5 Tribal Tattoo Ideas: Wear It 2 Weeks Before You Ink
Tribal tattoo ideas you can wear before you ink. Each design looks like real ink and lasts 10 to 14 days, so you can live with the size and the spot before you commit.
Every idea below is a design you can wear today, with its real size. Pick the one that fits your spot, wear it for 2 weeks, then decide.
1. Tribal butterfly
A long tribal butterfly in solid black. Made for the lower back, the forearm or across the shoulder blades. Size: 12.2 x 3.5 cm (4.8 x 1.4 in). See the tribal butterfly design.
2. Tribal spirit symbol
A compact tribal symbol that reads well on the shoulder, the calf or the back of the neck. Size: 5.2 x 5.2 cm (2 x 2 in). See the tribal spirit symbol design.
3. Square tribal
A square design with curves and points. Good for the shoulder, the chest or the upper arm. Size: 10 x 10 cm (3.9 x 3.9 in). See the square tribal design.
4. Tribal armband
A band that wraps around the upper arm or the calf, the most classic tribal placement. Size: 18 x 5 cm (7.1 x 2 in). See the tribal armband design.
5. Small tribal
A smaller tribal motif for a first try: the wrist, the ankle or the back of the neck. Size: 7.3 x 7.3 cm (2.9 x 2.9 in). See the small tribal design.
Tribal Tattoo Meaning
A tribal tattoo is built from solid black lines, curves and points. People often choose it for strength, protection or a personal story. Many tribal styles come from old traditions, so if the meaning matters to you, learn where your design comes from before you commit.
Tribal Tattoo Styles
Curved tribal: flowing curves, points and repeated patterns.
Neo-tribal: sharp black shapes, the 90s look that is coming back.
Tribal armband: a band around the arm or the calf.
Small tribal symbol: one shape, easy to place anywhere.
Tribal Tattoo Placement & Size
Upper arm and shoulder: the classic spot for tribal.
Around the arm or the calf: armbands.
Lower back and shoulder blades: wide, long designs.
Wrist, ankle, back of the neck: small tribal symbols.
Size is the easiest thing to get wrong with a tribal tattoo: too small to read, or too big for the spot. Every product page gives the exact size in cm.
Not sure yet? Wear it for 2 weeks
Wear the design at its real size for 10 to 14 days (7 to 10 on the fingers): a real-looking tattoo on your own skin, not an on-screen preview. Want your own tribal design? Send your drawing and wear it first with a custom temporary tattoo.
How do you put it on?
Application takes about 5 minutes. The colour develops in 24 to 36 hours, then the tattoo looks like real ink and fades on its own after 10 to 14 days. The ink is plant-based, vegan and free of PPD.
In their original cultures, strength, family, status or protection. Most modern tribal designs are decorative and inspired by those styles. Pick a design for how it looks on you, and learn its roots if it matters to you.
What is the best tribal tattoo?
The one that fits the shape of your body. An armband suits the upper arm, a long design suits the lower back. Wear it for 2 weeks to see if the black mass suits your skin and your clothes.
What are tribal tattoos called now?
You will see neo-tribal or blackwork. Both use solid black shapes. Check the style with your artist before you decide.
Where to put a tribal tattoo?
The upper arm, the shoulder, the calf and the lower back are the most common spots. Tribal reads best when it follows a muscle or a curve.
Is a tribal tattoo hard to cover up later?
Yes, solid black is one of the hardest things to cover. That is a good reason to live with the size and the spot for 2 weeks before you commit.
€14,00 EUR / Maori Tribal Tattoo
