Elbow tattoos are often regarded as a Horcrux from the Harry Potter series. They are never spoken about nor any attention is given to them. There are only a few people that know their existence and importance.
Why is that? Well, one crucial factor that drives the negligence of the elbow tattoo is the weird structure of the area. It's both small and wrinkly making tattooists struggle to etch a proper tattoo.
However, it is the only place where the tattoo can appear and conceal at the will of the wearer. Just because of this magicality of them, you should disregard all of the tattoo’s disadvantages. The tattoos are also aesthetic and much less time consuming. So why not give them a chance?
How Much Does Elbow Tattoos Hurt? Estimating The Pain
Elbow tattoos take the top place in our pain index. As the skin is directly on top of the bone and ligament, it hurts like hell when you ink a tattoo there.
If you don't believe in us then gently scrub in the elbow area. You can feel the bones directly upon landing your fingers on the skin. Now imagine how much pain a sharp stencil will inflict.
That's why most people opt out of this tattoo. However if you have the endurance and silence, who are we to stop you? Go for it.
Timeless Elbow Tattoo Designs To Look Classy In 2024
There are a wide range of elbow tattoo designs you can choose from that will look absolutely amazing. However, there are certain traits that you should follow in order to make your tattoo look good.
One of the quintessential aspects of the elbow tattoo is the monochromatic color scheme. Although colors always bring out excitement in us and we start to feel.happy, the hues slowly start to fade away after some time making the tattoo look completely bland. That's why you should draw the tattoo using black ink to portray the rawness and intensity.
As there isn't much space in the elbow, it's better to confine yourself in minimalistic designs. Bigger tattoos will only make the place look messy. So now that you know what they are all about, let's dive into the world of elbow tattoo designs.
Traditional Elbow Tattoo
Let's start off our list with an absolute banger of a tattoo known as the traditional elbow tattoo. With their seductive designs, these tattoos combine classic and modern hues in a way that seems to be twisting the very fabric of the natural world.
One of the quintessential traits of these tattoos is the circular shape. From floral patterns to rustic weapons, everything is illustrated in a way that it feels like it belongs to a circle.
Although traditional tattoos were seen to be a variety of colors previously, modern tattooists believe that less is better. That’s why they depict the tattoo using a monochromatic color scheme with appropriate negative spaces.
Cobweb Elbow Tattoo
The cobweb tattoo is an artistic representation of the intricacy of life. We often read or watch fictional stories in awe thinking how complicated they are. Well, real life is much more bizarre and full of surprises.
These tattoos only consist of black color. The hues are not subtle in any way. They need to be deep in saturation so that the rawness and the symbolism of the tattoo is depicted accurately.
Whenever you look at the tattoo, you will realize that life is not sunshines and rainbows. There will be twists and turns in every stage. It will keep on giving you a heads up.
Mandala Elbow Tattoo
These alluring patterns look more like a labyrinth than a tattoo. If someone has a hard time believing in god then show him this tattoo and they will convert. Because it's so majestic that it's hard to believe it's curved by the mortal hands. The tattoo looks like it's constructed by God himself.
The edges of the design are usually in bold and black color. However, you should include some vibrant colors in the middle region to portray excitement in our life.
Many relate with this tattoo beside the artworks conveying the ups and downs of life. While searching for true meaning, it's easy to get lost in the puzzle. The tattoo can serve as a stark reminder to keep on pushing forward.
Star Elbow Tattoo
These heavenly objects are seen in the empty sky, glittering. There are innumerable of these polygonal components scattered throughout the galaxy's infinity. They can all form startling shapes that line up with one another.
But it's their singular shape that merits all the attention. The five peaks represent the five possible routes that any person can choose to fulfill their destiny.
You should always depict them in vivid colors, as though a rainbow has shined upon them. You might add some sporadic curves to create a celebratory atmosphere.
Flower Elbow Tattoo
You will always find this tattoo on every list. You may have become bored by now reading constantly about them. However, did you ever wonder why they are sought after?
One of the first reasons is that they are incredibly easy to draw. Most people discard the idea of getting a tattoo when they realize just how painful it is. The flower elbow tattoo is an easy and subtle design that is pretty straightforward to ink.
Another reason is the natural aesthetics it portrays. When was the last time you were close to nature? The tattoo allows you to take a gander at mother nature every now and then.
Skull Elbow Tattoo
While I was writing this article, the skill elbow tattoo was right in front of me. While I was staring at the textures and making notes in my mind, I felt that the skull was staring me back.
With its two hollow eyes, it felt as if the skull was planning a conspiracy against me. This was an uncomfortable feeling. Later, I acknowledged that every skull tattoo in the world has some sort of spiritual aspect surrounding it. At times, they become alive.
Beside all the spookiness, there is more reason why you should get the tattoo. The rustic patterns along with the deep edges can make your elbow look extremely classy and badass. People will become obsessed with you.
Compass Elbow Tattoo
The meaning and symbolism behind the compass tattoo is blatantly obvious. It represents the paths each individual can embark on.
In the direst of situations when voyagers don't know where to go, they would seek help from the compass. It would always point in the right direction which led to countless lives being saved.
We may not be lost in a literal sense however our souls are troubled. There is no guidance or accurate paths that can lead us to our destiny. The compass tattoo on the elbow can become our navigator.
Anime Elbow Tattoo
Perhaps there is no human being existing in the face of the planet that doesn't know about anime. These colorful animations are so well done you cannot help but watch seasons after seasons of a particular show.
Elbow is the perfect fit for an anime tattoo as there is a lot of mysticism to it. Furthermore, the small area is suitable for minimalistic looking anime characters that have big ambitions and goals.
Usually, there aren't many details incorporated as it can look quite messy. Just the face of your favorite character that you can relate to is enough.
Eye Elbow Tattoo
The eye tattoo is intriguing in every aspect because of the recent buzz surrounding the evil eye. It is believed by many conspiracy theorists that there is an evil eye attached to all of us that observes everything that we do.
Although it's eerie and disturbing, people seem to be intrigued by it. To be honest, a jarring eye tattoo on the elbow surely can make you feel like another species that has descended from outer space. From a distance, your elbow will look closer to an alien than a body part.
Rose Elbow Tattoo
The rose elbow tattoo is just a gentle flower with a bunch of leaves protruding from the stem. It does not comprise the natural radiant colors of the rose nor does it have any sort of exaggeration. However, it still portrays thousands of words.
As the color of your elbow is a bit dark, the outline of the black rose tattoo complements tremendously well with the skin. The tattoo directly blends with it making your elbow seem like a garden from which the flower was born. For eternity, you will have to take care of it.
Butterfly Elbow Tattoo
Although they are mostly seen in colorful attires, you should get a butterfly tattoo completely in monochromatic color scheme in the elbow. If you notice, you will see that your elbow has much darker skin than the other areas.
Therefore when you get a colorful tattoo, it tends to look bland. That's why tattooists opt for a black and white tattoo that blends beautifully with the skin making the butterfly look realistic. You can include some subtle colors here and there to create a whimsical vibe.
Sun Elbow Tattoo
Can you imagine a single day without the sun? This radiating object is the reason everything is functioning properly. If the sun stops rising from the east one day, that's the day humanity will end.
Because of its role on the earth, the sun has always been a symbol of intensity and passion. When you have the tattoo, it means that you are truly dedicated to a particular cause and won't rest until you have achieved it. Rather than drawing them with vibrant red colors, you should just make a silhouette version of it to incorporate some mysticism.
Geometric Elbow Tattoo
One of the major reasons why elbow tattoos get frowned upon is because of the changing dimensions. One moment the skin stays at a particular state and in the next, it alters. This changing dynamics can hamper the aesthetics of the tattoo.
But when you have a geometric elbow tattoo, there is no problem such as this. The simplicity patterns will not stretch as much as the realistic ones. The tattoo can only consist of alluring lines portraying a maze like figure.
Religious Elbow Tattoo
What's the first thing that pops up in your mind when you hear about religious tattoos? It has to be our lord and savior, Jesus christ. Because of his kindness and sacrifice, we are forgiven by the god.
Aside from his mercifulness, Jesus is quite a handsome fellow. He has a naturally magnifying aura which compels us to be obsessed with him. With long black hairs and beards, you cannot help but seek refuge in his arms.
Sunflower Elbow Tattoo
It's hard to accept that there is a flower that has the same ambience as the vibrant sun. But there is. The sunflower tattoo feels like a whimsical dream in which our weirdest fascination comes to life.
In nature, these flowers have a black core with yellow petals encircling the core giving a sun-like appearance. However, in contemporary designs tattoo artists prefer to draw everything using black color. This way, the tattoo is a discreet emblem which will give confidence to the wearer.
Japanese Elbow Tattoo
Although there are numerous aspects about Japanese culture that blow our minds, it's the unique alphabet of theirs that is the most intriguing. To many, their language is the hardest to master because of such a diverse range of alphabets. In most languages, there aren't many patterns in a single alphabet.
However, the same can't be said for the Japanese language. Each alphabet has unique lines and stylish curves that can look great in the elbow. So why bother drawing anything else?
Tribal Elbow Tattoo
There are countless tribes all around the world each with their unique symbolism and customs. If you feel like you don't belong to modern society then you might find solace in these tribes.
Most tribal symbols convey the lifestyles of these tribal peoples. They also consist of ancient weapons of choice such as spheres or shields. You can include any of these elements into your tattoo. The main aspect is that it has to look a bit more traditional than being contemporary.
Broken Glass Elbow Tattoo
Life can be interpreted as a surface of glass. Most of the time, it will look like everything is okay. However when a storm hits, the glass starts to shatter. You may try to glue it back together but the shattering patterns will always stay.
This is not a bad thing. These patterns help you remember about the times when you were at your lowest. The broken glass tattoo will keep on encouraging you that it will only get better from now on. The erratic black lines can be the source of hope of millions of people worldwide.
Octopus Elbow Tattoo
Here comes the most bizarre tattoo design on our list by far. These oceanic creatures look quite closer to aliens than an animal of the earth. That's why viewing them can cause you to have nightmares.
They are mainly in transparent colors however you should paint them in deep black color so that it looks much more menacing. A black octopus lingering its tentacles in your elbow can give chills to even the bravest soul of the planet.
Shark Jaw Elbow Tattoo
These razor toothed creatures are the menace of the deep blue sea. They may not always hurt humans however their threatening aura can make anyone feel devastated. From their agility to hunting tactics, everything about this apex predator is first class.
Drawing a shark tattoo doesn't require too much detail. All you need to draw is a silhouette of the finned creatures. To be honest, just the glimpse of them can make anyone wet their pants. So, you don't need to include additional textures or colors.
Clock Elbow Tattoo
Time and tide waits for none. While we have listened and noticed this famous quote millions of times, we still fail to make the best use of time. When the time passes away, we don't have anything else to do than regret.
What if there was a permanent clock in your elbow? Whenever you feel like slacking off, the clock tattoo will remind you that the clock is ticking. If you just sit back and don't do anything, you will never have the chance again to do the task. Having such a tattoo will definitely turn you into a punctual human being that utilizes the best use of time.
Barbed Wire Elbow Tattoo
Barbed wire is primarily used to prevent enemies from entering a particular area. This is especially done in wars when the situation gets immensely hectic.
Although there are no wars in the modern era, there are still wars with our inner demons. You may not realize it but there is evil lurking inside all of us. If you dont be careful then this evil will completely take over your soul and compel you to do its bidding. The barbed wire tattoo on the elbow will help your mind deviate away from such pessimistic thoughts.
Polynesian Elbow Tattoo
Polynesian people have a deep association with the deep blue sea. As most of their lives they have to stay close to the ocean, many of their customs and religions are centered around it.
The polynesian elbow tattoo usually features oceanic elements in a symbolic manner. It can be a bunch of tidal waves or palm trees gently swinging by the summer breeze. One particular characteristic of these tattoos is the lack of vibrant colors.
Yin Yang Elbow Tattoo
The concept of Yin yang has been going for a long time. The idea was conceptualized by the Japanese and Chinese people. It is the notion of two opposing concepts merging together.
The symbol of the Yin yang is quite simple. It's usually a circle with two black and white colors blending with each other. The subtle yet hard hitting tattoo conveys a ton of meaning. The main reason for choosing this tattoo is because of the notion of duality in men. When you have the tattoo, you will begin to acknowledge that there are always two sides to a particular aspect.
FAQ
Elbow tattoos were frowned upon back in the day for their bizarreness. However, it is quickly reaching the top. With popularity comes a bunch of controversies and speculations. Amidst all the buzz, it can be quite difficult to find accurate information on elbow tattoos. That’s why, we have three questions and their answers to clear all your doubts. If you still have queries, reach out to us.
Q: Do Elbow Tattoos Fade Fast?
Ans: Yes, they tend to fade much faster than the other parts. As your elbow gets stretched doing the daily activities of life, it takes a toll on the tattoo. That's why you need multiple touch ups every few months to keep the original quality of the tattoo.
Q: Can You Bend Your Arm After Getting An Elbow Tattoo?
Ans: You should at least wait for a few days before bending your arm too much. Your elbow skin is already prone to stretching. Therefore if you intentionally bend your elbow, the skin will get wrinkled which in turn will destroy the newly inked tattoo.
Q: Which Celebrity Has A Elbow Tattoo?
Ans: There are a couple of celebrities that have a beautiful elbow tattoo. The Batwoman star, Ruby Rose rocks a jarring elbow tattoo. Another name that we have to mention is the american businesswoman, Hilary Duff who has a gentle dove in her elbow.
Conclusion
Elbow tattoos are a vessel of expression. Gone are the days when tattoos were illustrated solely for the purpose of showing off to peers. Sure, the imagery needs to be aesthetic enough otherwise what's the purpose of a tattoo? But the main reason for the tattoo should always be the meaning and symbolism. With the elbow tattoo, you can gently express your views and messages with subtle colors and minimalistic patterns. As you can easily conceal the tattoo whenever you want, you can also wear it in the office. These are perhaps the only type of tattoos that won’t run you into any sort of hassle in your everyday life.