One of the original placement areas for most tattoos was the arm so it is not surprising therefore that this is still perhaps the most widely requested body part chosen for inking today. As a result there are an abundance of designs in arm tattoos to choose from to suit the upper, lower or full arm and pretty much every area in between. These are popular designs with both men and women; however they are still more of a male favourite than a female one due to the prominence of this particular body part. This is a great place to have a tattoo that you want to show off on a regular basic but it is also reasonably easy to conceal with a long or short sleeved shirt too depending on the area chosen. The upper arm is obviously easier to conceal than the lower part but both areas are also ideal if you want a tattoo that you can show off regularly as this is the perfect place to display it.
An additional advantage with arm tattoos is that many of the popular designs are created with the specific shape of this body part in mind and many of the more masculine artwork is actually designed to enhance the shape and accentuate any muscular tone. A prime example of this would be designs featuring tribal patterns and this is also one of the most popular tattoos ever, especially for the guys. The artwork used for these tattoos has actually been around for centuries and not only do they look pretty cool today but they are rich in historical significance and symbolism. These designs consist of solid dark markings that blend together and form continual lines and these can also be combined to form an image such as a flower or animal depicted tribal style. There are many different styles of tribal designs so even though this is a common choice among tattoo enthusiasts you can root around for more obscure artwork and avoid the more popular ones. Favourite tribal artwork includes Maori markings, Celtic patterns, Samoan artwork and Hawaiian designs and can include swirls, spirals, tribal symbols and linear patterns. While many of these designs remain black or dark grey, red and black inks are used in some designs while others may be done in blue or even green although the outline will still remain black. These make a stunning visual impact on any part of the arm and are also used to create a tribal arm band effect, which are commonly placed encircling the bicep area.
Women also appreciate tribal designs and may opt for a feminine version of these tribal arm bands, however these tend to be inked with finer details and lighter markings than their male counterparts. Vines and flowers are also popular for a very girly body art design in the style of an armband tattoo, as are butterflies, fairies and exotic flower designs. Orchids, lilies, hibiscus and cherry blossom all make beautiful arm tattoos especially when inked on the female skin and these are popular for the upper arm area. Smaller floral designs are also much sought after for the lower, inner area of the arm and zodiac symbols, as well as glyphs are another favourite for many.
