Top 10 Trending Shoulder Tatto for Men

Since the days of sailor tattoos, the shoulder has been one of the most popular places for men to get inked. That’s because the shoulder is traditionally associated with strength and power. However, just because shoulder tattoos for men are traditional, that doesn’t mean there aren’t new or exciting designs. Check out these cool, meaningful, and badass tattoo designs that will look great on any man’s shoulder.

Dragon Shoulder Tattoo

Dragons are popular tattoo ideas for men as they represent strength, power, and wisdom. Dragon tattoos are also a versatile option, as they can be adapted to many different art styles. For a dynamic shoulder tattoo, you could choose a Chinese tattoo or Japanese tattoo dragon as their long, snake-like bodies look great wrapped around your bicep, trap muscles, and chest.

 

2. Eagle Shoulder Tattoo

The look of an eagle tattoo will depend on the individual; for some men, it could be a skull, weapon, or tribal tattoo design. For others, a bird of prey – like an eagle – makes for a powerful and intimidating inking. A soaring eagle about to strike looks fantastic as a shoulder tattoo because the wings can be tapered to span across the chest and around the bicep too.

 

3. Shoulder Blade Tattoo

Shoulder blade tattoos are one of the more unusual placements, which makes them stand out. Because your shoulder blades are part of your back, you can opt for an oversized tattoo with lots of detail. One of the more popular designs for shoulder blade ink is wings. You can personalize the look of the wings with a watercolor tattoo or add realistic details with black and white shading. Make the feathers extend to the back of your arm for a striking look.

 

4. Shoulder Tattoo for Black Men

The shoulder is a popular tattoo placement among black men. That’s because tattoos in these areas represent strength. Popular designs include religious symbols, family tributes, and lions. However, it’s important to consult an artist with experience in tattooing black skin before you get your shoulder tattoo. That’s because tattoos age differently on darker skin tones when compared with light skin, and some ink shades won’t look vibrant, even when fresh. Plus, black skin tends to scar more easily.

 

5. Tribal Shoulder Tattoo

First reaching the mainstream in the ’90s, the tribal art style remains popular for tattoos today. The thick, curved lines are ideal for a shoulder tattoo because they appear to ‘move’ with your body. Your artist will use your muscles as a guide for where the lines of the design should lie and shape the inking to match. The final result is a striking and masculine tribal tattoo.

 

6. Small Shoulder Tattoo

While your shoulder is a fantastic place for larger tattoos, small designs also look great. Try a one-word inking, a geometric symbol, or a simple yet meaningful cross tattoo. Plus, smaller tattoos take less time to apply, while your shoulder is one of the least painful places to get inked – making this an ideal choice for your first tattoo.

 

7. Religious Shoulder Tattoo

Religious men often choose the shoulder for a meaningful tattoo because it is associated with strength. A religious tattoo on your shoulder indicates that your faith keeps you strong and is the foundation of your life. When it comes to the design of the inking, there are many options – a simple cross, dove of peace, or Sacred Heart all suit the shoulder placement.

 

8. Celtic Shoulder Tattoo

The Celtic art style features striking rings and knots, making it perfect for a shoulder tattoo. The circular symbols and lines help shape the tattoo around your muscles, meaning the design won’t warp or look static on your skin. Celtic spiral patterns also have a deeper meaning; they are believed to represent the sun’s life-giving energy, the union of the physical and spiritual worlds, and eternity.

 

9. Maori Shoulder Tattoo

As a Polynesian culture, tattoos are traditional for the Maori people of New Zealand. Maori tattooing is called ta moko and originally involved applying ink with chisels rather than needles. However, today many Maori men are inked using modern tools, which makes the tattoos smoother and less painful. The nature of a Maori person’s tattoos can reveal details about their family, tribe, status, and achievements. For Maori men, the shoulder is one of the traditional places to be tattooed.

 

10. Small Shoulder Blade Tattoo

The shoulder blade can be more painful to tattoo than other parts of the shoulder, like the bicep, so some men opt for smaller tattoos in this placement. Matching shoulder blade tattoos – such as double stars or sparrows – are popular choices as they add balance and symmetry. Shoulder blade tattoos are also a great way to emphasize back muscles and broad shoulders.