Top 49 Best Simple Tribal Tattoo Ideas 2021 Inspiration Guide

When most people consider the prospect of a tribal tattoo, the idea of large scale, highly detailed and elaborate body art immediately comes to mind, and for good reason. However, there are a lot of tribal tattoo ideas that factor in simple black ink tattoos, or small-scale designs made to fit contemporary locations like the wrist, hands, and neck. The following collection of top 49 best simple tribal tattoo ideas showcase that you can achieve versatility and variety in black ink designs. These examples provide inspiration for you if considering a tribal style tattoo piece.

1. Simple Tribal Tattoo Ideas for the Ankle Source: @tattoobypatu via Instagram Source: @andrey.frey_ via Instagram Source: @tattoobypatu via Instagram Source: @the_secret_tattooshop via Instagram Source: @tupactattooestudio via Instagram
2. Simple Upper Arm Tribal Tattoos Source: @carsonlittlepage via Instagram Source: @kaiyootattoo via Instagram Source: @pulubingbyahero via Instagram Source: @wesley.gouveia via Instagram Source: @jonytattoo_ via Instagram
3. Simple Tribal Back Tattoo Ideas Source: @geoff_sin_tattoo via Instagram Source: @tattoo_artist_joe_fj via Instagram Source: @tattoobypatu via Instagram Source: @yihxing96 via Instagram Source: @rizo.tattooer via Instagram
4. Simple Tribal Tattoo Ideas for the Chest and Side Source: @m_campbell12345 via Instagram Source: @manu_3occhio via Instagram Source: @tribal_tatau via Instagram
5. Forearm Tribal Tattoo Ideas Source: @americantattootarragona via Instagram Source: @goodman.tattoo via Instagram Source: @laineytattoo via Instagram Source: @sloweace via Instagram Source: @spc.tattoo via Instagram Source: @tattoobypatu via Instagram Source: @tribal12tattoostudio via Instagram Source: @vik_b_tattooer via Instagram Source: @colorofmysoul via Instagram
6. Simple Tribal Tattoo Ideas for the Hand Source: @alexan_tattoo via Instagram Source: @angelicapositano via Instagram Source: @khaqanstattoos via Instagram Source: @mr.inkwells via Instagram Source: @tribal_tatau via Instagram
7. Simple Leg Tribal Tattoo Ideas Source: @my_art_cuz_why_not via Instagram Source: @valentina_lakali via Instagram Source: @greghawkestudios via Instagram Source: @nanii_tattoo via Instagram Source: @teau_designs via Instagram
8. Simple Tribal Tattoo Ideas for the Neck Source: @kenex_tattoo via Instagram Source: @tatuaggidaclaudio via Instagram Source: @uenuku232 via Instagram
9. Simple Shoulder Tribal Tattoo Ideas  Source: @setharcane via Instagram Source: @tattoobypatu via Instagram Source: @tyttitattoo via Instagram
10. Small Simple Tribal Tattoo Ideas Source: @rebel_inks via Instagram Source: @tattoolagomera via Instagram Source: @vero_art_tattoo via Instagram Source: @zele.tattoo.piercing via Instagram
11. Simple Tribal Wrist Tattoo Ideas Source: @fmr.tattoos via Instagram Source: @gash_ink_tatts via Instagram Source: @hends_dyak via Instagram Source: @jerotattoo77 via Instagram Source: @sandip_uttam via Instagram

When most people consider the prospect of a tribal tattoo, the idea of large scale, highly detailed and elaborate body art immediately comes to mind, and for good reason. However, there are a lot of tribal tattoo ideas that factor in simple black ink tattoos, or small-scale designs made to fit contemporary locations like the wrist, hands, and neck. The following collection of top 49 best simple tribal tattoo ideas showcase that you can achieve versatility and variety in black ink designs. These examples provide inspiration for you if considering a tribal style tattoo piece.

1. Simple Tribal Tattoo Ideas for the Ankle Source: @tattoobypatu via Instagram Source: @andrey.frey_ via Instagram Source: @tattoobypatu via Instagram Source: @the_secret_tattooshop via Instagram Source: @tupactattooestudio via Instagram
2. Simple Upper Arm Tribal Tattoos Source: @carsonlittlepage via Instagram Source: @kaiyootattoo via Instagram Source: @pulubingbyahero via Instagram Source: @wesley.gouveia via Instagram Source: @jonytattoo_ via Instagram
3. Simple Tribal Back Tattoo Ideas Source: @geoff_sin_tattoo via Instagram Source: @tattoo_artist_joe_fj via Instagram Source: @tattoobypatu via Instagram Source: @yihxing96 via Instagram Source: @rizo.tattooer via Instagram
4. Simple Tribal Tattoo Ideas for the Chest and Side Source: @m_campbell12345 via Instagram Source: @manu_3occhio via Instagram Source: @tribal_tatau via Instagram
5. Forearm Tribal Tattoo Ideas Source: @americantattootarragona via Instagram Source: @goodman.tattoo via Instagram Source: @laineytattoo via Instagram Source: @sloweace via Instagram Source: @spc.tattoo via Instagram Source: @tattoobypatu via Instagram Source: @tribal12tattoostudio via Instagram Source: @vik_b_tattooer via Instagram Source: @colorofmysoul via Instagram
6. Simple Tribal Tattoo Ideas for the Hand Source: @alexan_tattoo via Instagram Source: @angelicapositano via Instagram Source: @khaqanstattoos via Instagram Source: @mr.inkwells via Instagram Source: @tribal_tatau via Instagram
7. Simple Leg Tribal Tattoo Ideas Source: @my_art_cuz_why_not via Instagram Source: @valentina_lakali via Instagram Source: @greghawkestudios via Instagram Source: @nanii_tattoo via Instagram Source: @teau_designs via Instagram
8. Simple Tribal Tattoo Ideas for the Neck Source: @kenex_tattoo via Instagram Source: @tatuaggidaclaudio via Instagram Source: @uenuku232 via Instagram
9. Simple Shoulder Tribal Tattoo Ideas  Source: @setharcane via Instagram Source: @tattoobypatu via Instagram Source: @tyttitattoo via Instagram
10. Small Simple Tribal Tattoo Ideas Source: @rebel_inks via Instagram Source: @tattoolagomera via Instagram Source: @vero_art_tattoo via Instagram Source: @zele.tattoo.piercing via Instagram
11. Simple Tribal Wrist Tattoo Ideas Source: @fmr.tattoos via Instagram Source: @gash_ink_tatts via Instagram Source: @hends_dyak via Instagram Source: @jerotattoo77 via Instagram Source: @sandip_uttam via Instagram

When most people consider the prospect of a tribal tattoo, the idea of large scale, highly detailed and elaborate body art immediately comes to mind, and for good reason.

However, there are a lot of tribal tattoo ideas that factor in simple black ink tattoos, or small-scale designs made to fit contemporary locations like the wrist, hands, and neck.

The following collection of top 49 best simple tribal tattoo ideas showcase that you can achieve versatility and variety in black ink designs. These examples provide inspiration for you if considering a tribal style tattoo piece.

1. Simple Tribal Tattoo Ideas for the Ankle

Source: @tattoobypatu via Instagram

Source: @andrey.frey_ via Instagram

Source: @the_secret_tattooshop via Instagram

Source: @tupactattooestudio via Instagram

2. Simple Upper Arm Tribal Tattoos

Source: @carsonlittlepage via Instagram

Source: @kaiyootattoo via Instagram

Source: @pulubingbyahero via Instagram

Source: @wesley.gouveia via Instagram

Source: @jonytattoo_ via Instagram

3. Simple Tribal Back Tattoo Ideas

Source: @geoff_sin_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @tattoo_artist_joe_fj via Instagram

Source: @yihxing96 via Instagram

Source: @rizo.tattooer via Instagram

4. Simple Tribal Tattoo Ideas for the Chest and Side

Source: @m_campbell12345 via Instagram

Source: @manu_3occhio via Instagram

Source: @tribal_tatau via Instagram

5. Forearm Tribal Tattoo Ideas

Source: @americantattootarragona via Instagram

Source: @goodman.tattoo via Instagram

Source: @laineytattoo via Instagram

Source: @sloweace via Instagram

Source: @spc.tattoo via Instagram

Source: @tribal12tattoostudio via Instagram

Source: @vik_b_tattooer via Instagram

Source: @colorofmysoul via Instagram

6. Simple Tribal Tattoo Ideas for the Hand

Source: @alexan_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @angelicapositano via Instagram

Source: @khaqanstattoos via Instagram

Source: @mr.inkwells via Instagram

7. Simple Leg Tribal Tattoo Ideas

Source: @my_art_cuz_why_not via Instagram

Source: @valentina_lakali via Instagram

Source: @greghawkestudios via Instagram

Source: @nanii_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @teau_designs via Instagram

8. Simple Tribal Tattoo Ideas for the Neck

Source: @kenex_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @tatuaggidaclaudio via Instagram

Source: @uenuku232 via Instagram

9. Simple Shoulder Tribal Tattoo Ideas 

Source: @setharcane via Instagram

Source: @tyttitattoo via Instagram

10. Small Simple Tribal Tattoo Ideas

Source: @rebel_inks via Instagram

Source: @tattoolagomera via Instagram

Source: @vero_art_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @zele.tattoo.piercing via Instagram

11. Simple Tribal Wrist Tattoo Ideas

Source: @fmr.tattoos via Instagram

Source: @gash_ink_tatts via Instagram

Source: @hends_dyak via Instagram

Source: @jerotattoo77 via Instagram

Source: @sandip_uttam via Instagram

                        What do tribal tattoos symbolize?                        

Many patterns in tribal tattoo style are drawn from nature, with the layered designs referencing the fishing, hunting and warrior lifestyle that sustained island peoples for thousands of years.  These different patterns are also associated with strength, good luck, feats of physical strength and spiritual guardians.  These tattoos tell the wearer’s story as well as working to bring them good luck and keep them safe in battle, although in modern times this deeper significance is not always as clear.   

                        Why should I get a simple tribal tattoo?                        

Simple tribal tattoos show insight into contemporary tattoo ideas, and how they’re changing tastes for all different styles of ink.  No longer do collectors look solely for large scale symbolic pieces, the interest can lie in doing smaller scale ink in more interesting places than traditional spots like the chest, thigh, upper arm, or calf.  By getting a small simple tribal tattoo it can be placed in areas such as the hands, fingers, on the neck or face (like the traditional Maori Ta Moko). 

                        Is it disrespectful to get a simple tribal tattoo?                        

Getting tattoos specifically linked to rites of passage or culturally significant events is usually not the type of thing you could get done if not naturally part of that culture, as it’s policed within the cultural and tattoo community.   For example, the Maori Ta Moko tattoo is strictly done by Maori only for Maori, however there are different tattoo art designs within the medium called kirituhi which are just as rich in tradition and meaning for non Maori. 

                        What do tribal tattoos symbolize?                        

Many patterns in tribal tattoo style are drawn from nature, with the layered designs referencing the fishing, hunting and warrior lifestyle that sustained island peoples for thousands of years.  These different patterns are also associated with strength, good luck, feats of physical strength and spiritual guardians.  These tattoos tell the wearer’s story as well as working to bring them good luck and keep them safe in battle, although in modern times this deeper significance is not always as clear.   

Many patterns in tribal tattoo style are drawn from nature, with the layered designs referencing the fishing, hunting and warrior lifestyle that sustained island peoples for thousands of years. 

These different patterns are also associated with strength, good luck, feats of physical strength and spiritual guardians. 

These tattoos tell the wearer’s story as well as working to bring them good luck and keep them safe in battle, although in modern times this deeper significance is not always as clear.   

                        Why should I get a simple tribal tattoo?                        

Simple tribal tattoos show insight into contemporary tattoo ideas, and how they’re changing tastes for all different styles of ink.  No longer do collectors look solely for large scale symbolic pieces, the interest can lie in doing smaller scale ink in more interesting places than traditional spots like the chest, thigh, upper arm, or calf.  By getting a small simple tribal tattoo it can be placed in areas such as the hands, fingers, on the neck or face (like the traditional Maori Ta Moko). 

Simple tribal tattoos show insight into contemporary tattoo ideas, and how they’re changing tastes for all different styles of ink. 

No longer do collectors look solely for large scale symbolic pieces, the interest can lie in doing smaller scale ink in more interesting places than traditional spots like the chest, thigh, upper arm, or calf. 

By getting a small simple tribal tattoo it can be placed in areas such as the hands, fingers, on the neck or face (like the traditional Maori Ta Moko). 

                        Is it disrespectful to get a simple tribal tattoo?                        

Getting tattoos specifically linked to rites of passage or culturally significant events is usually not the type of thing you could get done if not naturally part of that culture, as it’s policed within the cultural and tattoo community.   For example, the Maori Ta Moko tattoo is strictly done by Maori only for Maori, however there are different tattoo art designs within the medium called kirituhi which are just as rich in tradition and meaning for non Maori. 

Getting tattoos specifically linked to rites of passage or culturally significant events is usually not the type of thing you could get done if not naturally part of that culture, as it’s policed within the cultural and tattoo community.  

For example, the Maori Ta Moko tattoo is strictly done by Maori only for Maori, however there are different tattoo art designs within the medium called kirituhi which are just as rich in tradition and meaning for non Maori.