Moto tattoo on shoulder, photo from:
Moto. The subculture appeared in the 50s in the United States. The values and distinctive features of the direction were formed almost immediately.
Tattoo traditions were formed from army and prison culture. The set of symbols and their meaning have not changed their meaning to this day.
A little history
From the first years of the existence of biker clubs in the United States, they had a bad reputation, since members of the clubs were seen in massive violation of the law. There were strict criteria for admission to the club:
- Availability of a chopper or luxury tourist;
- Helmet in the style of the Wehrmacht;
- Biker style leather jacket;
- Leather pants.
Later, clubs began to be recognized by biker tattoos and the logo on the jacket. However, over time, the rules have been relaxed or become blurred. There are no longer strict conditions for admission to the club, and the movement has spread throughout the world and taken root in Russia. The most famous domestic motorcycle club was the “Night Wolves”. The club invariably participates in various all-Russian events and receives serious support from the authorities.
Blackwork sleeves
We should not forget that blackwork is also the last chance to become creative if you have an old tattoo that cannot be removed with a laser or corrected using the coverup method (applying a new tattoo over the old one).
In essence, the Blackwork style is coverup, only more progressive and 100% effective. A large area is covered with a dense black paint, and a pattern, often geometric, is placed on top of the paint with a white coloring pigment (paint). The end result is very nice.
Who is suitable for biker tattoos?
Thematic biker tattoos are considered the main value of the direction. Thanks to them, the motorcyclist expresses his essence and love for the club. There is no need to use this symbolism without belonging to the community, as this can lead to negative consequences.
In the United States, there have been cases when identified unauthorized image carriers suffered terrible pain as a result of forcibly burning or cutting off the image. Club members demonstrate their strong or dangerous character traits through tattoos.
As a result of the use of a special biker tattoo, a club member emphasizes the right to special status and corresponding privileges.
The meaning of biker tattoos
The symbolism was influenced by the aviation theme, as the first riders in motorcycle competitions were fighter pilots. Therefore, biker symbolism is filled with the image of wings or birds.
Biker tattoos are created for people with a strong spirit. Not every person can devote all their free time to a motorcycle and club members. Therefore, tattoo ideas are suitable only for those who are ready to defend their own beliefs and the honor of the club.
At a certain point, the meaning of biker tattoos merged with the rocker trend. Bikers say that being a member of the club is not enough to get the appropriate tattoo.
It is necessary to have a free soul and a heart working in unison with the engine. Then the body image will have a special meaning and will become the pride of the owner. Traditional biker tattoos are performed in the style of old school, lettering and realism.
Motorcycle tattoo: place of application
When it comes to choosing a place on the body for bikers, there are no fundamental preferences. The exception is the taboo on wearing a tattoo in the sacral area for men.
A tattoo depicting a fiery engine is highly prized. It is associated with the connection between the car and the driver’s heart. The motorcycle is credited with the properties of a living creature with its own will and temperament.
That is why the favorite place for this tattoo is the area on the chest, forearm or back of the hand. With the advent of biker tattoo culture and northern traditions, sleeves with Celtic script became popular.
A motorcycle on fire tattoo can be seen on the back, chest or over the shoulder. An eagle with open wings, entwined with ribbons, is also stuffed here. The image of a whole motorcycle is printed on the stomach, if the size of the abs allows. This image is popular among those with a beer belly.
Options for motorcycle and biker tattoos
For motorcyclists, signs associated with the manifestation of freedom are important. The original images were taken from American state symbols. Among such borrowings are the eagle, arrows, stars, and banner.
Since the tattoo is not only decorative but also protective, many designs are supplemented with sacred signs. Crosses, images of eyes, and weapons are popular.
The drawings are arranged according to the traditions of old school symbolism. For example, a female and male footprint in an embrace symbolizes that the motorcyclist will be connected to the road even after death.
This meaning is reinforced by the inscription on the tape with an allegorical meaning. The symbol of Fortune can be cards or dice.
Among the symbolism there are many tattoos associated with death. The road is unpredictable and dangerous, which is expressed in the images. By painting the image of the reaper on his body, the biker confirms that he entrusts his life to the road and luck.
Popular biker tattoo designs
Typically, sketches are based on the symbolism of death, freedom and a motorcycle. This triad becomes part of a biker’s life. They are believed to convey the unpredictability of the road and the tireless development of the spirit through the trials of a lifelong journey. That’s why biker tattoos are distinguished by harsh motifs:
- The most popular was the image of a motor and a heart as a sign of love for your motorcycle and the whole direction in general;
- Image 1%. Means being among the 1% of bikers with a criminal record;
- The inscription IronCross denotes an expression of protest against the actions of the authorities towards biker clubs;
- The skull symbolizes the inevitability of death and the power of belief in the immortality of the soul;
- An eagle with a white head means complete freedom;
- The devil's head signals the stern character of the owner of the tattoo;
- The image of a piston signifies the love of high speed motorcycles. The biker deliberately uses it to the limit.
To make a choice, you can look through many photos, catalogs, or try to create an original drawing using your own imagination and compliance with the canons of biker tattoo art.
What kind of motorcycle tattoo can be on your hand?
Masters who apply tattoos assure that the image of a bike will look best on the back or chest. The reason for this is simple: as a rule, the picture of a motorcycle is made quite large. And a large pattern will look very ugly on small areas of the skin. However, you can easily get a small motorcycle tattoo on your arm or leg, for example, on your calf or forearm. Bald men also put a drawing of an iron horse on the back of their heads. Undoubtedly, such a motorcycle tattoo looks quite impressive, but not everyone risks getting a picture in this place. Moreover, if in the future you suddenly want to resort to a process such as tattoo removal, removing the design from the back of your head will not be so easy.
What color can a motorcycle tattoo on a leg be? Here again, it all depends on your desires. The picture of the bike can be either color or black and white. Moreover, among bikers, the latter option is most common. Many fans of iron horses ask to use color only to emphasize certain elements of the tattoo, for example, blood or fire.
Before visiting a tattoo artist, look on the Internet for the most popular designs, in which motorcycles predominate. Listen to your feelings and desires. Your heart will definitely tell you which motorcycle tattoo is worth getting to evoke fireworks of positive emotions, and which design you shouldn’t even pay attention to.
How did the biker tattoo with the image of the 1% appear?
The head of the American Motorcycle Association once complained that all biker clubs should not be viewed with disdain, since only 1% of the members of these communities are involved in breaking the law. After this, radical movements of bikers began to apply 1% on the body and consider this sign to be a distinctive symbol.
Recently, women have been accepted into clubs. They began to apply corresponding tattoos indicating their membership in one of the clubs. Therefore, it is easier for bikers to start a family based on their interests. It is not uncommon for the whole family to be members of the club. This is becoming a great example to follow as clubs become more socially aware.
There are fewer and fewer convinced criminals among them. But more true motorcycle lovers. This is confirmed by the corresponding photographs of entire families on motorcycles and in the corresponding symbols, which massively fill the Internet.
Motorcycle brand
A common tattoo option is a brand or even a drawing of your favorite motorcycle.
Harley-Davidson is one of the most popular tattoo themes. The largest bike club is made up of fans of this particular brand. Nowadays, bikers are considered not only those who ride classic choppers, but also motorcyclists on sports bikes. But still, Harley-Davidson is the standard of the bike and therefore, people often get tattoos with the name of this particular brand or with the V-Twin engine. The engine has long become a symbol of Harley bikes.
In addition to classic motorcycles, other brands such as Yamaha, Honda, and Suzuki are also stocked.
