Tattoos that men pierce on the shoulder have not lost their popularity since the Stone Age. Today they are used to emphasize the uniqueness of the body, the relief of muscles, and to express a special individuality. In past centuries, drawings on the body carried individual information about the owner, members of his tribe or family.
Advantages of shoulder tattoos
Tattooing for men on the shoulder provides a number of undeniable advantages:
- The shoulder is an embossed part of the body, which does not occupy a small area, there is a lot of space for applying a detailed drawing.
- Suitable for creating three-dimensional tattoos.
- Optionally, it is easy to open for viewing, wearing a T-shirt in the summer, or close it from prying eyes with a T-shirt.
- Effectively emphasizes sporty, brutal styles if a person is pumped up.
- Easy to cover so that it does not burn out quickly.
- The shoulder is a place where it is easy for a master to apply a painting.
How to choose a tattoo
The tattoo reflects the individuality of a person, the inner world, therefore, when choosing a pattern, you need to focus not only on your taste and worldview, but also on the visual perception of the tattoo by others.
It is important to understand that some hackneyed stories: a hive with bees, a stoker next to a firebox, pictures with a snake, an apple and Eve, are popular among prisoners in the countries of the former Soviet Union, who were forced to use sexual violence.
Having chosen a painting, you need to think about its expediency for several days, so as not to regret a tattoo in the future.
Tattoo styles for men and their meaning
Modern tattoo styles are confusing and can have common traits. An ethnic style is often encountered, which includes many directions. It unites their connection with the history, life and culture of the people.
Popular drawings come in the following directions:
- Indian - intricate, colorful drawings of the surrounding animal world, gods, amulets. Among the Indians, only male body designs had a sacred meaning.
- Scythian - based on the image of animals. Inside the large paintings there are others in meaning, with a lot of small details. Male ones are distinguished by a large number of straight lines, they are more pronounced.
- Oriental - combines:
- Japanese (images of warriors, geisha, sun, hieroglyphs, anime characters);
- Chinese (dragons, hieroglyphs);
- Indian (floral ornaments, images of gods, Sanskrit inscriptions);
- oriental unites oriental images and their semantic load, but contains many geometric shapes that are repeated symmetrically.
- Polynesian - symmetrically diverging ribbons, waves, spirals, rays. Initially, they carried only informational load, determination of a person's status. The word "tattoo" itself comes from the islands of Polynesia, meaning a drawing. The meaning of a modern tattoo is a beautiful picture.
- Tribal - a kind of Polynesian style. Widespread and recognizable. These are sharp-pointed, bright, juicy patterns. Expresses the connection between the spiritual, bodily worlds.
- Chicano - the name coincides with the name of the tribe of South America, later the style was used by members of criminal gangs of the same locality to determine their belonging to the group and place in it. Drawings are made at a high artistic level.
The following areas of underwear painting are also common:
- Made by engraving... Consist of clear black lines. They do not contain any sacred meanings.
- Bioorganics - Abstract drawings of a fantastic nature, depicting naked body parts with holes, protruding bones or organs, which are highlighted with red or white light. The images are bright, fantastic, crisp.
- Minimalism - small sketches, easy to execute. They contain prints, animals, flowers, the simplest landscapes, of the same color.
- Linework - translated as the work of lines. Small drawings are applied so that straight lines form a simple picture. Anything can be depicted in any colors. More often than others, red and black are used.
- Realism - this is the drawing on the body of portraits, less often animals, plants. The more the portrait looks like a living person, the better. The most difficult direction to execute. Requires high qualifications of an artist. It is carried out using a full range of paints.
- old school - old school, style was invented by European sailors in the 19th century. This includes anchors, schooners, roses, hearts, names - everything related to the sea. These are charms that are in the sea, reminiscent of home, loved ones, children. Pictures are created with bright, outlined rich, thick black lines.
- Trash polka - popular among rebels by nature, it is a kind of protest against established rules, banality, hypocrisy. Thrash is rubbish, but presented in such a form that not only shocks, but attracts to itself.
- Dotwork - a peculiar style, applied exclusively with dots. The saturation of the picture, the width of the lines depends on the number of points per square cm. Of the area. Created in black or red. The volume of the drawing should be large. Small will not look. For this style, the shoulder is more suitable than other body parts.
- New school - a new direction that unites currents similar to street graffiti. These are youthful funny pictures, clear, simple, clearly visible from afar.
Celtic patterns
The Celts believed that life events are interconnected and flow endlessly. After death, the soul is born in another body. The seasons always follow each other in turn. This is well expressed by the ornament. Confused lines without beginning and end, symbolize the intricacies of life, the connection of the spiritual and physical worlds.
Frequently encountered figures:
- loops,
- nodes,
- spirals,
- curls
- geometric figures.
None interrupted. Braid symbolizes the unity of the spiritual and earthly worlds. The medallion is a talisman that symbolizes friendship or love. The spiral means striving for spiritual growth.
Fire cross, krikvetr mean:
- reincarnation;
- fertility;
- long life;
- love for family;
- home amulet.
Tattoos - inscriptions and their meaning
Tattoos in the form of an inscription are often chosen by men, and not only on the shoulder.
The following languages are used for writing:
- Latin;
- English;
- Russian;
- the old Russian alphabet;
- Arabic script;
- hieroglyphs.
This type of image differs from a drawing in that it has a specific meaning.
This is a life motto, a reminder of a special event. It is important to correctly understand the meaning of the inscription, if you do not know the language in which the thought will be embossed.
As a rule, male inscriptions on the shoulder emphasize masculinity, therefore, being larger than female ones, may have a sharper meaning. In addition to language and meaning, they differ in the style of execution: volumetric, graphic, color, decorated in the Celtic style, Polynesian ...
Black and white and color tattoos
Color helps to convey a wider range of feelings, semantic load. Black and white is a classic combination. Speaks of the owner as harmonious, restrained.Only in black and white, several styles are performed, for example, engraving. The inscriptions are often performed in this color scheme.
It is important to understand that color images are more likely to need correction.
Tattoos with a sense of strength and goodness
Men, choosing a tattoo on their shoulder, interpret the plot according to their inner world. There is no one set rule or meaning for images. The drawing of any large beast or bird of prey will speak of strength... It serves good or evil, depends on the inner world of the person who has chosen this animal.
The tendency to defend the forces of good can be said:
- philosophical trends that balance the balance of the forces of good and evil;
- phrases, hieroglyphs with the appropriate meaning;
- a deer that kills a snake and a Japanese dragon are interpreted as a force serving good.
Slavic tattoo
Slavic style - associated with the pre-Christian period of development of the Slavic peoples. Runes are used that have a volumetric meaning, most often amulets or signs designed to bring certain desired changes into a person's life.
For example, the swastika attracts a large number of fast-paced changes brought about by life. Sacred signs are best used if you are familiar with them deeply enough.
Japanese designs for men on the shoulder
Japanese culture in tattoo art is popular all over the world. She has a special philosophy, saturated with symbolism. Such tattoos are a special, well-developed art form.
Most often depicted:
- dragon, symbolizes the power of good, generosity, intelligence, is associated with the water element;
- Koi carp is success, self-improvement, which leads to wealth, victory, prosperity;
- Phoenix, Firebird - no death, rebirth, rebirth, infinity of life;
- Tiger - strength, amulet from evil forces, disease, damage;
- The lion is also an amulet;
- Snake - wise, judicious, protecting life, health;
- the image of the skull by the Japanese, carries a positive meaning, speaks of rebirth after death, expresses the desire for change;
Dragons, flowers, warriors, geisha are often depicted. The final meaning of the message is read in the overall context of the entire drawing.
Maori Tattoos
Maori are a tribe of the Polynesian islands. Full information about the person was read from their underwear... The members of the tribe consider the absence of body drawings unacceptable to this day. They used to paint with improvised objects. It was a painful procedure that could lead to death. Images with lots of fine details.
Such drawings played an important role in shamanic rituals. They were used to correct character, health, luck and fate in general. The Maori style combines geometric shapes with flowing lines. You can draw various animals, lizards, snakes with lines. Drawings are suitable for those who do not like banal solutions.
Tattoos - animals
Animals are portrayed as real and mystical. The meaning of the image is the one that is put by the person. 
As a rule, it is strength, intelligence, cunning. But the same animals can symbolize rage, cruelty, mastery of the art of deception.
Insect tattoos for men
Beetles, especially scarabs, are associated with:
- good luck;
- cunning;
- money;
- good luck.
Scorpions are more often used as an astrological sign. The meaning is wisdom, justice. Scorpio and rose are a sign of a happy marriage. Spiders attract wealth, open up great opportunities.
Abstract tattoos
Abstractionism is a direction of painting that does not depict natural objects, consists of a combination of different colors, figures, but at the same time it is impressive. The meaning of abstraction on a tattoo depends on the overall impression of the painting. 
You can capture copies of the works of famous masters. There are no generally accepted differences between men and women.
Biomechanics tattoo
The direction of fiction.Under the opened human skin, the structure of the robot's shoulder is revealed for viewing: metal, pistons, bearings, a protruding weapon or part of it. 
It symbolizes, as a rule, the hidden practicality and severity in the views of the personality.
Armor
Armor is associated with warrior, war, and strength. 
Some men pierced armor to give themselves more courage, but they can also be used as a talisman against misfortune.
Dragons
Dragons in the Western world are associated with:
- fire;
- brute force;
- anger, rage.
Eastern peoples are associated with:
- water;
- wisdom;
- calmness;
- protection;
- generosity.
Skull tattoo
The sacred skull reminds of the transience of life.
Religious movements view the skull as:
- amulet;
- a symbol of forgiveness and eternal life in the afterlife;
- symbol of wisdom;
- unity with deceased ancestors at the energy level, receiving their support, protection.
Since ancient times, pirates have used this symbol to intimidate others. The skull on the shoulder of the offender indicates that he earns by stealing. If the skull is pierced with a dagger, the culprit vows to take revenge on his enemies.
3d tattoo
As you know, 3D is a three-dimensional image. It can be done in any style. It testifies to the mastery of the highest class not only in painting, but also in creating an optical illusion.
Such images are considered fashionable, but they are among the ones that need to be corrected every few years.
Popular tattoos
Large size tattoos look good on the shoulder. It is necessary to select a fashionable image based on the inner world and appearance. It cannot be out of fashion, a properly chosen tattoo. This art is timeless.
Tattoo care
Immediately after applying the tattoo on the shoulder, it is covered with a protective film so that dirt does not get on the inflamed skin and an infection does not develop. After a while, the film is removed, the body is washed with warm water and liquid antibacterial soap. After drying, you need to treat the skin with Bepanten or Bepanten Plus cream. If you use cheaper analogues of these products, the tattoo may fade.
Then you need to attach a special film and make a compress. Do not use adhesive plaster. Until the skin heals, it is necessary to rinse 2 to 3 times a day. As the crust appears, the skin will itch. During this period, you need to refrain from scratching so as not to distort the drawing.
Within a week after tattooing, you must not:
- go to the pool, bathhouse or beach;
- stay in the bright sun;
- wear tight and tight clothing;
- clothing containing chemical fiber, coarse and woolen threads.
Two weeks after applying the tattoo, all restrictions are removed. To preserve the brightness of the pattern on a man's shoulder, it is worth using a sunblock with a high degree of protection against UV rays on the beach.
Video: tattoos for men on the shoulder
Fashionable tattoos for men on the shoulder in the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWRHtIWDi1Y
What do ethnic tattoos mean in men, see the video clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs9_urw8iYA