72 Super Smart Tattoo Ideas for Men

 Are you thinking of getting some permanent artwork on your body? Confused what tattoo to get and where? Don’t worry, today I have come up with some beautiful tattoo ideas for men…

I know it’s kind of a dilemma, after thinking too much whether you should get one? Or not? Or if you aren’t a newbie in the tattoo world – you must’ve asked yourself if I get a new one, would it be worth the pain?

However, tattooing is addictive…as you must’ve seen most men and women of all ages have at least one tattoo on their body.

Well, there are several reasons for a person to come up with the idea of getting tattooed… Some get it because it looks cool and funky, right? and some to remember good memories, to establish connection with someone, for a family member, for pets.

Undeniably there can be thousands of reasons if only we could read people’s minds. Do share your reason in the comment section below, people would love to know…

Before heading to tattoo ideas let’s cognize the significance of tattoos. Well according to researchers tattooing has been practiced by people across the world since the stone age.

Tattoos may look like some fancy artwork on a body but they hold a great significance, it’s an individual’s self-articulation.

It tells us about the wearer – like an owl symbolizes magic, mystery and wisdom, whereas a tiger tattoo symbolizes strength, power and paws symbolizes love and respect and affection for pets.

Nevertheless, it depends on the person what meaning they want to give it.

Location of the body where you get tattooed:

Like every part of your body can be tattooed and filled with art work, awesome, isn’t it? So many celebrities like Selena, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott, Wiz Khalifa, Angelina Jolie, Drake etc. they’re flaunting with their beautiful tattoos… maybe it’s your turn now.

So, these are the best areas where a man should get tattooed.

• Chest
• Ribs
• Leg
• Biceps
• Back
• Forearm
• Thigh
• Upper arm
• Inner wrist
• Outer shoulder
• Stomach
• Hip
• Triceps
• Shin
• Inner arm
• Wrist
• Hand
• Ankle
• Head tattoos (just like neck, ears and face the head contains many nerves so it might cause some severe pain, so I won’t recommend)

Types of tattoos

Tattoos come in all shapes and sizes – small, big, color, shades of black and white. There are different tattoo style as follows –

• Traditional
• Old school and new school tattoo
• Neo traditional tattoo
• Tribal tattoo
• Watercolor tattoo
• Blackwork tattoo
• Realism tattoo
• Japanese tattoo
• Geometric tattoo
• Minimalist tattoo
• Meaningful tattoo
• Lettering tattoo
• Small and big tattoo
• Chicano tattoo

72 tattoo ideas for men

There are thousands of tattoo ideas for men if you browse online but choosing the best one out of those can get you into confusion.

So, let me sprinkle some meaningful tattoo ideas for you… here I have compiled a list of tattoos that I found attractive and famous among men.

Furthermore, if you read the above sections, you might be aware of types and the location where you can get tattoos. Let’s get started…

(All images are for reference only #image source: Pinterest)

Small and simple tattoos

When it comes to small and simple tattoo ideas for men, most commonly men get the tattoos in the ankle, arm, behind the ear, forearm, wrist, neck, hand and chest. Here’s some examples…

Skull tattoos

This human skull tattoo symbolizes death and the people who wear it mostly use it to symbolize the fact that they don’t fear death. Some say, it reminds them that death is inevitable therefore we should live our present like there’s no tomorrow.

Owl tattoos

Here’s some own tattoo ideas for men, the owl tattoo represents wisdom and intelligence also associated with afterlife and mystery.

Tiger tattoos

The top predator tiger, its tattoo symbolizes power and strength. However, it can also be considered as vengeance, danger, free spirit and independence.

Arrow tattoos

In native American culture an arrow is considered as a powerful weapon of war and strength in hunting. Therefore, the arrow tattoo is associated with an unshakeable feeling of protecting their home, family and community. Below are some arrow tattoo ideas for men.

Name tattoos

Name tattoos ideas for men? Well, people ink the name of their lovers, family members, pets. It symbolizes connection with the name that is tattooed and it’s a way of showing that the person with the name is really precious to the wearer.

Quotes tattoos

Well, people often want to make a statement or express their feelings. When they face difficulties in expressing their unspeakable feeling, they get a personal quote tattoo that expresses their feeling.

Dragon tattoos

The dragon symbolizes evil however, the tattoo symbolizes freedom, protection, strength, chaos, hidden knowledge, power and wisdom. Here’s some amazing dragon tattoo ideas for men:

Compass tattoos

A compass signifies bringing motivation and inspiration to a person who is feeling lost. Well adding a compass as a tattoo represents spiritual awakening, guidance, direction and discovery.

Samurai warrior tattoos

Samurai tattoos are very favored in Japanese culture. This tattoo represents nobility and people wear it to demonstrate their own fighting spirit and the power to overcome challenges in life.

Zodiac signs tattoos

There are 13 star signs up till date – Aquarius, Taurus, Gemini, Sagittarius, Libra, Aries, Virgo, Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio, Leo, Capricorn. Almost everyone in this world believes in astrology and zodiac tattoos are the perfect way to express what you’re.

Demon tattoo

Demon tattoos sure look cool and scary too. Demon symbolizes the dark side of human nature, so does the demon tattoo; it serves as a warning to others to keep distance from the wearer.

Rose tattoo

Rose tattoos can be of different colors. Whereas, a red rose tattoo represents love and romance, a pink one represents grace, gratitude and affection. And purple rose is used to represent royalty and enchantment… However, many men refuse to get a rose tattoo.

Tree tattoo

Tree tattoos are the most favored tattoo among models and celebrities as it symbolizes life, endurance, resistance, wisdom, strong family relationship, loyalty, longevity, commitment and a new life… this tree tattoo ideas for men are best for those who like adventure and peace.

Star tattoo

Star tattoo, many people believe star tattoo symbolizes hope, intuition, honor, guidance, desire and much more.

Family tattoo

A family tattoo symbolizes love, loyalty, and eternal bond with the family.

Angel wing tattoo

An angel tattoo symbolizes love, peace, loyalty, innocence, goodness and beauty. Whereas, angel wing tattoos symbolize faith, freedom and protection.

Clock tattoo

People wear a clock tattoo as it is believed that it symbolizes time of life and death, existence, infinity, endless love, mortality, stability and being used to remembering a special moment in one’s life.

Paws tattoo

In general, a paw tattoo represents love for a child or a pet, or moving forward of a painful time and demonstrates your passion for running.

3D tattoo

3D tattoo they’re just very fascinating to look at, some tattoo artists have the skill of drawing in a precise way to view the actual thing. Well, it is believed that 3D tattoos symbolize inner strength.

Crown tattoo

When it comes to the crown it symbolizes royalty and a crown tattoo symbolizes honor, loyalty, power and pride.

Music tattoo

It simply represents the wearer’s love and passion for music and energy, and hope for a better future.

Feather tattoo

The feather tattoo symbolizes honor, strength, truth, lightness of soul, ability to fly, protection, hope, dreams, wisdom and courage.

Wolf tattoo

Wolf tattoos symbolize spiritual protection, loyalty, family, devotion, strength, love and luck.

Cloud tattoo

Well, a cloud tattoo represents personal growth, or a reminder of a dark time in the past and resilience.

Biomechanical tattoo

This tattoo is from contemporary biomechanical art, where a human body resembling machine parts is drawn. Well, this is a very unique tattoo.

Lion tattoo

Just like the lion, the mighty king of the animal world, the tattoo symbolizes bravery, courage, justice.

Kite tattoo

Kite tattoo is generally associated with childhood memories, with family and friends, a vacation. It is used to express the desire for childhood and harmony.

Grim reaper tattoo

Grim Reaper symbolizes darkness and death whereas the tattoo represents bravery, courage, good luck and a memory of loved one’s death.

Space tattoo

The space and galaxy tattoo symbolizes life, hopes, dreams, humanity, and a symbol of eternity.

Flag tattoo

Well, the tattoo can represent love and respect for their country or any other country.

Phoenix tattoo

A phoenix tattoo represents birth, rebirth and death and also strength, renewal and eternity.

Scorpion tattoo

The scorpion tattoo symbolizes fear and intimidation and expresses great strength or ability to control oneself, loyalty and powerful sexuality.

Cat tattoo

Cat tattoo symbolizes luck, mystery, grace, quiet intelligence or can represent love for a pet.

Cross tattoo

The tattoo represents your devotion and faith in God. And it can also mean unconditional love and sacrifice.

Celtic tattoo

It represents the eternal bond between two humans and nature. Also symbolizes eternal life.

Eagle tattoo

Eagle tattoo symbolizes power, freedom, luck, clarity, spirituality, focus, dominance and apostle of God.

Portrait tattoo

Well, the portrait tattoo represents a reminder of someone they love and admire.

Money tattoo

Money tattoos have various meanings, like the person wearing it wants to show money can buy anything in the world. Also symbolizes focus at work for a brighter future.

Religious tattoo

Religious tattoos symbolize powerful faith, hope and moral messages of love.

Paper airplane tattoo

It represents a western phrase: go where the wind blows, it simply means throwing yourself and also means keep moving in life.

River tattoo

The river tattoo typically symbolizes power of nature and in ancient culture it is believed that it represented fertility. Which simply means that someone is finding their way in life through all the obstacles and challenges.

Guitar tattoo

Well, guitar tattoos for men are all about music, melodies and harmony, however some people refer to them as a symbol of rebellion or not accepting society’s norms.

Moon tattoo

As the moon is a symbol of interest, beliefs, rhythm of time and the phases of moon symbolizes eternity, enlightenment and immortality.

Spiritual tattoo

Spiritual tattoo represents the statement of your individuality, a connection between your soul and mind. If you believe and have faith in higher power then spiritual tattoos can be an ideal option.

Sun tattoo

Well, sun tattoo ideas for men have different meanings depending on the culture. The most common meaning is light and renewal and also symbolizes the cycle of life.

Map tattoo

Map tattoos represent unity and togetherness. It is a perfect tattoo to show humanity stands above all the religion, tradition and nation.

Mental health tattoo

It usually represents solitude and offers hope to the people who’re suffering from mental illness. Here are some meaningful mental health tattoo ideas for men:

Hyper-color tattoo

These tattoos are the tattoos that have been worked precisely with colors to give the art a real view with vibrant colors.

Skeleton tattoo

This tattoo represents both positive and negative, life and death and good and evil. However, the skeleton is a universal symbol of death.

Fox tattoo

Fox tattoo symbolizes wisdom, capriciousness, cunningness, and sexuality. And in some cultures, it is considered a strong talisman, providing longevity.

Butterfly tattoo

It symbolizes love for the loved one that passed away and many cultures believe that this is a symbol of good luck.

Yin yang tattoo

This tattoo is inspired from a Chinese philosophy and represents unity in opposites. It symbolizes peace, harmony.

Earth tattoo

People used to express their gratitude and tribute to mother earth. However, the earth tattoo also symbolizes security, reliance.

Signature tattoo

Signature tattoo is a self-illustration, it defines the person wearing it.

Snowflake’s tattoo

It represents the fragility of life. And people wearing it might value their life and enjoy every second of their life.

Eye tattoo

This tattoo generally represents the omnipresent eye of God watching over us. But it also represents vision, focus, clear thinking, smartness, protection, intuition, religion, life and guidance from a divine source.

Heartbeat tattoo

Heartbeat line tattoos represent power, endurance, strength, love, passion and moving on even in tough days. It also symbolizes that time passes and for some it runs out.

Birds in flight tattoo

It symbolizes freedom, independence and also symbolizes that nothing is permanent in life or world. We’re all spirits and will be freed one day.

Sun and moon tattoo

Sun and moon are symbols of the basic principle of life ‘where there is good there will also be bad’. It represents life and death, femininity and masculinity and good and bad.

Fire tattoo

The fire tattoo symbolizes the eternal element – destruction and passion, also the flames of hell where the sinners are punished. Some people use it as a symbol of heartbreak, the burning of love.

Diamond tattoos

This beautiful tattoo represents peace, honesty, invincibility, perfection, faithfulness, commitment, purity, love and loyalty.

Fineline tattoo

This tattoo style focuses on straight or curved lines to make faceless characters. These characters can define anything like a pet, family member, secret code etc.

Wave tattoo

Wave tattoo symbolizes hidden emotions, secrets, opportunities, threats and forthcoming events or celebrations.

Sailboat tattoo

It symbolizes adventure, journey and also means the wearer is carried along the breath of life.

Airplane tattoo

Airplane tattoos represent journey, travelling, flight, lightness and freedom.

Infinity symbol tattoo

The infinity symbol refers to a never-ending loop, so the tattoo represents eternal being, or everlasting promise and limitless.

Anchors tattoo

It represents peace, strength, stability, determination, passion, confidence, security, hope, belief and salvation.

Rock-on symbol tattoo

This tattoo represents achievement and abundance, a symbol of struggle.

Mountain tattoo

This represents the love for nature, spiritual and mental growth, responsibilities, constancy, firmness and path to success.

Snake tattoo

Snakes are believed to be symbols of fertility, rebirth, healing and transformation.

LGBTQ tattoo

LGBTQ tattoos or pride tattoos represents that a person is ally or supporter of the LGBTQ community. you will get to see a lot people wearing this beautiful tattoos during pride month. Here’s some ideas incase you support LGBTQ community.

Finally, if you are confused whether to get a tattoo or not? You can try out a temporary tattoo. With the temporary tattoos you can get the idea of how the permanent tattoos going to look like. Good luck!