31 Best Shin Tattoo Ideas
Reeva Babbar
Table of Contents
About Shin Tattoos
People choose to style their tattoos in different ways in order to showcase the right message of their inked image. Some even choose specific body parts for their tattoo so they can portray it in the best light.
The shin is an optimal spot to get a tattoo because of the lengthy space it provides for a tattoo design of any size or shape.
Getting a shin tattoo allows you to stretch out the design, so you can show it off more.
There are so many different reasons why people get a tattoo on their shin area that it might leave some of you confused. So, we’ve created a simple guide for you to follow the next time you want to get your shin tattooed.
Here are some things we’ll walk you through in this guide:
- Different meanings associated with the shin tattoo
- Various shin tattoo ideas
- Several types of shin tattoo designs
- History associated with the shin tattoo
What Do Shin Tattoos Mean And Symbolize?
It’s difficult to find one particular shin tattoo meaning that defines all of them. That’s because there is so much symbolism that people could choose to portray.
But, there are some particular shin tattoo meanings that are more overpowering in tattoo pop culture than others.
Here are some meanings associated with the shin tattoo:
- Clarity: The shin is a great spot to get a tattoo that you’d like to be seen clearly since it’s one of the flattest and hardest surfaces on the body without any curvature. If there’s something that holds the utmost value and significance to you, then you should definitely get that tattoo inked on your shin.
- Remembrance: Due to the smooth surface of the shin, many people choose to get the portrait of a loved one—who has either passed away or lives at a distance from them—in order to have this shin tattoo as a keepsake to remember them by.
- Totem tattoos: The length and structure of the shin make it a great space for totem tattoos for people who either belong to the Native culture or are inspired by their traditions.
- Mystical/Mythological tattoos: Many people also decide to get a shin tattoo of their favorite mythological creatures—as this spot provides an ample amount of space for the tattoo artist to ink all of the details required for this type of tattoo.
Where To Get A Shin Tattoo
Of course, a shin tattoo will be located on the shin. But, you could get different areas of the shin inked to bring out certain features and meanings of your tattoo.
Here are some areas of the shin that carry different meanings:
- Upper part of the shin: If the clarity of your tattoo matters to you, and you’d like to showcase your shin tattoo, then getting it on the upper part of your shin would be a good idea. It will allow you to bring out the image of the character or message that’s important to you to the forefront for everyone to see and appreciate.
- Middle part of the shin: The middle part of the shin is perfect for tattoos that require a bit of length. A stretched-out image of a dragon, for instance, looks better in the middle of the shin, because it gives the image a majestic and powerful look. In other words, it makes a great place for mythological tattoos.
- Lower part of the shin: The lower part of your shin is reserved for those shin tattoos that are very personal to you. This is a great place to get a shin tattoo that you consider both important and private, so a tattoo for remembrance would be perfect on this spot.
- On the whole shin: If you’re looking to cover your whole shin with a tattoo, then totem tattoos are a great option for you. These tattoos display not only your attachment and affection for your culture but also allow you to show off your heritage with pride to the rest of the world.
With various meanings associated with different places on the shin, it’s important to pick the right tattoo to give off the right meaning.
Permanent tattoos last about 10-15 years, so you want to make sure that you pick the shin tattoo that’s both workable and meaningful for you. After all, tattoo corrections are not only expensive but also, at times, ineffective based on the original design of your choice.
How Much Do Shin Tattoos Cost?
Preparing to get a tattoo usually involves hunting for the parlor that follows your style along with your budget, of course.
Shin tattoos are usually quite detailed in nature, so you would need to find tattoo artists that do a great job of focusing on the design of your choice without aiming to break your bank.
Tattoo artists at any parlor generally charge an hourly rate with an additional fee for specific customizations. Their price typically starts at $100/hour and goes up depending on the complexity of the design and the size of the tattoo that you’re planning to get.
So, if you want a large dragon tattooed on your shin, then you might want to consider the design and the price list before you finalize your appointment at the tattoo parlor.
31 Best Shin Tattoo Designs
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History Of Shin Tattoos
Most tattoos have some sort of an ‘origin story’ associated with them, but tattoos associated with a particular body part often don’t have a known history.
Similar to other tattoos, shin tattoos became popular due to both cultural and social influences. Some sources indicate that, initially, those of a higher rank in a community or clan often got these tattoos to showcase their strength and power.
In fact, a shin tattoo can be more painful than tattoos on other body parts. As a result, the wearer was considered to be a strong and respectful person due to their high tolerance for pain. Plus, they were respected for displaying their culture with pride.
Although people get a shin tattoo for a variety of reasons, many individuals choose this tattoo for the same significance that it held in the past.
To this day, many people continue to get the traditional shin tattoo designs—such as the totem tattoos or the mythological character tattoos—because they also believe in upholding their heritage and culture with dignity and pride.
Which Celebrities Have A Shin Tattoo?
With all of the craze over getting a shin tattoo in the general public, it’s no surprise that celebrities also want to jump on the bandwagon, especially since the shin is one of the most perfect surfaces to get inked.
Many celebrities sport leg tattoos—either on the front or the back. So it’s a bit difficult to pinpoint which ones have shin tattoos. But, there are a couple of celebs that are definitely worth mentioning!
Justin Bieber uses his right leg’s shin to display a portrait of Jesus. He has covered most of his shin with this portrait.
Johnny Depp also has a sparrow from his Pirates of the Caribbean role and ‘Jack,’ the name of his son, tattooed on the lower part of his shin. It’s a great way to pay homage to two important events in his life—the birth of his famous character and the birth of his child.
To conclude this guide, people get a shin tattoo as much for convenience as they do for the overall design. After all, the shin is one of those rare places on the body where there is no curvature.
So, the wearer can feel confident showing off their tattoo without worrying that someone looking from afar won’t be able to clearly see it.
That said, if you’re looking for a way to showcase your affection for a character, person, or plot, or to display an immense appreciation for your culture, then you should consider getting a shin tattoo.
It has the ability to get the right message across—regardless of how simple or complex the design is.
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