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Home Tattoos 101 Best Traditional Hand Tattoo Ideas That Will Blow Your Mind!

101 Best Traditional Hand Tattoo Ideas That Will Blow Your Mind!

by Jamie Wilson
Traditional Hand Tattoos

Traditional arts and designs have a special charm of their own. Keep on reading to find out about beautiful traditional hand tattoo designs!

Traditional Hand Tattoo
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The decision to get tattooed for the first time is one of the most important decisions ever and also the consequences of this decision will last your lifetime. 

One of the most significant parts of the human body is the hand.

Everyone’s body works beautifully as a canvas, therefore you can always use it as a means to celebrate your life experiences and journeys by applying your favorite artworks to your skin. You can choose everything from delicate and subtle to colorful and meaningful patterns and designs to adorn your hands. To answer your questions about what is a traditional hand tattoo, it is simply the honoring of the heritage of the art form which provides you with a tattoo that has significant symbolic meaning in the tattoo history. They have been widely accepted for a very long time. The traditional tattoo design has evolved organically through time while maintaining its roots. Since a tattoo is meant to last a lifetime, it is understandable that early painters based their designs on symbols. 

Here are the top ten of the greatest hand tattoo ideas to get you inspired.

Tiger Tattoo

Tiger Tattoo ideas
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One of the most common American traditional tattoos includes tiger tattoos. Tigers are revered as the jungle’s lords. These majestic animals are admired for both their aesthetic beauty as well as their ferocity and strength. Tigers, which are officially the national animal of India and are said to have originated in China, are also well-represented in the history and mythology of many Asian countries. In Chinese iconography, the tiger represents “energy, majesty, generosity, and light,” as well as “dignity, fury, courage, and the Chinese Yin energy.” Tigers are also revered as guardians of the deceased, assisting in their transition and bringing them comfort.

The tattoo depicts a roaring tiger with its teeth bared and looking fiercely at the person in front of it. The tattoo artist has done a terrifiic job of etching the tattoo onto the person’s hand with acute precision and beautiful shading is done to give it more of a 3d feeling. The tattoo is done in black and white ink and has some grey hues.

Beautiful Sailor Jerry Tattoo To Commemorate Sailor Jerry’s Day

Beautiful Sailor Jerry Tattoo To Commemorate Sailor Jerry's Day
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Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins is considered to be the father of old-school tattoos in America. About forty years ago he opened his first tattoo parlor and started his tattooing business in Honolulu. Sailor Jerry tattoos are one of the most popular classic tattoos and are a staple in American traditional tattoo designs. Sailor Jerry’s tattoo art has become a symbol of American society. S.J. Day, which honors the fearless sailor, is celebrated on June 12. Sailor Jerry-style tattoos feature vivid colors and rigid shapes and precise shading to give them more of a 2d look.

The tattoo in the image features a girl, who is encapsulated in a red heart dripping with blood, with a lit match in her hand. There is a design of a nautical star above the tattoo as well. The entire tattoo has been done in vivid colors with bright orange and red and beautiful charcoal black.

Traditional Tribal Tattoo Inspired By Solomon Island Patterns On Both Hands

Traditional Tribal Tattoo Inspired By Solomon Island Patterns On Both Hands
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The Solomon Island tattoo forms are known for their intricate patterns and distinctive thick ink blocks called ‘taukuka’ styles. The tattoos symbolize their faith in their roots and identities alongside the neighboring island of Bellona and Rennell. Did you know, that the top tattoo artist within the Solomon Islands is named Boland Green Kaituu, a mataisau (which means tattoo artist) from Bellona?

After the fall of the democratic government in the Solomon Islands, the church took over the control of the islands. According to Christianity, the human body is considered to be a sacred temple, and the church put a ban on tattoos of any sort. The islanders protested vigorously because tattoos are a very important part of their culture, and along with time they finally gained the freedom of tattooing again.

The beautiful tribal tattoo in the image is done with black ink and amazing shapes and patterns. You can choose to do this tattoo on one hand or both hands as well.

Traditional All-seeing Eye Tattoo Alongside Some Majestic Tribal Designs

Traditional All-seeing Eye Tattoo Alongside Some Majestic Tribal Designs
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Many historical symbols are seeing a resurgence in popularity in today’s modern times. Tattoos like the all-seeing eye are frequently used in various corporate logos, clothing brand designs, and obviously on people’s skin. Thanks in part to its enigmatic origins rooted in occultism and old wisdom in the past, this pattern has fast become the most famous ancient symbol among many others.

This all-seeing eye sign, sometimes also known as “the Eye of Providence,” is frequently shown as an eye enclosed within a triangle or pyramid with rays going outwards from all sides of the eye. The all-seeing eye tattoo is a straightforward yet potent symbol that may be readily adapted to fit any tattoo design. It functions beautifully both on its own and as a strong symbol inside a larger tattoo.

The tattoo in the image features a beautifully inked eye and instead of rays going in all directions, there are some tribal designs in the background of the eye tattoo.

Matching Traditional Polynesia Tattoos On The Hand For Best Friends Or Couples

Matching Traditional Polynesia Tattoos On The Hand For Best Friends Or Couples
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Polynesian tattoos signify strength, protection, and guidance. They are also a symbol of survival and adaptability in various cultures around the world. When you choose to do a matching tattoo with someone else, you not only share the tattoo and the meaning of it but also the promise. You have to keep the pact between you alive as you permanently mark yourselves to remind you of the promises you made to one another and honor it through the tattoo.

The tattoo in the image depicts Polynesian flowers with some tribal art in the shape of a throwing star. The tattoo encompasses the back of the hand and utilizes the area from the wrist to the thumb and index finger’s base. The tattoo is done in black ink, but you can choose to do it in color if you really want to.

Traditional Doodle Art Inspired Hand Tattoos

Traditional Doodle Art Inspired Hand Tattoos
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Doodle art patchwork tattoos are the newest craze among aesthetical tattoo fanatics. These kinds of tattoos have been traditionally done to bring all the small things together and make a big picture. They also look very sweet and personal in the hands of the wearer.

The tattoo in the image depicts a horse and below the horse, there is a house with a chain-link at the bottom. There are also some number cubes at the side, alongside a swooping bird. There is also an ink of a red heart being stabbed by a sword held by hand and dripping blood at the upper corner of the whole tattoo. This tattoo is beautifully done in various colorful ink, like red, white, green, grey, and many others.

Artistic Roaring Black Bear Tattoo

Artistic Roaring Black Bear Tattoo
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One of the most attractive animals on earth, bears have amazing significance and look fantastic as tattoo symbols. The bear serves as an immediate bridge between people and the environment. It is a strong and powerful emblem of untamed beauty, grandeur, and natural elegance. It’s one of the few species of creatures that most people connect with in only their first encounters.

The tattoo artist has done an impressive job of giving the tattoo a nice beautiful look with great shading using black and grey colors with reds mixed in the ear and the mouth area to give it more of a ferocious look. The artist has used orange for the eye to really make it pop.

Traditional Hand Tattoo Of Devil

Traditional Hand Tattoo Of Devil
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Of all the iconic tattoo designs in tattoo history the best is the devil. The devil might just be a symbol of evil; it doesn’t always relate to a red guy with horns. This type of emblem can serve as protection against demons or the devil by driving them away. It may display a naughty side to you or a rebellious mindset. You can also choose to tattoo demons and devils alongside an angel or a lady tattoo, often thus signifying the harmony of good and evil.

The tattoo in the image is of a side view of a devil with its snake’s tongue out toward the thumb. The design has a lot of detailed elements in it, so attention to detail is a must while tattooing.

Traditional And Colorful Clown With A Hat Hand Tattoo

Traditional And Colorful Clown With A Hat Hand Tattoo
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The typical clown now has a completely new context thanks to horror films. These tattooed jesters are obviously not popular among the men and women who opt to have them. Those that use clowns in their artwork place a specific symbolic significance on them. Tattoos of clowns—whether happy, sad, ominous, wicked, or evil—are always memorable.

Clown tattoos might be connected to a variety of meanings. Depending on the tattooed variety, the meanings may vary. But keep in mind that your tattoo ultimately represents anything that you want it to.

Traditional Butterfly With Flowers Tattoo

Traditional Butterfly With Flowers Tattoo
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Your individuality may really shine through with a butterfly and flower tattoo, especially if you’re feminine and beautiful. Floral butterfly tattoos represent peace and purity, and occasionally they can hint at the wearer’s appreciation of the natural world.

This tattoo in the image encompasses areas of the wrist and the back of the hand.

Apart from the top ten traditional hand tattoos, here are some more options to help you choose your favorites:

  • Panther tattoo done in bold lines
  • Traditional style tattoos of different cultures
  • Hand tattoos for men of other styles of traditional tattoos
  • Traditional skeleton hand tattoo

feature image from Pinterest

What is a traditional hand tattoo?

A traditional hand tattoo is a style of body art that dates back centuries. It usually consists of bold black lines and shapes, arranged in an intricate pattern, often with floral motifs or geometric designs. This type of tattoo is seen most often on the hands and wrists, but it can also be found covering larger parts of the body such as the arms, legs and back. Traditional hand tattoos are highly symbolic and often have a deep spiritual meaning associated with them. In some cultures, they also signify belonging to a particular social or religious group. The process of getting one of these tattoos is quite involved and requires the skill of an experienced artist. While there are some modern variations on traditional hand tattoos, the classic style remains popular today.

What is the history of traditional hand tattoos?

Traditional hand tattoos have been around since ancient times, with evidence of them found in cultures such as the Polynesians, the Ainu of Japan and even in North America. The meaning of these designs varies depending on the culture; for example, the Ainu used them to ward off evil spirits, or to commemorate a special event. As the practice of hand tattoos spread across the world, they began to take on different meanings and become symbols of faith or social status. In more recent times, traditional hand tattoos have become a popular form of expression for many people around the world.

How painful is a traditional hand tattoo?

Getting a traditional hand tattoo can be quite painful, as the skin of the hands is sensitive and there are many nerve endings in this area. The amount of pain experienced depends on the individual’s pain tolerance, but it is usually described as feeling like a burning sensation or sharp pinpricks. The experience may also become more uncomfortable if multiple lines or shading are involved. In general, though, the discomfort is usually manageable and fades after the tattoo is completed.

How much does a traditional hand tattoo cost?

The cost of a traditional hand tattoo can vary depending on the complexity and size of the design. Smaller tattoos may cost around $50 to $100, while larger pieces could be anywhere from $200 to $500 or more. Other factors that affect the price include the experience of the artist and the number of colors used in the design.

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