Finger tattoos, not the taboo they used to be just a couple of years back. And we’re not talking about those heavy, in your face LOVE/HATE knuckle tattoos (although we love ’em), we’re talking about dainty, decorative, message-sending, ring-replacing, all sorts of amazing finger tats.
Relatively new trend is taking our social media by storm – finger tattoos. This placement went from being reserved for those who have pretty much covered all other places on the body, to being the first tattoo one gets. Starting small and dainty makes perfect sense, and fingers do offer an opportunity to show off your tattoo in all conditions. A bi tricky to hide them when you need to, but hey, it’s 2020, and tattoos are the mainstream!
Finger tattoos are notoriously painful to get and difficult to maintain. Before you jump on the trend and run to the parlour, take a minute to go through our Finger tattoos Frequently asked questions, so you’ll know what to expect, how to take care of them, and get other answers about them.
From florals to celestial objects, wedding bands to strong messages, we have ’em all, just scroll down and enter the world of finger tattoos.
Sun & Moon
The moon, sun, and the stars almost always boast a compelling effect when paired together. Every culture features some mythos related to their positioning in the sky, which just goes to show the earthy nature of the wearer. Even the little dots directly under the thumbs help link these heavenly bodies together.
Fire Finger Tattoo
The fine-lined, black flame rippling over the second knuckle makes for a striking statement. This tattoo would look fantastic paired with gold-toned rings on the index and ring fingers.
Heart on Your Finger
Wearing your heart on your sleeve is so 2008, so why not take it a step further? Show your open-hearted love for the world with a delicate little heart right on your finger.
Henna Inspired
Among the tattoo community, hand tattoos are just as attention-grabbing as they are contentious. While some argue only the most tatted individuals have a right to sport hand tattoos, others use it to show others their spiritual connection to the world. What do you think: has this henna-inspired tattoo gone too far or is it just right?
Rose on The Side
If there’s one thing you can rely on in this constantly changing world it’s that florals will never, ever go out of fashion. Though most opt for delicate line work on their hands, this fully shaded and thorny rose is sure to draw attention.
Dotwork Finger Tattoo
Curious how the tattoo artist achieved that lightly shaded crescent moon? Through a technique known as stippling or dotwork, the artist used tons of little dots to create a faded effect. The hand is a great location for such a gentle style, especially when paired with other super defined visual elements.
Middle Finger Lion Tattoo
Over the years, some hand tats can become faded since that part of the body moves constantly. Far from being unappealing, the faded look of the rose and digits pairs really well with the ultra-defined, brand new house crest lion.
Rose Tattoo
In the mood for something a little more art-nouveau inspired? This simple yet eye-catching rose harkens back to the highly stylized look of that early twentieth century art movement.
Lettering Finger Tattoo
Letters are great for finger tattoos – simple, recognizable lines make this type of design the perfect choice.
Finger Tattoo Collection
We love the look of sporting symbols above each of the knuckles. In particular, the pinky dagger that uses the natural ridges of the second knuckle lends some depth to the look. Better yet, the white highlight around the dagger makes the tattoo even more convincing.
Color Traditional Finger Tats
Though color is normally reserved for other parts of the body, it can make a bold statement when used appropriately on the fingers. Bright crowns, jewels, daggers and flowers look great together when they share the same palette.
Triangle on The Side
Triangle tattoos hold different meaning to different people. Some asociate them with Christianity, because three corners would represent The Holy Trinity. In this case, the triangles probably represent the basic elements, clean triangle being Fire, and the other one representing Earth.
Thumb trumpet for the musicians
The hands are a fantastic place to show off your love of music. Even though the thumb tattoo is pretty abstract, there’s no mistaking the iconic squiggles of that trumpet.
Brass instruments require pretty extensive use of the fingers, which makes the thumb a great spot to show just how much the instrument is a part of your life.
Smile Finger Tattoo
Want something that’s slightly easier to hide from potential employers? The cheeky, grinning face can be your little secret. We especially love the placement, since it’s immediately visible when you high-five a friend or throw out a peace sign. Always remember to smile!
Leaf Finger Tattoo
Who says hand tattoos don’t have to be thematic? Just like full arm sleeves, hand tats can use the natural curvature of the fingers to suggest looping vines, starry skies, and other abstract floral elements. This is the type of tattoo that will look just as good faded as it does fresh.
Snake on The Finger
There’s no mistaking the rebellious look of this snake crawling along the middle finger. The tattoo artist has found a pretty clever way to avoid the sensitive ridges of the second knuckle, which will help the tat avoid any premature fading. The contrast of light scales with the dark head and tail also help to suggest a sense of spatial depth.
Meaningful Finger Tattoo Wedding Band
Ditch the rings and get something a little more permanent. We can’t think of anything more cute than getting a matching tattoo with your lover, especially when it symbolically suggests your relationship together. Maybe these two love spending time together in the woods, or maybe they’re suggesting that their relationship is constantly growing. No matter the reason, it’s certainly more creative than wearing matching gold wedding bands.
Dainty Star
Just a tiny little star on the ring finger. Or is it a placeholder for a shiny stone?
Ornamental finger tattoo
The suggestion of fine-lined, symmetrical designs really ties the look together. When you get multiple hand tattoos, you’ve really got to think about how each element will look for the most cohesive effect: this look achieves that brilliantly.
Coffee Cup
Either this person can’t get enough coffee, or they’re a Java web developer. Either way, this little tattoo shows off the more fun-loving side of the wearer. The use of simple curves to suggest the rim of the cup and billowing steam makes it appear much more complete.
Say it with your fingers
Must admit, this is driving me crazy. What are they hiding on that index finger? Are they holding something back?
Color for your digits
I think we can agree that these turquoise-inspired tattoos are just astonishing. Hopefully blue is the wearer’s favorite color, otherwise I can imagine it would be difficult to pair this bright tat with a new outfit everyday.
Love, Butterfly and Rose
When done carefully, it’s possible to pull off different hand tattoos into one look without appearing hodge-podge. Though you’ll have to be careful, we love the connection between the butterfly, hearts, and rose.
Love You!
Did you know this tattoo means “I love you” in American sign language? This instantly recognizable symbol is great to place on the underside of the finger, especially since it can serve as a fun secret you have with yourself.
Smile, I’m a finger!
Symbols on the sides of your fingers, always here to remind you to stay positive. We love the look of the crescent moon, semi-colon, smile, and leaf – the best part is, you can swap out these symbols for whatever glyphs are more meaningful for you while preserving the placement.
