All about the tattoo on the leg
Leg tattoos - top and bottom, back or all over, thighs, legs or feet - are a popular choice for men and women. Regardless of the size of the ornament on the body, it can be easily hidden under clothing if necessary, and the variety of sketches allows everyone to find an option to their liking. An overview of the most beautiful and lightest tattoos with stars, flowers, inscriptions will help you better understand what kind of motives are in trend today.
Meaning
The decision to get a tattoo on the leg is often visited by people who do not want to draw too much attention to the presence of drawings on their bodies. Even complex patterns or miniatures look good here. Moreover, the play of muscles during movement literally enlivens the pictures, makes them especially attractive.
True, before a tattoo appears on your leg, it is worth reading with its semantic load. You should be especially careful with hieroglyphs or inscriptions in foreign languages - the word you like does not always mean exactly what it seems.
For men
Representatives of the stronger sex most often choose tattoos in the form of "sleeves" that cover the entire leg or only the lower leg and thigh. Patterns for men can be abstract, emphasizing the belligerence of nature or strength of character. Among the most popular stories with meaning are:
- eagle - a sign of independence, pride;
- eagle owl - mystical bird patron;
- compass with a wind rose - a symbol of travelers and people striving for change;
- scullreminiscent of the frailty of being;
- the waves, fish, mermaids as a sign of respect for the water element;
- tiger or lion - a sign of a leader, a predator.
Tattoos on the legs for men are an element of self-affirmation, so they try to make them catchy, bright, frightening.Here, the price is large-format patterns that require long-term application, complex multi-component ornaments.
For women
Girls choose the area of the legs to create a tattoo, wanting to emphasize their sexuality, add mystery to the image. A pattern that coquettishly looks out from under a skirt or shorts is quite capable of attracting the attention of the opposite sex, no worse than high heels. With the help of elongated patterns, you can visually lengthen the legs, change their proportions in the desired direction. Among the most popular options for patterns with meaning here are:
- flowers, symbolizing fragility and independence;
- moth - a sign of an easy attitude to life;
- snakedemonstrating the variability of nature;
- bird, denoting the desire for freedom, strong will;
- chains - an important amulet, a protective sign from unkind thoughts;
- hearts for lovers and lovers;
- feathers for creative people and easy-going girls;
- Zodiac sign.
Girls often try to choose tattoo designs that don't look too bulky or rough. Bold, creative and outrageous natures wear patterns on the hips, modest ones - on the ankles. Colored and complex images look good on the shins.
Trending sketches and styles
Light, interesting, bright tattoos for the whole leg or small ones in the form of inscriptions - the variety of sketches allows everyone to find their own solution for decorating the body. Unusual and cool drawings can be found among the current trends, simple pictures can be easily suggested by the master, and sometimes real photographs are taken as a basis. Belonging to a certain youth subculture also expands the possibilities for choosing a tattoo. The most interesting and relevant options for sketches are worth considering in more detail.
- Planets... Space-themed color tattoo looks great in watercolor technique. You can get by with the image of the Earth or create an entire universe.
- Fire... Drawings depicting flames are still found among primitive peoples. A torch with blazing flames is a sign of a pioneer. A bonfire is a symbol of the hearth.
- dream Catcher... Not one feather is depicted here, but a whole pendant with such elements. It is considered a powerful talisman in many cultures, it drives away evil spirits.
- Wings... A symbol of freedom, flight, creative development. Most often depicted on both legs.
- Cogwheels, springs and other mechanisms. They are applied to the lower leg from the back or front, to the entire leg.
- Footprints of a cat or other animal. They look interesting and stylish, and are often chosen by girls. The tracks may be black, but sometimes they are colored. A rabbit's foot is a sign of luck, a talisman for success and good luck.
- Starfall... The eternal symbol of dreamers. You can make wishes at least every day. Shooting stars can also symbolize a change in outlook.
- Playing cards and other symbols... A sign of gambling people who believe in luck. Occurs on the big toe or foot, thigh and ankle.
- Web... In a creative environment, her image is perceived as a sign of the creation of something. In men, the web is often depicted on the knee or lower leg, reflecting the manifestation of hunting instincts.
- Wire... A sign of limitations, lack of freedom, and sometimes a breakthrough through thorns to the stars.
- Crystal. Favorite symbol of girls and mystics. Considered as a talisman for the fulfillment of desires.
- A fish... Most often, a large color image of koi carp is placed on the back on the lower leg or on the thigh on the side.
- Bezel... It can be made in the form of a closed ring around the lower leg, thigh, or decorated with dots using the dotwork technique. Such ornaments can be found in Polynesian culture.
- Thorns... Warn about barbs of character. In the gothic and rocker subcultures, they are a symbol of rebellion against the foundations, a sign of disobedience.
- Flamingo... This beautiful bird perfectly emphasizes the beauty of the girl's legs. The bird is best done in color.
- Eye... Enclosed in a triangle, it symbolizes belonging to the Masonic lodge. The Eye of Horus is worn as a talisman against evil forces.
- Plants... Clover flower symbolizes good luck, lily of the valley - purity, poppies are used in oriental tattoos. A new trend in youth tattooing is the avocado, drawn in a comic book aesthetic.
- Animals... Most often on the legs there are images of wolves, tigers, bears, lions and other predators. Girls prefer pictures with puma, domestic cats, pandas, foxes. The inhabitants of the sea are also popular - the octopus is considered a symbol of wisdom, immortality, the turtle is a sign of longevity, the shark embodies strength.
- Insects... Images of bees and butterflies are especially common on the legs. The ladybug is considered a sign of good luck, the ant symbolizes hard work.
- Mythical creatures... Images of dragons and the Phoenix bird are most often applied to the legs. Girls choose pictures with fairies for themselves, and men with Egyptian sphinxes or griffins.
Initial letters, lettering and quotes are great choices for those who dream of self-expression. Such symbols always have a deep meaning for their owner.
It is worth thinking well about the style of the tattoo. For tattooing on the legs, it is customary to choose trendy styles or timeless classics that do not threaten to go out of fashion. These options include ethnic ornaments. Ancient pagan symbols or unusual elements belonging to one of the following styles can be easily selected:
- Celtic... Patterns in this style have characteristic knot details. They always tie all the elements into a single line.
- Indian... Here the ornaments are done in a crude, simplistic manner. May have tribal motives, Aztecs, Toltecs, Olmecs and other tribes.
- Oriental... It fully reflects the Eastern worldview. Chinese, Japanese, and other Asian symbols can be represented in the form of hieroglyphs, elements of the elements or symbols of the eastern horoscope, koi carps and dragons.
- Polynesian... This direction of ethnic tattoos necessarily includes images of simple symbols. The most commonly used spirals, waves, lines, rays radiating from the center of the picture.
- Scythian... It is characterized by ethnic motives with an animalistic bias. Images of bulls and other animals look impressive on the lower leg and thigh.
- Slavic... Pagan elements and symbols associated with the beliefs of ancient peoples are popular here.
In addition to pure ethnicity, which always looks good on the legs, styles that emphasize the beauty of the human body are in fashion. Adherents of the classics may well choose a tattoo in the style of old school with wide black outlines, catchy and bright colors. This is a good solution for a man, like blackwork, dotwork.
Laconic monochrome and geometric ornaments allow you to overlap old tattoos or remove defects in appearance.
Trending tattoo styles that are appropriate when applying an ornament to the legs also include the following options:
- Tribal... The style is considered a subspecies of Polynesian ornament. It uses elements of geometric patterns, paired and symmetrical details. Tattoos are mostly monochromatic, made in black.
- Lettering... A beautiful font and meaningful inscription often mean much more than the smallest details in a complex ornament. The art of lettering is used to create miniature tattoos on ankles, heels, and feet.
- Steampunk... The depiction of details and mechanisms in the context of the human body is one of the most popular modern trends in tattooing. Steampunk is great for creating images on the thigh, shins, feet.
- Engraving... Black outline tattoos that look like a print from the Middle Ages are gaining popularity. Usually, the scenes of real engravings are transferred to them, so the thigh is chosen for application.
- Abstraction... Intricate connections of geometric symbols and lines look good in both miniature and large format. On the legs, such monochrome images look quite attractive.
When choosing a tattoo style and design, it is important to strive for your own individuality. You can find your favorite sketches, but add something of your own, original and recognizable to them. Sometimes looking at a master's portfolio is a great help. If you like the style of the finished work, you can trust a specific specialist.
Much also depends on the location of the tattoos on the legs.
On the hip
This tattoo arrangement is an excellent choice for those who prefer large-format sketches. The thigh allows you to accommodate a large color or monochrome drawing, makes it easy to hide the pattern from prying eyes, even under light summer clothes.
On the shin
This area for tattooing is most often chosen by men. The lower leg is usually covered with a volumetric pattern that provides a visual increase in muscle mass. You can achieve a narrowing effect by giving preference to sketches that are elongated in length. In any case, you should carefully approach the search for the perfect ornament.
Ankle
In this area, miniature tattoos with deep meaning are often made. Lettering, abstract ornaments, small symbols are used most often. You can position the pattern both on the outside of the leg and on the inside.
On the foot
An interesting option for applying a tattoo, which allows you to make paired patterns related to a common theme or plot. Geometric ornaments, ligature or inscriptions look spectacular here. You can make the tattoo almost invisible under the shoes, or add accents differently by highlighting them.
On the knees
This area is one of the most difficult to tattoo. Ornaments here are stuffed extremely painfully, since there is no fat layer. Knees are covered with patterns only by the most dedicated fans of tattoos.
On heels
The main problem with tattooing here is that the skin is constantly renewing itself. Accordingly, the drawing will quickly lose its former clarity and brightness.... The exception is monochrome inscriptions, hieroglyphs or calligraphic elements. But do not count on an excellent result if little time is devoted to caring for the skin on the heels.
Having decided on the style and area of tattooing, you can start applying it. It is important that the master already has sufficient experience, successful examples of work in the desired technique. Then the result will be successful.
Care features
Tattooing the legs - thigh, lower leg, ankle - implies following the same precautions as in the case of any other intervention... Injured skin leaves painful sensations, looks like an open wound for a long time. Taking proper care of the tattooed area will help speed up the rehabilitation process. It is worth considering from the very beginning that the duration of healing is an individual matter. Much depends on the condition of the skin, its elasticity, and human immunity.
In addition, the less fat there is in the ornamental area, the more painful the procedure itself will be. Healing will also take longer, for example, a tattoo on an ankle will require longer care than on a thigh.
The basic rules and recommendations for those who first encounter a similar problem can be formulated as follows:
- Respect for the injured area. When a flaky and itchy crust appears on the tattoo after 1-2 days, it should not be ripped off or combed. This protective coating prevents pigment loss and is essential for normal skin healing.
- Thorough rinsing of the surface immediately after tattooing... The craftsman must make sure that there are no traces of lymph on the surface. After that, the skin is covered with a thick layer of dexpanthenol ointment. It will also be needed for subsequent care in order to relieve inflammation, eliminate skin peeling.
- Isolation of a fresh tattoo. It is covered with a disposable absorbent diaper or special dressing material. Secure with a plaster or mesh.
- Change of compress. It will be needed for the first time in 10-12 hours, then it will be carried out 2 times a day for 3-4 days. The tattooed skin surface is thoroughly washed, blotted dry, then smeared with a special cream or ointment.
- Follow-up care. As soon as the skin at the site of the tattoo is covered with a thin film, it is no longer covered with a compress. The remaining 7-14 days, the surface is simply smeared with baby cream or lotion. You can stop this procedure after 3-4 days if there is no feeling of tightness in the skin.
It is also worth considering some limitations.... Immediately after the session and before it, you should not take alcoholic beverages, pain relievers. It is worth excluding tanning in a solarium and in the sun 7 days before the tattoo is applied and for the same period after it. For 3 days, you will have to postpone visits to the bathhouse, sauna, swimming pool and gym. In modern salons, craftsmen use a film that is applied to the tattoo area immediately after the work is completed. It is not removed for 5 days. In this case, intense physical exertion, taking a hot bath, and damaging the film itself should be avoided. It should be removed by a master. Then it remains only to lubricate the surface of the tattoo with special regenerating ointments.
Whatever the general rules, the main thing should be what the master who is doing the work says. Following the recommendations of a specialist, you can achieve the fastest possible healing of the injured surface.
For any problems that arise during the month while rehabilitation is underway, it is also worth getting advice. This will prevent the possible development of inflammation.