The Armband Tattoo Meaning and 165 Wraparound Designs

The meaning behind the armband tattoo largely has to do with the design. For instance, a solid black design can depict pain and despair while ornamental designs are largely about feminine creative energy.

An armband tattoo was one of the first pieces of ink that I got. As you know, when you are young, you obsess over the meaning of your tattoos even more than you do now. So, I just had to figure out all the possible meanings for an armband tattoo. It is many years later on, but with the popularity of these designs, I decided to do a post on it!

Here, I will show you each armband tattoo meaning based on the design. I will also show you some beautiful concepts for you to draw inspiration. Let's get started.

What Do Armband Tattoos Symbolize?

Well, the first thing that I want to say is that armband tattoos come in all different designs and sizes - there are numerous types of armband tattoos. So, it is difficult to define every armband tattoo meaning.

Also, these kinds of tattoos go by many different names - they are also sometimes referred to as bracelet tattoos. However, bracelet tattoos may also refer to tattoos that sit around the wrist. So, make sure to talk about proper placement with these tattoos.

That being said, I am going to talk about the most popular armband tattoo meaning and the history behind it.

One of the most common armband tattoo designs is the solid black armband tattoo. This is actually a permanent representation of the black armbands that people used to wear many years ago.

It is difficult to know who started the practice. However, many people say that wearing black armbands began in Ancient Egypt and that it was passed onto the Romans.

People wore a black armband to symbolize that they had just experienced an incredible loss, one that they would never fully heal from. This band was usually worn to express that they someone very close to them had passed on.

This practice regained popularity in Victorian times in lower and middle socioeconomic classes. Back then, people were expected to wear all black clothing, often for up to a year after a loved one had passed.

However, most people couldn't afford this kind of clothing. Due to this, they wore a black armband instead.

To this day, the armband tattoo meaning is linked to loss. For some people, they are talking about a loved one. For others, though, this armband tattoo is a representation of a different kind of loss but one that is so deep that it still remains carved into their soul and body to this day.

The black armband isn't just about personal loss, though. The indigenous people of Australia wore armbands as a reminder of the atrocities committed against their people and their lands. It was their way of protesting the indignities that they and their families had to face.

Due to this, you will often hear people refer to certain parts of history as the black armband view of history. This defines a dark and terrible portion of history that can never quite fully be cast in a different light.

Due to this, an armband tattoo meaning is often linked to a terrible past. One that was nothing but darkness and shadows.

This doesn't automatically guarantee that your armband tattoo meaning has to be terrible, though. While this solid black armband tattoo can be a symbol of something dark, it can also signify that these events must be left in the past so that you can look to a brighter and better future.

The Top Armband Tattoo Designs

Here are the armband tattoos that you can consider:

Single Solid Black Armband Tattoos

As I mentioned, a single solid black armband tattoo typically has to do with loss. It can also sometimes refer to a dark period from your past.

One of the things to know about the solid black armband tattoo is that it can come in different thicknesses. Some of the black armband tattoo concepts will boast thinner bands. Others, however, will be made of a very thick solid black armband.

Sometimes, this is used to indicate the size of the loss. The greater the loss, the thicker the solid black armband tattoo. The thinner solid black tattoos may indicate a smaller loss.

Of course, this isn't always the case. Sometimes, the solid black armbands are tattooed with varying thicknesses for aesthetic purposes rather than any real meaning.

Now, I know that this armband tattoo meaning can seem pretty bleak. However, there is a bright side to things. While once these solid bands were associated only with sadness and loss, they are now taking on a new meaning.

They are beginning to symbolize strength. After all, you need to be brave and strong to move past such a dark period in your life and to still emerge victorious.

So, rather than just symbolizing the worst moments in your life, having this band tattooed on you can signify a new you and a new beginning as well.

An armband tattoo with a single black line is actually pretty rare. However, this can make it even more meaningful.

This armband tattoo can be a reminder of the greatest hurt that you have experienced in your life. This marks something truly significant in your life.

Multiple Solid Black Armband Tattoos

You will have likely seen solid black armband tattoos with two or more lines on them.

So:

What does the double solid black band armband tattoo mean?

This kind of solid armband tattoo is usually used to depict multiple losses in your life. In some cases, there is a small amount of space between the multiple bands and in other cases, the distance is minimal.

This distance can indicate how much time has passed between each loss. Or, if the losses are quite different, space may be used to distinguish between each armband tattoo.

Once again, though, it is just as likely that this is done for design purposes. In fact, more and more of these armband tattoo ideas are doing for the sake of aesthetics. This does mean that you have the freedom to get a lot more creative with your tattoos, though.

This could mean changing up the color of the bands or even including some slight variations to help you switch things up.

Tribal Armband Tattoos

When people refer to tribal armband tattoos, they are typically referring to armband tattoos with a Polynesian tribal style.

These tribal armbands are truly gorgeous. They also hold a great deal of significance. They are used to define genealogy, adulthood, societal hierarchy, and more.

If you are considering get these armband tattoos, it is important to understand that tribal designs vary quite a bit from one culture to another, although they all have indigenous roots.

This means that a Hawaiian armband tattoo is different from a Maori armband tattoo. For instance, Hawaiian tribal tattoos are recognizable due to their repeating geometric shapes. The Maori tribal armbands, on the other hand, have specific spiral designs to them.

This is why if you do want to get your tribal armband tattoo, you need to put in some serious research first. Make an effort to understand the distinct patterns of each culture, their cultural significance, what the combination of these patterns mean, and more.

It is also best if you work with tattoo artists who have experience with these kinds of tattoos. They will be better equipped to help you understand the true pattern of your tribal armband.

This may seem like a lot of effort but remember that you're getting a permanent tattoo. Therefore, you owe it to yourself and the cultures you are borrowing from to be certain of the Polynesian or Hawaiian armband tattoos you are getting.

Celtic Armband Tattoos

I have noticed an uptick in the number of people getting Celtic tattoos, particularly armband tattoos. This is because more individuals are discovering their Irish heritage. Due to the mass immigration of the Irish, people all over the world have Irish ancestors.

So, people get these armband tattoos to signify their Celtic culture.

The most common design for these armband tattoos is the Celtic knot armband. Before going any further, I have to remind you that there are plenty of different Celtic knots. Each of them have different meanings.

So, although some of these knots may look random, this isn't the case at all. It isn't enough to get a knot or tattoo with the Celtic style, you also have to get a design that is in line with the symbolism that you want to portray. So, while this is a really cool tattoo design, keep in mind that there is actual significance to it.

In general, the knots are used to signify interconnectedness. In some cases, it is a bond between men and women or even more than two people. At the same time, these knots can signify the relationship between humans and nature or any elements, really.

Some Celtic armbands are made of the knot tattoo design. However, some people also choose to incorporate symbols into their body art. This can be traditional symbols or you can choose something that has a bit more personal meaning to you.

I also want to go into depth about one of the more popular Celtic armband symbols - the triquetra. This is made of three intricately interwoven lines that are interlocking and that have three pointed corners.

Most people think that this particular tattoo design has Christian roots but in reality, the design is much older. This one design can actually have a lot of different meanings.

Some believe it to be a symbol of the maiden, the mother, and the crone - this is the three stages of a woman's life although it can be used to signify innocence, caretaking, and experience.

This symbol has been co-opted by Christianity, though. People use it to depict the relationship between Jesus Christ, the Father, and the Holy Spirit.

Once again, I would suggest that you work with a tattoo artist who does have some knowledge about Celtic symbols. This greatly reduces the risk of you getting the wrong tattoo design.

Hinduism Based Armband Tattoos

I have also found that more people are embracing Hinduism and the principles that go along with it. So, people are also getting armband tattoos with Hindu Gods, Goddesses, and other symbols associated with the religion.

These are absolutely gorgeous and a really unique armband tattoo idea!

Floral Armband Tattoos

This is a fairly new tattoo design but the concept has caught on quickly. See, not only is the floral armband tattoo really cute, but it can also have a lot of meaning.

Some armband tattoos with a floral pattern are separated by two lines. In this case, the solid black armband tattoo may represent sadness, grief, or loss. However, the flowers surrounding these designs indicate that something beautiful can come from this sadness.

It is also proof that the hard or dark times don't last forever. Eventually, you learn to move on and start living your life again.

You should also understand that although flowers are traditionally depicted as being beautiful and fragile, they are also incredibly strong. For instances, with roses you have thorns and wildflowers are incredibly adaptive, able to grow anywhere.

These are also some meanings that you can get your tattoo artist to incorporate into your ink.

Barbed Wire Armband Tattoos

Barbed wire tattoos are arguably some of the oldest designs around. Despite this, I have to say that it is still one of my favorite tattoo design ideas to create.

What a lot of people don't realize about a barbed wire tattoo is that it actually comes with a meaning. Like with the solid black armband tattoo, the barbed wire tattoo design is a symbolism of pain.

After all, what happens if you touch or try to cross barbed wire? You get hurt. Therefore, it means that you have been hurt in some form or the other.

It can be a reminder of the person or people who hurt you. Or, you can wear this permanent tattoo as a badge of honor - to remind yourself that you were able to overcome whatever has been thrown your way.

I know that some people don't like the classic design of this tattoo. So, if you would like to move away from this concept, you can look for more modern or classic approaches to this concept.

Family Armband Tattoos

I love that people have been getting so creative with their armband tattoo design ideas. In this case, people are incorporating the concept of family into their tattoo design.

Sometimes, the band has a plain band while in other cases, there is a tribal motif. However, the main focus with these kinds of tattoos is that it depicts a family in one form or the other.

Ornamental Armband Tattoos

This is another creative armband tattoo idea that I really love. While most bracelet tattoo ideas work for men and women, this one is largely for the ladies.

One of the cornerstones of this kind of armband tattoo design is that it is incredibly beautiful and delicate. At the same time, you have a lot of freedom to play around with the design and come up with a completely unique tattoo design.

This is also a great armband idea if you are looking for something more subtle.

Landscape Armband Tattoos

As I have already said, I love how people keep coming up with new ideas for the armband tattoo. This is yet another innovative design.

In this instance, you get a landscape or skyline tattooed above the solid band. Or, if you want to throw the rules out of the window, feel free to get rid of the band altogether.

This kind of armband tattoo can actually hold a lot of meaning for you. If you get your favorite landscape or a city that you grew up in, this can be a beautiful reminder for you.

Geometric Armband Tattoos

As the name suggests, this is where the armband tattoo consists of various geometric shapes and designs. This is actually a really cool and modern look for your armband tattoo.

Before you dismiss it as just being for aesthetic purposes, keep in mind that many people find proper shapes and repeating patterns to be quite soothing. Therefore, this kind of armband tattoo can be calming to the people who get it.

As you can see, the meaning behind the armband tattoo can vary quite a bit. Of course, you might be all caught up on the possible sentiments behind this kind of tattoo. So, if you want to get your own piece of ink, you will be well-informed.