Black and white tattoos are the first drawings that people began to depict on their bodies. This method of decoration was used by Egyptian pharaohs and priests. Subsequently in the process of acquaintance with the natural paints contained in plant sap, animal gland secretions, mineral pigments, color tattooing became popular. However, monochrome tattooing is still in demand and relevant to both men and women.
Black and white tattoos: how it all began
Did you know that the history of tattooing goes back more than 6,000 years?
According to historians, the art of tattooing originated during the primitive communal system. At that time, a body image had a magical meaning, and could also indicate belonging to a certain race (tribe) or the social status of its bearer.
- The most ancient tattoos appeared in Egypt. During excavations scientists discovered mummies presumably more than four thousand years old, but the drawings on the well-preserved skin are still distinguishable. Black and white tattoos among the ancient Egyptians were the privilege of a higher person.
- In the Mayan tribes tattoos were applied only to those who deserved special respect (leaders, warriors, priests). The more pictures were on the skin, the higher was the social status of the tattooed person.
- African peoples have long worn marks on the body, such tattoos told about their owner literally everything. To put it simply, the tattoo served as an official identity document.
- In ancient Rome, slaves were tattooed to prevent them from escaping and hiding their social status. In Japanese culture, permanent patterns were used on the faces of criminals.
- During the Middle Ages, only traitors and witches were marked. In those dark times, religious principles forbade traumatizing and coloring the skin. By the way, even today the attitude toward tattooing in Christian denominations remains negative. And the Islamic faith and prohibits wearing permanent pictures.
Variety of tattoo styles
Perhaps it is impossible to name the exact number of styles. There are so many that the enumeration of all of them would require a lot of time. Briefly note only the main ones.
For example, one of the most popular directions are ethnic tattoos representing the cultural features of a particular nation. In turn, the ethnic style is divided into several sub-styles:
- Celtic;
- Indian;
- and others.
Also in demand are tattoos in the style of old-school, characterized by brightness and richness of drawings. What is interesting, similar images can be worn by representatives of absolutely any social strata.
Mention should also be made of Oriental motifs. They combine several directions at once:
- Chinese;
- Japanese;
- Indian;
- and many others.
This trend implies the application of hieroglyphs, corresponding symbols, and so on. For instance, both men and women like to paint hieroglyphs on the visible parts of the body. The main thing is to find out beforehand what this or that character means.
In general, we can enumerate the styles for a long time. So, among the other most popular and popular mandatory mention deserve such directions as:
- fantasy;
- Dotwork;
- blackwork;
- biomechanics;
- and others.
More details about each style mentioned in this article, as well as many others, are described in the thematic materials on the Tattooink website.
After reading our materials, you can more precisely understand what style attracts you more than others. And it is not necessary to chase a "fashion" - the world of tattoo is specific, and fashionable today tattoo already will not be such only in a year. You have to wear the image for many, many years, so it is important to match your soul and inner world.
Monochrome tattoos today: from ancient traditions to the customs of sailors
The history of modern black and white tattooing began with sailors. Worn images were used by sailors primarily as amulets and good luck charms, as well as to help them cope with homesickness and loved ones. This is where the old-school style comes from, featuring bold outlines and rough lines, a traditionally sparse palette, and simple sketches with obvious meanings (hearts, crosses, playing cards, anchors, women's portraits, and more).
It's interesting: The first machine designed to apply permanent images came into being in 1891.
The word tribal literally translates as "pattern on skin".
Tribal is one of the first monochrome styles, which is still relevant in the world of body painting. Such tattoos are performed in a concise black and white color, and the concept of images goes back to the ancient traditions of the Maya, Maori and Polynesian tribes.
Over time, many people fell in love with colored images on the skin, because monochrome tattoos have not once left the fashion arena. These days, when the world of tattooing is relentlessly updated with fresh ideas and original styles, black and white images occupy a special niche. Moreover, in 2019-2020, monochrome tattoos are once again becoming a leading trend.
Black and white tattoo is back in fashion
Here are the most popular styles that work with the black and white palette:
- Dotwork.
- Blackwork.
- Minimalism.
- Graphics.
- Linework.
- Thrash Polka.
- Sketch.
- Geometry.
- Realism.
Even watercolor images, so popular among girls thanks to the fabulous palette and non-trivial sketches, look cool in black and white tones.
Reasons for application and features of monochrome tattoos
Black and white tattoos on girls look very stylish
More and more often fans of body painting give preference to black and white drawings. First, small monochrome pictures will not be knocked out even of the restrained business style. Secondly, black and white images look very effective and presentable on a woman's body. And monochrome patterns can give incredible charm to any girl's image.
Here are the main advantages of black and white tattoos:
- Not all tattoo artists know how to work with color. But you will be offered a huge selection of monochrome designs in literally any style.
- Body art requires correction, but black ink is less vulnerable to the negative influence of external factors. A quality monochrome tattoo can retain clear contours and contrast for more than 10 years.
- Images can always be supplemented with color details.
- As a rule, the cost is slightly lower.
- Suitable for those women who are afraid to look vulgar.
- Contour pictures will bring a minimum of pain during the session.
Among the disadvantages are the following:
- Not suitable for fans of catchy, eye-catching images.
- They can look too gloomy if you overdo it with black pigment, size, or miscalculate with the place of application.
- Black and white tattoos in some styles, such as geometric, will require a special talent and great experience from the master.
Small
Not everyone likes to cover the body defiantly large ornaments, giving preference to neat drawings in black and white style. Such small tattoos can be done on the wrist, ankle or lower back.
Some extravagant girls impose a small tattoo in the bikini zone, trying to give themselves in this way a romantic and mysterious. The most popular small tattoos are small flowers, anchors, infinity signs, Latin numerals and other simple drawings.
Each tattoo parlor has a catalog with drawings and photos of the artists' work, which sometimes makes the choice easier for the client. There are many sketches of such tattoos on the Internet, but if you have a strong desire, you can develop with the master an individual and unique design to be different from the majority.
Black and white tattoos for girls: a selection of the most beautiful and fashionable designs
Connoisseurs of thorough drawings can be attracted by such options.
Monochrome pictures and the fact that they can always be diluted with a suitable color that will be in harmony with the new tattoo, even if it refers to a completely different style.
Here are original and not so cumbersome ideas.
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History
The first tattoos were monochrome, as we know from many ancient cultures. No matter what corner of the world this cultural phenomenon originated in, one color was always used in tattoos. At the time of the appearance of the color tattoo, which originated in the land of the rising sun relatively recently, the black and white tattoo could already boast of its undeniable dominance in the world of body art. And this status quo remains to this day, despite the fact that in recent years there has been a surge of interest in colored tattoos. On the background of motley compositions, to which the fairer sex has a special weakness, the traditional monochrome tattoo remains a universal symbol of courage and the best embodiment of body art classics.
The best female options for the hand: photo
Black and white tattoos are in no way inferior to motley body art.
Sketches of black tattoos: drawing with meaning
While many people like a variety of brightly colored tattoos, that doesn't diminish the abundance of black tattoos. Although sometimes there are fans of white tattoos that slip through the cracks. In darker shades are applied to every existing design in the world. All possible images are found:
- animals;
- geometric shapes;
- colors;
- birds;
- insects;
- human muscles;
- and many others.
Black tattoos are great for men. Through such a drawing you can express your character, mood or life credo. A great option for the black tattoo will be a style of biomechanics.
Such drawings not only attract attention, but also make you lose the line between fiction and reality. The image accurately conveys the human body in section, and its individual parts are replaced by metal. Perhaps such drawings will become prophetic.
Women are not inferior in their love for black tattoos. Various inscriptions made in black are popular among the beautiful half of the world. Most often these are phrases in a foreign language. Usually Latin, English and, of course, hieroglyphs are used.
If the love of inscriptions is mutual for both women and men, the predilection for the application of the image of insects in black can safely be attributed to a strictly feminine. Popular not only the usual butterflies and dragonflies, but also cute ladybugs, bees.
