Are you looking for a cool tattoo idea, something that is bold and unusual? Then you can’t go wrong with the armband tattoo. These tattoos are unusual and natural and a lot of them come with some pretty cool meanings.
The armband tattoo goes by many different names. They are called wristband tattoos, armlet tattoos, bracelet tattoos and so on. This allows you to have some form of a bracelet on you at all times. They are popular for both women and men and even the beautiful Pamela Anderson sported one for many years. There are so many ways that you can wear an armband tattoo and the sky is the limit on how you can design them. These armbands are never going to get lost or destroyed, they are on you for life.
Some people get these tattoos because they look really cool and sometimes, they have spiritual significance to the person. They are typically placed around the wrist or on the upper bicep. They are sexy and edgy looks that never seem to go out of style.
What Does The Armband Tattoo Mean?
When it comes to the armband tattoo, they are mostly made up of Hawaiian tribal armband or the Celtic knot armband. Some people might tell you that the tattoos mean luck or strength but there is so much more to it than that. It’s usually the type of design and the details that tell you everything you need to know about a tattoo.
Celtic Knot Armband Tattoos
Celtic armband tattoos are some of the most beautiful designs that you can get. There is a lot of heritage behind them and they represent the eternal flow of time. The idea is that if you start at one part of the knot you will eventually reach the end. It’s the meaning that people live and people die, life goes on. The world will continue on as if it’s one long cord of time. Hearing it explained that way is sort of beautiful and it would certainly be a great tattoo design to have.
Hawaiian Armband Tattoos
The armband, in this case, is a band but it’s as if there are many other things living within the band. There is a lot more meaning to these tattoos and they are associated with life and humanity. Some people think that the vague triangles that we see with these tattoos are simple but they are anything but. There are many things that artists have put inside the band. There are waves, spearheads, animals, fish teeth, tiki faces and turtles. They make some interesting armbands and one that will be conversation starters wherever you go.
Simple Armband Tattoos
There are of course very simple designs that don’t hold a lot of meaning aside from the fact that they look really cool. Some of these armbands are just like this one, simple lines that wrap around the arm. The significance of a tattoo can be a personal one and not one that comes with ancient symbols. Try to keep things on a personal level and you can find many tattoos that fit your personality that is completely unique and bold. These tattoos are being worn by both men and women. Sometimes they are simple lines like this but sometimes an armband can be foggy forests, a mountain ridge or even a floral pattern.
This is an interesting armband tattoo that is almost like having a partial sleeve. We love how the tree stands on its own apart from the armband.
Where Should You Get An Armband Applied?
Placement
The tattoo placement is everything when deciding to get an armband tattoo. It all depends on the kind of tattoo you get. Some people choose to have a wrist band tattoo and that will obviously be a smaller design. An armband tattoo usually goes on the upper arm, or more accurately the upper bicep. If you are a muscular person, then the tattoo will certainly look sexy in that area. The great thing about the upper bicep is that it would be covered by a short-sleeved shirt if you need to cover the tattoo for work. These are things to keep in mind when you are getting a tattoo.
Wristband Tattoos or Cuffs
If you like the look of the wristband tattoo, it’s also a great choice. These tattoos are also known as “cuffs.” There have also been bands done around the forearm or even the thigh or calf.
Believe it or not but some people believe that it’s bad luck to have a tattoo that completely encircles your arm. So why would people think that it was bad luck? It’s due to the difficulty that comes with properly sizing an armband tattoo. It needs to be virtually perfect after all in order to look right. After all, if you think about it, an artist has to completely encircle your arm with the hopes that it will match up on the other side. They would prefer you to leave a patch of skin bare so that they don’t have to match one end to the other but that’s not what an armband is all about. Make sure that your tattooist knows that you want a close circle for your armband.
It’s also important that you do your research when choosing an artist. Ask to see a portfolio of the armbands that they have done before. The last thing you want is to get someone with little experience and end up with an uneven band o0n your arm.
Tribal Tattoo Designs
These tattoos are probably one of the most popular styles and they have been around for a long time. You might think that they represent a particular culture but they don’t. These tattoos are the type that has bold and solid patterns. Some have arcing lines that give the whole thing an organic feel. There aren’t any specific meanings to this tattoo style, it’s just a beautiful look. These are great designs because they can be continuous around the arm and they look great from any angle.
Is It More Painful To Get An Armband Tattoo?
What You Need To Know About Pain
Getting a tattoo is painful no matter what, but some areas are more painful than others. Depending on the size of the tattoo some of them can be downright intolerable when it comes to the pain. A lot of people claim that the outer part of the upper arm is the least painful places to get a tattoo which is good news for anyone that wants an armband design.
It might also be why we see a lot of people with armband tattoos. The shoulder and upper arm are both spots that aren’t as painful as most. There is always going to be some form of pain with any tattoo but with this particular style, you should only experience mild pain.
The bad news is that the skin on the inside of the arm is very thin and therefore very sensitive. You can see that just by simply grazing the inside of your arm with your fingertips. It’s ticklish, right? Well, imagine putting little needles into that area. Prepare to grit your teeth during the tattooing of the inside of your arm because it’s going to feel really weird.
Card Designs
How cool are these styles and we can bet that there is certainly a story behind this design?
These cool designs can remind you of the person that you really are. That’s what so great about them, you can make them individual. The placement of the design allows for your tattoo to basically be in arm’s reach. No joke. Use it as an inspiration for your life and you can be inspired by looking at it all day. You can glance at it throughout the door or even graze a finger along it to remind you of the meaning behind it that’s personal just for you. The armband tattoo can be your own personal creed and it’s up to you whether you live up to that creed or not.
We love the fact that the tattoo on one side of the body is the same theme as the armband tattoo on the other. This is a great example of how you can be creative with your look and truly get an original tattoo for life.
Are they aliens, snow people, humans? It’s really hard to tell but it makes for a really cool tattoo design. This is sure to be a conversation starter wherever he goes. People will want to know the story behind why he chose the design in the first place. We love it!
Religious Significance
This is definitely a unique way to speak about your religious preferences. The cross has been a popular tattoo choice for a hundred years or more. It holds a lot of meaning for a lot of people. This is a cool armband tattoo that has the cross embedded in it. It’s a great way to show off something that you are passionate about.
Tiki Styles
This is a great example of a Hawaiian armband tattoo and we love the Tiki figure in the band. You can get really creative with these looks and put what you love inside of them.
Matching Styles
If you are looking to share this style with someone then you will have the perfect design to match the two of you together. It’s a simple design but one that you can enjoy together.
A Big Galaxy
How cool is this style? It’s simple and yet bold all at the same time. If you love space, aliens, the galaxy or NASA, then you are sure to love this tattoo. We could look at it all day and that’s the best part. It’s in the perfect spot to do just that.
Superhero Styles
If you love Wonder Woman, then you are sure to love this awesome style. We love that it goes all the way around the arm and looks authentic. If you have always wanted to embrace your inner superhero, then this is the perfect choice for you.
Painted Strips
We love the creativity of this armband tattoo. It looks like it was just painted on with a couple of brush strokes. It’s this kind of creativity that you can try out for your own tattoo design.
Wilderness Styles
If you love the great outdoors, then you are sure to love this style. It’s creative and peaceful. This is the kind of thing that you can look down on and remember being in one of your favorite places.
Triangle Designs
We love that there are multiple bands with this tattoo design and the bottom one is a triangle. It’s very eye-catching and that’s something that you want from an armband tattoo.
Floral Designs
A stunning design that is soft and simple. This is a great style for someone who loves everything about flowers. You can create an armband out of your favorite flowers.
Other Ideas To Consider
As you can see throughout the pictures is that a lot of people got pretty creative with the armband tattoo. These days people don’t just want a basic tribal design, they want something creative, something that can be considered a work of art.
Sometimes they gather ideas from other cultures, from art pages they have seen or designs of their own creation. There are armbands that have bands of flowers, trees and there was one with even a wraparound motorcycle on it. It’s all about representing your own personal passion in the armband. Maybe it’s guitars you want, or a wilderness shot, bacon or even a bunch of cats wrapped around your arm. The sky is the limit for what you can create if you think about it hard enough.
You can use a bigger armband strip to really get creative with it. One person has a comic strip wrapped around his arm and it’s about the coolest thing you could ever see.
