A back of the arm tattoo is a unique and refreshing piece of body art. It makes a surprising impact in an unexpected place, giving the wearer an air of intrigue and hinting at their imaginative and unconventional choices when it comes to their social appearance. Interestingly enough, the back of the arm has a considerable stretch of skin that starts from the shoulder all the way down to the wrist, so there are countless ways to design body art around this placement. But if you’re stuck for ideas, here’s a list of exciting back of the arm tattoo ideas that can give you a fresh artistic perspective and help you find the perfect concept for yourself. Keep scrolling to find out more.
8 Best Back of Arm Tattoo Ideas
With a stunning back arm tattoo, you can give a surprising twist to your personality. Not only will you look cool by thinking of a unique placement, but you will also leave a lasting impression in a room full of people. Get inspired by the designs below for a breathtaking back arm tattoo.
1. Back of the arm tattoo for women
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Floral designs are a common back arm tattoo design for women. The flower you choose to have etched onto your skin gives people insight into your personality traits. This tattoo features two peonies which symbolize wealth and happiness. It also represents a compassionate and honorable person. The peony is often considered a representation of femininity as it symbolizes elegance and grace.
2. Back of the arm tattoo sleeve
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A full sleeve tattoo covers the entire length of the arm and offers equally mesmerizing designs on both the front and back. You can integrate a back of the arm tattoo into your sleeve design by adding a centerpiece somewhere behind it. The trick is to make sure that this centerpiece fits well with the design of the overall sleeve so that it complements it well. This centerpiece can be something large or small, such as an important date or name, hidden within the design.
3. Back of arm tattoo above elbow
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There is something very captivating about a tattoo on the back of the arm that is placed just above the bend of the elbow. It is generally considered a painful place to get a tattoo and therefore getting one can convey that the subject of the tattoo is extremely important to the wearer. The tattoo above shows a simple tattoo of the number 7. This could be an important date, the month of July, the number of people in their close circle or family, or a lucky number. Instead of numbers, you can also get important words, song lyrics, or icons that mean something deep to you.
4. Back of the arm tattoo for men
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Men who work out their arms have a larger area of skin, making large tattoos look stylish and awe-inspiring. This tattoo features the tribal sun as the main element on the back of the shoulder. A set of tribal symbol columns are added to the design, making it look like a totem pole in honor of a mythological sun god. If you’re looking for something a little less symbolic, you can always choose your favorite sport or animal for a tattoo on a large space on the back of your arm.
5. Simple Back Forearm Tattoo
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When in doubt, keep it simple! If elaborate designs or multi-layered symbolism are too overwhelming, opt for something simple with minimal detail. This tattoo features an outline of a small cat, done on the back of the forearm. The focus of the tattoo is to look artistic, so the wearer will enjoy showing it off with rolled-up sleeves. If you like colors, go with realistic or fantasy colors, depending on your preference. Remember, as long as you like it, your tattoo doesn’t have to be a complex network of techniques and philosophies.
6. Small tattoo on the back of the arm for women
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A small tattoo on the back of your arm may seem like a waste of space, but given the narrower build of women’s arms, it can actually be a brilliant choice. Here, a single, small blackout star tattoo is etched onto the back of the arm. There’s no over-the-top pomp or circumstance about the design, yet it expresses the wearer’s interest in celestial bodies, mysterious magical powers, and the harmonious interconnectedness of them all. It also looks like a simple charm to draw attention to the wearer. Consider other similar icons, like a heart or a lock, for a subtle little piece of body art that you can connect with.
7. Back of arm tattoo with words
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There is no better way to convey a clear message through your tattoo than with words. This tattoo features the word “hope” in bold, capital letters. It shows the wearer’s belief in the good things that come after difficult times in their life. This tattoo can bring hope to bystanders who have given up on their circumstances or dreams. You can choose similar words, phrases, or song lyrics to express your beliefs and ideologies through your tattoo.
8. Flower tattoo on the back of the arm
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
Flower tattoos are aesthetically pleasing and come in a wide variety of styles, each with its own assigned symbolism. Their versatile meanings make them a common element in body art pieces. A flower tattoo can be a representation of the wearer’s birth flower, or a memorial to a loved one. A single flower can symbolize the wearer’s journey to blossom into the person they are. Additionally, you can get a garland or bouquet of flowers that can represent your family or special memories. This is one of the most naturally aesthetic designs you can get.
Back arm tattoos can instantly grab the attention of your audience, making them follow your every move and want to get to know you better. They are an easy way to brighten the day of bystanders. Even on the back of your body, these tattoos can speak volumes and express what words can’t. And if symbolism isn’t your thing, opt for simple elements that add a nice little charm to the back of your arm, making you look like an interesting and fun person to be around. Keep in mind that the elbow is one of the most painful places to get a tattoo. While that may be an alarming fact, the pain adds even more to your expression, hinting at the attachment you have to your tattoo. So scroll back up and take notes to come up with your own stunning back arm tattoo idea.
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Brik Rangel is a highly skilled tattoo artist with 12 years of experience in the field. She specializes in transformative tattoo makeovers and cover-ups. After honing her craft in São Paulo, Brazil, she now works as a tattoo artist and manager at Manhattan Tattoos in New York and as a tattoo artist at Divine Tattoos in New Jersey.
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Manjari is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over three years of experience writing across various niches including beauty, health, wellness, and technology. She first discovered her passion for writing in school and has been honing her craft ever since.
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Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hair and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these areas. She has 7 years of experience and her philosophy on hair and skin care is simple: if you love it and take care of it, it will be healthy.
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Joyce Joyson is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over a year of experience in creating short-form content for the beauty, fashion and lifestyle niches. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science and Geography from IIS University and a Master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kristu Jayanti College.
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