A tattoo is a design inked into the outer layer of the human skin with indelible ink and a needle.
Tattoos began as religious symbols flaunted by ancient tribal communities centuries ago. The culture of tattooing one’s body is today being seen as a popular body art; it is gaining popularity by leaps and bounds.
Most people want to get a tattoo done on their bodies because they wish to have something on them that they can relate to meaningfully; besides tattoos provide a certain sense of appeal that adds to an individual’s personality.
There are many popular categories of tattoos just as there are equally popular parts of the body that people want to carry tattoos on. Men choose different areas while women go with those that not only help them flaunt the tattoos but also add to aesthetic appeal and visibility.
The most popular tattoo areas for women are:
• Neck
• Arms
• Ear
• Shoulder
• Hand
• Finger
• Half-sleeve
• Ribcage
• Leg
• Ankle
A quick analytical review of tattoo designs shows some which are more sought after and popular than others. The single most important factor about tattoos is that it is ‘indelible’, meaning it is virtually impossible to remove and is likely to remain on the body forever. Of course, now there are some methods that involve half-painful procedures for tattoo removal but these could be complicated.
Although tattoo designs constantly change and new themes are introduced each day, some ‘classics’ have stood firm favorites against the march of time.
Some of the most popular designs are:
1. Butterfly – a symbol of mankind’s innate desire to take flight and be free; also represents femininity, elegance and high spirit
2. Angels and fairies – signify love and purity, a belief towards Christian teachings and a sign of devotion
3. Heart – displays the romantic nature, symbol of love and affection
4. Dragonfly – representative of a woman’s free spirit and denotes compassion, courage, luck and wisdom along with a calm countenance.
5. Sun – popular as a religious as well tribal symbol to denote distinctiveness; variations like the Celtic sun and Shiny sun are hugely popular.
6. Star – single or cluster, they are a symbol of good luck and wishes, also denote ambition and hope.
7. Moon – associated with love and dreams, and heaven as well. Some like to use it in conjunction with the sun as a ‘yin-yang’.
8. Rose – the rose is a symbol of affection and deep love, expresses peace and purity. Different colors denote different aspects.
9. Snake – contrary to popular belief, snake symbols represent fertility, knowledge and wisdom; also denote mythical associations either positive or negative.
10. Feather – inscribed for their aesthetic beauty, symbolizes enlightenment and freedom.
11. Dolphin – nearly 95% of all dolphin tattoos are inked on women. Dolphin tattoos come in two variants – traditional and tribal, both of which signify freedom and happiness.
12. Hello Kitty – the innocence displayed by the cute kitty has a universal appeal like a cartoon character.
13. Musical notes – adorned mostly by music lovers and musicians to display their love for music, this also denotes fun, passion and thrill.
14. Zodiac sign – gives an insight into the individual’s personality. The unique characteristics of each zodiac sign reveal the kind of person the wearer is.
15. Orchids – orchids are very popular among flower designs because of its alluring beauty and distinctive looks.
16. Portraits – babies are the first choice in this category; loved ones are usually the next choice.
17. Flames – symbolic of life, passion, rebirth and wisdom; also signify death and destruction.
18. Religious designs – denotes a person’s religious affinity
19. Birds – usually large birds that soar high are the favorites; represents the dominant trait of the individual.
20. Animals – some of the most popular animal figures are cats, dogs, horses, lions, tigers etc.; pets are a huge favorite especially for someone who has lost an adored one recently.