While the tribal tattoo was originally used to identify members of specific tribes, represent battles fought, and to serve as a form of camouflage, today tribal tattoos are a popular ornamental design. There are literally hundreds of different tribal tattoo designs offered by shops across the country.

Some of the most popular include abstract looking suns, butterflies, and flames. There are also the wildly popular angular styles of tribal tattoos, which look almost like black knives coming out of the skin in all directions. Some represent dragons, other lizards or other reptiles, and still other look like abstract wolves or tigers. Another popular tribal tattoo design is the Celtic design. Celtic knot work has become very widely chosen as the tattoo of choice. Many people opt to have a border with the tribal Celtic knots, and then initials or the name of loved ones tattooed inside the border.

Generally speaking, most if not all real tribal tattoos are done in black ink only. Thousands of years ago, people rarely used color in their tattoos, if at all. A true tribal tattoo is only black or outlined, with no use of color whatsoever. It usually takes on the shape of a symbol of some kind, which typically represents a much deeper meaning. However, a lot of people today choose various tribal tattoo designs simply for aesthetic reasons. The style has become wildly popular among celebrities as well. In just about every tattoo shop in America, you can find a huge selection of different tribal tattoo designs to choose from. The back and arms are usually the most common areas where people have them applied, but the ankle, calf, and chest are also used. This traditional method of applying ink to the body has been carried on today, and will likely continue for many generations to come.

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