While attitudes continue to change and the social stigma behind tattoos fades into the past, a hand tattoo retains a bit of its previous shock value. This is especially true for women.
The hand tattoos women choose to wear can say a lot about their personality and sense of style. for ladies that unafraid to show their love of ink to the world, a hand tattoo is a great choice.
From full color, to black and gray; realistic to surreal, whole hand tattoo design to to tiny tattoos, the hand tattoo designs for women in this collection show what is possible with a skilled tattoo artist and such a prominent canvas.
1. Animal and Insect Inspired Tattoos
Animals have been popular tattoo subjects for centuries and the natural world continues to inspire exciting tattoo designs. While butterflies are common elements in women’s hand tattoo designs, these charming insects are just the tip of the iceberg. As each tattoo artist here demonstrates, elephants, wolves and stag deer can all be incorporated into hand tattoos women can proudly wear for years to come.
2. Tattoos in Black and Gray Ink
n the hands of a skilled tattoo artist, black and gray ink can create some of the most unique and interesting designs. While it has become associated with the precise lines and realistic portraits of Chicano tattooing, a black and gray approach can be applied to any number of different styles and motifs.
Monochromatic rose and skull body art, illustrative linework and cute tattoos featuring abstract flower patterns are all on display in this collection of unique hand tattoo design ideas for women.
3. Exciting Full-Color Tattoos
Source: @ozartig via Instagram
For some women, vibrant colors are the only way to complete a beautiful tattoo and the visible tattoos here demonstrate just how exciting bright color ink can be when applied to body art. The different styles on display in this hand tattoo gallery also demonstrate just how much is possible when a skilled tattoo artist is on the case.
From cute tattoos inspired by cartoon animation, to fully saturated, neo-traditional tattoo inspiration, each hand tattoo in this collection demonstrates the artist’s talent and the wearer’s dedication.
4. Elegant Tattoos
Many women want their hand tattoo designs to incorporate elegant patterns and the pieces in this collection demonstrate the variety of different styles available to female tattoo enthusiasts.
Many of these pieces draw inspiration from existing patterns that highlight the elegance and grace of the feminine: patterns common in henna tattoo design as well pieces inspired by delicate lace are both expertly utilized in these hand tattoo designs.
Other pieces run up the forearm and take a more geometric approach that, while it is bolder and more striking, retains an elegance that is perfect for a woman’s hand tattoo.
5. Unique Finger Tattoo Designs
Source: @albertinodabologna via Instagram
Tattoos located on the outside of the finger have been common for decades, however, most of these pieces are not the classic prison tattoo letters normally associated with this ink placement.
Instead, the hand tattoos women wear in this collection take a much more subdued approach that is characterized by simple line work patterns and shapes, such as arrows or dotwork cross tattoo.
The overall affect achieved by this approach is quite striking, creating cohesive designs that are reminiscent of the tribal tattoo worn by traditional Bedouin women.
6. Flower Tattoo Inspiration
Source: @jangobruce via Instagram
Source: @normajeantattoo via Instagram
Another design element that has roots in the earliest days of Western tattooing, flowers remain as compelling today as they did a century ago. The hand tattoo designs in this collection demonstrate just how far flowers have come from the early days of tattooing.
Not constrained to American traditional roses-or even color designs for that matter-each hand tattoo in this gallery takes a unique approach that demonstrates the lasting appeal of flowers as subjects. Full color lotuses, black and gray roses and everything in between are represented here.
7. Tattooed Mandala Designs
A growing trend in the tattoo world sees artists utilizing clean lines and precise compositions to recreate interesting mandala designs that originated in Eastern religions. When applied by a skilled tattoo artist, these fascinating designs stand out for their balance and symmetry, drawing the observer’s eye into the center of the design. When these unique shapes and patterns are applied as a hand tattoo, the affect is even more dramatic, as these pieces demonstrate.
The growing interest Sacred Geometry and the spiritual significance behind these mystic shapes means that a black ink mandala hand tattoo design is a great choice for women who are in tune with the world around them.
8. Small Tattoos
Not everyone wants a tattoo across their entire hand. In fact, many people prefer their ink to be a bit more subdued, although even a small hand tattoo isn’t likely to go unnoticed when out and about. That being said, the designs in this gallery demonstrate just how appealing a small minimalist tattoo can be when applied to such a prominent location.
Few things walk the line between boisterous and subtle quite like a simple, linework diamond placed between the forefinger and thumb and, alternately, a simple bit of tattooed script work can serve as a daily reminder to breathe.
FAQs
Is it a bad idea for women to get a hand tattoo?
While much of the stigma surrounding visible tattoos has faded over the last twenty years, hand and finger tattoos remain somewhat controversial outside of a tattoo shop . However, for a woman that doesn’t care what anyone else thinks, there are few things more compelling than a unique hand tattoo. Badass and beautiful tattoo isn’t confined to gender norms, so rock the skull knuckle tattoos, or the phoenix bird tattoo, rather than the traditional feminine tattoo design.
One thing we recommend for any person looking, but unsure, about getting a hand, finger or wrist tattoo, is to try out a temporary tattoo first. A temporary tattoo on a visible area such as the hand or fingers can be a great test run for the perception, style, size, and placement of your tattoo idea.
How much do hand tattoos hurt?
How much a tattoo hurts depends on the amount of fat and muscle that provide the “cushion” for a tattoo needle. The hands have little fat and are packed full of nerves making them one of the more painful locations for a tattoo.
Do hand tattoos last?
While tattooing the back of the hand isn’t known for fading appreciably faster than other visible locations, ink on the sides of the fingers, palms of the hand, and knuckle tattoos are notorious for falling out and wearing away thanks to the constant use that these parts of the body are subject to.
Did you enjoy these examples of feminine tattoo ideas for the hand? Keen to check out more styles for unique tattoo placement? Click on the links below for more awesome tattoo inspiration: