Armband Tattoos

Armband tattoos are among the most popular type of tattoo, especially tribal armband tattoos. The reasons are clear – an armband makes a bold impact and it’s easy to show, but it can be hidden by shirt sleeves as desired. Armband tattoo designs can be simple or complex, the form is very adaptable.

Armband tattoos are very flattering on both men and women. They highlight a toned biceps, but they can also complement a slender upper arm, making it appear even more delicate. Men usually go for a biceps armband, while women tend to choose for a bracelet or wrist band tattoo.

Designs that are often turned into armband tattoos include flowers (with vines), dragons (long neck), barbed wire and shooting stars.

 

Arm Band Tattoo Designs

Another great thing about armband tattoo designs is that they are so varied, the form lends itself well to different styles. A whole range of images can be expressed, without becoming overwhelming. They can be bold and manly or subtle and feminine.

Arm band tattoos have been used for centuries on the Polynesian islands, and because of the exploration that went on in the seventeenth century, the idea was brought to Europe around that time. Today’s Hawaiian band tattoos are a remnant of that ancient tradition. Modern armband tattoo designs incorporate many elements of these traditional Polynesian designs.

Among the Hawaiians and the other Polynesian islanders, an armband tattoo showed rank or status. Interestingly, they had much the same function as armbands sewn onto military uniforms – or even scouting uniforms for kids – still have today.

There is even an odd superstition involving armband tattoos – apparently, some tattoo artists believe it’s bad luck to completely join up the band, so they leave a small gap on the inner arm. We could speculate about the origin of this superstition for a long time: is there some ancient tribal significance or is the tattoo artist just cutting corners to save himself some time?

 

Tribal Armband Tattoos

So there are tribal armband tattoos - these became popular in the 1990s and still are today; they usually don't consist of images associated with any one particular tribe, but take elements from several different sources. The bold, black lines of a tribal band tattoo look good on almost any physique.

More about Tribal Tattoos...

 

Indian Armband Tattoos

Indian armband tattoos usually come in the form of a rope with beads tied around the arm and feathers hanging from the rope.

Other imagery that is often included is a bull skull, a dream catcher, an axe or totem pole.

Celtic Armband Tattoos

Celtic arm band tattoos are also very popular. Here again, a set of traditional images is used – such as running spirals, scrollwork or knots, the Celtic cross, ...

Traditional Celtic art often incorporates a border surrounding a central image or images and these borders are easily adapted to form armband tattoo designs.

More about Celtic Tattoos...

Armband Tattoo Ideas

Here are some more armband tattoo pictures and ideas for you:

• Flower armband tattoo: these usually include a vine that wraps around the arm.
  
  
  
  
• Cross armband tattoo
  
  
  
  
• Dragon armband tattoo: dragons and snakes work well in armband tattoo designs because they are easy to wrap around the arm.
  
  
  
  
• Barbed wire armband tattoo
  
  
  

Ankle Band Tattoos

Ankle band tattoos are similar to armband tattoos. They are a good beginner's tattoo because they are easily hidden by wearing pants. Ankle tattoos are a feminine kind of tattoos.

One type of ankle tattoo that has been a trend is the rosary ankle tattoo. This design has been made popular by Nicole Richie.

More about Christian Tattoos...

Armband Tattoos on Celebrities

• Orlando Bloom: has, besides 8 other tattoos, a black band tattoo on his left forearm.
  
  
  
  
• Kiera Chaplin: the granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin, and actress herself, has a skull armband tattoo around her left arm.
• Kiefer Sutherland: has a barbwire armband on his left biceps and a Celtic armband tattoo on his right biceps.
• Pamela Anderson: has a barbwire armband tattoo on her left biceps as well.