Forearm Tattoo Ideas

Popular Forearm Tattoo Styles

Many people like to get a bold, colorful forearm tattoo to show off their artistic side. Others prefer to use this part of their body to make a subtle personality statement. Popular styles to do both include:

• Classic – Skulls, anchors, waves, and crosses are some of the timeless forearm tattoo styles that remain popular today.
• Sleeves – Full arm sleeves have only increased in popularity but a strong alternative are ½ sleeves that cover your forearm.
• Text – Many people are starting to make a quote or line from a poem the centerpiece of their forearm tattoo.

Best Forearm Tattoo Placements

People may choose to place a forearm tattoo in one of four areas.

1. Across the entire forearm
2. At the top of the forearm
3. On the bottom of the forearm
4. In the center of the forearm

Of the four, the center is the most popular.

Men’s Forearm Tattoos Ideas

Because it is a tattoo that they will see all of the time, many men will select a forearm tattoo that really resonates with their personality.

• Landscape – A mountain range or crashing waves? Use your forearm tattoo to commemorate a favorite trip. Or it can just be a representation of your “happy place.”
• Skull – The center of the forearm is one of the more likely places you will see a skull tattoo on a man. Designs of this forearm tattoo range from minimalistic medieval graveyard to a more detailed modern version.
• Sleeve – This is an increasingly popular forearm tattoo style for men. It can incorporate tribal-like design elements, geometric patterns, bold colors, and strong lines.
• Snake – If you don’t have a fear of them, the snake can be a fun subject for a forearm tattoo. Particularly if the artist can use a 3D drawing style. That’s because it could be wrapped around the arm or shown to be moving down the arm, as if it escaped from the shirt sleeve.
• Steampunk – Some men have used a forearm tattoo as a way to play around with the relationship of man and machine. This style of tattoo will overlay things like gears and buttons onto the forearm. The tattoo artist can also give the tattoo the appearance that we are looking into the body and seeing these “mechanics.”

Women’s Forearm Tattoos Ideas

Many women choose a forearm tattoo not based on an artistic choice (at first) but on connection. For example, some of the design options that many women choose to showcase their connection with nature include:

• Butterfly  – A colorful butterfly can be a fun, and beautiful, forearm tattoo design.
• Feather – A simple, single feather in the center of the forearm is often used to indicate the wearer’s connection to nature.
• Flowers in nature  – While a single flower will always be a popular tattoo choice, the forearm tattoo takes the flower to the next level. It often illustrates flowers as they would be found growing in nature or in a bouquet entwined with greenery.

Forearm Tattoo Meanings

The meaning of a forearm tattoo is of course linked to what its subject is. But choosing to get one is a sign of individuality and self-expression. While that could be said of many tattoo placements the decision to get a forearm tattoo shows a confidence in those meanings and an understanding of the wearer’s own self-worth.