A certain category of tattoos is incorporated or installed by individuals to display the edgier side of their personas, which is where barbed wire tattoos come in. The steel-based wire that is typically wrapped into a pair is mainly used for preventing the act of trespassing in most cases, but it also has quite the following in the world of tattoos.
Barbed wire tattoos are easy to create, simple to wear, and have the ability to drop multiple hints at once. Although getting them installed as a means of body modification was quite controversial during its early days as a tattoo, a barbed wire tattoo is currently known for its influence in the beauty industry and glorified for its compatibility with the stencil of other tattoos.
Be sure to keep tabs on the following materials in this article to acquire knowledge of the popularity, symbolism, and various designs in the world of barbed wire tattoos!
Contents
- The Layers Behind The Meaning Of Barbed Wire Tattoos: Power, Strength, Courage
- Barbed Wire Tattoos During Their Formative Years
- Current Status In Pop Culture: Are Barbed Wire Tattoos Back In Business?
- Exemplary Barbed Wire Tattoos That Shouldn’t Be Taken For Granted!
- Heart Barbed Wire Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Arm Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Cross Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Wrist Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Tattoo Sleeve
- Simple Barbed Wire Tattoo
- Traditional Barbed Wire Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Rose Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Neck Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Butterfly Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Hand Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Knee Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Leg Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Finger Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Face Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Thigh Tattoo
- Small Barbed Wire Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Elbow Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Chest Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Ankle Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Knuckle Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Cover-up Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Flower Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Ring Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Spine Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Skull Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Shoulder Tattoo
- Barbed Wire Tattoos: Setting Realistic Expectations With Visuals
- Bottom Line
The Layers Behind The Meaning Of Barbed Wire Tattoos: Power, Strength, Courage
On the outside, a barbed wire tattoo comprises minimal components that aren’t always intriguing to glare at. However, that aspect rarely hampers the way tattoo enthusiasts perceive barbed wire tattoos, as most of them contain deep and flexible layers of meaning within the artwork.
Associated with courage, power, and strength, a barbed wire tattoo is known as a ray of sunshine in the world of body modification. The tattoo goes above and beyond to be there for those battling addiction, going through hardship, or mourning the loss of a loved one. Additionally, the tattoo is acknowledged as a source of motivation in the eyes of those working towards a substantial goal.
Through the lens of many, a barbed wire tattoo is also seen as a connoisseur of love. Those that follow that mantra often typically express their narrative to the world by creating heart-shaped barbed wire tattoos around delicate areas.
Barbed Wire Tattoos During Their Formative Years
The sketch of a barbed wire made its way into the world of tattoos during the 70s or 80s, but its journey didn’t really get off to a good start.
Back in the old days, barbed wire tattoos were mostly found on prisoners, where each wire represented the timeframe of one’s jail time. For that matter alone, barbed wire tattoos were blackballed from the fashion scene, a move that indefinitely tainted its reputation and put a cap on its potential.
Current Status In Pop Culture: Are Barbed Wire Tattoos Back In Business?
Barbed wire tattoos continued struggling to make their mark in the fashion scene decades after their launch, but it came to a halt when noteworthy figures in pop culture like Pamela Anderson got ink of barbed wire around her left bicep. The bold move was perceived to be groundbreaking in Hollywood as well as for barbed wire tattoos, propelling the artwork to stardom.
The sky seems to be the limit for barbed wire tattoos in the present day, as multiple noteworthy celebrities are proud representatives of the design. Post Malone seems to have a barbed wire tattoo around his hairline, while Travis Barker has a skull tattoo around his kneecap framed and held together by a barbed wire tattoo.
Barbed wire tattoos are also dominating the category of feminine tattoos at the moment, thanks to Dua Lipa and her forearm tattoo of a heart-shaped barbed wire!
Exemplary Barbed Wire Tattoos That Shouldn’t Be Taken For Granted!
Now that you’re aware of what they stand for, how they were perceived during their formative years and the influential figures who allowed the design to rise to prominence, it’s finally time to take a look at the series of adaptations under the belt of a barbed wire tattoo.
From fine-line tattoos to blackwork tattoos, a barbed wire tattoo comes in many forms. Since the dimensions are also quite flexible, a barbed wire tattoo can be placed anywhere without being a liability. Be sure to skim through the following entries to learn how wonderful barbed wire tattoos can be in practice!
Heart Barbed Wire Tattoo
The frontrunner in the category of barbed wire tattoos is a heart-shaped barbed wire tattoo, which got its breakthrough quite early. The graphic typically composes a series of barbed wires meshed into a heart-shaped pattern, which stands out exceptionally in contrast to the silhouettes of the other entries.
A heart-shaped barbed wire tattoo has ties with strength, power, protection, and courage, just like every other variant that qualifies as a barbed wire tattoo. However, it mostly revolves around love, making it a fan-favorite design for those learning and practicing the act of self-love and self-care.
The design is definitely at the top of the food chain now, but it tasted success for the first time in 2018, when award-winning musician and model Dua Lipa got a barbed wire tattoo in the shape of a heart around the upper half of her left forearm.
Barbed Wire Arm Tattoo
A barbed-wire has been a tattoo trend for decades and initially got its start as an arm tattoo. The wires were either placed around the lower half of the arm, preferably the forearm, for displaying larger designs, or the bicep, which is definitely the better region to rely on.
When placed around the biceps, the structure of barbed wire looks more natural. Since the area contains tons of fat and meat, the pain endured by any needle feels minimal and painless, making it the top pick for sensitive skin.
The design definitely lacks size, but it can still be created in various ways. One can install it with the attributes of a fine-line tattoo but can also resort to a classic sketch to make the impression more nostalgic.
Barbed Wire Cross Tattoo
Connecting with religion is easy with a barbed wire tattoo, especially if you pair the design with the likes of a cross tattoo. The visuals may seem unnatural if placed incorrectly, but the power of its metaphoric value can’t be replicated by many.
A common stencil of this design comprises a series of barbed wires that are tightly wrapped around the area of placement, which is typically the forearm due to its spaciousness. Between a pair of barbed wire lies a cross in the form of a blackwork tattoo or a black and grey tattoo, which can be something to behold, to say the least.
Barbed Wire Wrist Tattoo
For displaying compact layouts and illustrations of barbed wire, take into account the potential of the wrist.
While the area barely allows any room for readjustments, a barbed wire wrist tattoo can be a good option for beginners and minimalists. The sketch comprises a multi-dimensional barbed wire graphic, which can be paired with supporting emblem tattoos to cover extra ground.
Maintaining the paint job of this tattoo should be easy, as it only requires bi-monthly touch-ups. The procedure, on the other hand, could be full of agony, as the wrist comprises multiple nerve endings.
Barbed Wire Tattoo Sleeve
If you’d like to reward your body with a barbed wire tattoo that can be altered and changed until eternity, incorporating it into a sleeve tattoo can be an ideal notion to consider.
A sleeve tattoo is often known for being time-consuming and hectic to obtain, but it could work wonders if you install the patterns of barbed wire.
The tattoo won’t just look crystal clear and bring forward the least amount of pain, but it will also leave tons of gaps in between that your creative mind can take advantage of.
Adding symbols that you associate with can be a good way to make the sleeve tattoo more relatable. However, if you’d like to establish a different impression, try partnering it up with complimentary tattoos.
Simple Barbed Wire Tattoo
Since their groundwork is pretty basic, you can obtain barbed wire tattoos in a relatively simple way. The size looks best when kept small, and the ink looks aesthetically pleasing when created with a single-tipped needle.
To add to the tattoo’s visuals, incorporate a script tattoo underneath or on top of the illustration. You may also add symbols of tattoos that feel and carry the same energy as barbed wire tattoos. Place it on a delicate surface, however, as that’s where it usually stands out the most!
Traditional Barbed Wire Tattoo
If you gravitate towards visuals that seem old-fashioned but contain flashy components, a traditional barbed wire tattoo will definitely suit you. It contains a barbed wire tattoo, for sure, but it has tons of additional elements to highlight the flexible role of the sharp tattoo in a detailed piece. The tattoo can feel like a maze to many spectators, as it features a vibrant paint job that only a handful can fathom.
Despite being larger than most variants on this list, a traditional barbed wire tattoo can be implemented anywhere. However, when aligned with the preferences of the wearer, a traditional barbed wire tattoo typically rises above the rest.
Barbed Wire Rose Tattoo
Due to being associated with love, a barbed wire tattoo seems to pair well with symbols with an impressive series of mind-boggling designs. However, when push comes to shove, none compares to the duo of barbed wire and a rose!
As its name suggests, a barbed wire rose tattoo contains a graphic featuring a rose and a barbed wire. Many allow the barbed wires to act as silhouettes of the rose, while the rest install it at the lower half of the rose to convey the dangers of a rose’s thorn.
The perfect location for this tattoo lies in the circumference of the forearm, which can be a good area if you’d like to hide the tattoo at your regular 9-5. However, many also incline towards an ankle tattoo or a collarbone tattoo, both of which highlight the elegance of a barbed wire rose tattoo on a sublime level.
Barbed Wire Neck Tattoo
A compact imprint of a barbed wire tattoo can be added anywhere but usually stands out when placed behind the neck, which can be an excellent way to boast about the visuals.
The area behind the neck is exquisite and appealing, which is in sync with the beauty of barbed wire tattoos. However, the region is extremely sensitive and is always incapable of keeping up with the scratches of a needle, making it a no-no if you’re seeking to avoid pain.
If you still want to go forward with this decision, though, ask your tattoo artist to use a needle that is gentle and take frequent breaks during the tattooing session. You may also ice the area to reduce soreness once the session is over.
Barbed Wire Butterfly Tattoo
Due to its ties with love and beauty, a barbed wire tattoo can also be formed with a butterfly tattoo to achieve a unique yet positive reception.
While you may add the components separately to avail this design’s visual benefits, using the barbed wire to form the exoskeleton of a butterfly is probably the best way to embrace the promising qualities of this tattoo.
Regarding placement, a butterfly barbed wire tattoo can fit anywhere. For best results, though, try incorporating its stencil into a wrist or forearm tattoo!
Barbed Wire Hand Tattoo
Enlarging the silhouettes of barbed wires can be a great idea to add to the draft, especially if you’d like to place it as a hand tattoo. Due to the edginess of the visuals, this option exclusively caters to rebellions and adventurers. The area is also quite open to the public eye, which can be seen as an incentive for open-minded beings.
A barbed wire hand tattoo doesn’t lack size, but it can be difficult to create due to its uneven structure. Additionally, since the hand comprises tons of nerve endings, the pain level of this tattoo is also pretty severe, taking weeks to heal on average.
Barbed Wire Knee Tattoo
While this option can be a tough call for sensitive skin to side with, placing a barbed wire tattoo onto the surface of the knee can be beneficial in many ways. The area is quite delicate, which is on the same wavelength as the beauty and appeal of barbed wire tattoos.
Although positioning the artwork around the knee-cap is an option that most side with, placing it above or below the region can also bring forward a favorable outcome. Beware of the procedure of this design, however, as the bone-like structure of the knees can’t withstand the blows of even the finest needle.
Barbed Wire Leg Tattoo
An alternative option for the forearms is the legs, which can be exploited on an exceptional level to display a barbed wire tattoo.
With tons of skin and meat around the surface, a leg tattoo can be painless. The area is also exceptionally spacious and lengthy, making it the perfect choice for implementing intricate and complex forms of barbed wire tattoos.
The length of the legs can surely come in handy if the groundwork you have in mind is substantial, but it could be difficult to work with for tattoo artists. While the canvas of the leg is pretty sizable, the surface remains incredibly wobbly and uneven.
Barbed Wire Finger Tattoo
A finger tattoo, especially of a barbed wire, can be another good option to throw into the mix. The tattoo can be implemented using the hand poking method or with the use of a needle, a trait that many areas fail to have under their belt.
On top of being a time-friendly option, a barbed wire finger tattoo comprises a subtle formation, which any tattoo artist can mimic. Since one’s fingers are often all bone and no meat, expecting a painful procedure is normal. To make things a tad bit easier, however, apply a numbing cream to the fingers 30 minutes before the session begins.
Barbed Wire Face Tattoo
Tattooing the face wasn’t necessarily the best move to make a decade or two ago. However, the popularity of face tattoos, especially barbed wire face tattoos, has never been this high.
While the structure of the design could be a compelling reason behind its successful run as an option for a face tattoo, another reason behind its influence in the world of tattoos is Post Malone, an American musician and iconic figure in Hollywood.
Post Malone’s face tattoo of barbed wire isn’t for everyone but rebels, as it can still be frowned upon today. If you’re searching for an alternative, however, you may also install the tattoo over one of the two eyebrows.
Barbed Wire Thigh Tattoo
The size of a barbed wire tattoo can be placed anywhere with the right tools, stencil, and mindset. However, to get the tattoo done without feeling any discomfort or uneasy feeling, placing the barbed wire tattoo around the upper thigh could be the best bet!
A selling point of this area is the size of the design, which can be trimmed or expanded to cater to your taste and preferences. The artwork is typically sealed off with a black-and-white paint job for impactful results, but it can also be paired with vibrant colours or various shading techniques.
Small Barbed Wire Tattoo
Due to how attainable and compact it is, finding the right area for a barbed wire tattoo can be difficult. And although it is crucial to side with the right region for bringing forward unforgettable and worthwhile results, coming up with an illustration that will fit anywhere at any time should also be equally necessary; which is when a small barbed wire tattoo stands out.
A small barbed wire tattoo is as flexible as it is easy since the size of the structure is stretchable, and the pattern is simple. You may place it in an area as disclosed as the collarbone for privacy, replacing it with a wrist tattoo for more exposure.
Barbed Wire Elbow Tattoo
Elbow tattoos are rising right now, and it’s really easy to see why! The area contains a flat surface that can be utilized to create any complex design, making it the perfect placement for barbed wire tattoos.
A barbed wire elbow tattoo can be a great candidate to add to your list if you prefer options with a feminine aura attached to them, but the aftermath of getting this tattoo can be brutal. In addition to applying a numbing cream to the elbow prior to obtaining the artwork, it is crucial to supply the tattooed area with moisture and give it a regular clean-up for proper healing.
Barbed Wire Chest Tattoo
Using the chest as the canvas can always be rewarding, especially when obtaining a barbed wire tattoo. A barbed wire tattoo blends in with the circumference of the chest without an issue, and can even be displayed with other tattoos in an effortless way.
The most common component aligned with a barbed wire chest tattoo is a heart tattoo, mainly because their symbolisms are alike. However, if standing out from the crowd is a must-have requirement in your eyes, try adding micro tattoos around the barbed wire tattoo.
Barbed Wire Ankle Tattoo
If you’re seeking another region besides the forearm to express the beauty of barbed wire tattoos, place the groundwork as an ankle tattoo. The tattoo won’t just take a short amount of time due to lacking size, but it’ll also increase your appeal in multiple ways.
Adding a pastel hue in the background can be a logical and sublime way to make the design of this barbed wire tattoo more attractive. If you’d like to make the design heftier, pair the barbed wire with butterfly tattoos or floral patterns.
Barbed Wire Knuckle Tattoo
A risky yet rewarding variant that you can experiment with when wearing a barbed wire tattoo is this entry right here, comprising the formation of a knuckle tattoo. The graphic of this tattoo is as small as a bean, but it could cause tons of pain due to the sensitivity of the knuckles.
Meshing the design with a black and grey color scheme could be the perfect way to boast the visuals, unless you’d like to keep it subtle with a fine-line option.
Barbed Wire Cover-up Tattoo
A barbed wire tattoo can be a remarkable way to get into body modification due to the simplicity of its structure and the convenience behind its procedure. However, a barbed wire tattoo can also be the perfect companion to reverse mistakes with, especially if the mistake is a bad tattoo.
Although it lacks volume, a barbed wire tattoo can be used as a good cover-up tattoo. Wrapping the botched tattoo with a series of barbed wires can be a go-to approach, while increasing the size of the sketch can be a solid Plan B.
Barbed Wire Flower Tattoo
The thorns of barbed wire can be compatible with a series of tattoos. However, when push comes to shove, the thorns seem exceptionally comfortable with a flower tattoo.
To display this design like no one else can, try finding common ground between the symbolism of the flower tattoo and the barbed wire tattoo. Our recommended flower for this tattoo is violet, associated with love, serenity, and beauty.
Barbed Wire Ring Tattoo
Having a fear of needles is more normal than it seems. Additionally, if you feel that fear is the only factor that is holding you back from getting a barbed wire tattoo, consider tackling that issue with a barbed wire ring tattoo. On top of being easy to create, the tattoo is constructed using a stick-and-poke method, which comprises zero needles.
Barbed Wire Spine Tattoo
The physical components of a barbed wire pair astonishingly well with the spine’s structure, which is why many people side with a barbed wire spine tattoo. The structure seems complex, but it can be obtained easily with the same needle used for fine-line tattoos. Always have a numbing cream or a couple of painkillers in hand, however, as the spine is one of the most painful areas for tattoos!
Barbed Wire Skull Tattoo
A barbed wire tattoo is considered to be spiritually moving these days. More often than not, the tattoo is used to enhance the beauty of one’s physical appearance and charm.
However, if you’d like to avoid giving into conformity, pairing the visuals of a barbed wire with a skull tattoo should be your ultimate aim. On top of fitting like a glove, the combination of a skull tattoo and barbed wire could bring forward an intimidating aura.
Barbed Wire Shoulder Tattoo
If the design you have in mind is narrow or compact, place your barbed wire tattoo on the upper half of your shoulder. The area usually offers a quick and easy tattooing process with minimal pain, making it a win-win scenario for many!
Barbed Wire Tattoos: Setting Realistic Expectations With Visuals
Although a majority of the people wearing barbed wire tattoos always praise the design for being easy to create and offering a painless procedure, on the other spectrum are dissatisfied clients with tons of regret due to botched procedures.
While the outcome of your barbed wire tattoo lies in the hands of your tattoo artist, you can always shield yourself from a regrettable decision by gaining more insight into the visuals of the tattoo and the creation process. And if you do believe our previous notion was reasonable, be sure to give the following clip a watch!
Bottom Line
A barbed wire tattoo wasn’t always the best body modification to consider when it first came into existence, but it is now acknowledged as a top-tier pick in the tattoo industry. With sharp and edgy visuals and tons of sentimental value, a barbed wire tattoo can be a feast for the eyes! The design typically remains minimal but can also go above and beyond to adapt to an elaborate piece in no time, making it versatile beyond measure.
It is also quite easy to replicate and causes low levels of discomfort, making it a must-have for beginners and tattoo enthusiasts with sensitive skin. To make the most of it, however, be sure to incorporate a component that has ties with your personality, memories, and the principles you follow in life.
