50+ Best Elbow Tattoo Designs Ideas To Match Your Style

We are always on the hunt for new tattoo designs that will look unique and enhance our own style. Imagine that you have done the research part, and you just found the ideal ink model. However, you simply don’t have a clue about where to place it.

For both men and women, elbow tattoos are popular as a creative way to express their personality. Although this location is one of the most difficult spots to get inked well, the results are mesmerizing, making it worth the time and pain.

This article is bringing together some of the favorite elbow tattoo ideas. So, if you want to find inspiration, and understand better the meaning of each back of elbow tattoo and inner elbow tattoo design, keep on reading.

50+ Best Elbow Tattoo Ideas And Designs

Do you need some inspiration in finding the best elbow tattoo ideas? Check out these 20 designs that best suit this body area. Discover their meanings, as well as some tips in choosing each pattern.

1. Minimal Elbow Tattoos

Simplicity will always be a trademark, especially when it comes to body art.

Small elbow tattoos for guys and for females are proof that less is indeed more. A lot of people are eschewing the complex, large tattoo ideas in favor of minimal inked pieces.

However, when choosing to have some minimal elbow tattoos, keep in mind that these are uncannily masterful.

Although their models are modest, the smooth lines of the beautiful elbow tattoos add these minimal designs’ uniqueness. Sometimes, the small elbow tattoos are procured with a single fine black line that traces the desired emblem from a single drawing.

At first glance, these models are likely unnoticeable. However, once people distinguish their design, they will impress any sight.

2. Traditional Elbow Tattoos

Traditional elbow tattoos are great for people who want to express their artistic side. The examples of conventional ideas are endless.

They range from simple flowers that bloom once you are moving the hand to animal-inspired design. Just make sure your future inked design is catchy and suits the elbow area.

3. Astrological Ideas

Thanks to Gen Z and millennials, astrology is becoming more and more of a trend now. No wonder why the demand for astrology tattoos has increased so much, and the demand is higher than ever.

The zodiac designs will look great as an inner elbow tattoo or above elbow tattoo from simple zodiac signs to different constellations, planets, and animals.

Before asking for an astrological tattoo, think about something unique that represents you or your dear ones. Once made, it is unlikely that you will change your mind, considering the birth date will never change.

4. Skull Elbow Tattoos

The skull design will work great as a back of elbow tattoo. These tattoo ideas are pure art, and they are done with lots of shades of color, so they can look excellent on the elbow area.

Skull tattoos can symbolize overcoming challenging times in your life, as well as strength and power.

Find a skull tattoo that empowers you, and you will feel the wearer’s protection. If you enjoy dark art, then find that skull elbow tattoos will be the emblem for the death of an old life, as well as a dark past you have defeated.

5. Aves Elbow Tattoos

If you are looking for a good-looking design, the Aves tattoos are a truly inspiring idea. The image may be of anything like Aves sitting on a branch or beautifully flying.

Since Aves are flying creatures, they symbolize freedom, vision, intellect, and spiritual ascension.

6. Snails On Elbow

The snail tattoos look amazing on the elbow, as it requires less space and has circular contouring. Snails are very particular creatures that express deliberation and self-sufficiency. Choose the colorful snail tattoos for the elbow and enjoy an ever-lasting body art.

7. Tribal Tattoo On Elbow

These tattoo designs have origins in ancient days. Although their pattern is old, they can still be lovely once inked on the elbow. While some tribal designs can be really simple, with straight lines, these drawings will actually change from culture to culture.

Usually, tribal tattoos tell the story of a wearer’s heritage.

A long time ago, these drawings were symbolizing the achievements of a confident warrior. This type of art can also be the symbol of power, strength, and protection.

8. Colorful Tattoos

If you are a joyful person, who wants to express this state of mind using body language, then the colorful tattoos will be the splash of positivity you need.

Whether you will choose to be inked with flowers, rainbows, birds, or nature symbols, the colorful tattoos will look amazing on the elbow area,

9. Flower Elbow Tattoos

Some people would choose to “embrace” their entire elbow with a botanical-inspired design, like a flower. When moving your arm, it would be like the flower is blooming.

Choose a representative flower with a prominent center right on the middle part of the elbow. Use this tip, and the result will be stunning.

Really delicate and colorful, flowers have been a long-time the symbols for all-natural beauty and life circle.

If you choose to make a flower elbow tattoo, the meanings behind these elements can vary: from ancient cultures’ expression to the symbol of God’s happiness. Today, flowers will usually express the love between people.

When inking your elbow, you can choose a sunflower, a daisy, or any other plant that inspires you.

10. The Swirl

As previously mentioned, the best tattoos for elbows, generally speaking, are the ones with circular shapes. The reason for that is simple. This truly is the right design that can look like it is moving at the same time with your body.

You can opt for some extraordinarily detailed tattoo with waves, or some dancing fishes, or spirals.

11. Elbow Rose Tattoos

The elbow rose tattoos can look like a true piece of art. These floral designs are coming in different drawings, so you have a large palette to choose from.

Whether you will choose some minimal rose tattoos or a very detailed one, the elbow will be such a suited place to wear your inked roses.

The beauty of this flower is full of expression and symbolizes hope, promise, new beginnings, joy, as well as good protection, and mature love. Each flower has its own symbol, so make sure you check its meanings.

12. Compass Elbow Tattoos

Another excellent tattoo design for elbows is the compass draw. It works so well for this part of the body due to the size and circular shape. There are already lots of people who choose these designs because of their look and correlation.

The compass elbow tattoos will always be cool, and you can choose their size depending on how comfortable you would feel wearing that drawing on your skin.

The compass shows the cardinal points. As such, this tattoo’s meaning is finding the way in life and guiding yourself to the ideal destination. Also, compass means to travel, nature, and love.

13. Geometric Elbow Tattoos

Geometric Elbow Tattoos are usually tied to religious and spiritual practices that come from ancient times.

Geometry will look great on the elbow area, and nowadays, geometric tattoos symbolize intelligence, stability, symmetry, and many more.

14. Spider Web Elbow Tattoo

Elbow spider web tattoos can look amazing on this side of your body. These inked drawings are done most of the time only in black, and once placed on the elbow, they look like moving permanently.

Although some time ago, the elbow tattoo spider web was used to symbolize the time spent in prison, well, let’s not take it so seriously and ignore the darker history of this symbol.

Spiderweb looks cool on the elbow, and it is kind of a symbol for supremacy groups. Furthermore, this tattoo shows loyalty to a certain group.

Also Read: Top 30 Amazing Spider Tattoos on Different Placement of Your Body

15. Mandala Elbow Tattoo

If you are a geometric lover, and you would like to have that drawing forever with you, well, consider having a mandala elbow tattoo.

Mandala is such an exotic draw that combines floral shapes, fine circular lines, and different colors, especially red. Some mandala elbow tattoos come with shading that compliments the image overall.

Mandala means “circle” in Sanskrit, and it is composed of symbols and different other shapes that start from the center outwards following circular patterns.

Considering Mandala is shaped on the circle, it defines eternity, perfection, and balance. Wearing a mandala tattoo is like reflecting a sense of harmony.

16. Elbow Star Tattoo

One of our favorite elbow tattoo ideas is the stars. Of course, there are different types of stars. However, each of them will nicely “embrace” your elbow once you set this body part as the center of your star.

Behind its unique look, the elbow star tattoo is the symbol for good luck, guidance, protection, as well as ambition, honor, and hope.

Furthermore, this tattoo is a symbolic reminder for guidance through life, or “finding the way home.”

17. Bow Heart Elbow Tattoo

If you don’t want a strong symbolistic for your elbow tattoo, why not look for a simple yet very cute drawing that would definitely represent your personality? The bow heart elbow tattoo includes an outlined pink heart that ends with a pretty pink bow.

The heart can appear all around the tip of your elbow and beautifully embrace this part of your body.

This type of tattoo is subtle, cute, playful, and ready to show off. You can wear the heart as an above elbow tattoo or inside elbow tattoo.

18. Snowflake Tattoo

If you are willing to go with a playful, simple tattoo and that looks decent for this part of your body, look no further. The snowflake tattoo shares a beautiful feeling of newness and freshness.

Furthermore, the snowflake symbolizes rebirth, which might be the ideal feeling you want to share when having a fresh start in life.

You can choose an all-black model or some colorful snowflake that appears right in the center of your elbow.

19. The Circular Maze Tattoos

If you feel down and find yourself in a dark moment of your life but still want to move on, you can start by having a beautiful maze elbow tattoo to help you pass troubles.

Truth be told, circular maze tattoos are a trend nowadays, and one of the most appropriate places for this tattoo is the elbow part.

As the name already suggests, everything starts with a small circle, which goes further into a circular maze. This draw has a deep meaning, and it signifies the big changes in life and that we cannot have only rainbows and pinky thoughts to motivate us.

20. Cartoon Elbow Tattoo Ideas

Cartoons can be a huge way of expression. Furthermore, once you choose an elbow tattoo, you will have this unique sense of freedom, tenderness, and happiness. Whether you will choose to have an Ariel or Mickey Mouse tattoo, these tattoos are amazing ways of expressing your personality.

Elbow Tattoos: More FAQ

Q: How painful are elbow tattoos?

A: Knowing the amount of elbow tattoo pain is still one of the first questions people have. Well, inner elbow tattoo pain and above elbow tattoo pain can be quite strong, considering the needles will be so close to your bones.

This area does not have too much flesh and almost no fat. This means that you will feel the vibration of the tattoo machine as well as the needles.

The inner elbow tattoo pain is fairly more painful, as there are lots of sensitive nerves that run in this area, combined with the thin, sensitive skin.

The secret? Just have only happy thoughts and ignore the pain, as the result will be worthy. There is nothing to reduce this unpleasant feeling. You just have to remind yourself why you want the tattoo in the first place.

Also Read: Tattoo Pain Chart: What Is The Most (Least) Painful Place

Q: How to take care of elbow tattoos?

A: The steps are quite the same regardless of where you place the tattoo on your body. Be aware of the color route, and make sure you respect all the instructions from the tattoo specialist:

• Stay away from the sun
• Always wear SPF on your tattoo
• Wear long shirts
• If you notice any color changes, revisit the needles every few years

Also Read: Tattoo Aftercare Instructions: How To Take Care Of A Tattoo?

Q: What about elbow tattoo healing?

A: Well, here, things might be different. Elbow tattoos would usually take longer to heal due to their location. Moreover, you can expect some lack of mobility in the first days after getting the tattoo.

This part of the body takes time to heal, mostly because it is inevitably moving all the time. The elbow tattoos will heal in two or three days if they are well hydrated and washed.

Also Read: How Long Does It Take For A Tattoo To Heal: Step By Step Guide

Q: Are elbow tattoos likely to fade away faster?

A: As long as they are not cared for properly, yes, these tattoos might fade away faster. Make sure you will always wear SPF and hydrate the ink best in the first couple of weeks.

Q: Why Are Elbow Tattoos So Cool?

A: Tattoos are by far one of the best ways to express ourselves and bring a unique change to our body appearance. If you are looking for an attractive way to communicate non-verbally, then give yourself some uniqueness by trying elbow tattoos.

Although this placement area is not that common, it returns beautiful results, making it exciting and appealing. The elbows are also cool because they work ideally for different tattoo ideas, whether tiny or very detailed designs.

However, it would be ideal to choose those circular designs that will look outstanding on the elbow as the center of your inked drawing.

As such, every time you move your hand, the elbow tattoo design will be uncovered, and the world will see the beauty of your body art.

Final Thoughts

Now that you have some of the most exciting ideas for elbow tattoos, it’s time to finally draw your so-wished tattoo and show off your personality. Tattoos are those elements that will help anybody express what they feel, who they are, and what they have been through.

Although these tattoos can be a bit painful, the end results will totally worth every needle feeling. Don’t waste any time longer and make your appointment.

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