In the interests of research and as an ongoing barometer of popular culture we have decided to provide you with a weekly update of the Top Ten Weekly Tattoo Designs Search.

You can access the archived weekly lists on this page.

The Top 10 Tattoo Designs, based on site searches ending 1/13/06.

1. Angel - Angels topped the charts this week, replacing fairies, who have completely dropped out of the Top Ten. Probably no longer just a holdover from the Christmas season. A tattoo design with strong religious connotations that speaks of faith and a design often used in Memorial tattoos. I still suspect there is a seasonal influence here.

2. Tribal- Up to number two from number three. A perennial favorite, tribal tattoos are a widely popular tattoo genre with many influences and sub-genres. Bold graphic designs done predominately in blacks & grey, heavily influenced by traditional tattooing in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific.

3. Celtic - Up a spot to number three. Celtic tattoo designs are often considered a tribal tattoo sub-genre and very popular with those having Irish-Scots heritage. Also popular across Europe.

4. Stars- Climbed two spots this week from six to four. Celestial objects, such as the Sun, the Moon and the Stars are very popular. Stars are often symbols of guidance, a reference to their use in navigation. The Nautical Star is a star design that has taken off in popularity on it's own, heavily featured in Old School and Nautical Tattooing. The Nautical Star is popular with both men and women and interestingly, several widely diverse sub-culture groups have seized upon the Nautical Star as a symbol of inclusion, from sailors and marines to lesbians.

5. Cross - Cross tattoo searches climbed fours spots this week, from number nine to number five. The Cross is popular traditional Christian religious symbol, and is featured in number of tattoo design genres. Cross tattoo designs encompass many different styles, from simple crosses, to much more elaborate Celtic crosses and Maltese crosses. Many cultures have their own stylistic interpretations of the symbol of the cross.

6. Dragon - Tied for sixth spot with Butterfly. A longtime tattoo design favorite, but dragon had dropped out of the top ten for several weeks. A dragon is a classic tattoo design that shows the influence of Japanese and Chinese culture in western tattooing. This design is popular with both men and women.

6. Butterfly - Usually the single most searched tattoo design, the butterfly seems lately to have been supplanted by the fairy as the favorite tattoo design choice by women. It comes back tied for number six with the dragon.

7. Tiger - remains exactly where it was last week. A solid seven on the most searched tattoo designs. A traditional Japanese and Chinese design icon, traditionally a male tattoo design.

8. Bull - A tattoo design that seems to appear out of no where. Are there Chicago Bulls' fans leaping on the bandwagon with tattoos, Taurus' jumping to get their Zodiac sign tattooed on them, or aficionados of bullfighting and Pamplona showing their allegiance? Inquiring minds want to know!

9. Crown - I have seen a few crown tattoo designs in my day, but can find no explanation for the crown to all of a sudden appear in the Top Ten. God knows that the Sacramento Kings in the NBA and the Los Angeles Kings in the NHL are having off years. So why the crown!

10. Lion - Is generally a Top Fifty Tattoo Design, but has surged this week to a tie with the Phoenix in the number ten spot. A tattoo design popular with Leos and as a symbol of majesty, courage, strength and ferocity.

10. Phoenix - The Phoenix rounds out the Top Ten this week, dropping a spot from number nine last week. traditional design in Japanese and Chinese myth, speaks of rebirth and metamorphosis, popular with men and women.

For great tattoo design ideas, check out our good friends at TattooJohnny.com

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