“Should I get a tattoo?” has been a long-debated question, currently going on for more than a millennia. Even if it was perfectly normal for men to get tattooed, it was a strict no-no for women to do the same. Tattooed women were thought to be of bad character or belonging to lower classes, such as circus performers, runaways, or rebellious hippies. There have been circus performances in which tattooed women were exhibited, much to the awe, surprise, and a little backlash by the upper classes and nobility.
In the mid-20th century, the hippie culture started in Western countries, in which young women got tattoos as a sign of rebellion against the strict sexist and archaic views or the patriarchal society and a protest against many governmental and cultural wrongdoings such as the Vietnam War in the USA and the baseless stereotypes and injustice towards LGBTQ+ people. As the Eastern countries were Americanised, the art of tattoos as a sign of self-expression crossed the seas. Before that, Eastern tattoos were generally linked to a sense of belonging to tribes or castes or had religious and health significance.
Amateurs typically elect to get tattoos on their arms or legs, which are areas that can be covered easily with clothing. On the other hand, tattoo lovers start small and slowly graduate to bigger tattoos on their back and chest area, and sometimes even the face. Women generally get small and aesthetic tattoos on their wrists or ankles. Nowadays, many women choose to get bigger tattoos in areas with thinner skin such as the neck and ribs, as they generally have a higher pain tolerance than men.
Many women celebrities have spearheaded the tattoo movement, including Rihanna, Angelina Jolie, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Deepika Padukone, and many others. This has given a rise to women’s tattoos, significantly neck tattoos. Neck tattoos are said to be some of the most painful ones as they are located in areas with thinner skin and many nerve endings, but the pain is nothing when you get the opportunity to see the final design.
Take a look at this specially curated list of neck tattoos for women:
Religious Tattoo
Religious tattoos are a popular choice. The Christian cross symbolises the martyrdom of Jesus Christ and his sacrifices and love for humankind. Such tattoos are famous in countries with a high Christian population such as the United States and most of the European countries. The area behind the ear, where this tattoo is located, is a very good hiding spot as it can be covered by the person’s hair or with a shawl draped over the head.
Illusion Tattoo
This illusion tattoo with perfect shading and the beautiful use of the colour black makes one think that there really is a keyhole at the back of the neck of this person! It can also be turned into a couple tattoo, in which your significant other can have a key tattoo as if they are the one who knows your deepest secrets and fears. Doesn’t this design remind you of a horror movie with clockwork dolls?
Snowflake Tattoo
This tattoo inspired by the Disney movie Frozen features three snowflakes at the base of the neck. Snowflakes are known to be a sign of uniqueness, as no two snowflakes have the same structure; purity, as when they melt, they turn into clear water; fragility, dues to its short life and delicateness; and the divine beauty in nature. So, if you’re still not sure about getting a tattoo, let go of all your apprehensions and get this beautiful watercolour tattoo!
Choker Tattoo
This fabulous tattoo for women is created in such a way that the wearer does not have to wear a necklace. This is a good option for those who are allergic to the metals used in jewellery or those who cannot be bothered to wear new jewellery coordinated with all their clothes!
Star Tattoo
This star tattoo on the nape of the neck holds a lot of meaning in various cultures around the world. An eight-pointed star is a symbol of Goddess Lakshmi in Hindu mythology and represents eight kinds of wealth: victory, patience, health, knowledge, nourishment, prosperity, mobility, and riches. Stars are often regarded as protective symbols and points of divinity, and are also the subject of, arguably, the most famous English nursery rhyme!
Floral Tattoo
This floral design starting from the neck and going down towards the shoulder is an evergreen design. This tattoo can be disguised by wearing either turtleneck or collar shirts or even by the person’s hair. The black shading in the design gives it an almost 3-D view. You can add colours to the design, but many prefer their design to be simple and have less colour noise.
Travel Tattoo
This tattoo of the continent of Africa is both a homage to the person’s home continent and a traveller’s dream destination. The continent has a variety of people from all countries and cultures, and this tattoo is a sign of reverence to them and the various wildlife animals who have made a home in this continent. Women prefer to get ‘wanderlust’ tattoos, and this neck travel tattoo is a very fine example of this category.
Zodiac Neck Tattoo
This zodiac tattoo features the eighth astrological sign, Scorpio. Scorpios are supposed to be determined, ambitious, honest, brave, and loyal. It is typically seen that women follow the Western notions of astrology in-depth, and hence many of them choose to get their zodiac signs tattooed on their bodies. It is also said that if a symbol is tattooed and made permanent, its positive and negative connotations become concrete and tangible, so choose your tattoo carefully.
Music Tattoo
Music is a very important part of a human’s life, even if they are divided by geography or cultures. This tattoo of a treble clef shows that the person loves music, along with all its different genres and styles. The subtle white ink in the tattoo gives it an almost 3-D look.
Many women love to get neck tattoos, as they highlight a part the person likes most on their body. The canvas of that area is challenging too, and hence it gives an edge when they wear their tattoo in public. If you want to get a similar tattoo or one that is customised as you want, visit the Aliens Tattoo Studio website and fill up the consultation form for a free consultation session with our tattoo artists!
Image Sources:
https://www.thetrendspotter.net/neck-tattoos-for-men/
https://www.inkme.tattoo/neck-tattoos/
https://www.piercemeup.com/neck-tattoos/
https://tattoosme.com/neck-tattoos/