Shins are oftentimes overlooked when referring to prime real estate for tattoos, but they’re beaming with the potential to look really cool. Between the awesome amount of surface area and the ability to be covered up when necessary, your shins are going to become your BFFs next time you schedule an inking appointment. Before you go with something small and simple, consider going all out and getting a shin tattoo.
Whether you’re a first-timer or getting your millionth tattoo of the season, you might be familiar with the notion that shin tattoos are extremely painful. Worry not, they’re worth the pain because they’re able to put the desired design front-and-center and they’re lovely to look at. Without further ado, throw a glance at some of the most spectacular shin tattoos we rounded up for you.
1. A floral shin tattoo
Starting with one of the most popular tattoo motifs regardless of the placement, floral tattoos are the way to go when you want to make a statement and attract attention. Whether you opt for your birth month flowers or work with your tattoo artist to come up with a design that will complement the shape of your shins, we’re 100% sure you’ll come out of the tattoo parlor with a smile on your face.
2. A brushstroke shin tattoo of leaves and vines
With a similar vibe, leaf tattoos are guaranteed to move with your body and make you feel like a woodland creature ready to take over the world. While you might want to keep your tattoo small and simple for the sake of pain, we do suggest you opt for a design that wraps around your legs and looks like a part of your body.
3. An ornamental shin tattoo
Ornamental shin tattoos are all the rage these days. Whether that’s because they’re purely decorative or because they’re super simple to work with, they’re one of the most sought-after tattoo motifs when referring to this tattoo placement. Ornamental shin tattoos might work wonderfully with your vibe, too.
4. A barbed wire heart tattoo on the shin
What about a barbed wire heart tattoo? Barbed wire hearts typically represent the notion that love hurts, but you might want to play with the fact that shin tattoos hurt, too. Whatever you decide to do, you can’t go wrong with a barbed wire heart tattoo.
5. A Cybersigilism tattoo on the shin
Recently, tattoo-getters seem to have started gravitating towards a style called Cybersigilism. Cybersigilism tattoos use technology, mysticism, and symbols to make creative, Y2K-inspired ink that emits quite a futuristic feel. What do you think?
6. A blackwork butterfly shin tattoo
Blackwork tattoos are perfect for people who prefer the bold, black tattoos that used to be popular “back in the day.” For example, this shin tattoo features a blackwork butterfly and barbed wire accompanied by blackwork nails and barbed wire on the other shin, too.
7. A detailed and delicate shin tattoo
What’s great about shin tattoos seems to be the fact that they offer you and your tattoo artist plenty of real estate to work with. Because of that, they provide you with the freedom to turn to whatever symbols and elements you want to make your tattoo stand out from the rest.
8. A geometric shin tattoo
Geometric tattoos are a great option to consider, too. Appealing to perfectionists, geometric tattoos are typically made with lines, circles, triangles, and geometric shapes that create a symmetrical and satisfying design. And that’s what makes this shin tattoo appealing to the eye.
9. A Greek mythology-themed shin tattoo
We’re obsessed with tattoos that consist of a myriad of elements that work wonderfully together. A Greek mythology-themed tattoo might be the exact thing you’re searching for, and that’s why you might want to save this one for your next appointment.
10. A tattoo of a dragon on the shin
Who wouldn’t want a dragon tattoo on the shin? Whether you’re still under the impression of Millie Bobby Brown’s Damsel or you simply want to commemorate your love of dragons, we suggest you opt for a detailed, delicate blackwork dragon tattoo on your shin.
11. A dragonfly tattoo on the shin
What about a dragonfly tattoo, though? Dragonflies carry an array of meanings, but they’re typically seen as symbols of positive energy, grace, peace, prosperity, maturity, purity, harmony, freedom, changes, adaptation, and patience – the list goes on and on.
12. Panther and leopard shin tattoos
We’re quite fond of shin tattoos that stretch over both shins. When you’re thinking of going all out, you might as well get a tattoo of a panther and a leopard on your shins. Panthers represent power, guardianship, freedom, and courage, and leopards represent strength, confidence, and fierceness. What a great pairing!
13. A neo-traditional shin tattoo
We can’t forget about non-traditional shin tattoos, either! Neo-traditional are similar to traditional tattoos but tend to have more complex color palettes and more variation. Traditional tattoos can look a little outdated, but neo-traditional tattoos seem to be on-trend still.
14. A tattoo of two snakes on the shin
Snake tattoos represent a myriad of meanings, but they’re typically seen as symbols of rebirth, transformation, or renewal. What makes snakes a great tattoo motif for your shins, though, might be the fact that they’re able to wrap around your legs and move with your body.
15. A shin tattoo of a snake surrounded by flowers
We’ve got another snake tattoo coming your way! A single snake tattoo can represent wisdom and knowledge, especially when combined with your favorite flowers. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you choose the right placement for your tattoo to ensure the design moves and flows with your body.
16. A tarot card tattoo on the shin
We’re seeing quite a resurgence of tarot card tattoos, aren’t we? When you want to get a tattoo that represents your ups and downs, your personality, and every what you’re all about, you might want to opt for a tarot card tattoo. Tarot cards represent different things, and that might be something you want to work on, too.
17. A tiger tattoo on the shin
A tiger tattoo on your shin? Absolutely!
Tiger tattoos are strikingly beautiful, but they’re much more than meets the eye. Tiger tattoos are packed with meaning, and they’re typically seen as symbols of power, pride, freedom, ferocity, sternness, and courage.
18. My Chemical Romance heart tattoos on the shin
My Chemical Romance enthusiasts, unite! A shin tattoo that embraces the lyrics of one of the most popular My Chemical Romance songs might be the exact tattoo motif you’re on the hunt for! What do you think?
19. A Grecian vase tattoo on the shin
Shin tattoos are truly wearable and versatile. Whatever tattoo motif you come up with, you and your tattoo artist can work your magic and create a work of art you’ve never seen before. A Grecian vase tattoo might not be at the top of your tattoo bucket list, but that needs to change ASAP.
20. A delicate and dainty ornamental tattoo on the shin
We can’t get enough of delicate and dainty ornamental tattoos, regardless of the placement. With a shin tattoo, though, you can go bigger and bolder without compromising the simplicity of lines, dots, and ornaments that come with ornamental tattoos. What a great concept!
21. An ornamental shin tattoo with snakes, ornaments, and a butterfly
Ornamental tattoos can be embellished with other elements, too. Whether you opt for snakes and butterflies or you come up with your own unique tattoo design, you can do wonders with an ornamental tattoo.
22. Detailed shin tattoos
We’ve got another detailed shin tattoo for you! When you take a closer look, you’ll notice motifs like a cat, a dagger, crystals, sparkles, olive branches, and leaves. While these elements might not make much sense together, they’re able to create a one-of-a-kind work of art, nonetheless.
23. A skull tattoo on the shin
What about a skull tattoo on your shin? Skull tattoos typically represent the fragility of life and the need to live life to the fullest, and that might be the one reminder you need to get out of bed every day.
24. A cherry blossom tattoo on the shin
Cherry blossom tattoos are elegant and effortless, right? Whether you opt for a more abstract cherry blossom tattoo (like the one in the picture) or a realistic one, you’re guaranteed to send a message with your tattoo.
25. A peony tattoo on the shin
We’re ending the article with a pretty peony tattoo! Whether you opt for peonies, roses, or dandelions, there’s no denying that a floral shin tattoo will make you feel like a million dollars.
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