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

hope,
balance,
continuance,
faith,
eternal life, etc.

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

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

thunderbirds,

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

flowers,

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 tribal tattoo on his shoulder man – Ocean

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 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

buttocks,

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

and a lot of others.

Some Interesting Facts from the History

The Symbol Meaning

Peculiarities of Design

Types of Tribal Tattoos

Where to Place it?

Celebrities with tribal tattoos

Sketches of Tribal tattoo