Among the most popular tattoo placement areas is the foot. This is most common among women as it is an area that is highly exposed and could be hidden when needed. Foot tattoos come in different sizes, angles and designs. It could be on the upper side, on the sides or on the back side under the ankles. Popular designs include mandalas, tribal designs, geometric patterns, minimalist tattoos and quotes.
Women and Foot Tattoos
While many men also choose this as a good place for their tattoos, this became more of a woman thing. Often, women choose a tattoo that enhances their aesthetics and signifies a deeper meaning that represents who they are. Most designs are delicate, sexy and feminine.
As with choosing the tattoo design, a placement that enhances the design and makes it look more feminine and sensual is often the choice for girls. Places such as the wrist, inner elbow, rib cage, shoulder blades, and the sternum tend to give off a feeling of femininity. The foot is the same.
Foot tattoos tend to make appearances through peep hole shoes and strappy heels. It’s a look many women go after and indeed, it makes them look more dominant and powerful while still playful and charming.
Perhaps the biggest reason why foot tattoos have grown incredibly popular is because of its versatility. Here are the most common foot tattoo designs you may have seen on the internet:
Mandalas – These are popular designs for tattoo enthusiasts, especially for women. It’s usually a circular image with geometric patterns and said to represent the universe. It is a spiritual and ritual symbol in both Buddhism and Hinduism. This is a gorgeous and delicate design that represents wholeness, perfection and balance.
Floral – Floral designs have long been associated with femininity. Up to this day, many women tend to get floral tattoos that best represent them as a woman or as a person. However, this design has gained fame even among men. Flower tattoos have different meanings, depending on the type of flower in the design. For example, a rose is primarily related to love and passion. Lotus is known for purity and resilience.
Quotes – Quotes are also among the top choices for tattoos. While quotes, in general, are a common style, the number of famous quotes from people, books, movies and proverbs are vast. It is easy to make your quote tattoo unique. Quotes can also be long or short so it can be placed on different areas of the foot. You can choose to have a long quote tattoo on the side of your foot. This foot tattoo looks delicate and stunning.
Geometric designs – These could make your tattoo look extremely unique. However, you would need creativity to make sure it looks different from other geometric patterns. Styles often include swirls and dots, lines, and shapes. Geometrical foot tattoos could either be on one side or matching. It could fill the top of the foot or a small, vivid design from the top of the foot to the ankles.
From significant numbers to map designs, there are more foot tattoo ideas that you can try out. These often have significant meaning and could be more than just a body décor.
Bubbly and jovial people could get a specific tattoo. The sunflower is known for symbolizing the sun and warmth. And what is often represented by sunny and warmth? Happiness! It’s perfect for people who are always happy and carefree.
Scholars, students, teachers, and those who love gaining new knowledge could also get a foot tattoo that best symbolizes them. They could get a blue lotus flower with a partially open petals. This is known to represent intelligence and wisdom. The partially open petals denotes the wearer’s willingness to gain new knowledge. Another symbol for wisdom is the owl. A small, simple owl foot tattoo could represent your love for learning.
Christians who want to show their devotion through their ink could just from several foot tattoos. One is a simple cross, the biggest symbol of Christianity. Another is the anchor. It was used as a way for Christians to hide the cross and avoid persecution during the old times. Until now, it is known as a symbol of faith and the Ultimate Sacrifice.
For those who love a carefree life, a flock of flying birds is the greatest choice. Flying birds are known to represent liberty and freedom.
Foot Tattoos for the Wanderers
“Wherever our feet takes us.”
You have probably heard of that before, especially if you love traveling and adventures. So, why not put your passion on your feet? It definitely makes sense. There’s a whole lot of foot tattoos that could represent your love for going places.
For travel lovers or wanderlusts, the best tattoos involve maps, compasses, transportation and famous country landmarks. For example, you can have a map of the world tatted on both feet. You can also have a specific region only; a place you have traveled to or wish to go to.
The compass, on the other hand, is a common symbol found in maps. It can be a simple corss with the directions on each end. Or, you can have the more complicated design: a star that represents each direction. While having one can denote your love for traveling, it could also signify guidance and seeking guidance.
Minimalists and travel lovers love famous landmarks as they can be easily drawn with lines and a little shading. Simple foot tattoos of Eiffel Tower in Paris, Statue of Liberty in New York or Mount Fuji in Japan could be good examples.
A simple design of a landscape is also a popular choice for travelers. It could either be the landscape of a city, with skyscrapers and buildings. Or you can have a minimalist tattoo of a mountain range. Apart from being a choice for wanderlusts, it’s also a good symbol for home if you choose a landscape of your place.
Couples getting a tattoo together symbolizes taking a step up for their relationships. Foot tattoos have become an ideal choice since they could match up their tattoos.
They could get half a mandala each and if they put their feet close together. it would look whole. Others tend to get a creative heart tattoo, with each of them getting half the picture. The Celtic knot is another image that you both can get. This symbolizes love and relationship.
If you are not really into those kind of couple tattoos, you could get matching but not identical ones. For example, your partner could get a sun foot tattoo while you get the moon tattoo. Another choice is the heart and key or a padlock and key.
Others tend to get a tattoo of significant numbers on their tattoos. You can have a tattoo of your birth dates, anniversary or the day you met.
The name of your significant other is a design most people in a relationship are likely going to get. But here’s a little advice: wait until you are sure that they are the one you are going to spend the rest of your life with. Remember, tattoos can’t be erased. So unless you don’t want to regret, don’t have it tatted on your skin.
Not all tattoos should be a total commitment. This is perfect for tattoo lovers that are not sure about what design to choose but want to try out a few. The answer is a temporary henna tattoo. This gives you the liberty of choosing any design as it could be erased in a couple of weeks or so.
Henna tattoos originated in Asia. It was popular on India, Pakistan and Middle East. In the past, it was used as a cooling agent to relieve people of the heat. As time went by, it was used for birthdays and weddings in these places.
The most popular of these traditions is the night when brides get together with their family and relatives. The night would be filled with games, music and entertainment, often rehearsed by the family for months prior the wedding. Multiple henna tattoo artists would then work on the hands and feet of the bride to create intricate patterns. Hand and foot tattoos would usually extend to their elbows or their knees.
Since then, henna has been used by many other tattoo artists for clients who only want temporary tattoos. Even men could now get temporary hand and foot tattoos. The designs created by tattoo artists for brides are also often the basis of many permanent foot tattoos.
Unlike most tattoos, the placement is extremely important for foot tattoos. Since we often use our feet, there is a fair chance the ink would ultimately smudge and turn your tattoo to a hot mess. Other placements could be extremely painful. Some places could easily fade especially when it rubs against your shoes most of the time.
That being said, not all tattoo artists would actually accept these kinds of tattoos for a number of reasons. Once you get a tattoo artist, you’d want to speak with them in terms of the places. Ask where they think the best place for your design is.
Nonetheless, the most popular choices are on top of the foot, on the ankle just a bit up on your show line and the side of the feet.
However, getting foot tattoos on top of your feet is going to hurt a lot. The lining is sort of uncomfortable but the shading will definitely make you grit your teeth. The skin on this part is thin and close to the bones so it will hurt a whole lot, especially when the needle goes back and forth the same areas. Nonetheless, the result could be breathtaking.
For You or For Them?
One of the problems with foot tattoo is whether you should have it tatted for you or for the people around you. What this means is should your tattoo be facing your or facing others? Getting one on top of your tattoo as well as places such as the wrist and hands deal with this situation.
A tattoo that faces you means that you got the tattoo for yourself. It is something you want to see always. Once you have it facing others, it could mean that you want them to know what your tattoo is all about. This is something you should totally consider.
You will have to be extremely committed to your foot tattoo once you choose to get one. Here are the most important things you should know before getting one:
- It is not ideal to get tiny foot tattoos. As previously mentioned, the ink could get smudged over time since we always use our feet. A small tattoo could ultimately loose its form and it won’t be able to share your story nor improve your looks. However, if you really want to have a small tattoo, a little above the ankles would be a safe choice.
- You shoe choices would be changed drastically. Your shoe choices would practically be limited to ballet flats and flip flops for the duration of the healing process. That means you won’t be able to wear closed shoes and heels for at least three months. It is best to get a tattoo when you can be comfortable in these footwear.
- Learn how to use sunscreen. While tattoos are permanent, its colors and intensity could fade over time, especially if it is exposed to the sun. Since the foot would be uncovered for months, you’d want to make sure your tattoo has enough protection. And do not stop even after it has completely healed. Aftercare does not stop after three months.
- Foot tattoos are more susceptible to infections since it’s so low on the ground. You will want to clean it regularly with mild and fragrant-free soap especially the first few days. Do not ever touch it with unclean hands and if possible, don’t let just anybody poke your tattoos. It’s also good to keep it moisturized with a fragrant and alcohol free lotion.
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