The latest information on tattoo types, disappearing designs, and their meanings!
Tattoos offer a wide range of design types to highlight individuality, from traditional styles to modern ones.
This article provides detailed explanations of representative tattoo types, along with their designs and meanings.
By understanding the background and meaning behind each design, you'll gain a deeper understanding of tattoo appeal and find help in discovering the right tattoo for you.
Types of Tattoos (Irezumi)
Here we'll introduce the types of tattoos (irezumi).
1. American Traditional (Old School)
American Traditional, also called Old School, is a tattoo style born in early 20th century America.
Characterized by bold outlines, vibrant colors, and simple designs, its cool design aesthetic is popular among men.
Originally, it's said to have originated from tattoos that sailors got wishing for safe voyages, with motifs like stars, anchors, roses, and eagles commonly used.
American Traditional has a powerful yet nostalgic atmosphere and has been loved across generations.
American Traditional tattoos are highly durable and don't fade easily even after many years!
American Traditional Designs & Meanings
| Design | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Swallow | Symbolizes homecoming and loyalty. Also used as proof that sailors traveled 5,000 miles. |
| Anchor | Represents stability and strong will, praying for safety at sea. |
| Eagle | Symbolizes freedom, power, and victory, also known as a symbol of America. |
| Snake | Represents transformation and rebirth, also used as a symbol of wealth and prosperity. |
| Rose | Represents love and beauty, sometimes including pain and sorrow. |
| Skull | Symbolizes death and new beginnings, also used as a symbol of protection and courage. |
| Heart | Represents love and passion, sometimes used in combination with arrows or swords. |
| Nautical Star | Symbolizes guidance and safe travel, popular among sailors. |
| Mermaid | As a sea goddess, considered a protective presence for sailors. |
| Panther | Represents bravery and leadership, depicted in powerful designs. |
2. Neo Traditional (New School)
New School is based on traditional styles but features more colorful and exaggerated expressions. Many designs are influenced by pop art and cartoons, with free-spirited creativity being its charm.
3. Realistic (Realism)
If you want photo-like realistic depictions, realism tattoos are recommended. They can express people, animals, and landscapes in detail, often done in black & grey or color.
4. Black & Grey
Black & Grey, which utilizes monochrome gradations, is a genre with a chic and calm atmosphere. It's often used for religious motifs, portraits, and traditional Chicano styles.
5. Japanese Traditional (Japanese Tattoo)
Japanese traditional tattoos use traditional Japanese tattooing techniques.
Their history dates back to the Edo period, with many designs based on ukiyo-e, stories, and mythology, characterized by unique strength and beauty.
The delicate expressions achieved through hand-carving and techniques that utilize ink gradations can truly be called art.
Japanese traditional tattoos often take a long time to complete and require choosing a tattoo artist with high skills, so be careful when selecting an artist.
Japanese Traditional Designs & Meanings
| Design | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dragon | Symbolizes power, success, and protection. Also a symbol of advancement in life. |
| Phoenix | Represents love, peace, happiness, and marital harmony. |
| Tiger | Symbolizes bravery, valor, and authority, representing physical strength. |
| Koi (Carp) | Symbol of advancement in life, representing courage and perseverance. |
| Snake | Image of rebirth and infinity, said to be effective for improving financial luck. |
| Turtle | Symbol of longevity, also meaning health and prosperity of descendants. |
| Oni (Demon) | Represents strength and anger, with good and evil varying by story. |
| Hannya Mask | Represents jealousy and anger, popular as a powerful design. |
| Peony | Symbol of wealth and honor, favored by people with brave and strong personalities. |
| Cherry Blossom | Represents the transience and beauty of life, meaning to eternally engrave life's momentary beauty. |
| Chrysanthemum | Means longevity and prosperity, favored by people with dignity and pride. |
6. Tribal
Tribal tattoos originate from traditional tattoos passed down by ethnic groups worldwide.
Characterized by geometric patterns and powerful designs drawn in solid black, this can be said to be a style that was popular in the Showa era.
Historically, unique tribal tattoos have developed in various cultural spheres including Polynesian, Maori, and Native American cultures.
Tribal tattoos carry meanings related to tribal identity, social status, and beliefs.
Recently, designs that add modern motifs to historical designs are preferred!
Tribal Tattoo Designs & Meanings
| Design | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Star | Protection from evil, sacred hope, symbol of light, destiny (guidepost) |
| Heart | Love, affection, life |
| Rose | Love, beauty, prosperity |
| Arrow | Direction, progress, focus |
| Sun | Life, energy, vitality, power, light, cycle of life |
| Moon | Femininity, receptivity |
| Cross | Spirituality, faith, protection |
| Feather | Freedom, symbol of birds |
| Tree of Life | Strength, growth, connection |
| Spiral | Growth, transformation |
| Wave | Water flow, adaptability, resilience |
| Triangle | Unity of mind, body, and spirit |
| Mandala | Wholeness, unity, balance |
7. Neo Tribal
Neo Tribal is a style that modernly arranges traditional tribal tattoos. While utilizing thick black lines, it creates unique expressions by incorporating more artistic designs and new symbols.
8. Geometric
Geometric tattoos are characterized by sophisticated designs combining lines and shapes. Those incorporating sacred geometry and designs utilizing dotwork are also popular.
9. Watercolor
Watercolor tattoos, which utilize bleeding and blurring effects like paint, result in colorful and artistic finishes. Their unique softness is charming.
10. Lettering
Lettering tattoos are a style that places letters or words at the center of the design. Various font styles are used, including Gothic, cursive, and modern typography. By beautifully engraving names, mottos, or famous quotes, you can give them personal meaning.
【Color】Types of Tattoos (Irezumi)
Colorful color tattoos highlight individuality and enable more expressive designs.
Here we'll explain representative types of color tattoos.
Type 1) Black and Grey
Black and Grey is a tattoo drawn using only black ink and grey ink diluted from it.
By emphasizing shadows with these two colors, it enables realistic expressions and designs with depth.
Used in various designs including portraits, landscapes, and religious motifs, it's loved by many people regardless of age or gender.
A design characteristic is that it doesn't fade easily even after many years!
Type 2) White Tattoo
White tattoos are drawn using only white ink.
Due to the weak contrast with Japanese skin color, they have the characteristic of being hard to notice as the color overlaps with skin tone.
Maximizing the unique color characteristics of white tattoos, they're popular among people who want to enjoy subtle fashion with delicate patterns and lace-like designs.
Also, white tattoos, unlike other colored tattoos, have a natural finish that blends with the skin.
Therefore, they're perfect for people who don't want to make having a tattoo obvious or who want to subtly enjoy tattoos as part of fashion.
Applying sunscreen for sun protection is essential!
Type 3) White on Black
White on Black is a tattoo that draws designs with white ink on a black background.
In contrast to Black and Grey, the white patterns stand out against the black background, creating a unique presence.
Also, White on Black has good compatibility with other colored tattoos, and by using them in combination, it's possible to express more complex designs.
White on Black tattoos require high skills from the tattoo artist!
Frequently Asked Questions About Tattoo Types
Some people may have questions about tattoo combinations or disappearing tattoos.
Here we'll introduce frequently asked questions about tattoo types.
What are popular types of tattoos?
Popular types of tattoos change with times and trends, but those that are always popular are "American Traditional," "Japanese Traditional," and "Tribal Tattoos."
These tattoos have long histories and rich designs, and are loved by many people.
Also, recently due to the popularity of K-pop, one-point cute designs for women are also trending!
By combining one-point tattoos, you can create your own unique design!
What types of disappearing tattoos are there?
Types of disappearing tattoos are as follows:
Henna tattoos use powder made from dried leaves of the henna plant.
Jagua tattoos use pigments extracted from the fruit of the jagua plant.
Since they attach pigments to the skin surface, they naturally disappear in several days to weeks, making them recommended for people who want temporary tattoos!
Are there bad combinations of tattoo types?
There are no absolutely bad combinations of tattoo types.
However, depending on tattoo designs, some combinations may not work well together.
For example, when combining American Traditional and Japanese Traditional, the differences in each style might create a lack of unity.
Also, combining cute designs like stars and moons with Japanese Traditional or American Traditional designs might create poor balance.
When choosing tattoo designs, it's important to consider overall balance and create unified designs.
Summary of Tattoo Types
This article has introduced various types of tattoos and their respective histories and meanings.
Tattoos have a history that has been passed down as tradition since ancient times, and their meanings and messages have changed over time.
Since different tattoo artists specialize in different types of tattoos, choose a trustworthy tattoo artist and get a lifelong tattoo!
