Back Tattoo Ideas

Popular Back Tattoo Styles

With a wide canvas, the back presents an interesting opportunity for those who want to share their personality with a back tattoo. With such an open area, there are a number of styles of back tattoo designs to be considered. Those include:

Natural – Trees, flowers, birds and other animals can be found on their own or combined to make this back tattoo style a serious connection with nature.

Mandala – In this design style, geometric shapes are repeated into patterns that repeat on themselves seemingly into infinity. Their finished look is reminiscent of the images inside a kaleidoscope.

Magical – This style of back tattoo explores a world of magical realism through dragons, wizards and other similar creatures.

Realistic – This style of back tattoo often revolves around the creation of a portrait. Generally these are historical figures but they can also be of a loved one who is no longer here.

Tribal – Bold lines, solid colors and intricate patterns make up the bulk of tribal tattoos.

Watercolor – These tattoos use soft colors and gentle lines to create a tattoo with a painterly feeling.

Best Back Tattoo Placements

Many people think of a back tattoo as only fitting into the area between the shoulder blades. In fact, there are a number of distinct locations where a back tattoo can go.

• Entire back – You can make a bold, powerful statement by getting a back tattoo that spans the entire space.
• Lower back – This is a prime location for a fully detailed back tattoo.
• Shoulder blades – Instead of getting just one back tattoo on a shoulder blade, consider getting symmetrical ones one each blade.
• Side of the back – Depending on the specific contours of an individual’s body, the area along the side of the back, which includes the ribs, could present some interesting opportunities for a tattoo artist.
• Spine – The vertical, thin nature of the spine makes it a very specific location for a back tattoo.
• Upper back – Medium-sized tattoos can often be found here.

Men’s Back Tattoos Ideas

The back tattoo for men and women cover very similar subjects, just in artistically different ways. Popular options for men include:

• Mighty oak – trees are a popular motif for men’s back tattoos. They are often used across the entire back with their branches stretching wide.
• Mythical creatures – The open space of the back is a perfect place to explore the mystical world of dragons.
• Sword – Some men choose a sword as their back tattoo. It’s a representation of their strength as a protector.
• Tribal – Some men choose to use their back to explore tribal inspired ideas and art.

Women’s Back Tattoos Ideas

With the back as a blank canvas, women have an opportunity to really celebrate their artistic spirit and independence with a back tattoo. This can be done in large and small ways with back tattoo designs like:

• Angel wings – This is a classic back tattoo. More than a symbol of religious devotion, for many women it’s a symbol of freedom and rising above the world.
• Spine design – This type of back tattoo lets the tattoo artist simply create. They will use a series of lines, dots and small shapes to create art up and down the spine.

Back Tattoo Meanings

A back tattoo can be a symbol of growth. Some designs also can be a way for a person to connect with their spirituality. 

Many times though, an individual will choose to get a back tattoo to mark a personal achievement or moment of significance.