In the interests of research and as an ongoing barometer of popular culture we have decided to provide you with a weekly update of the Top Ten Weekly Tattoo Designs Search.

You can access the archived weekly lists on this page.

The Top 10 Tattoo Designs, based on site searches ending 3/31/06.

1. Tribal tattoos/Haida - As a student of the traditional tribal tattooing practices of indigenous peoples around the world, the popularity of "tribal tattooing" with the general public both delights and saddens me. Most people don't have a clue about the origins or meanings of traditional tattooing in other cultures. But this very fact gives me hope. Curiosity is a wonderful, wonderful thing. I hope you find out some fascinating things about tribal tattooing on this web site! Please check out our Haida tattoo design links. The fact that Haida art is so popular makes me proud to be both from Canada and from British Columbia. If you want to see one of the last most beautiful places on the planet visit the home of the Haida people, Haida Gwaii (the Queen Charlotte Islands) and a World Heritage site.

Still number one from last week. accounts for nearly a third of all tattoo design search requests, and the term "tribal" of course covers an astonishing array of tattoo design possibilities, from the traditional tribal tattoos of indigenous and aboriginal cultures, to the latest in graphic design for the body.

2. Star/Stars/Star of David - Same spot as last week! Still number two. Stars are often encountered as symbols, and many cases the meaning of a particular star symbol may depend upon the number points it has, and sometimes the orientation of these points as well. As a light shining in the darkness, the star is often considered a symbol of truth, of the spirit and of hope. The symbol of the star embodies the concept of the divine spark within each of us. Their nocturnal nature leads stars to represent the struggle against the forces of darkness and the unknown. See the Nautical Star, a star with its own special meaning.

3. Cross/crosses - Tied with angels for the number three spot. Incredible to think that almost all of the top tattoo design searches this week have a powerful spiritual/cultural element to them.

For many people, the idea of a tattoo of a cross may well serve to smooth over any negative feedback they are receiving about getting body art. If you're a nice Christian boy or a girl, and you want a tattoo but don't want to be excommunicated by the local Baptists or tossed out the house by Mom and Dad and make Grandma wail, a cross tattoo seems like a positive compromise.

It testifies to personal faith, shows commitment and is a tough symbol to argue against. The cross may well be an artfully cunning manoeuvre for the Christian who wants to sport ink and cut off the body art opposition before they get to the pass! And for the members of the family who bring up the Bible as opposing tattoos, this will surely spark a lively, fun-filled family discussion about the scriptures - Leviticus And that can never be a bad thing. So turn off the television folks, and have a little talk about the meaning of life. If it was good enough for Monty Python, it's damn sure good enough for you.

3. Angel/Angels - From eight back up to three! Still a powerfully attractive tattoo design. An angel tattoo design is an overtly religious symbol. Angels are anthropomorphic - meaning in the shape of men - winged forms intended to transmit the word of God to humankind. Angels personify divine will and are the messengers of God. Winged messengers appear in a number of religions as intermediaries between the spiritual and material worlds, but appear most often in Islamic, Jewish but most particularly the Christian faiths. The word angel comes from the Greek 'aggelos', meaning messenger. Angels make frequent appearances in the Christian Bible, not only as messengers of God but also delivering his protection or punishment. Angels act as God's intermediaries, carrying out God's will in the affairs of man.

Symbols closely associated with angels in art include trumpets, harps, swords, sceptres and wands. Angels are usually portrayed as young men with wings and halos, representing their divinity. The representation of angels as Cupid-like young boys or babies, 'putti' did not occur until the period of the Renaissance.

As a tattoo design, an angel is a symbol of devotion, spirituality and faith and signifies a relationship with God. An angel can be intended as a figure of guidance and protection. An angel is often used as the centerpiece of a tattoo that is intended as a memorial.

4. Dolphin - Up from number six last time. An interesting appearance in the Top Ten. Maybe because spring break is coming up and hundreds of thousands of college-age girls are heading for the sun and the sun. The Greeks felt that dolphins were magical and would protect sailors who fell into the sea. Dolphins are also symbols of water and sensuality and the unconscious, the dream or spirit world.

5. Phoenix - Up two spots. Symbol of re-birth and re-incarnation - the legendary mythological bird of fire, is probably the most popular of all the rebirth and resurrection symbols. There are stories and fables that touch on the Phoenix myth in the ancient Middle East, India, China and the Greek and Roman Empires.

In the myth the Phoenix is an extraordinarily long-lived bird of great beauty and luxuriant plumage (often described as golden or red-hued), living five hundred years or more, a fact attributed by one early Jewish legend that the Phoenix refused to eat the forbidden fruit of Paradise. At the end of it's life the Phoenix would build a nest of aromatic twigs, set fire to itself, and be consumed in the funeral pyre of it's own making. After three days the Phoenix would arise from the ashes, reborn. The Phoenix was originally a symbol of the cycle of the rising and setting of the sun but over time evolved to become a symbol of human resurrection. On Roman coins the phoenix represented an undying Empire. In the early Christian Church the phoenix was a symbol of Christ's resurrection and everlasting life. The phoenix represented the victory of life over death.

As a tattoo symbol, the Phoenix can be found in many tattoo genres, but of the Far East in particular. It is a symbol of resurrection, rebirth and regeneration. It also represents purification and transformation through fire and adversity.

5. Wings - Only down one spot! Still in the Top Ten. Wings as a tattoo design can often have inspirational or spiritual symbolism. In many myths, wings often have to be earned by their wearer. Wings associated with angels are spiritual, symbolizing enlightenment, guidance and protection - to be taken under the wing - and inspirational. Wings, often associated with birds, represent speed, elevation, freedom and aspiration.
Wings associated with butterflies, dragonflies, fairies, mythological winged creatures like dragons, griffins, and the winged-horse Pegasus, have an element of the magical about them. As in alchemy and magic, wings can be transformational, allowing an individual access to a previously unattainable state. The presence of wings allows the combination of different elements, earth and sky, wind and fire.

6. Koi - Back in the Top Ten! Koi, or Carp, are a fixture of Japanese tattooing and play important roles in both Chinese and Japanese myths, legends, fables and stories. In many of those stories, Koi are transformed through their efforts and perseverance, able to climb waterfalls or become dragons. The Koi as a symbol represents perseverance in the face of adversity and strength of character or purpose. The Carp can also represents wisdom, knowledge, longevity, and loyalty.

6. Fish - Pisces looking for tattoo designs? See Koi above. The fish is a symbol of water, a symbol of dreams and the unconscious world. Fish are also symbols of Christianity and a fish carved in stone was a secret message letting other early Christians know that believers were in the area. Remember your Sunday school story of the loafs and the fishes? Jesus Christ performed a miracle, and was able to feed a multitude from a loaf of bread and a few fish. Henceforth, fish were powerful symbols of faith, and why some Christian denominations still eat fish on certain days of the week and during certain religious holidays. Faith and belief, powerful things. Like what your tattoo should be!!!!

7. Zodiac - Reappearing in the Top Ten. Searches for Zodiac symbols encompasses both the West and the East, with people searching for Zodiac symbols that represent both the classic Greek myths and the Chinese Zodiac, and even searches for Zodiac signs rendered in Japanese Kanji. A way of telling people something about who and maybe what you are and possibly about what you might believe in, what a concept for a mere tattoo design!

8. Letters - Possibly an indication that people are looking for different fonts -  to spell out important words and messages that people want to spell out on their body. Angelina Jolie, Pink and Lindsay Lohan are three celebrities who have spelled out what they believe in... A free Vanishing Tattoo DVD to the first correct answer of what these three ladies say with their body art!!!

This is NOT EVEN A TATTOO DESIGN!!!!!
9. But "back tattoos" was a Top ten search!!!!! Folks, you are not a customized Honda, Toyota or Chevy low-rider - what the Hell - maybe you. Who am I to rant and rave about what's right or wrong. If you're an eighteen year-old girl and you want a "California License Plate", knock yourself out. But please, for God's sake, and your own sense of self-respect, self-esteem, and sense of dignity when you are the ancient age of thirty - at least spend the time to find an interesting tattoo design that has some meaning and reveals something about yourself. Just for once, turn off American Idol for an hour, spend some time doing some research into tattoo designs and symbols and try to make a decision about getting a tattoo that has just a hint of profundity to it... Okay, it's true, I am begging here. But you don't get the kind of e-mails I do...

10. I have left the Ten Spot symbolically blank. This is a metaphor. An allegory for this piece. If you have to look up those words and concepts please do so. In the end, if you are looking for a tattoo design, if you understand metaphor, symbols and allegory, you will end up with a far, far better tattoo!

For great tattoo design ideas, check out our good friends at TattooJohnny.com

Alphabetical Listing of Tattoo Symbols & Designs
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