Perhaps one of the most iconic images of childhood is the image of a sailor with tattooed forearms. We’ve all seen it and we’ve all noticed tattoos, but the question is: are you brave enough to get one?
having a tattoo on the forearm has great social and personal meaning.
is in a place to be seen. is in a place to make a statement. and it’s in a place that speaks to others about your self-confidence.
In the past, sailors were the only people in American society who got cool tattoos on their arms. initially, a tattoo on the forearm began as a kind of record, containing the identity of a sailor in case of drowning, but quickly took on a different meaning. it became a story of what the sailor had seen and where he had visited. it showed his ability, his bravery and his experience. tattoos on the forearm became the mark of a man worthy of his mettle and proud of it.
Today, you can choose how to express yourself. Will you be tribal minimalist or will you choose a symbol that means something deep to you?
The only real question is, what do you want the world to know about you?
1. triangle tattoos on the forearm
This three sided tattoo design can exemplify several different meanings depending on the person wearing it on their skin. they can be incorporated into larger pieces of tattoo art or used to isolate a particular narrative that is important to the person wishing to display the tattoo.
These pieces come in all shapes and sizes. however, the cool forearm tattoos in this section are minimalist and based on line art, a seemingly simple but difficult craft for artists to master. some have the appearance of mountains and arrows or use other geometric shapes within their shape.
a triangle is a meaningful tattoo on the forearm, often used to refer to a trinity of concepts such as religious themes such as the holy trinity (the father, the son and the holy spirit), a parental unit consisting of of two parents and a child, and even abstract constructions such as past, present and future.
Below is a double triangle tattoo, with both triangles facing downwards. a downward triangle is also the oldest symbol of the divine feminine. called a chalice, it represents the womb of a woman.
some tattoo designs are specific references to pop cultural influences, such as the triforce symbol from the popular nintendo game legend of zelda. the triforce is the golden power or the supreme power.
Other popular triangle tattoos for men include the Viking valknut, which refers to three interlocking triangles. valknut is an old Norse word that roughly translates to “knot of slain warriors.”
Another popular triangle tattoo you can get on your inner arm is the Penrose or Impossible Triangle, which represents an object that could not physically exist.
2. simple circular tattoos
A circle is another shape that has several different connotations and possible symbolic meanings.
The forearm tattoo ideas in this section show a popular trend in the tattoo world, which is the separation of the piece from other pieces on the person’s body for the sake of a single narrative. They vary greatly compared to the traditional American style of tattooing, which relies heavily on consistent classic themes and repeated imagery.
Many of these circular forearm tattoos are unique and tell different stories by using multiple styles and techniques.
A simple forearm tattoo uses the dotwork style, a technique that requires a tattoo artist to ink multiple dots to create an image, to outline a simple view of our planet earth.
another tattoo design depicts a maze with a person standing at its entrance, applying heavy shadows and black ink to highlight the separate sections.
Because of their size and potential to contain images so small that they involve such a bulky plot, many of these minimalist pieces of body art are placed just inside the wrist or on the inside of the forearm. This size and placement are also popular ideas for people who say they really don’t like tattoos; minimalist is the answer!
3. simple line tattoos
These arm tattoo ideas are incredibly simple, so simple, in fact, that some of them don’t even have a shape. Lines are popular tattoo choices, again, for those who aren’t exactly into the head-to-toe covered look. these individuals tend to lean toward geometric precision and minimalist simplicity.
Example pieces in this section, some of which are placed on the inside of the forearm, are what appear to be lines connecting the stars in a certain constellation, straight lines that curve around the inside of the elbow and the beauty of seven perfect lines formed in an open rectangle.
what these lines represent varies from one individual to another, but some popular explanations are based on the constant repetition of parallel lines in our lives; in structures, in art, in science and mathematics, in stories, etc.
The Latin phrases “memento mori” and “memento vivere” are simple complementary tattoos on the forearm. these roughly translate to “remember you must die, so remember to live”. This is also one of the popular matching arm tattoo ideas among couples.
An example of a meaningful forearm tattoo idea is a small, simple sketch of a book, which could indicate a love of literature.
The remaining forearm tattoo ideas in this section show a much less ambiguous story, but still use one continuous line or two parallel lines running side by side. line work exists in essentially all applications and styles, but due to its raw nature, it relies more on precision to elevate the narrative being expressed.
4. custom symbolic tattoos
You can still get a minimalist tattoo that involves more details, as well as a dose of a more personalized tone. Most of the pieces in this section can fit just inside the wrist, while slightly larger pieces fit perfectly on the inner or outer forearm.
many express a very personal tone, with a meaning that is more difficult to decipher. a geometric style and dark shading remain relevant and amplified due to the negative space surrounding the piece.
Symbolic forearm tattoos for men include mountains with triangular templates, which could imply an admiration for nature, and a shark that works with a mechanical half steampunk and half geometric shapes, which could imply many meanings for the user.
This is a triquetra tattoo, one of the most famous ancient Celtic tattoo designs. represents the three basic elements: air, water and earth. it could also refer to the infinite cycle of life: birth, life and death or rebirth. the circle intertwined with the triquetra represents the link or infinite connections between the three elements. Many other Celtic tattoo designs, or variations thereof, are popular within the tattoo community.
A simple calligraphy on the forearm may be enough for some people, while a collection of small tattoos to literally wear your passion for baking on your sleeve reveals transparent meaning.
you’re right; A rose tattoo on the forearm could be one of the best arm tattoo designs. a single rose and its thorns in heavy black ink looks stunning against the pale skin of this inner arm.
This looks like a simple series of parallel lines, but a closer look reveals that this amazing lower arm tattoo shows the stages of a match as it gradually burns to ash.
The body is a big canvas, and while many people are inclined to cover themselves completely, an important story can be told with very little ink, if it aligns with your personality style.
Enjoyed these simple forearm tattoos but looking for more inspiration? Check out the links below for other small and easy tattoo galleries that can help you find your next piece of amazing body art.
- simple traditional tattoo ideas
- amazing small tattoo ideas
- the 43 best small tattoos
- small nature tattoo ideas
- small colorful tattoo designs
