The entire field of tattoos for women is growing at a rapid rate. And for good reason! There's nothing sexier than a girl with some cute tattoos around her belly button or a small tattoo sticking out of some hip hugger jeans!

If you think back even twenty years ago, tattoos for women were not really that popular and a majority of the women getting them were keeping them covered up. But times have definitely changed and tattoos have really advanced at a tremendous rate. Today's tattoos have more vibrant colors and are a far cry from your granddad's pin up girl tattoo on his forearm!

In the past, women would get an occasional rose tattoo or name tattoo on their breast or some other well hidden spot. However with current fashion trends there are tons of cute tattoo designs for women out there. Women are now getting tattoos at an amazing rate.

Women's tattoo designs and placement have also changed with this new growth. No longer are women getting simple tattoos that they keep well hidden. Women are now getting cute tattoo designs done and placing them in more visible places.

Some of the most popular items that women are getting tattoos of are:

1. Shooting Star Tattoos
2. Butterfly Tattoos
3. Unicorn Tattoos
4. Angel Tattoos
5. Fairy Tattoos
6. Dragonfly tattoos
7. Flower design tattoos

The most popular places for women to get tattoos done are:

1. Lower back tattoos (especially popular recently with the whole hip hugger jeans)

2. Front side of the hips (again hip hugger jeans have made this more popular)

3. Butt cheek left or right

4. Belly button area

Another thing that this trend of women getting tattoos is that women often seek out custom tattoo designs. They don't go to the local parlor and just by a tattoo flash design that is on display there. Women seem to spend a great deal more time contemplating the tattoos that they want done and tend to have more requirements about what they want. Therefore women tend to get custom tattoo designs. This allows them to get the exact look and feel they want and a custom designed tattoo is also fit to the location on the persons body so that it fits well!

Check out this page for more on some of the cutest tattoos on the net!

Tattoos, Tattoos, Tattoos... Take a look around you and you will observe that nearly every second man and women is sporting at least one tattoo these days. It seems that members of the young generation are, in ever increasing numbers, having tattoos etched on nearly every part of their bodies. The most common areas of the body for large tattoo designs are arms (both upper and lower regions) hands, and legs. Some more adventurous are having their tattoos on chest and upper back regions and some of the more daring are even having their scalp, face and neck tattooed. Since the start of the 1990's the most popular of all places for tattoos among women (both young and mature alike), is on the lower back region slightly above the hips/waist.

The lower back tattoo design is quite often oblong in shape and is considered to enhance the curves and shapes of the female body. There are an untold number of reasons for this popularity, but probably the most common reason for women having a lower back tattoo is the fact that it is considered very attractive and sensual. In other words, a woman who displays such a tattoo believes that she becomes more attractive in the eyes of other people. Generally most women wish to be appealing to the opposite sex thus the explosion of the lower back tattoo!

The History And Origins of the Lower Back Tattoo

While the lower back tattoo has re-emerged in popularity over the last few years, it is certainly not a new design. In fact lower back tattoos have been around for hundreds of years. The origin of lower back tattoo is actually connected to ancient religions and spiritual rituals. In ancient times, the lower part of the back was considered as the storage place of a person's spiritual energy. This is quite similar to the notion of the chi force and meridian fields that are common to eastern cultures. Additionally, the concept of lower back energy is also found in certain styles of Yoga. It is therefore not surprising that this concept shares similar traits with other eastern religions as the practice of Yoga played an influential role within many types of eastern religions.

Historically, the lower back area emerged as a popular place to show off tattoos, as it was believed the tattooing in this region of the body would assist in the release and subsequent harnessing of a person's internal energy. Regrettably much of the history supporting the lower back tattoo has been lost to all but the most knowledgeable scholars of the subject.

Many of the women wearing a lower back tattoo design today are not necessarily familiar with the origins and the unique history and significance of this type of tattoo. It is not imperative to understand the complete history behind the lower back tattoo, however, some knowledge of its origins may well add a unique aspect and significance to the tattoo as well as helping to explain to others why you chose this particular style of tattoo.

For more information about Lower Back Tattoos For Women and ideas and inspiration for Tattoos visit: Chopper Tattoo

Tattoos have, over the last decade and a half, gone mainstream. What used to be a mark of rebellion and strife is now considered a fashion accessory. While most tattoos are still applied to men (and bought by men), girls and women are also getting into the act. There are even cute girl tattoos.

Where men like to have their tattoos on the upper arm, or chest, or shoulder, most girls are aware that what they're doing has to work with the somewhat more revealing fashions. Thus, a girl needs to think about whether or not a tattoo will look good with a bikini, or a prom dress, or an evening gown. Likewise, girls tend to be a bit more careful about making sure that a tattoo is concealable with professional or casual attire.

So, when looking for a cute girl tattoo, the first thing to think of is "where to put it" - on the back, between the shoulder blades is a common place, as is a circle around the upper arm, or a circle around a wrist or ankle. Another popular place is at the small of the back, right over the crease of the buttocks, because it can be hidden with a modest swim suit - or shown off with a low cut one.

Places to avoid getting a tattoo are on the face, or on the breast, or in between your breasts - the face is a fairly obvious place to avoid a tattoo, just because of the pain and difficulty concealing it. The upper chest is a bit less obviously a "bad place", however, it runs the risk of spoiling the tattoo because that skin shifts and stretches over time, and it makes it awkward to wear anything low cut.

As to what qualifies as a cute girl tattoo, there's a wide range of options; everything from the now cliché'd "circle of thorns" to roses to butterflies. Pick an image that you're going to find enjoyable and meaningful for years to come. When you're getting the work done, be sure to ask to see the health inspector certification. A good tattoo parlor should be as clean as an operating room.

For cute tattoo ideas and designs visit: Chopper Tattoo

by SquidooFan2008

The word tattoo comes from the Tahitian "tatu" which means "to mark something."

It is arguably claimed that tattooing has existed since 12,000 years BC. The purpose of tattooing has varies from culture to culture and its place on the time line. But there are commonalties that prevail form the earliest known tattoos to those being done on college students on Telegraph Ave. in Berkeley.

Tattoos have always had an important role in ritual and tradition. In Borneo, women tattooed their symbols on their forearm indicating their particular skill. If a woman wore a symbol indicating she was a skilled weaver, her status as prime marriageable material was increased. Tattoos around the wrist and fingers were believed to ward away illness. Throughout history tattoos have signified membership in a clan or society. Even today groups like the Hells Angels tattoo their particular group symbol. TV and movies have used the idea of a tattoo indication membership in a secret society numerous times. It has been believed that the wearer of an image calls the spirit of that image. The ferocity of a tiger would belong to the tattooed person. That tradition holds true today shown by the proliferation of images of tigers, snakes, and bird of prey.

In recorded history, the earliest tattoos can be found in Egypt during the time of the construction of the great pyramids (It undoubtedly started much earlier). When the Egyptians expanded their empire, the art of tattooing spread as well. The civilizations of Crete, Greece, Persia, and Arabia picked up and expanded the art form. Around 2000 BC tattooing spread to China.

The Greeks used tattooing for communication among spies. Markings identified the spies and showed their rank. Romans marked criminals and slaves. This practice is still carried on today. The Ainu people of western Asia used tattooing to show social status. Girls coming of age were marked to announce their place in society, as were the married women. The Ainu are noted for introducing tattoos to Japan where it developed into a religious and ceremonial rite. In Borneo, women were the tattooists. It was a cultural tradition. They produced designs indicating the owners station in life and the tribe he belonged to. Kayan women had delicate arm tattoos which looked like lacy gloves. Dayak warriors who had "taken a head" had tattoos on their hands. The tattoos garnered respect and assured the owners status for life. Polynesians developed tattoos to mark tribal communities, families, and rank. They brought their art to New Zealand and developed a facial style of tattooing called Moko which is still being used today. There is evidence that the Mayan, Incas, and Aztecs used tattooing in the rituals. Even the isolated tribes in Alaska practiced tattooing, their style indicating it was learned from the Ainu.

In the west, early Britons used tattoos in ceremonies. The Danes, Norse, and Saxons tattooed family crests (a tradition still practiced today). In 787 AD, Pope Hadrian banned tattooing. It still thrived in Britain until the Norman Invasion of 1066. The Normans disdained tattooing. It disappeared from Western culture from the 12th to the 16th centuries.

While tattooing diminished in the west, it thrived in Japan. At first, tattoos were used to mark criminals. First offenses were marked with a line across the forehead. A second crime was marked by adding an arch. A third offense was marked by another line. Together these marks formed the Japanese character for "dog". It appears this was the original "Three strikes your out" law. In time, the Japanese escalated the tattoo to an aesthetic art form. The Japanese body suit originated around 1700 as a reaction to strict laws concerning conspicuous consumption. Only royalty were allowed to wear ornate clothing. As a result of this, the middle class adorned themselves with elaborate full body tattoos. A highly tattooed person wearing only a loin cloth was considered well dressed, but only in the privacy of their own home.

William Dampher is responsible for re-introducing tattooing to the west. He was a sailor and explorer who traveled the South Seas. In 1691 he brought to London a heavily tattooed Polynesian named Prince Giolo, Known as the Painted Prince. He was put on exhibition , a money making attraction, and became the rage of London. It had been 600 years since tattoos had been seen in Europe and it would be another 100 years before tattooing would make it mark in the West.

In the late 1700s, Captain Cook made several trips to the South Pacific. The people of London welcomed his stories and were anxious to see the art and artifacts he brought back. Returning form one of this trips, he brought a heavily tattooed Polynesian named Omai. He was a sensation in London. Soon, the upper- class were getting small tattoos in discreet places. For a short time tattooing became a fad.

What kept tattooing from becoming more widespread was its slow and painstaking procedure. Each puncture of the skin was done by hand the ink was applied. In 1891, Samuel O'Rtiely patented the first electric tattooing machine. It was based on Edison's electric pen which punctured paper with a needle point. The basic design with moving coils, a tube and a needle bar, are the components of today's tattoo gun. The electric tattoo machine allowed anyone to obtain a reasonably priced, and readily available tattoo. As the average person could easily get a tattoo, the upper classes turned away from it.

By the turn of the century, tattooing had lost a great deal of credibility. Tattooists worked the sleazier sections of town. Heavily tattooed people traveled with circuses and "freak Shows." Betty Brodbent traveled with Ringling Brothers Circus in the 1930s and was a star attraction for years.

The cultural view of tattooing was so poor for most of the century that tattooing went underground. Few were accepted into the secret society of artists and there were no schools to study the craft. There were no magazines or associations. Tattoo suppliers rarely advertised their products. One had to learn through the scuttlebutt where to go and who to see for quality tattoos.

The birthplace of the American style tattoo was Chatham Square in New York City. At the turn of the century it was a seaport and entertainment center attracting working-class people with money. Samuel O'Riely cam from Boston and set up shop there. He took on an apprentice named Charlie Wagner. After O'Reily's death in 1908, Wagner opened a supply business with Lew Alberts. Alberts had trained as a wallpaper designer and he transferred those skills to the design of tattoos. He is noted for redesigning a large portion of early tattoo flash art.

While tattooing was declining in popularity across the country, in Chatham Square in flourished. Husbands tattooed their wives with examples of their best work. They played the role of walking advertisements for their husbands' work. At this time, cosmetic tattooing became popular, blush for cheeks, coloured lips, and eyeliner. With world war I, the flash art images changed to those of bravery and wartime icons.

In the 1920s, with prohibition and then the depression, Chathma Square lost its appeal. The center for tattoo art moved to Coney Island. Across the country, tattooists opened shops in areas that would support them, namely cities with military bases close by, particularly naval bases. Tattoos were know as travel markers. You could tell where a person had been by their tattoos.

After world war II, tattoos became further denigrated by their associations with Marlon Brando type bikers and Juvenile delinquents. Tattooing had little respect in American culture. Then, in 1961 there was an outbreak of hepatitis and tattooing was sent reeling on its heels.

Though most tattoo shops had sterilization machines, few used them. Newspapers reported stories of blood poisoning, hepatitis, and other diseases. The general population held tattoo parlors in disrepute. At first, the New York City government gave the tattoos an opportunity to form an association and self- regulate, but tattooists are independent and they were not able to organize themselves. A health code violation went into effect and the tattoo shops at Times Square and Coney Island were shut down. For a time, it was difficult to get a tattoo in New York. It was illegal and tattoos had a terrible reputation. Few people wanted a tattoo. The better shops moved to Philadelphia and New Jersey where it was still legal.

In the late 1960s, the attitude towards tattooing changed. Much credit can be given to Lyle Tuttle. He is a handsome, charming, interesting and knows how to use the media. He tattooed celebrities, particularly women. Magazines and television went to Lyle to get information about this ancient art form.

Toady, tattooing is making a strong comeback. It is more popular and accepted than it has ever been. All classes of people seek the best tattoo artists. This rise in popularity has placed tattoists in the category of "fine artist". The tattooist has garnered a respect not seen for over 100 years. Current artists combine the tr5adition of tattooing with their personal style creating unique and phenomenal body art. With the addition of new inks, tattooing has certainly reached a new plateau.