Best Tattoo Designs

Since the dawn of time, tattoo designs from simple to intricate symbols have been the thing that defines most cultures. Traditionally, tattoos are part of a rite of passage with some cultures; a symbol of religious or spiritual devotion; a mark of rank and royalty; a sexual invitation; a punishment; an expression of love; for protection; a mark of being an outcast, a criminal, or a slave; and also a mark of someone’s bravery, courage or prowess in battle. There are hundreds of popular tattoo designs out there and many of them are symbols abundant with meaning.

TRIBAL TATTOO

The most popular genre in tattoo designs today. Modern tribal designs are generally inspired by the tattoos of the indigenous race from Indonesia and Borneo. A lot of these bold graphic tattoos primarily inspired the interests of Capt. James Cook and his crew in the 18^th century, which also caused the revival of Western Europe tattooing.

TATTOOS AS A SYMBOL OF RANK

The Maori of New Zealand has tattoos that tell his specific genealogical details. Both a man’s and a woman’s tattoo not only tells their maternal and paternal lineage, it also reveals their social, political and military ranking. The Iban Headhunters of Borneo, on the other hand, earn their tattoos by the number of heads they have collected. Their individual records are carefully etched by the tattoos on one’s hands. Other types of tattoo designs tell a story of an individual’s accomplishments through his life and the more tattoos he has on his skin, the greater is his status and rank within their community.

TATTOOS AS A RELIGIOUS DEVOTION

One of the world’s most popular tattoo designs are religious images. Angels, crosses, and doves are the most sought after. It was a common practice amongst the members of the nobles and regular foot soldiers during the Crusades of the Middle Ages to look for a tattoo artist upon their entrance to the Holy City of Jerusalem. This is because they wanted to have a Cross tattoo to symbolize their signal of devotion or religious affiliation.

TATTOOS AS SEXUAL LURES

In modern times, tattoos developed an erotic aura due to its reputation of being a little racy. Nowadays, tattoos are seen as belonging to the world of naughty girls and bad boys. Some traditional cultures of tattoo design to give a clear indication that a woman has reached her sexual maturity and is fertile, which makes her in the market for marriage. There are also some tattoo designs that indicate an individual’s rite of passage between childhood and adulthood. It means that a boy or a girl would have clear, untouched skin until he or she becomes an adult with sexual needs, desires and wants.