner thigh. Try “wrapping” tattoos that work their way up to the hip bone, like florals, snakes, and other long and slender pieces.
- Finger tattoos: Possible placements on the top or side of the finger. Try tiny pieces of script or very small symbols.
- Ankle and foot tattoos: Possible placements on the top of the foot or side of the angle. Try flowers, quotes, and small characters.
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Tips
- Ultimately, pick a tattoo placement that feels good to you. Tattoo placements don’t have any universal or specific meaning attached to them—it’s up to you! Go for whatever tattoo design and placement feels best.Thanks
- If you want to test out a tattoo placement or brainstorm some cool designs, check out apps like InkHunter and Tattoodo . InkHunter uses augmented reality to preview what the tattoo will look like on your body, and Tattoodo is an online library of tattoos and tattoo artists with different styles and placements.Thanks
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References
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- ↑ https://www.jstor.org/stable/972224
- ↑ https://www.zealandtattoo.co.nz/tattoo-styles/polynesian-tattoo-history-meanings-traditional-designs/
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- ↑ https://thomazcauchi.com/2021/08/01/what-to-know-before-getting-your-tattoo-placement/
- ↑ https://www.floridatattooacademy.com/how-to-choose-a-tattoo/
- ↑ https://www.floridatattooacademy.com/how-to-choose-a-tattoo/
- ↑ https://www.si.edu/stories/ancient-ink-iceman-otzi-has-worlds-oldest-tattoos
- ↑ https://folkculturebh.org/en/?issue=13&page=article&id=7
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