Tattoos are the ultimate in self expression. They make a statement about who you are and what you are about. Different tattoo designs have different meanings. Adaptations of various designs can add your own stamp to the body art so you can make your own statement.

Tribal Tattoos

Symbolizes belonging. The Tribal designs were by far the most popular, coming in with approximately one third of requests. In the past, tribal body art identified different tribes and were very important to the identity of the tribe and the individual. Today, tribal body art is an appealing fashion statement, that allow people to show off their individuality combined with a bit of mystery. These tats use aggressive dark lines in jagged symmetrical shapes and are most common in black and skin tones but can also be infused with color to brighten the overall look.

Stars

A symbol of protection and guidance. They are popular because they can go anywhere on the body and can be any size you want. They are also popular because they are timeless. Compass and nautical stars were very popular amongst sailors as they relied on stars to guide them on their journeys, so they used the tattoos as luck. These days, the meaning of stars depends on the number of points it has. The most popular places for the star designs are around the shoulder, ankles and navel.

Angels

Symbol of devotion, spirituality and faith. Angels are popular because they are very symbolic, representing many values such as peace, spirituality, and protection. Some of the more popular tattoo designs relate to Religion and Spirituality (due to angels being seen as the link between heaven and earth), Love, and the Struggle between good and evil.

Crosses

Strong religious symbolism. Popular as a symbol of faith, belief and hope. Crosses are popular because they can be effectively combined with other designs. The cross tattoo is very versatile because they look good most places on the body and small or big.

Wings

Symbol of spirituality and freedom. Wings are associated with angels, representing protection and guidance from above. Wings are also associated with butterflies, birds, dragons, fairies and a host of other animals. Wings represent freedom for many people and rising above problems. Some wing designs spread right across the back, which look very impressive. A popular place for women to get a wing tattoo design is on the lower back.

Where to get good designs

The next step is to look at some pictures or flash to get ideas to work from. A cost effective option is to download a package of thousands of popular designs from Chopper Tattoo. Then add your own touches to your favorite one for the artist to incorporate. That way you get top quality body art that is totally original for a fraction of the price it would cost for a tattoo design to be drawn up from scratch.

Women are special and so is the body art that they choose to decorate themselves with. Over 65% of the tattoos being done today are for the female and we’re no longer hiding them. Flowers, butterfly tattoos, angel tattoos, angel wings, heart tattoos, and butterfly wings of various sizes are some of the most popular for women, and one of the more popular locations for tattoos is on the lower back, sexy and visible when you choose, or hidden if it is appropriate for the occasion. The preferable designs for the lower back are tribal tattoos. Other places where we like to be inked are the ankles (usually smaller sized tattoos), foot, the navel area, shoulders (front and back), breast, buttocks, and thighs.

Women do more research and place more thought into their tattoos. We know what we want, where we want it, and the color (or black and white) before we go to the tattoo parlor. This tattoo will be with us for a lifetime and it’s an important decision. Picking a special tattoo at the parlor can be a rushed experience and the designs can be limited. With internet sites you can choose the design on your time: shop, buy, download, print. No one is looking over your shoulder, hurrying you.

What prompted this idea to get a tattoo? Usually a woman will make that final decision because of a significant event in her life: marriage, death, divorce, new relationship, new baby, a milestone birthday, a celebration. Based on your reason, you may want to choose a design with a specific meaning. Here are a few ideas.

Butterflies and butterfly wings are two of the most popular tattoos for women. In many cultures these have a spiritual meaning as this symbol stands for the soul and spiritual elevation. The butterfly is feminine, and the design can be small yet still distinct in markings that so that it can easily be placed on the ankle, breast, etc, and be classy.

Next most popular are flowers. Flowers come in many varieties:

• Roses- red for romantic, black for death, yellow for joyfulness, and your own distinctive color that will have a unique meaning just for you
• Hawaiian – while there are several flowers under this category, the Hawaiian flower is generally thought of as a symbol of hospitality and friendship which is why leis are so abundant as welcoming gifts
• Lotus – good fortune, peace
• Hibiscus – the state flower of Hawaii
• Orchid – love, luxury, beauty, strength
• Lily – symbol of purity, in some areas it can symbolize erotic love

Zodiac symbols, another popular female choice, have flowers associated with them:

• Aries – Flower: red poppy, geranium, honeysuckle, hollyhock
•            Symbol: Ram
• Taurus – Flower: red rose, daisy, lily, daffodil
•               Symbol: Bull
• Gemini – Flower: lilac, azalea, lily-of-the-valley
•              Symbol: Twins
• Cancer – Flower: southern magnolia, white poppy, lotus (water lily), iris, carnation (white)
•                Symbol: Crab
• Virgo – Flower: astor, chrysanthemum, ivy, fern
•            Symbol: Virgin holding sheaves of wheat in her hands
• Leo – Flower: sunflower, dahlia, lily (yellow), poppy (red), marigold, heliotrope
•          Symbol: Lion
• Libra – Flowers: roses (white or pink), daisies, violets, asters, orchids
•            Symbol: Scales of justice
• Scorpio – Flower: anemone, heather, gardenia
•               Symbol: Scorpion
• Sagittarius – Flower: peony, mums, hydrangeas, dahlias
•                Symbol: the Hunter (archer) and a mythical half man/half horse
• Capricorn – Flower: carnation (red), camellia, orange blossom, baby’s breath, magnolia
•                   Symbol: Sea-goat
• Aquarius – Flower: bird of paradise, gladiola, tiger lily, trillium
•                   Symbol: Man pouring water (the Water Bearer)
• Pisces – Flower: orchid, lilac, wisteria, lotus, poppy (white), pansy
•              Symbol: Fish

As you can see there can be hundreds of choices in tattoo designs for women. Doing your research before you go to the tattoo artist is fun and exciting. Find that special tattoo that has a significant meaning for you and enjoy.

Please visit us at www.Tattoos-and-Piercing.com for more information on women’s tattoos and photos.

Now where do you start when choosing arm tattoos? Most people just enter a search phrase into one of the search engines and get back endless pages of online sites offering low end designs that everybody has. Remember the design you choose will become part of who you are. Part of your human signature. 

Another thing to look out for is the quality of the art work. A lot of what you will find out there was never meant to be used for arm tattoos and it will never look as sharp when the tattoo is inked in. Don’t rush into your decision about what arm tattoos will be best for you and then regret it later, because although they can be removed it is very painful and can leave scarring. 

When doing your research for arm tattoos you could end up gathering hundreds of possible designs that MAY be suitable. This could cost you a lot of time and money. 

Designs can cost between $7 – $25 each, so choose carefully. 

Another good place to look for arm tattoos is by looking a specialised internet forums designed specifically for the niche that you want, because forums are made up of real life people, with real life experiences and they are only too happy to share their knowledge of where to get the best designs. If you are not sure what to say just stick your request for arm tattoos wanted and you will get sent links of where to look. 

One more thing that I wanted to remind you of when choosing arm tattoos. I know it may sound like I am stating the obvious, but some people don’t realise that because the shape of the arm is cylindrical, any designs that are viewed flat could appear distorted when put on the arm. This obviously depends on the size of your tattoo and where it will go on your arm. 

A little tip that may help is that you print the arm tattoos that you are interested in to the appropriate size and hold them up to the position of where you want it on your arm. Then attach it with sticking tape and go look in the mirror and view it from all angles, because that is how other people will see it. 

I mentioned in the beginning of my article about the sentiment of tattoos and here are some ideas to give you inspiration. 

Animal Tattoos – If you are thinking of getting arm tattoos in the form of an animal you may like to know that it is linked to the same process to buying after shave, perfumes or  clothing, where we are subconsciously doing it to attract, or to bring the animal out in us. Well, animal tattoos do the same thing but they are permanent. 

Shape Tattoos- Shapes can say a million words. The deepest meanings in life can be transformed into shapes and from ancient times to the current day shapes have been used to portray what words cannot. 

Spiritual Tattoos & Mystical Tattoos – It is not always the case that the choice we make in arm tattoos or any other tattoo can relate to our spiritual or mystical beliefs. Many western cultures are now embracing these beliefs and this is evident with these tattoos appearing on many people from all walks of life.

My name is Jonny Rae and if you have found this article interesting I run a blog which features the top websites with the largest number of tattoo art designs you will find on the web. Come see me and let me know what you think? http://tattooscool.blogspot.com/