150+ Best Tribal Tattoo Designs, Ideas & Meanings [2019]
Tribal tattoos originate from ancient times and had deep meaning.
Nowadays they combine the style of origin tribes and modern features. From noting social status and religious believes tribal tattoo became individual artistic expression.
Tribal tattoo on his arm and body man
Tribal tattoos have very expressive, rich, passionate, and ferocious design.
Such type of body art dates back to over 5000 years ago.
Tribal Tattoo with geometric designs on men back
It has the biggest variety of style because it depends on the diversity of different cultures and tribe’s traditions. Initially they were as attribute of identification for members of different races and cultures.
Some Interesting Facts from the History
As you have understood the word “tribal” deals with a lot of things in connection to some tribe, so the origin of such kind of tattoos is quite interesting.
In ancient time they were used:
- As an attribute of belonging to some tribe or social status;
Tribal tattoo around the male body
Tribal tattoo with the geometric pattern on the shoulders of men
Tribal tattoo on shoulder man
- As an expression of religious believes;
Tribal tattoo with the symbol of the sun on his back
Tribal tattoo on shoulder man
- As a camouflage in the forest;
Tribal tattoo on shoulder Man in the form of twigs and stones
- As a treatment similar to acupuncture, but with leaving of sights on the body;
Tribal Tattoo of straight lines on the hand
Tribal tattoo on his chest man
- As a way to communicate, for example, in Polynesia from which the word “tattoo” (originally as “tatau”) comes.
Tribal Tattoo – bend on the women’s side
Polynesian Tribal tattoo on the back and neck of the girl
The Symbol Meaning
Such tattoos are known to mean courage, audacity, dynamics, and expressiveness.
As they are unique they reveal its bearer’s character and feelings.
Powerful tribal tattoo for men
According to its elements and sketch tribal tattoo could symbolize
For every tribe and culture tattoo was the way of showing connection or it was a reminder of some special event or phenomenon.
Tribal tattoo with triangular ornaments, imitation shark teeth
For ancient time Polynesia people were inspired by animals such as shark.
For example its teeth meant protection and shell symbolize wealth.
Tribal tattoo on arm with a shark tooth ornament
Tribal tattoo on shoulder blade girl – shark
Peculiarities of Design
Such tattoos are highly symbolical and complicated, so it’s better to decide properly which design to choose.
More often it is made in black color, but a very few are mixed colored, for example sketch in red and black design is the most popular.
Tribal black and red tattoo on his shoulder man
Tribal tattoo on shoulder man – the sun
Tribal tattoo on the back of man – Eagle
or
- Celtic cross is the most popular.
Tribal tattoo on shoulder guy
- There is also the scheme of dragon,
Tribal tattoo on the back of the girl – dragon
Tribal tattoo on shoulder of guy – Lion
Tribal tattoo on the back of man – Taurus
- Back design for men elements of which include Aztec culture with symbols of the sun and moon joined together.
Back design for women is less massive and includes more modernized elements.
Tribal Aztec tattoo on his chest man – the sun and the moon together
Turtle is a symbol of strength, long life, and wisdom.
Tribal tattoo on shoulder blade guy – Turtle
- Shoulder design for man and woman made up of different spirals and curves combined in complex design. Small components compose big design.
Tribal tattoo on shoulder man
- Rib tattoos with long lines.
Tribal tattoo on the ribs of the girl
3d Tribal tattoo on his shoulder and chest man
- Chest tattoos that looks like a t-shirt and have very complex design.
They are popular among men.Nowadays it is common to mix thick black lines with thinner black ones.
They are combined in shape and forms not necessarily with tribal initial origin and meaning.
Tribal tattoo on the chest of a man
Tribal tattoo guy sleeve
and half sleeve tattoos that cover the whole hand and even shoulder.
Tribal tattoo guy half sleeve
- Shoulder bold black cog piece with intricate flower shape below.
Modern Tribal tattoo with bird and landscape
Tribal tattoo flower guy on the shoulder
- Tribal design with flowers is a good idea for women and girls.
Tribal tattoo flowers girl on the neck
Types of Tribal Tattoos
- Maori tattoos were drawn on face in New Zealand tribe.
Maori tattoo on the man’s face
Male version usually covered the whole man’s faces and female one covered only the area around the mouth and chin.
Maori tribal tattoo of the girl in the face, the neck and chest
Large tribal tattoo along the back
Maori believed when person die light will shine through him/her and only tattoo shows who the person is.
Nowadays such tattoos incorporate some modern features and usually are going across the chest.
Maori tribal tattoo on the chest of a man
Leg tattoos were also popular among Maori people.
They were used to cover warrior for instilling fear to their opponents.
Maori tribal tattoo on a man’s legs
- Haida tattoos of Native American tribe Haida.
Tribal tattoo with totem poles and symbols forefathers
They were influenced by astrology and also depicted animals, for example beavers,
Haida tribal tattoo on the arm of a man – a beaver
bears,
Haida tribal tattoo on the leg of a man – Bears
Haida tribal tattoo on the back of a guy – Thunderbird
and fish.
Haida tribal tattoos on the shoulder of the girl – fish
It was believed that wearing such depiction you could take some power of that animal. In fact, such design is rather masculine one.
- Borneo tattoos of the tribe of Southeast Asia.
Borneo Tribal tattoo with ornaments of flowers
They were used to depict the symbol of protection as scorpions,
Borneo tribal tattoo on shoulder man – Scorpio
dogs in bold colors,
Borneo Tribal tattoo on his chest man – two dogs
dragons,
Borneo Tribal tattoo on the back of a guy – the dragon
Haida tribal tattoos on the back of the girl – Rose
and spirals.
Borneo Tribal tattoo on shoulder of guy – a spiral in the center of the flower
In ancient time men often covered their body from head to toe. Depicting Gecko was the most popular as a symbol of supernatural power.
Hawaiian tribal tattoos on the spine of the girl – Gecko
They depicted also orchid,
Hawaiian tribal tattoo on the side of the girl – orchids
sea shark,
Hawaiian tribal tattoo on his shoulder blade at the guy – sea shark
sea turtle,
Hawaiian tribal tattoo on his shoulder Man – sea turtle
Tiki (who was believed to be the first man on Earth), etc.
Polynesian tattoo sketch – Tiki
Hawaiian tribal tattoo on his shoulder Man – Tiki and flowers
Hawaiian tribal tattoo on his shoulder Man – Tiki
There is also Tiki who was a semi-god in Polynesian culture and symbolized protection.
Polynesian tribal tattoo on his leg the guy – Tiki
Tiki’s organs as nose, eyes, mouth, and side faces commonly are draw separated.
Polynesian tribal tattoo on his shoulder Man – Tiki
Another sketch illustrates turtle shell,
Polynesian tattoo sketch turtle shells
Polynesian tattoo sketch – turtle shell
Polynesian tribal tattoo on his shoulder blade at the guy – Turtle
sea shell,
Polynesian tattoo sketch – sea shell
Polynesian tattoo sketch – sea shells
ocean,
Polynesian tattoo sketch – Ocean
Polynesian tattoo sketch – Ocean
Polynesian tribal tattoo on his shoulder man – Ocean
Polynesian tribal tattoo on his shoulder man – Ocean
sun,
Polynesian tattoo sketch – the sun
Polynesian tattoo sketch – the sun
Polynesian tribal tattoo on his leg the girl – the sun
and Marquesan cross.
Polynesian tattoo sketch – Marquesan cross
Polynesian tattoo sketch – Marquesan cross
Polynesian tribal tattoo on his shoulder Man – Marquesan cross
Polynesian tribal tattoo on his shoulder Man – Marquesan cross
Where to Place it?
Tribal tattoos are worn by men and women as well.
Beautiful tribal tattoo on a man’s leg
Beautiful tribal tattoo on a female leg
Such artistic design underlines body muscles and it looks outstanding on the man’s body.
Three Monkeys – tribal tattoo on the man’s shoulder
Powerful tribal tattoo on the man’s shoulder
Nevertheless it looks great on the woman’s body also.
Elegant geometric tribal tattoo on a woman’s body
Graceful tribal tattoo-mandola on a female back
There is some difference between men and women ways to place a tattoo. The most appropriate places for men are chest,
Tribal tattoo on his chest Man
arms,
Tribal tattoo sleeves guy
legs,
Tribal tattoo on his leg the guy
shoulders,
Tribal tattoo on shoulder man
back,
Tribal tattoo on the back of a Man
Tribal tattoo on the buttocks guy
and face.
Tribal tattoo on his face Man
For women it is chin, lips,
Tribal tattoo on the face of the girl
neck,
Tribal tattoo on the neck of the girl
and back.
Tribal tattoo on the back of a girl
What part of body to chose depends also on the size of a sketch. Size could be small, middle and large. However even the largest one is the combination of small lines, spirals, circles, etc. Such tattoo also could stretch from ears to legs.
Most tribal tattoos on the body Man
Most Maori tattoos are done on arms.
Maori tribal tattoo half sleeve guy
Celebrities with tribal tattoos
As you can see tribal tattoos have deep symbolical meaning and huge variation. That’ why you should think twice before choosing design which is better for you. Such tattoos are also famous among celebrities as Mike Tyson,
Tribal tattoo on the face Mike Tyson
Tommy Lee,
Tribal tattoo on the chest of Tommy Lee – the lions
Jamie Foxx
Tribal tattoo on the chest and shoulders of Jamie Foxx
Tribal tattoo on the back of Jamie Foxx
Tribal tattoo on the head of Jamie Foxx
Tribal tattoo on the head of Jamie Foxx
and a lot of others.