7 Great Back Tattoo Ideas
Tattooing is an ancient art that dates back thousands of years. The earliest existing evidence of tattoos in human history was found on Otzi the Iceman dating back around 5,200 years ago.
In 20th century American culture, tattoos were once mostly reserved for bikers, sailors, and ex-cons.
Fast forward to today, tattoos in America are more popular than ever.
Is it time for you to get another tattoo, or even your very first? Here’s a look at 7 great back tattoo ideas.
1. Quote Tattoo
Tattoos are a form of personal expression, and quote tattoos are an excellent way to ink yourself with something meaningful.
The quote you use on your back tattoo could come from anywhere: a book, a movie, a song, or a philosophical quote. Take time to find a quote that really resonates with who you are and who you want to be.
Quote tattoos offer a lot of options in terms of placement. Have the quote run vertically down your spine, run horizontally across your back, or place it off-centered on one of your shoulders.
Your font choice for your quote tattoo is also going to be an important decision. Consider what type of aesthetic you want your quote to be displayed in to help make this choice.
2. Angel Tattoo
Angels have been a powerful symbol for thousands of years. If you find imagery of angels to be meaningful to you, you might consider incorporating an angel into your tattoo plan.
You could go all out and get a full angel back tattoo, or you could go with a small angel strategically placed on your upper back.
Maybe someone close to you has recently passed and you are looking for a way to commemorate their life, or maybe angels are personally significant to you for other reasons.
3. Cross Tattoo
If you are a Christian, I don’t need to tell you that the cross is the most important symbol of your religion. Whether you choose to display a crucifixion scene or a simple cross, this is a great way to carry your religion with you everywhere you go.
Cross back tattoo ideas allow a lot of room for your own creative additions. Maybe you want to add your favorite Bible verse, symbols of your heritage, or names of your loved ones.
4. Tribal Tattoo
Tribal back tattoo work is quite common, containing unique designs that draw inspiration from ancient tribal art. In many cultures around the globe, getting tattooed was, and still is, a rite of passage.
There are nearly as many different types of tribal tattoos as there are cultures, but some of the most popular tribal tattoo work comes from Hawaii, Maori, and Borneo.
5. Mandala Tattoo
Mandala is a Sanskrit word that means “circle.” A mandala back tattoo is comprised of many different shapes and overlapping circles.
These designs represent eternity, perfection, and balance. While mandala tattoos are fairly common, you can rest assured that no two are ever exactly identical.
Mandalas can be seen as a representation of wholeness and a model depicting the organizational structure of life itself. Viewed by some as a cosmic diagram that illustrates the relation to the infinite, mandala tattoos are a great way to display your interest in life beyond material concerns.
6. Animal Tattoo
Many of us have animals that we are drawn to or that we feel we relate to. Some people even people that they have spirit or totem animals. Animals carry strong symbolic meaning and are therefore an excellent subject matter for a back tattoo.
Think about who you are, who you want to be, and what you want your tattoo to mean to you.
Maybe you want your tattoo to represent strength and power, and you therefore might consider getting a tattoo of a lion, a bear, a wolf, a tiger, or an eagle. Perhaps instead you want to highlight more sensitive aspects of yourself. In this case, you might get a tattoo of something more gentle, like a deer, a rabbit, or a kitten.
Take the time to do some research about the meaning and symbolism of different animals in different cultures. If you have a proud heritage in a certain culture, perhaps stick with the interpretations your ancestors likely would have made.
7. Tree of Life Tattoo
You back is a great canvas for a tree of life tattoo, with plenty of room to go into elaborate illustrative detail. The trunk of the tree can run along your spine, and the branches can fan out onto the back of your shoulders.
The tree of life is a fundamental and widespread archetype or myth in many of the world’s religious, philosophical, and mythological traditions. The tree of life is understood to connect all forms of creation.
If folklore and legends involving the tree of life resonate with you, this could be a great tattoo idea for you.
Which of These Back Tattoo Ideas Is Most Interesting to You?
back tattoo ideas
Whether you’re getting your first tattoo or just another of many, choosing a tattoo is always a big decision. If you already have other tattoos, though, it’s always a good idea to try and envision how any new additions will look alongside your old staples.
The only limit to the back tattoo ideas you can come up with is your own imagination. Getting a tattoo is a big decision, so you want to make sure that you’re putting a lot of thought into what, where, and in what style you’re going to get.
Is it time for you to start getting some back tattoo work done? Check out our tattoo shop gallery for more inspiration.
Have a question? Be sure to contact us today!
To learn more, contact us here.