The ultimate commitment to tattooing is a neck tattoo. the ink on his neck is highly visible and sometimes stigmatized. but no one can deny that a neck tattoo is undeniably badass.
However, heavily inked people know that neck tattoos are not something to be taken lightly. Not only are they painful, but neck tattoos are often only done when you’ve run out of room on your arms, legs, and torso. in fact, many tattoo artists refuse to tattoo highly visible spots like the hands and neck until the person has little or no space left.
That said, the neck is probably not the place for your first tattoo. But if you’re heavily tattooed and want some neck ink, these 40 neck tattoo ideas can help you narrow down your ink options.
1. butterfly
butterflies symbolize going through it but flying high. but the insect with detailed wings can represent a transformation or a new beginning. remember the metamorphosis of high school science?
2. year of birth
represents the year you were born by typing your birth year. but be warned: the simple tattoo will keep you honest about your age for the rest of your life.
3. geometric shapes
Get a little artsy with an abstract geometric tattoo. triangles are especially popular for unapologetic hipster vibes.
4. lion
Lions symbolize courage, power, royalty and utter toughness. consider this inky masculinity to the max.
5. initials
of course, you should never tattoo a name on yourself. but getting your mom’s, dad’s, or kids’ initials is a bit more forgiving. after all, you’re stuck with them.
6. flying birds
Fly high with a flying bird tattoo, which can symbolize joy, optimism, and freedom.
7. eye
If two eyes aren’t enough, why not paint a third? eye tattoos can symbolize honesty, intuition and wisdom.
8. anchor
In the West, nautical imagery is always associated with tattoos, thanks to the sailors who first brought this art form to the Western world from Polynesian and indigenous Asian communities. That said, nautical-themed anchors will never go out of style.
9. religious motif
For those who praise a higher power, religious tattoos are one of the best options. From representations of gods to symbols like crosses, religious tattoos keep your faith close.
10. eagle
eagles symbolize strength, wisdom and flight above all. eagles are also obviously associated with patriotism, if that’s your thing. Plus, those wings make for a killer neck tattoo.
11. roman numerals
Instead of tattooing a date of birth or numerical year on your body, transfer that number to Roman numerals for a more aesthetic ink. With numerals based on lines that provide angles and structure, Roman numerals lend themselves well to tattooing.
12. swallows
Another staple of traditional and nautical tattoos, swallows were popularized by well-traveled sailors. These days, truly anyone can get a swallow tattoo, and it will never go out of style.
13. lucky number 13
On Friday the 13th, many tattoo shops offer inexpensive “13” tattoo flash sheets. If 13 really is your lucky number or means something to you, the date is the perfect opportunity to get the “unlucky” ink.
14. creepy motifs
are you a disgusting certificate? proudly display it in ink warning others of its sinister and creepy ways.
15. portrait work
When done right, portrait tattoos are simply stunning. just make sure you go to a portrait artist, for crying out loud.
16. pink
A rose tattoo is classic for a reason. The theme lends itself to almost any tattoo style, providing depth and interest with layered petals. you really can’t go wrong.
17. skull
Both a morbid reminder of mortality and a badass piece of ink, a skull tattoo encompasses tattoo styles, fitting into any man’s tattoo collection.
18. work in black
if you have tattoos on your neck that you want to cover up, blackwork may be for you. this style of tattooing often covers large areas of skin with saturated black ink. it’s a flashy way to hide a bad decision, but also a tattoo style that takes talent to master.
19. pattern
Not all tattoos need to represent a tangible object. a little ink can make for an eye-catching (and just plain cool) pattern.
20. letters
Go to a lettering artist if you want a single word (or two… or three…) in bold. lettering is an art and a way to make a word really stand out.
21. animal skull
Celebrate the natural world (and death, but whatever) with an animal skull tattoo. from birds to ox skulls, animal skulls are aesthetically pleasing and fashion forward. and extremely dead.
22. some quirky ink
come on, a bright yellow smiley face tattoo is so much fun. Even if the happy face isn’t for you, the equally quirky designs show you don’t take yourself too seriously.
23. something sweet
If you have a sweet tooth, display it proudly with ink on a frozen popsicle, chocolate bar, or piece of layered cake. yum.
24. hand
Whether it’s the peace sign or the sign of the horns, a hand tattoo is an easy way to illustrate a message, like a love of world peace or metallic hair.
25. your greatest passion
Follow the example of this footballer and tattoo your greatest passion on your neck. If you like it so much, why not dye it prominently?
26. angel wings
Angel wings are a beautiful way to commemorate a lost loved one, and especially powerful on black and grey.
27. heart and dagger
a heart and a dagger? Now that’s a harsh juxtaposition. The traditional tattoo symbolizes good and bad, dating back centuries to early Christian imagery.
28. sacred heart
Like the heart and the dagger, a heart on fire is an intense image. Called the Sacred Heart, this popular traditional tattoo with roots in Christianity represents devotion.
29. wolf
Wolves are fierce and powerful animals that represent leadership and the alpha mentality. so not only do they look great, but they represent some truly enviable qualities.
30. a single word
Pick a word, any word, and spell it forever in plain font. it’s simple, but powerful.
31. collage
Have some tattoo ideas you can’t choose from? layer them together in one giant neck piece held together by patterned padding. call it a badass turtleneck.
32. compass
Another staple of nautical imagery, compass tattoos symbolize orientation and finding your way even in the most treacherous of circumstances. now that’s deep.
33. crown
Celebrate your kingly status with a crown tattoo that represents strength, self-confidence, and power.
34. spider
While spider and cobweb tattoos previously represented prison time, creepy, crawling arachnids now have a better reputation, symbolizing creativity, illusion, and creation. oh, and creepy.
35. bat
Bats are a gloriously gothic tattoo staple, and putting them front and center on the neck is a symbol of mystery and darkness. being goth never looked so good.
36. feathers
Loose feathers are said to symbolize luck and freedom, and most people can wear more of both.
37. gems
Do you want to attract riches and riches? Inking a gem is an easy way to recognize money as a motif.
38. owl
Owls have long symbolized wisdom, maturity and mystery. while these are all qualities worth embodying, let’s be honest: owls look great.
39. devil
constantly dancing with the devil? immortalize the ongoing tango with danger through neck ink, bad boy.
40. handwriting
Immortalize the handwriting of a loved one with a sentimental tattoo. maybe don’t show it to grandma…
