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 1/20/06.

1. Tribal- Up to number one from number two. 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 the traditional tattooing in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific.

2. Angel/Angels - down a spot from last week but still very popular.

3. Star/Stars - Climbed one spot this week from four to three. 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.

4. Fairy/Fairies - back in the top ten after a two week absence.

5. Panther - first Top Ten this year. Similar to the Lion and the Tiger. Panther is name given to the North American Mountain Lion and also the Jaguar, now found in Central and South America, but who once ranged into Texas. The black version of the Jaguar was known as a panther. See Jaguar.

6. Koi - new addition to Top Ten the Koi is a popular Japanese style tattoo design. (in a 3 way tie with butterfly and Celtic tattoo designs)

6. Butterfly - Comes in at the same spot as last week. Typically 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.

6. Celtic - Down three spots from last week. Celtic tattoo designs are often considered a tribal tattoo sub-genre and very popular with those having Irish-Scots heritage.

7. Cross - Cross tattoo searches dropped two spots this week, from number five to number seven. 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.

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. Moon - A new addition to the weekly top ten tattoo design list.

8. Native American Tattoo Designs - interesting development. Would normally be tribal. Worth exploring further.

9. Dragon - A long time tattoo design favorite, the 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.

10. **Lower Back Tattoos - not so much a tattoo design search, but Lower Back Tattoos does show how popular this location is, particularly for women. California licence plate. Tramp Stamp, or as Vince Vaughn says in the Wedding Crashers - "Lower back tattoo. Might as well be a target..."

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

Alphabetical Listing of Tattoo Symbols & Designs
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