Originally posted on May 11, 2022 @ 7:00 am
When it comes to male tattoos, half sleeve tattoos are probably the most common around. After all, half sleeve tattoos for men, when done properly, can look fantastic. The canvas should be large enough to fit most tattoos on there too.
On this page, we are going to look at some of the most popular half sleeve tattoos for men. We are also going to give some example photos for each of them. Some of these photos will be of standard tattoos (i..e. not half sleeved) because they are uncommon as half sleeve tattoos. However, we are sure that you will get the idea, and we are confident that you will be able to come up with a few ideas of your own!
1. Flower Half Sleeve Tattoo
Let’s start with one of the most popular of the half sleeve tattoos. Flower tattoos are always great because you can change up the messaging depending on the flower that you use e.g. rose tattoos work well when you want a symbol of love or rebirth.
Some of the best tattoos (look at the image that we have included) will cover a selection of flowers, just to give that much more stunning look to things. You could color in the tattoo flowers if you want. However, we find that flower half sleeve tattoos can work just as well if they are a bit of line art.
2. Rose Half Sleeve Tattoo
Rose half sleeve tattoos are another form of awesome flowery tattoo that you can get. As you probably know, these flowers are a symbol of love and romance. A lot of people get them to symbolize the love that they have for their partners. Although, of course, you don’t need to do that. Some people see the rose as a symbol of rebirth.
We see a lot of people getting this type of tattoo when they have overcome an addiction or, perhaps, they are looking to start a new journey in their life. Roses work best when they are colored in, although you do not have to.
3. Japanese Half Sleeve Tattoo
Japanese tattoos can cover a whole host of areas. You may, for example, want to get a small amount of Japanese writing. However, this doesn’t work quite so well when it comes to half sleeve tattoos. Instead, you may want to go for typical Japanese imagery e.g. images that look like they have come from Asian countries.
The Japanese half sleeve tattoo that we have included on this list includes beautiful Japanese flowers. However, you don’t have to go down that route. For example, there are some people that may want to get mythical beasts or something similar to that.
4. Tribal Half Sleeve Tattoo
Tribal half sleeve tattoos are a fantastic choice for those that want some pretty amazing tribal art. Although, of course, most people would probably want you to be a member of a tribe, or at least have close ties to one, before you get a tattoo like this.
If you do, then you should be able to find a tribal art that is perfect for you. Remember, there are a lot of different tribes out there, each of which has its own style of artwork that you will be able to use.
5. Dragon Half Sleeve Tattoo
Dragons are powerful beasts. They have been shown in a number of different cultures, and they all have slightly different designs. For example, the dragons that you see in Chinese tattoos would be different from the ones that have British origins. We actually love them for this reason. It is a great way to explore a whole host of different cultures and end up with something that really does look good.
As with many of the tattoos that you see on this list, dragon half sleeve tattoos for men do not really need any color. You can just have a detailed piece of line art, and you will end up with something that looks great.
6. Lion Half Sleeve Tattoo
Lions, in many cultures, are seen as a symbol of courage. They are seen as kings. They are royalty. You may even find them referred to as symbols of strength. It is no surprise that so many people want to get them.
Even if you don’t like the symbolism, there is no denying that a lion tattoo just looks so incredibly good. If you get the right tattoo artist working on it, then you are going to get a detailed lion that is going to be turning heads everywhere that you go. That is all people really want in a tat, right?
7. Wolf Half Sleeve Tattoo
Wolves have always been a symbol of loyalty and respect. Just like the lion, this is another one of those tattoos where you don’t really need to think too much about the symbolism. If you decide to get yourself a detailed tattoo, then you will have something that is really going to catch people’s attention.
You may even want to consider getting a few wolves on your arm. This could be a symbol of a family (it goes well with the whole loyalty symbolism)
8. Skull Half Sleeve Tattoo
Skull half sleeve tattoos are the ultimate emo/gothic tattoo. There are some people that associate the skull with death, which we suppose is true. However, we just like skulls because they often look amazing. You can get some incredible detail on these skull tattoos, especially with the right tattoo artist.
If you are planning on going all-in on this type of tattoo, then we suggest that you combine it with other detailed gothic imagery. While the skull tattoo tends to work incredibly well on its own, it really works so much better when it is surrounded by other images.
9. American Flag Half Sleeve Tattoo
If you are looking for the ultimate patriotic tattoo (assuming that you are American), then why not consider getting an American flag tattoo? Pair this tattoo with other forms of Americana, and you have a tattoo that is really going to show off how proud you are of your nationality.
We know that there are some people that frown upon these tattoos nowadays. However, go out there. Be loud and proud. You can get these tattoos with color, although some of the best American flag half sleeve tattoos tend to be black and white.
10. Cross Half Sleeve Tattoo
Cross half sleeve tattoos are fantastic for those that want to show off their religion. In our opinion, a cross is probably going to be a little bit too small to take up an entire half sleeve. You could put Jesus on the cross for more detail, though.
In our opinion, cross half sleeve tattoos tend to work a little bit better when you surround it with other sorts of religious imagery e.g. angels, bible quotes, etc. These half sleeve tattoos work best on your lower arm, just so you can show off who you are.
11. Viking Half Sleeve Tattoo
Have you got Scandinavian blood? A Viking tattoo can work well. While the Vikings have long since died out, there is a whole host of different types of imagery still around that you can use on the tattoo. For example, some of the best Viking tattoos we have seen will feature Viking runes (you can get your name in Viking runes) or perhaps images from the Norse religion.
Others may want to get Viking helmets and the like. Sure, they are not traditionally Viking, but we know that many people love them anyway.
12. Angel Half Sleeve Tattoo
This is another one of those half sleeve tattoos that you can use if you are religious. Pair this with some bible verses, and you have an awesome tattoo. However, we have seen non-religious folk use angel half sleeve tattoos too.
For example, we have seen them as memorial tributes to people, or you may even want to add a touch of Gothic charm to the tattoo, although that may be creeping more into demon territory.
13. Celtic Half Sleeve Tattoo
Want something that takes you back to Irish or Scottish roots? A Celtic tattoo can work wonders. If you want a tattoo that harks back to Ancient Britain, then beautiful Celtic runes or artwork can work wonders.
Some people may even want to incorporate a bit of the Celtic language into the half-sleeve tattoo. Honestly, Celtic half sleeve tattoos for men are up there with some of the most stunning tattoos ever. They are simple designs but so highly effective.
14. Color Half Sleeve Tattoo
This isn’t really a specific tattoo idea. Instead, it is just a way to spruce up a half-sleeve tattoo. As you can see from the image, we have selected a Pokemon half-sleeve tattoo idea (there aren’t enough of those around!). We have selected this because it shows how color tattoos work.
Basically, you load a ton of different colors into the image to create a tattoo that is sure to catch the attention of everybody that walks past. A good color tattoo can work with any of the ideas on this list.
15. Tiger Half Sleeve Tattoo
Tigers are a symbol of strength, loyalty, and cunning. Although, let’s be honest. The vast majority of people that get a tiger half sleeve tattoo tend to be getting one because the animal looks fantastic. If you can, we suggest getting this tattoo with a bit of color added to it.
The tiger just looks so much better when it is rocking those orange and white stripes. Although, of course, you can also take a leaf out of the sample tattoo book and just go for black and white. It is still recognizable as a tiger, after all.
16. Tree Half Sleeve Tattoo
Trees tend to have their own symbolism. As you go through this list, you will notice that we mention a few specific tree tattoos that you can get. However, even if you are not into the symbolism, there is no denying that a tree half sleeve tattoo looks great. You don’t have to get a single tree either.
If you look at the sample tattoo idea that we have given, then you will see that you can create beautiful scenes from them. In fact, some of our favorite tree half sleeve tattoos have featured epic landscapes, maybe with a few symbolic animals scattered in there.
17. Phoenix Half Sleeve Tattoo
The Phoenix is a beautiful mythical bird. In lore, the Phoenix is a bird that dies and is reborn again. A lot of people that tend to get a Phoenix half sleeve tattoo do so because they appear to be turning over a new leaf in their life. In our opinion, this is a great idea.
The Phoenix half sleeve tattoo is all about rebirth and becoming somebody new. Of course, the bird also plays a prominent role in the Harry Potter books, so somebody could just be a fan of Harry Potter.
18. Traditional Half Sleeve Tattoo
Traditional half sleeve tattoos are tough to define. This is because the idea of ‘traditional’ can mean something completely different, depending on who you ask. In our opinion, traditional half sleeve tattoos tend to be the more artistic tattoos. One where it almost seems as if the tattoo is a stunning work of art on the body.
The sort of thing that would normally be hanging up in a frame in an art gallery somewhere. They make use of bright colors and perhaps more traditional elements. While the example that we have given is Japanese, it is a design that can also work for traditional Americana.
19. Joker Half Sleeve Tattoo
Ask anybody to name a Batman villain, and we are sure that they will name The Joker. He is a character that has managed to stretch well beyond DC Comics. It is no surprise that many people are opting for a Joker half sleeve tattoo.
A lot of people see the Joker as a symbol of mental health struggles (to be fair, he is very mentally ill), while others have just fallen in love with the comic book character. There are plenty of designs to choose from and probably tons of comic book scenes that you can recreate.
20. Music Half Sleeve Tattoo
Music half sleeve tattoos come in a variety of different styles. Some people, like in the example image, may include images of their favorite instruments. We have seen some people stick images of their favorite bands or artists on their half sleeves. In other cases, you may be able to squeeze a few lyrics on there.
In fact, the lyrics are something that works especially well if you are looking to create a tattoo with your favorite bands. It really helps to round out the look.
21. Negative Space Half Sleeve Tattoo
Negative space tattoos tend to focus on the negative space. This means the blackness around the image. If you look at the example, you will see what we mean. The color is black. However, the focal point of the image (the lightning) is the part that isn’t highlighted.
You can do this with all sorts of images, although it does take a talented artist to do it justice. Some of our favorite negative space half sleeve tattoos have featured lettering.
22. Watercolor Half Sleeve Tattoo
A watercolor tattoo is not a specific type of tattoo. Instead, it refers to the way in which the image has been colored. The art style is meant to give the idea that the tattoo has been painted using watercolors. It is something that is incredibly tough to do.
However, as you can see from the example image of the Phoenix, when it is done right, it really works. A watercolor tattoo can be done with anything that needs a splash of color.
23. Eagle Half Sleeve Tattoo
Want to show off your patriotism? Not very patriotic, but just love the look of the eagle? Great! An eagle half-sleeve tattoo is going to be an awesome choice. Eagles work incredibly well as a tattoo. Most majestic birds do.
Of course, if you are planning on going down the slightly more patriotic route with this type of tattoo, then we suggest that you pair it with an American flag or two. Just to really make the image pop out on the sleeve.
24. Jesus Half Sleeve Tattoo
The Jesus half sleeve tattoo is probably going to be the type of tattoo reserved for the more religious folk. The example image that we have included is, honestly, one of the best-looking Jesus half sleeve tattoos that we have ever seen.
There is a huge amount of detail in the image, and the featured person is identifiably Jesus. Of course, you do not have to go anywhere near as detailed as this. We can imagine that this type of tattoo would likely be rather costly. Instead, you can opt for a cross or something similar.
25. Mountain Half Sleeve Tattoo
One of the reasons we love the half-sleeve tattoo world so much is because your arm is going to be a pretty big canvas. This means that you have the space to get some epic scenes tattooed onto you. In our opinion, mountains can look fantastic when part of a scene (or on their own).
If you look at the example tattoo, then the person has developed a beautiful landscape. You have mountains. You have trees. You have clouds. There is a whole lot of symbolism packed into the image, and it works wonderfully.
26. Owl Half Sleeve Tattoo
Yep. You guessed it. We have yet another majestic bird for you here. In this case, you have the wise owl. These birds have always been seen as a symbol of wisdom and loyalty. We especially love what the artist has managed to accomplish with this owl tattoo.
Obviously, there is a lot of detail here. However, the artist has also worked hard to focus on the negative space. You then have a pop of blue in the owl’s eyes to really spice things up. You don’t need anything anywhere near as detailed as this. However, we are fairly confident that if you did get something as detailed, people would pay attention.
27. Samurai Half Sleeve Tattoo
The Samurai is a key part of Japanese culture. These fellas were seen as some of the most loyal people. Because of this, the Samurai have been seen as a symbol of loyalty and strength. Although, to be honest, a lot of people have ditched the idea of looking into samurai symbolism nowadays.
If you see somebody rocking a samurai tattoo, then the chances are that they are doing this because they love the look. There is something about these warriors that looks so stunning. We suppose it is their unique outfits.
28. Snake Half Sleeve Tattoo
The snake is an animal that plays a prominent role in a Bible story. Actually, it plays a prominent role in the creation of man. A lot of people opt for a snake half sleeve tattoo for religious purposes.
Others opt for snake half sleeve tattoos because the snake is a symbol of fertility and rebirth. There are some people that may even tell you that the snake is a symbol of immortality.
29. Animal Half Sleeve Tattoo
Animal half sleeve tattoos are up there with some of the most common tattoos you can get. We suppose that this is because there are a variety of different routes that a person can go down. For some people, they get a picture of their pet or their favorite animal.
Others may look at the symbolism behind the animal and try to incorporate that into the tattoo that they get. You have thousands upon thousands of animals to choose from too, which means you can really be unique.
30. Mandala Half Sleeve Tattoo
The mandala is an Asian style of art. These tattoos make use of geometric patterns to create stunning pieces. Each mandala has its own symbolism behind it, so if you do have your heart set on a Mandala tattoo, then we suggest that you do a little bit of research to ensure that you end up with a great tattoo.
You will need to find a good tattoo artist for this art style, though. It is so important that the detail is geometric. If it isn’t, then it could ruin the entire tattoo.
31. Mayan Half Sleeve Tattoo
The Mayan culture is big in the tattoo world. It has also played a role in several biker gangs. Basically, there are a lot of people out there with Mayan half sleeve tattoos. This particular example shows off a stunning Mayana skull. It is almost Gothic in nature.
Of course, you don’t have to go down the same route as this image. There are people out there that have opted for Mayan warriors, Mayan Gods, or even Mayan writing. The possibilities are endless.
32. Medusa Half Sleeve Tattoo
While Medusa is said to have a little bit of an evil streak herself, this Greek God is meant to be a symbol of protection. She is supposed to keep evil spirits and other Gods at bay. Many of those that opt for a Medusa half sleeve tattoo are using it as that symbol of protection.
We have seen people use Medusa after they have gone through something particularly traumatic in their life e.g. having to deal with drug addiction or sexual assault. It makes them feel better knowing that harm is being kept away from them.
33. Space Half Sleeve Tattoo
We love ourselves a good space tattoo. This is because space is so beautiful. Just look at the example we have given. There is so much color. One of the main reasons why people seem to opt for a good space half sleeve tattoo is because it shows the vastness of everything around us. It shows that our problems are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. We love that sort of messaging.
34. Egyptian Half Sleeve Tattoo
Obviously, you can go down the route of modern Egyptian culture here. However, when most people tend to think of an Egyptian half sleeve tattoo, they tend to think of a tattoo that really captures Ancient Egyptian culture. You have Gods. You have mummies. You have pyramids. You have hieroglyphs. There is just so much that you are able to load into a stunning tattoo like this.
35. Minimalist Half Sleeve Tattoo
Minimalist half sleeve tattoos are tough to pull off. This is because the very nature of a half sleeve tattoo is the fact that they are supposed to take up a rather large amount of space. As you can probably guess from the name, a minimalist tattoo is meant to be a rather simple image.
Not a huge amount of detail. It is tough to find a minimalist tattoo that takes up the entire half sleeve. This is why many people go down the route of what you see in the example image. This is a ton of smaller minimalist images brought together.
36. Raven Half Sleeve Tattoo
The Raven is seen as a symbol of prophecy, although it is most closely associated with that death. In either case, the Raven is a beautiful bird. In our opinion, this is the type of tattoo that seems to do incredibly well when it is seen in some sort of gothic-inspired tattoo, perhaps something that closely relates to that of Edgar Allen Poe.
He wrote the quintessential story about the Raven, after all. However, there are plenty of ways that you can try and incorporate the Raven into your tattoos. You may even just want to go down the route of the example image and have it as the main focal point.
37. Religious Half Sleeve Tattoo
Obviously, a lot of what you would be looking for in a religious tattoo will be based upon the religion that you follow. Our example image is the Virgin Mary, but you may want to look into other religious symbolism if that doesn’t seem to gel with you.
The whole point of a religious tattoo is to show your commitment to your faith. It is to show people what you follow and what beliefs have the most impact on your life. It can even serve as a bit of a reminder when you need more of a guiding force in your life.
38. Buddha Half Sleeve Tattoo
If you are a Buddhist, then you may want to consider a Buddha half-sleeve tattoo. Pair it with some lotus flowers, and you have a tattoo that exudes peace. Of course, you don’t even need to be a Buddhist to get a Buddha tattoo.
Some people just love the idea of a Buddha tattoo due to how closely it is associated with the idea of peace and tranquility.
39. Clock Half Sleeve Tattoo
Clocks make wonderful tattoos, just because of how many different styles you can have the clock. You can also think hard about the time that you want on the clock too. It may be a time that has had special meaning to you, for example.
The clock can symbolize many different things. One of the main ways people see the symbolism is in how time is constantly ticking around us. How we should make the most of the life that we live.
40. Geometric Half Sleeve Tattoo
Geometric tattoos are just fancy tattoos. They make use of geometric shapes (normally triangles) to create some stunning imagery. This is the type of tattoo that tends to work best when you have a talented tattoo artist working on it. This is because you really want those geometric patterns to be nailed.
41. Grim Reaper Half Sleeve Tattoo
In our opinion, Grim Reaper tattoos are some of the most awesome-looking tattoos that you can get. It seems as if almost everybody that gets a grim reaper tattoo likes to do something a little bit different.
These tattoos often have a horror, or perhaps gothic, vibe to them. Grim reaper tattoos work well when combined with gothic elements, graves, forbidding forests, etc.
42. Nature Half Sleeve Tattoo
The Grim Reaper tattoo a little bit too scary for you? Don’t worry. You can always go down the route of a nature half-sleeve tattoo. These can show awesome scenes in nature.
For example, we have seen some people use a nature half sleeve tattoo as a way to show off their favorite spots in the wilderness. Other people have used them to show off their favorite animals.
43. Spartan Half Sleeve Tattoo
Spartan half sleeve tattoos are great for those that want to show off some of the most fearless warriors in history. They are a symbol of strength, determination, and loyalty. The Spartan costume is pretty menacing too, which is always nice. You do want a tattoo that looks great, after all.
44. Black and Grey Half Sleeve Tattoo
Any of the tattoos that you see on this list can be replicated in a black and grey art style. It just means that you have solid blacks and shaded grey images to create something that looks great. Often, a little negative space will be incorporated into the tattoo too. It helps to keep the cost down while also resulting in a stunning image.
45. Cherry Blossom Half Sleeve Tattoo
When Spring rolls around, the Cherry Blossom is often going to be one of the first trees to bloom. Because of this, a lot of people have associated the Cherry Blossom with fertility and renewal. Now, we know that there are a lot of men out there who are potentially put off by the idea of having a pink flower on their sleeves. However, trust us. The look is fantastic when done properly.
46. Compass Half Sleeve Tattoo
Compass tattoos are great for nautical and navigational fans. However, the symbolism goes much deeper than this. A compass, of course, is an instrument that points the way. A lot of people use a compass half sleeve tattoo as a way to show that they have a bit of a new direction in their lives.
Other people may use the compass half sleeve tattoo as a way to point toward the things that matter to them e.g. the direction that their home is in.
47. Dotwork Half Sleeve Tattoo
Next up on our list of half sleeve tattoos for men, we have dot work tattoos. One of the things about this type of tattoo is that you can’t actually tell it is a dot work tattoo. When we say we have a dot work tattoo, we have an image that is made up of thousands and thousands of tiny dots.
All of them combine to create a beautiful piece of artwork. Just about any of the tattoos on this list can be replicated in a dot work style. However, do bear in mind that this is the type of tattoo that will require using a talented tattoo artist if you want to get it right.
48. Family Half Sleeve Tattoo
The chances are that your family is incredibly close to you. It could be your spouse. It could be your children. It could be your parents. A lot of people get family half sleeve tattoos for men just because it helps to keep family close. There are plenty of routes that you can go down here too.
For example, one of our favorite paths is to include beautiful portraits of family members. However, we know that this is not for everybody. Others, instead, go down the route of names or perhaps items that mean something to each of their family members.
49. Henna Half Sleeve Tattoo
Henna tattoos are not really a specific tattoo style. Instead, they are meant to replicate the dark inks from original temporary tattoos (from centuries ago). This means that you may end up with the sort of silhouette that you see in the image that we have linked here.
This means it is another one of those tattoos that you can really use to cover most types of images that you want. That being said, many of the best henna half sleeve tattoos will tend to have Asian lettering or symbols, which really plays into the old technique.
50. Scorpion Half Sleeve Tattoo
Scorpion half-sleeve tattoos are often used by those that were born under the Scorpio star sign. Of course, there are others that opt for this type of tattoo because it really does look incredibly cool. The main reason we included this particular example image for the Scorpion tattoo is that it gives you an overview of just how many different styles there are.
While most people do tend to go down the incredibly realistic-looking Scorpion tattoo look, you really don’t have to. As you can see, some people have more outlines to create something incredibly unique that really plays into the personality of the wearer.
51. Diamond Half Sleeve Tattoo
Diamond half sleeve tattoos are often used to show perfection or maybe wealth (not just financially). The problem with a diamond half sleeve tattoo is the fact that you can’t really use them to fill up your entire half-sleeve. It would be a rather bland tattoo.
That is why we have included this particular example image. It shows ways that you can spice up using a diamond on your tattoo. In our opinion, these tattoos tend to work so much better when they are combined with various other pieces of imagery.
52. Elephant Half Sleeve Tattoo
Next up, we have the elephant. Now, we know that the vast majority of people are going to opt for an elephant just because it looks really good. Feel free to go down that route. We love the elephant for what it symbolizes. It symbolizes wisdom and fertility. It is also seen as a protective animal, which can work incredibly well on some people’s arms. It can even be seen as a symbol of good luck.
Of course, there are several ways that you can try and get this tattoo on your sleeve. You may want to get it as a single detailed image, while others opt to go down the route of something that is part of a collection of animals.
53. Hourglass Half Sleeve Tattoo
The hourglass tattoo is often used by people that are looking for a tattoo that symbolizes how time is ticking away. Although, we are pretty sure that you would have been able to pick up the symbolism of this type of tattoo yourself.
This is another tattoo that probably wouldn’t work too well if you opt to use it alone. An hourglass is rather bland. As a result, a lot of people combine the hourglass with other imagery. If you look at the example photo we have given, you should get a good idea of how it will work.
54. Kraken Half Sleeve Tatoo
Krakens, a mythical beast, has been the fear of sailors for centuries. A lot of people figured that a massive Kraken would pop out of the ocean, pulling their boat down into Davy Jones’ Locker. Thankfully, this isn’t true (we hope), but there is no denying that the Kraken is a scary beast.
It makes an awesome tattoo, particularly for those that have spent their lives working on boats and the like. Due to its appearance in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, it has also started to be used by fans.
55. Spiderman Half Sleeve Tattoo
Spiderman is the most popular superhero in the world. Fact. Kicking around since the 1960s, this guy has changed people’s lives. He has shown that nobody can go from nothing to saving the world. A lot of people love this symbolism.
Although, of course, we reckon that the vast majority of people that end up with a Spiderman half sleeve tattoo are doing so because they love the character. If you look at the image that we have included here, you can see the amount of detail that has gone into creating these images. Over the years, there have been tons of Spiderman art styles that you can replicate.
56. Sun Half Sleeve Tattoo
The sun is seen as a symbol of light and life. It should probably come as no surprise that so many people see this as one of the better half sleeve tattoos for men. There are plenty of routes that you can go down here too. A lot of people will opt to include the sun as part of a massive scene.
This works well for a half sleeve. However, you can also go down the route of more tribal, more perhaps religious, iconography. These tattoos work well no matter how you do things.
57. Superman Half Sleeve Tattoo
Obviously, one of the best routes to go down with a Superman tattoo is to have it on your chest. That really plays into the way that Clarke Kent pulls off his shirt to expose the Superman logo. Of course, not everybody wants a chest tattoo, and that is completely fine.
Instead, you can opt to get one on your half sleeve. You can get a ton of detail in the Superman logo, as you can see from the image example we have given here. Plus, when you want to change into Superman, you can just pull your sleeve up rather than ripping off your shirt!
58. American Half Sleeve Tattoo
American tattoos can cover a whole host of different areas. Elsewhere on this page, we mentioned American flag half sleeve tattoos. These tattoos are an extension of that. They will include American symbolism.
For example, as you can see from the sample tattoo that we gave, these tattoos work incredibly well when you combine them with elements of the constitution or maybe even the ultimate symbol of America; the eagle. Those with Native American heritage may even opt for imagery that plays into that.
59. Aries Half Sleeve Tattoo
If you are an Aries, then you may want to look into getting an Aries. A lot of people think that the Ram wouldn’t look good. However, as you can quite clearly see from the example, the Ram can absolutely look fantastic when you put it in the hands of a top tattoo artist.
Get a lot of detail in there, and you can really show off how proud you are of your Zodiac sign. You may even want to combine it with a few flames or something, just to show off how the tattoo is showing off a fire symbol. The choice is completely yours.
60. Aztec Warrior Half Sleeve Tattoo
We know that there are a lot of people that turn their noses up at tribal tattoos unless you belong to a specific tribe. However, as far as we know, Aztec warriors no longer exist, which means that this one of the tattoo ideas should be fair game. These tattoos work incredibly well for showing off how tough the Aztec warriors in the centuries gone by were.
They can work even better if you decide to combine them with a bit of Aztec imagery e.g., symbols or religious imagery. The Aztecs were a tremendous culture, and there are so many tattoo ideas that you can come up with here.
61. Bear Half Sleeve Tattoo
The bear has always been a symbol of loyalty and support, which means it works incredibly well as a tattoo idea. Of course, there are some people that opt to get bears just because of how tough they can look.
You can get a lot of detail in the bear’s face. In our opinion, this is probably one of the coolest animals you can have as a tattoo. This is because most people opt for other animals. We love it when tattoos stand out from the crowd, and we are positive that you will too.
62. Bull Half Sleeve Tattoo
Wealth, courage, and strength. These are just a few of the things that the bull is said to represent. This means it is a great tattoo. As with most of the half sleeve tattoos for men, you can try and add as much or as little detail as you want to the image.
We find that a bull half sleeve tattoo works especially well when the image is highly detailed, just because it helps to convey the strength of the animal. Due to the courage symbolism, we find that this tattoo makes work well for those who have gone through a particularly tough part of their life and want to remember how they managed to power on through.
63. Filipino Half Sleeve Tattoo
Filipino culture is a blend of Asian and Spanish cultures, and this really shows in some of the imagery. Sadly, because many people steer clear of Filipino tattoos (because they aren’t Filipino), there aren’t a lot of example images that we can share with you.
However, we are positive that it wouldn’t take too much effort to come up with some ideas of your own. For example, you may want to think about religious iconography (important in Filipino culture), lettering, or just beautiful animals and flowers that you can find throughout the Philippines.
64. King Half Sleeve Tattoo
There are so many routes that you can take this tattoo down. The obvious route is to get a crown or something similar to that. However, the example image that we have included also has a Lion (King of the Jungle). The King half sleeve tattoo is often used as a symbol that one is in control of their own life.
That they are the one in charge. Of course, there are some people that may also use it to show off the fact that they are monarchists, although, admittedly, this doesn’t happen too often in the US.
65. Maori Half Sleeve Tattoo
We have another tribal tattoo for you here. The Maori tend not to be fans of people getting these tattoos unless they have a close link with Maori culture. So, if you don’t, then you may want to look at some of the other tattoo ideas. If you do, then these tattoos have so much symbolism in them.
We recommend that you actually go through the various Maori symbols to find something that really gels with your personality. Try and work that into your tattoo ideas.
66. Pocket Watch Half Sleeve Tattoo
A pocket watch half sleeve tattoo works incredibly well for those that want to symbolize the ever-ticking time bomb we live under. It shows that you should not take life for granted, and every moment that you live should be lived to its absolute fullest.
Of course, you can also throw the symbolism on its head. As you can see from the example tattoo we have included, pocket watch half sleeve tattoos can just look good. They don’t need any symbolism behind them at all. You may want to combine this tattoo with an hourglass.
67. Biomechanical Half Sleeve Tattoo
Biomechanical tattoos are cool, but you need to work with an experienced tattoo artist; otherwise, you have no chance of getting a good look. With a biomechanical tattoo, the artwork is meant to be a combination of biological and mechanical.
It may give the appearance that your muscles are cogs, for example. In other cases, you may have mechanical eyes or even mechanical skeletons. The choice is yours. The example that we have linked here is easily one of the most beautiful biomechanical tattoos we have ever seen.
68. Eye Half Sleeve Tattoo
We were tempted not to include eye half sleeve tattoos on this list. This is because eyes aren’t really the most exciting thing in the world, and we didn’t think they could fill up an entire half sleeve. Then we saw this example. When done properly, eyes can work incredibly well.
The symbolism is awesome. It shows that you have a watchful eye on everything that is going on around you. Of course, you can also go down the route that this particular tattoo artist did. You can get the eyes of various animals and play into the symbolism of that too.
69. Panther Half Sleeve Tattoo
In many cultures, the panther is seen as a symbol of death. We can’t imagine that there are too many people that are looking to get tattoos to represent death. Although, we suppose that it could work in some gothic tattoos.
We really love the idea of a panther half sleeve tattoo just because the panther is a beautiful, majestic creature. Due to the way in which they work in the wild, we can see some people seeing the panther half sleeve tattoo as a way to represent solitude.
70. 3D Half Sleeve Tattoo
We know that the image we have included is not of a half-sleeve tattoo. Sadly, not many people have opted to get a 3D half-sleeve tattoo. However, don’t fret. This means it is a great idea. It means that you can be more unique than the others that are around you.
As you can see from this image, a 3D half sleeve tattoo is all about creating depth to an image. It creates a 3D illusion. We find that this is an artistic effect that works incredibly well with biomechanical tattoos.
71. African Half Sleeve Tattoo
There are various routes that you can go down with an African half sleeve tattoo. For example, there are some people that will opt for African text or iconography. Others may look for key landmarks in Africa.
There are others that will go down the route of the examples that we have included here. This means African animals. You can squeeze a lot of symbolism in there too. Each African animal will represent something slightly different.
72. Bible Verse Half Sleeve Tattoo
If you are religious, then it is likely that you have a bible verse that really speaks to you. One of the great things about getting a bible verse on a half sleeve tattoo is due to the amount of space that you have available. You can really fit hefty verses in there. These tattoos will help to ensure that some of the most meaningful words are kept close to you. We love that.
73. Clouds Half Sleeve Tattoo
In the past, we never thought that a clouds half sleeve tattoo could work all that well. However, as you can see from the example image that we have included, it is something that can work…providing that it is done properly. This means that you shouldn’t just have clouds in the tattoo. You may want to incorporate other design elements e.g., dragons or birds. It adds a touch more pizzazz to the scene. Some people may even opt to have the clouds as part of a stunning landscape tattoo.
74. Deer Half Sleeve Tattoo
The deer has long been seen as a symbol of unconditional loyalty and love. This makes it a great choice for a tattoo. You may even see the deer as your spirit animal, which, again, can also work. In our opinion, some of the best deer half sleeve tattoos are those that opt for more realistic images. In fact, we see this as an incredibly common tattoo among hunters. We suppose that they really do love deers quite a bit!
75. Galaxy Half Sleeve Tattoo
Galaxy tattoos show the vastness of space. A lot of people use this type of tattoo to show just how big everything around them is. We have seen people claim that their galaxy half sleeve tattoos are a representation of just how small their problems are compared to the vastness of space.
Of course, you may also want to opt for a galaxy half sleeve tattoo if you are a fan of astronomy or space in general. These tattoos can end up looking incredibly beautiful if you put them in the hands of the right tattoo artist.
76. Hawaiian Half Sleeve Tattoo
Hawaiian half sleeve tattoos really really play into the idea of Hawaiian culture. Of course, people are only going to be a fan of you getting this type of tattoo if you are close to Hawaiian culture. These tattoos will often have an element of tribalism behind them.
There are plenty of symbols from Hawaiian history that you will be able to use here. These tattoo designs tend to be rather simple too, even though they carry a huge amount of meaning to the wearer.
77. Koi Fish Half Sleeve Tattoo
Koi are some of the rarest fish in the world. People are willing to part with thousands and thousands of dollars to get a Koi of the right color. Of course, you don’t need to do that. Why would you need to? You can get a Koi fish half sleeve tattoo.
There are plenty of different colors that you can get for your Koi fish tattoo. These tattoos are often a symbol of uniqueness or perhaps a dash of strength and loyalty.
78. Anchor Half Sleeve Tattoo
Anchor tattoos are a firm favorite among sailors. After all, can you really think of a much more iconic image for boats? However, you don’t have to have been a sailor to get an anchor half-sleeve tattoo. Oh no.
You can also get one of these to show that you are much more grounded in your life. It shows that you have something firmly holding you in place. This may be a great choice if you have had to overcome a lot of adversity.
79. Chicano Half Sleeve Tattoo
Some people see Chicano tattoos as a sort of gang tattoo. We suppose this makes sense, to an extent. However, they go so much beyond this. A Chicano half sleeve tattoo is meant to be a representation of loyalty to your family, friends, or the place where you grew up. A lot of people will use a Chicano half sleeve tattoo to show images of their family, etc.
80. Crown Half Sleeve Tattoo
It seems as if almost all of the crown half sleeve tattoos out there feature a lion. However, don’t feel that you need to go down that route. A crown tattoo can exist with just a crown. As you can imagine, these tattoos tend to be a symbol of loyalty and respect, or they may even be used by those who are the head of a family. It really is the ultimate symbol of power.
81. Demon Half Sleeve Tattoo
Demon half sleeve tattoos are a great choice for those who really want to go all-in on the gothic imagery. Demon half sleeve tattoos can look so incredibly amazing when they are done correctly. They can show a person’s bad side. It can show people turning their back on religion. It can even be a representation of a person’s inner demons.
82. Gothic Half Sleeve Tattoo
Gothic tattoos are stapling tattoos nowadays. They convey horror imagery e.g., demons, ravens, that sort of thing. Basically, if you find it in an Edgar Allen Poe book, In our opinion, gothic tattoos look fantastic, particularly as a half sleeve. You are able to fit a huge amount of detail into these tattoos. We particularly love the design from the example that we have shared here, mostly because it fits a bit of animal symbolism into things too.
83. Hawk Half Sleeve Tattoo
The hawk has long been seen as a symbol of determination and leadership. This makes it a fantastic tattoo idea for those that want to show off that they have a bit of power, perhaps control, in their lives. Hawk tattoos are wonderfully detailed, and we are positive that you wouldn’t be able to argue that these aren’t the coolest of birds.
84. Lotus Half Sleeve Tattoo
There aren’t that man men with a lotus half sleeve tattoo, hence why our example image is a female. However, don’t let that put you off. You are probably going to fall in love with the lotus symbolism. It is a symbol of purity and rebirth. Many of those that do end up getting a lotus half sleeve tattoo tend to do so because they want to show off that they are going through a change in their life.
85. Palm Tree Half Sleeve Tattoo
Palm trees have tropical vibes to them. However, this isn’t the only reason why people opt for them. Palm trees are meant to be a symbol of peace and victory. We are not quite sure how they got to be considered that, but it doesn’t matter too much. What matters is that with the right palm tree tattoo, it is going to look great. Why not pair the palm trees with a beachy landscape, for instance?
86. Pine Tree Half Sleeve Tattoo
Palm trees are among the longest-lived of trees, so it probably comes as no surprise that they are a symbol of longevity and maybe even rebirth. We find that pine tree half sleeve tattoos tend to work best when you are pairing them with epic landscapes. Who doesn’t love to look at a forest packed to the brim with pine trees? Look at our example tattoo photo to see what we mean.
87. Wings Half Sleeve Tattoo
Wings are a symbol of flight. It may mean somebody has managed to overcome challenges in their life, or these tattoos may be seen as a tribute to people that have long passed. Of course, a lot of people will also see wings as tattoos as a symbol of Christianity. They work well as a subtle nod to angels. You may even want to pair them with bible verses.
88. Octopus Half Sleeve Tattoo
The octopus is a symbol of intelligence. Us? We just think that it is one of the coolest sea creatures. It rivals the Kraken for being one of the most popular sea-focused tattoos. They work well for sailors, or perhaps anybody that has a connection to the sea. We can imagine there are some pretty cool marine biologists out there that may love these.
89. Polynesian Half Sleeve Tattoo
Polynesian tattoos always look fantastic, although this is another one of those tattoo ideas that you may want to steer clear of if you don’t have a connection to the culture. This is because these tattoos always carry a deep meaning. In Polynesian culture, each tattoo symbol tells you something about a person’s life. Try and find a tattoo that fits who you are.
90. Tree of Life Half Sleeve Tattoo
Tradition states that it is the tree of life that gives all of us life. When we die, we are returned to the tree of life. This means that a tree of life half sleeve tattoo can often be seen as a symbol of rebirth, fertility, and maybe even the circle of life. There are plenty of different ways that the tree of life can be depicted. Find the right one for you.
91. Aztec Half Sleeve Tattoo
Aztec warriors, Gods and Goddesses, and plenty of religious symbols. There is a lot that you can do with an Aztec half sleeve tattoo. There are lots of images out there that you can copy, and this will often result in a highly detailed tattoo that you will be proud to show off.
92. Bird Half Sleeve Tattoo
Every single bird is different, so make sure that you choose one that suits your personality. For example, an eagle is great for those that want to show off their patriotism. A phoenix is good to symbolize rebirth. A dove is great to show off peace. The choice is yours on this one.
