Published on June 28, 2024

If you’re looking for a tattoo location that can look both elegant and tough depending on the design, then there is probably no better place than the shoulder.  

For women, the shoulder can be a truly elegant place for graceful, flowing designs that seem to dance across the skin, creating a delicate yet impactful statement. 

For men, it can be a powerful location for bold and striking tattoos that can wrap around the shoulder and extend to the chest or back, emphasizing strength and masculinity.

So let’s take a look at some of the best Shoulder Tattoo Designs the internet has to offer.

Do Shoulder Tattoos Hurt

Thankfully, the Shoulder is one of the best places to get tattooed, as the outer part of the shoulder has thicker skin and more muscle, which can help reduce the discomfort.

However, keep in mind that the closer you get to areas such as the armpit and collarbone, you tend to have less skin, making the pain less tolerable.

You can check out our Tattoo Pain Guide to learn more about where it hurts to get your tattoos. 

46 Shoulder Tattoo Designs 

Now that we know a little bit about Shoulder Tattoos, let’s check out some of the best Shoulder Tattoo ideas.

1. Falcon Shoulder Tattoo

Falcon Shoulder Tattoo

Photo credit: @47volt

Starting off with this super cool Falcon and Moon Tattoo. A Falcon Tattoo can symbolize one’s desire for freedom, be it physical, spiritual, or emotional, but it can also symbolize focus and determination. A Crescent Moon Tattoo can symbolize starting anew or turning a new leaf due to a crescent moon appearing before and after a new moon. 

2. Eagle And Sun Tattoo

Eagle And Sun Tattoo

Photo credit: @the.xx.ttt

Similar to the first design, we now have a Sun and Eagle instead of a Falcon and Moon. An Eagle Tattoo can have many meanings, such as freedom, power, courage, and strength, and a Sun Tattoo can symbolize life, warmth, growth, light, and truth.

3. Floral Shoulder Tattoo

Floral Shoulder Tattoo

Photo credit: @alexa_tattooer

Flower Tattoos have a lot of symbolism, but that all depends on what Flower Tattoo you choose to go for. The number of species of flowering plants in the world is estimated to be in the range of 250,000 to 400,000, so you should have absolutely no shortage of Flower Designs to choose from for your Shoulder Tattoo. 

4. Fine-Line Shoulder Tattoo

Fine-Line Shoulder Tattoo

Photo credit: @tos_tattoo

Fine-Line Tattoos are characterized by their thin, precise lines that create detailed images. This style is extremely versatile and can be used to create a variety of designs, from geometric shapes and small symbols to detailed portraits and floral patterns.

5. Creepy Mouth Tattoo

Creepy Mouth Tattoo

Photo credit: @tattooculturemag

If you want to go for something a little more unique, check out this extremely creepy Mouth Shoulder Tattoo. This super cool design runs from the neck across the top of the shoulder and depicts a mouth with sharp, grotesque teeth with the mouth looking like it is a bottomless pit of void. 

6. Dragon Tattoo On Shoulder Idea

Dragon Tattoo On Shoulder Idea

Photo credit: @yoonneedle

One of the most popular Tattoo Designs in the world is the Dragon Tattoo

Dragon Tattoos can have many different symbolic meanings depending on what type of Dragon you go for as there are different meanings between Chinese Dragon Tattoos,
Japanese Dragon Tattoo Ideas,
Celtic Dragon Tattoo Designs and European Dragons. This cool little Dragon Tattoo has three small skeleton Dragons flying on the wearer's shoulder. 

7. Mandala Shoulder Tattoo

Mandala Shoulder Tattoo

Photo credit: @niki___niki___niki

Mandala Tattoos emphasize geometric precision, with artists creating detailed, symmetrical patterns that can cover various parts of the body. A traditional mandala consists of a central point surrounded by layers of geometric shapes, symbols, and patterns. This lovely Mandala Tattoo is in the shape of a flower and has a terrific geometric pattern.

8. Snake Shoulder Tattoo

Snake Shoulder Tattoo

Photo credit: @txttooing

Snakes usually get a bad rap, probably thanks to their deadly venom and symbolism in the Garden of Eden tale. However, in some cultures, such as the Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greeks, Native Australians, American peoples, and Hinduism, Snakes are revered creatures with a breadth of symbolism. These symbolisms include sovereignty, royalty, divine authority, healing, renewal, and control over desires and the ego.

9. Cat Tattoo On Shoulder Idea

Cat Tattoo On Shoulder Idea

Photo credit: @thetattooshop.co.uk

If you love our four-legged felines, then you’ll love a Cat Tattoo. Cat Tattoos are often associated with mystery, the supernatural, and even witchcraft due to their enigmatic nature and their history of being worshipped in ancient cultures. This lovely Cat Tattoo has a cool, minimalistic style of a Cat’s silhouette. 

10. Skeleton Knight Tattoo

Skeleton Knight Tattoo

Photo credit: @tattooist_hwi

If you love Medieval Fantasy Tattoos, you need to check out tattooist_hwi.

tattooist_hwi does amazing Black and Grey Tattoos of a wide range of things that usually are adorned in Fantasy Medieval armor. This amazing design is of a Skeleton wearing draconic-type armor. 

11. Stitch Tattoo On Shoulder

Another unique style Tattoo, this Shoulder Tattoo has stitching running from the neck over the top of the Shoulder, similar to the Creepy Mouth Tattoo. This Tattoo design also includes a skeleton's hand popping out through the stitching, giving it an incredible three-dimensional effect. 

12. Abstract Shoulder Tattoo Idea

Abstract Shoulder Tattoo Idea

Photo credit: @tattooist.wavy

Your Shoulder Tattoo doesn’t have to take any particular form. You can always settle for just an abstract idea of whatever you feel like. Abstract Tattoos are a great way to ink yourself with an idea that is personal to you that can’t be easily depicted or for a thought that doesn’t have a form. 

13. Rose Shoulder Tattoo

Rose Shoulder Tattoo

Photo credit: @tattooist_inkandbloom

Rose Tattoos are perfect for those who love a little romance in their lives. A Rose symbolizes love, beauty, and spirituality, but its meaning can also be determined by the color of Rose you choose. If you want to see more beautiful Flower Tattoos, check out thestoryblossom for more. 

14. Hummingbird Tattoo On Shoulder

Hummingbird Tattoo On Shoulder

Photo credit: @kyla_rose_tattoo

Hummingbirds are some of the smallest birds, with the Bee Hummingbird native to Cuba holding that title, measuring in at  5 centimeters and weighing about 2 grams. Due to their ability to fly in any direction, including backward, Hummingbirds have become associated with themes of freedom and independence, but also resilience and determination because of the long migrations these birds take. 

15. Yokai Shoulder Tattoo

Yokai Shoulder Tattoo

Photo credit: @kehrmie

Yokai are a class of supernatural monsters, spirits, and demons in Japanese folklore. These supernatural beings can take many forms, from animals and humans to inanimate objects that come to life, with each yokai having its own distinct traits and stories associated with it. This Yokai Tattoo is of Jorōgumo, a benign who can manipulate small fire-breathing spiders and shapeshift into a beautiful woman. 

16. Lioness Tattoo

Lioness Tattoo

Photo credit: @agathisdammara

A Lioness Tattoo is perfect for Women who want to express their strength, courage, and femininity. This Lioness Tattoo comes with a Batik Truntum pattern, a batik motif created by Kanjeng Ratu Kencana as a symbol of love that is sincere, unconditional, eternal, and increasingly fertile.

17. Mayan Calendar Tattoo

Mayan Calendar Tattoo

Photo credit: @bodyarts_blr

The Mayan Calendar became increasingly famous in 2012 due to an end-of-the-world conspiracy connected with it. The Mayans used several calendars to track time, one of them being known as the Long Count calendar. This system counts the number of days from a mythical starting point that is cyclical, with each cycle, known as a baktun, lasting about 5,126 years. Each cycle lasts 144,000 days, with December 21, 2012, ending on the 13th Baktun. 

18. Lightning Shoulder Tattoo

Lightning Shoulder Tattoo

Photo credit: @cheytrapptattoos

Lightning is a natural force that is both powerful and uncontrollable. A Lightning Bolt Tattoo can symbolize personal power and the raw energy within an individual, someone's inner strength, or a powerful transformation in life. Due to its association with DC Superhero The Flash, a Lightning Bolt tattoo can also symbolize speed, swiftness, and quick thinking. 

19. Kraken Tattoo

Kraken Tattoo

Photo credit: @munkymandee

If you love Mythological Tattoos then you will love this Kraken Tattoo Design. The Kraken is a legendary sea monster that lives off the coasts of Norway and Greenland that was so large in some tales that it was mistaken for a chain of islands. The Kraken was feared for its ability to create dangerous whirlpools or maelstroms capable of swallowing entire ships as the beast was said to surface from the deep to attack vessels. 

20. Parang Curiga Tattoo

Parang Curiga Tattoo

Photo credit: @agathisdammara

Parang Curiga is another Indonesian batik motif. Parang Batik is one of the oldest Indonesian batik motifs. The word Parang comes from the Javanese word Pereng, meaning slope. The philosophy of Parang Curiga hopes that the wearer will become calm, intelligent, and prestigious.

21. Swallow Shoulder Tattoo

Swallow Shoulder Tattoo

Photo credit: @johncacic_

Swallow Tattoos were one of the most common tattooing motifs used by sailors as they drew parallels between a Swallows long migration journey with their long voyages. Aside from their travel and navigation symbolism, Swallows mate for life, giving their tattoos the imagery of those loyal to their significant other, which was also significant to sailors during their adventures. 

22. Sparrow Shoulder Tattoo

Sparrow Shoulder Tattoo

Photo credit: @tatgaal

A Sparrow Tattoo has a lot of different symbolism depending on what culture it's coming from. Being a common bird, they are usually associated with humility and the importance of joy in ordinary and everyday life. In other cultures, Sparrows are seen as protectors and guardians of the home. They symbolize loyalty, as sparrows are known to stay close to their birthplace and often return to the same nesting area each year.

23. Tiger Tattoo On Shoulder

Tiger Tattoo On Shoulder

Photo credit: @netocoutinhotattoo

Tiger Tattoos, are a great choice for people looking for a Tattoo Design with powerful and ferocious symbolism. Tiger Tattoos also have a lot of other symbolism, including protection, freedom, independence, and royalty. 

24. Celtic Shoulder Tattoo

Celtic Shoulder Tattoo

Photo credit: @badgerkingtattoo

Celtic Tattoos, are based on the intricate knot and loopwork of the ancient Celtic people. These patterns symbolize the interconnectedness of life and eternity, and the endless loops represent the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. This great Tattoo Design is of a Celtic Phoenix Tattoo. 

25. Super Mario Tattoo

Super Mario Tattoo

Photo credit: @ovenlee.tattoo

Super Mario is the gaming mascot for the Nintendo company. While the first official Super Mario game was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985, Mario's first appearance was in 1981 as the character ‘Jumpman’ in the arcade game Donkey Kong. Over the decades since his inception, Mario starred in numerous games across various genres, including racing games, sports games, role-playing games, fighting games, and even had his own TV and Movie adaptations. 

26. Stars Tattoo

Stars Tattoo

Photo credit: @la13rocken

Star Tattoos can carry a range of symbolism, including navigation, achievement, ambition, hope, and protection. This super cool Star Shoulder Tattoo has a grunge aesthetic and includes some Chinese words and letters in its design. 

27. Rat Tattoo

Rat Tattoo

Photo credit: @monomoontattoo

While Rats might be seen in some cultures as dirty and disease-carrying thanks to their negative association with the Black Plague (it was actually the fleas that spread the disease), in other cultures, Rats are seen in a more positive light. In Chinese culture, for example, the rat is the first animal of the 12-year zodiac cycle, and people born in the Year of the Rat are considered to be intelligent, resourceful, and versatile.

28. Astral Cat Tattoo

 Astral Cat Tattoo

Photo credit: @mayday_lani

Another Cat Tattoo, this time, however it is something a little different. This Cat Tattoo is of an astral cat whose head is in the shape of a Sun while he sits atop a Crescent Moon. The Cat has five eyes, and its body has lovely sweeping lines all over its coat.

29. Bear Shoulder Tattoo

Bear Shoulder Tattoo

Photo credit: @freeorgy

Bear Tattoos can symbolize contrasting themes of calmness and ferocity and laziness and strength. This Bear Tattoo is phenomenal and depicts this beautiful Sun Bear as a goddess with a lovely halo and gorgeous fine-line detailing towards the Bee and Honeycomb Tattoo below. 

30. Phoenix Tattoo On Shoulder

Phoenix Tattoo On Shoulder

Photo credit: @dejamort_tattoo

Phoenix Tattoos symbolize themes of rebirth and renewal, given how a Phoenix rises from the ashes to be born anew upon reaching its death. Getting a Phoenix Tattoo can symbolize how you have gone through a difficult period of your life only to be reborn from your experiences as a better person capable of taking on even further challenges. 

31. Skull Shoulder Tattoo

Skull Shoulder Tattoo

Photo credit: @arttdome

Skull Tattoos symbolize mortality and death but also a celebration of life. Contrary to their grim reputation, Skulls can represent the celebration of life. This is particularly evident in Mexican culture with the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), where sugar skulls (calaveras) represent the memory of deceased loved ones, celebrating their lives rather than mourning their deaths.

32. Koi Tattoo On Shoulder Idea

Koi Tattoo On Shoulder Idea

Photo credit: @e.nal.tattoo

Koi Tattoos symbolize resilience, strength, and a relentless pursuit of personal goals. This is due to their association with the tale of the Koi who battled upstream against the currents and waterfall and was rewarded by the Gods for its determination by being transformed into a mighty Dragon. 

33. Butterfly Shoulder Tattoo

Butterfly Shoulder Tattoo

Photo credit: @tatuajespequenos

Butterfly Tattoos symbolize transformation, freedom, beauty, femininity, and hope. However, Butterflies are also a symbol of life cycles and how that change is a natural part of life or how that change and transformation is possible, whether it be physical or emotional.

34. One Piece Shoulder Tattoo

One Piece Shoulder Tattoo

Photo credit: @daldam__

One Piece is a Japanese manga and anime franchise created by  Eiichiro Oda. The series follows the exploits of Monkey.D.Luffy as he travels across the grand line and new world with his crew in search of adventure and the mysterious treasure left behind by the Pirate King Gol.D.Roger. 

35. Sunset Tattoo

Sunset Tattoo

Photo credit: @jiabaotattoo

If you like themes of times of your life coming to a close, then a Sunset Tattoo is perfect for you. Sunset Tattoos can symbolize a journey of self-discovery and how overcoming struggles in your life has made you stronger and more resilient.  

36. Cherry Tattoo

 Cherry Tattoo

Photo credit: @d.mension_tattoo

While Cherry Tattoos might not have any symbolic meaning, there is no reason you can’t elect to get yourself one. And who could blame you if you get a Cherry Tattoo as beautiful as this one by d.mension tattoo.

d.mesnsion tattoo does a lot of great Tattoo Designs, particularly Flower Tattoos, so check out her Instagram for more amazing inks. 

37. Shark Shoulder Tattoo

Shark Shoulder Tattoo

Photo credit: @moowoai_tt

Could there really be anything cooler for a Shoulder Tattoo than to have a Shark on your shoulder? This Animal Tattoo is absolutely mesmerizing, with an incredibly realistic-looking Whale Shark Tattoo and some great Fine-Line Tattoo detailing around the Shark. 

38. Elephant Tattoo On Shoulder

Elephant Tattoo On Shoulder

Photo credit: @firstclassnyc

Elephant Tattoos symbolize strength due to their immense size and power, wisdom for their intelligence, how they remember their long migrations in times of drought, loyalty due to their loyalty to their families, and good luck as they are considered lucky in some cultures. This great Elephant Tattoo is done in a Trash Polka Style, mixing nature's realism with a trashy style. 

39. Komainu Tattoo

Komainu Tattoo

Photo credit: @zimoon_tattoo

The Komainu is the Korean variant of the Chinese Fu Dog. These beings are a pair of statues that stand guard at the front of a shrine or gate. The two are designed to ward off evil spirits and are believed to have been influenced by Asiatic lion pelts and lion depictions introduced through trade from either the Middle East or India. This amazing design has an orb of the Komainu levitating within the palm of a Dragon. 

40. Helm Of Awe Tattoo On Shoulder

Helm Of Awe Tattoo On Shoulder

Photo credit: @zackkinseytattoos

The Helm of Awe, also known as "Ægishjálmur" is a Viking Tattoo revered for its protective powers. This symbol was believed to grant strength and invincibility in battle, often inscribed on armor or weaponry. This great Helm of Awe Tattoo is infused with the decorative folk art of rural Norway known as Rosemaling. 

41. Enso Tattoo

Enso Tattoo

Photo credit: @owl.art_tattoo

The Enso is a Buddhist symbol representing enlightenment, the universe, and the void. It is typically drawn as a circle hand-brushed in one or two uninhibited strokes and is often incomplete, suggesting the imperfection that is part of existence. The Enso is also a popular motif in tattooing, symbolizing strength, elegance, and enlightenment.

This Video Game Tattoo is of the Nanosuit armor from the Crysis Video Game series. The Crisis series begins when an ancient alien structure is discovered on the Lingshan Islands, east of the Philippines. The game revolves around the wearers of the Nanosuit and their battles against armies, corrupt organizations, and the aliens known as the Ceph. 

43. Japanese Mask Tattoo On Shoulder Idea

Japanese Mask Tattoo On Shoulder Idea

Photo credit: @jayngtattoos

Japanese Mask Tattoos have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their unique designs and deep symbolic meanings. However, the meaning of your Japanese Mask Tattoo will depend on which type of mask you choose to ink yourself in. There are many Japanese Masks to choose from, all with different meanings. However, the Oni, Kitsune,
Tengu, and Hannya are the most popular choices. 

44. Bluejay Traditional Tattoo

Bluejay Traditional Tattoo

Photo credit: @zackkinseytattoos

Another beautiful Bird Tattoo, this time a lovely Bluejay done in a Traditional Tattoo Style.
Bluejay Tattoos are seen as symbols of determination, loyalty, understanding, and devotion. In some folklore, bluejays can act as messengers between the living and the dead, meaning a Bluejay Tattoo can act as your connection to the spirit world.

Pokemon is a video game, anime, and other media franchise juggernaut that takes place in a shared universe where humans co-exist with creatures known as Pokémon. Pokemon is currently the world's highest-grossing media franchise, worth an estimated +$50 billion. This terrific Pokemon Tattoo is of Gengar and Ghastly in a Trash Polka style. 

46. Trash Polka Shoulder Tattoo

Trash Polka Shoulder Tattoo

Photo credit: @owl.art_tattoo

Lastly, this super cool Trash Polka Tattoo is of a Swordfish. Swordfish can symbolize strength, power, and bravery, as swordfish are known for their agility and speed in the water. They can also represent determination and perseverance, as swordfish are known for their ability to fight against strong currents and predators. 

Conclusion

So ends our journey through the amazing world of Shoulder Tattoos. We hope you found the inspiration you were looking for on your journey for the perfect Tattoo Design.

But hey, if Shoulder Tattoos don’t inspire you, why not check out these amazing Forearm Tattoos, these cool Finger Tattoos, or these beautiful Hand Tattoos

Paul Mulligan
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