Currently, there is a surge in fashion tattoos. Most often, it is young people who are influenced by fashion trends. Since the drawings on the body have become a kind of self-expression, boys and girls at a young age are trying to somehow stand out from the crowd, decorating themselves with modern tattoos. Unfortunately, people are not always conscious in their choice of drawing. But each of them has its own meaning. This is what we want to talk about in our article.
What is it for?
Modern tattoos are very diverse. The pectoral drawing is intended to tell something special about the person whose body he adorns. Tattoos can symbolize some event, person, character trait and more. Before choosing a sketch, you need to understand what exactly you want to see on your body. In principle, the meaning of modern tattoos is the same for men and women. But when choosing a picture, everyone uses completely different principles.
Women tattoos
Going through the catalogs of modern tattoos, girls want to have a picture on their body that will remind them of a dear person. In this way, women try to express their respect or devotion. Very often, the name of a loved one is applied to the body. Such tattoos are not uncommon. The only question is the advisability of such an act. Time is inexorably moving forward, and past events have long faded in memory, but a quality-made drawing will remind you all your life about some stage in your life. Therefore, treating the choice of a tattoo is with all responsibility, not forgetting that it is not washed off.
Modern tattoos impress with a variety of shapes, patterns and designs. However, each has its own meaning. Therefore, it’s not enough to choose a picture just because you liked it. You need to know the exact meaning of the image, since it will characterize you from some side.
Drawing Values
Most often, girls apply drawings to the shoulder blade, leg, nape or wrist. Women's tattoos do not have certain standards regarding sizes. A drawing can be very tiny or large. It is enough for someone to have a small tattoo in a hidden place, and someone prefers to shock others with elaborate and vivid images.
If girls choose drawings solely for aesthetic reasons, then for men everything happens differently. For the stronger sex, some symbolism is laid in the tattoos. Even in ancient times, tattoos were a kind of passport of a person. The symbols on the body spoke of his profession, lifestyle, achievements and other things. Warriors most often inflicted terrible and aggressive patterns to intimidate the enemy.
A great influence on modern tattoos for men at the time had a prison theme. Therefore, choosing a drawing, you need to make sure that it is not related to the criminal world.
Modern men's tattoos are chosen based on their meaning. The most popular are symbols that demonstrate power, strength, superiority. Very often used stories with animals. In terms of popularity, the animal world went around the image of the skull, and it is applied equally often by both men and women. Perhaps this is due to a long tradition of intimidation of enemies.
The choice of a modern tattoo for a man is made based on the nature and appearance of the future owner. There are a lot of options for possible drawings on the body. In our article we will give only some of them.
Tattoo Styles
It is not enough to choose a picture and clarify its meaning. It is also necessary to determine the style. Modern tattoos can be made in different versions, which will also determine their appearance.
The following styles can be distinguished:
- Engraving. For this style, all the features of the ancestor are characteristic. A clear contour, black paint, hatching, neat lines - all these are elements of engraving. As a result, the finished drawing is similar to the printed one. For tattoos made in this style, medieval themes are characteristic: frescoes, violin, paintings.
- Bioorganic A very peculiar style, which is characterized by a dense and rich pattern. Tattoo sketches are a vision of the elements of the human body through the eyes of the artist himself.
- Minimalism is a very modest and concise style that is interesting for its elegance and simplicity. Its features are simple geometric shapes, small sizes, a minimal set of colors. In this style, illustrations from books, flowers, animals can be made.
- LINWORK. The main feature of the style is the presence of straight lines, which gradually add up to a certain pattern. This direction has appeared relatively recently. Drawings are most often filled with black or red paint, although any other colors can also be used. Style implies the use of any subject.
- Realism. Realistic tattoos are far from new. For the first time, drawings began to fill in the nineteenth century, depicting portraits of prominent personalities, for example, Napoleon, on the body. The style is relevant today.
- In the oriental style, elements of a mysterious oriental culture are performed: koi fish, dragons, flowers, animals and more.
- Chicano is a special style that originated in the USA in the forties of the twentieth century. He was popular among the representatives of the criminal world. The drawings are characterized by clear contours and the use of black paint.
- Biomechanics is the organic interweaving of the skin with images of mechanical parts. Most often, a drawing of a part is applied to the body, which seems to protrude from under the torn skin.
- Old school is a very popular style that previously existed in America and Europe. He appeared in the nineteenth century. In those days, the body usually depicted angels, skulls, anchors. This style was used by sailors.
- A tribal is a one-color drawing of gray or black color depicting a geometric pattern. This style originates in sketches of Oceania, drawings of the tribes of Africa and Maya. Unusual images symbolized the unity of body and soul.
- Thresh polka is a style designed to make the most terrible and disgusting things more attractive. The very word trash translates as garbage.
- A do-it-yourselfer is a style in which complex drawings are made. It is characterized by contrast, intensity and color density. The drawing is applied in the form of dots, the brightness of the image depends on the density of their placement.
- Polynesia. Not everyone knows that for the first time the art of tattooing appeared in Polynesia. Perhaps for this reason, tattoos in this style are among the most saturated and beautiful.
There are a lot of styles of modern tattoos for men and women. It is not possible to tell about all. In addition to the previously mentioned, you can also recall the existence of such areas as the New School, traditional, blackwork, ornamental, ethnic, watercolor, graphics, Japanese style, etc.
Anchors
Among modern tattoos (photos of some of them are given in the article), drawings with the image of anchors take not the last place in popularity. If in ancient times such tattoos were used by sailors, military in the navy, now they can be seen not only on the body of men, but also women. Such figures have many meanings: safety, reliability, tenacity, power, stability, willpower, endurance, devotion. The ancient Egyptians generally believed that the anchor is a kind of symbol of the unity of female and male nature.
Angel
Images of an angel are often chosen by female representatives. In principle, the figure of an angel is associated as a connecting link between the earthly world and heaven. Girls who choose this tattoo protect themselves from the influence of evil people and spirits.
Bat
Among modern tattoos for girls, the image of a bat is very popular. Sometimes it is mistakenly believed that the mouse instills fear and brings failure. But this is not so. In ancient times, shamans used to perform the rituals of these animals in order to protect themselves from evil spirits.
A bat tattoo is designed to protect its owner from evil influence and disease. Also, a similar picture can speak of intuition and vision of the truth.
Butterfly
Butterflies are cute creatures that are associated with beauty and nobility. Due to the bright color, they are considered the most beautiful insects on the planet. However, initially cute creatures are not so beautiful. And only with time does the caterpillar turn into a beautiful insect. Butterfly tattoo speaks of beauty and change.
Chains
Choosing a modern tattoo on the arm or leg, girls often dwell on images of bracelets and chains. So, for example, a broken chain represents rebellion and freedom. Entire large links speak of strong and unbreakable bonds. But the image of the chain may also indicate the impossibility of doing something serious.
Cross
Images of the cross are very popular among women and men. At the same time, the figure does not say at all about the religiosity of man. In different cultures, the meaning of the cross is different. So, for example, a Celtic cross with a loop indicates the cyclical nature of the world. The Christian cross has a completely different meaning. His body image speaks of salvation, humility, forgiveness or grace.
Dove
The bird is a symbol of peace. The image of a dove indicates the end of a war or conflict. Also, a bird can be a symbol of love or hope and faith in a brighter future.
Dragons
Among modern tattoos, dragons are very popular. Their images can be seen not only in men, but also in women. People with such tattoos want to show their strength and power.
In Japan, with the help of such a picture, excellent physical data is emphasized. Ancient Japanese beliefs say that the mythical animal personifies success, prosperity and wealth.
Tiger
In any culture, the tiger emphasizes the masculine principle. It is with this fact that the meaning of the tattoo is associated. The image of a tiger on the body of a person indicates its strong character. In the East, a strong animal is associated with courage, courage and leadership. If the image of a tiger with an open mouth is stuffed on its back, then this may indicate a temper temper. Most often, the figure of the animal is applied to the back or chest, since the picture must certainly be voluminous.
Warrior
The value of a warrior tattoo has always been the same - it is a manifestation of the masculine principle. Today, images of Slavic warriors are popular. They give masculinity owners. For artists, this topic is a wide field for imagination. An indispensable attribute of a tattoo is the image of armor and weapons.
Sword
Since ancient times, the sword has been associated with strength, courage, honor, courage. However, modern images of weapons may have a different meaning. So, the sword in the scabbard indicates prudence and poise.
But the image of a weapon between a woman and a man suggests that their relationship is pure and innocent. A broken sword symbolizes defeat.
Prison tattoos
Tattoos have long been an integral part of prison life. Once upon a time, you could learn a lot of information about a person: status, number of terms, crimes committed and much more. In criminal slang, a large number of tattoos are called a "passport for the cop." Currently, the culture of typing in prison is not a thing of the past. But only the images themselves have undergone changes. Nevertheless, modern prison tattoos do not differ in quality and color scheme.
A pirate figure tattoo is made by people convicted of robbery. Robbers also often prefer skull and dagger designs. The harsh world of prisons is not influenced by fashion, so the "classic" tattoos are in use. However, new directions appeared. For example, inscriptions in a foreign language became popular. Aphorisms are used in French, German or English.
The meanings of some old tattoos have changed. So, for example, now the tiger grin is interpreted as the rejection of the prison authorities. But the image of the bear suggests that you have a bear cub. Tattoos in the form of a cat with keys are preferred to be made by housekeepers. The legendary prison stars have somewhat lost their meaning. Now they can be made not only by reputable people, but also by simple bandits. The image of a sailing ship on the body indicates the desire of man to freedom.
Instead of an afterword
Having decided to get a tattoo, you should definitely consider what pattern you want to make on your body. First of all, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the meaning of a particular image. In order to understand the nuances of the culture of body art, experts recommend reading one of the books on the basics of modern tattoos. They will tell a lot of interesting things from history and help you understand the application techniques and styles. Who knows, maybe after reading the literature your attitude and choice will change.