Native American Tattoos: 50 of the Most Intricate Designs

Native American Tattoos: 50 of the Most Intricate Designs

Native American tattoos have been all the rage for years.

While some non-Native people get tattoos of tribal chiefs, geometric designs, nature, totems, dream catchers, and spirit animals that represent the Native American cultures, people who are Native often get them for more personal reasons. 

Are you looking for ideas, or trying to plan your next tattoo?  Please use the images below as inspiration. 

Don't copy a design.  Many of these are personal and designed for an individual.

The ritual of getting a Native American tattoo

The process of getting a tattoo is a privilege and a ritual in itself for many Native people. They may want to celebrate their heritage or wear a symbol of power, protection, and strength. 

Many Native American tattoos contain rich reds, blues, and blacks in their designs. This is a testament to the resourcefulness of many tribal members since many inks originally got their color from natural elements such as clay and indigo.

Historically, Native American tribes of North America used tattooing to signify achievements, social status, or the coming of age, or they got “inked” out of reverence for spiritual or religious beliefs. Some tribal members received tattoos as a medicinal treatment or for identification. 

Though the reasons for getting a Native American tattoo have largely shifted over time, the beauty and symbolism in their designs stand the test of time. And with an estimated 21,000-plus registered tattoo parlors in the U.S., there's no shortage of uber-talented Native and non-Native artists waiting for their next human canvas.

Here are 50 of the most intricate Native American tattoo designs—one just might inspire you.

50 Native American tattoo designs

ONE

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Deano Robertson (@deano_robertson)

TWO

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by manutea jean michel (@jeanmichelmanutea)

THREE

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Michelangelo (@michelangelotattoo)

FOUR

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Revolution Ink Aotearoa (@wiremubarriball)

FIVE

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Agnieszka Kulińska (@avalan.tattoo)

SIX

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by chantyman hopkins (@aboriginal_ink)

SEVEN

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by ☠︎Christian Berndt☠︎ (@christian.berndt.tattoo)

EIGHT

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Kira Murillo Tattoos (@kiramurillo)

NINE

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Randall Croley El (Seven) (@studio7design)

TEN

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Whitey (@whiteytattoos)

ELEVEN

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Dion Kaszas (@dionkaszas)


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TWELVE

THIRTEEN

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Darin Priest (@priestfineart)

FOURTEEN

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Randall Croley El (Seven) (@studio7design)

FIFTEEN

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Joel Hart (@joelharttattoos)

SIXTEEN

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by R O X X (@roxx_____)

SEVENTEEN

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by chantyman hopkins (@aboriginal_ink)

EIGHTEEN

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by 홍대/제주 타투 T.arttoo (@t.arttoo)

NINETEEN

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by @jackink (@tattoowith_jack)

TWENTY

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Gerald Ramos Art (@geraldramosart)

TWENTY-ONE

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Silent ink (@silentinkolsztyn)

TWENTY-TWO

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Masquerade Tattoo Studio (@masqueradetattoostudio)

TWENTY-THREE

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Michele Ruvolo (@micheleruvolo)

TWENTY-FOUR

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Relentless Betrayal (@relentlessbetrayal)

TWENTY-FIVE

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Stacey Walker (@staceywalker_tattoos)

TWENTY-SIX

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Sean Green (@artbyseangreen)

TWENTY-SEVEN

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Neil Bass BLACKWORKERIST (@_tattoofx)

TWENTY-EIGHT

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Thierry Rossen 》PACIFIC TATTOO (@thierryrossen)

TWENTY-NINE

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Marco Wallace (@marcowallacetattoo)

THIRTY

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Thierry Rossen 》PACIFIC TATTOO (@thierryrossen)

THIRTY-ONE

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Niloy Das (@dasniloy_lizardsskintattoos)

THIRTY-TWO

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by СЕРГЕЙ SNAKE|ТАТУ МАСТЕР (@ssnake.tattoo)

THIRTY-THREE

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Mélanie Mathevet Sayol (@aficionado_tattoo)

THIRTY-FOUR

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Ower Hernandez (@ower_hernandez)

THIRTY-FIVE

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Wojciech Ważyński (@ww.wojciech)

THIRTY-SIX

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Kira Murillo Tattoos (@kiramurillo)

THIRTY-SEVEN

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Ethan Chandler (@ethan_smt)

THIRTY-EIGHT

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Cristian Altamirano (@tattoosbycristian)

THIRTY-NINE

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Alankara Tattoo (@alankara_tattoo)

FORTY

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by TEAM FULLGAS (@team_fullgas)

FORTY-ONE

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Chris Powell ➖ Dayton ➖ Tattoo (@chrispowelltattoos)

FORTY-TWO

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Luke Vella Skinlabel (@luke_vella_skinlabel)

FORTY-THREE

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by TK.Tattoo.Phuket (@tktat.too13)

FORTY-FOUR

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Carl womack (@carl_womack_tattoos)

FORTY-FIVE

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Mark Skipper tattoos (@markrskipper)

FORTY-SIX

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Quantum Tattoo Ink Russia (@quantumtattooink.russia)

FORTY-SEVEN

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Andrew Burley (@xandytattoosx)

FORTY-EIGHT

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by tristen Jenni (@tristen.jenni.tattoo)

FORTY-NINE

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by TATTOO ARTIST – BEDFORD, UK (@buddybarratttattoos)

FIFTY

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Sean Green (@artbyseangreen)

 

Last Updated on January 5, 2024 by Paul G

Blog Featured Native American Art

7 Comments on “Native American Tattoos: 50 of the Most Intricate Designs”

  • Avatar for Cindy M

    Cindy M

    says:

    This article is neat and the art amazing. I am commenting on the Eight Generation contest running until Dec 12…. the code on this page is missing a digit I think. 86808 is what is listed, but it does not work. Keep up all the educational content!

  • Avatar for Ian Gamble

    Ian Gamble

    says:

    Lions?? Especially in top 10…lol

  • Avatar for Kathleen Gibson

    Kathleen Gibson

    says:

    The tats are absolutely stunning !! . .

  • Avatar for Maury McDonald

    Maury McDonald

    says:

    The Indian Arts and Crafts Act (Act) of 1990 (P.L. 101-644) is a truth-in-advertising law that prohibits misrepresentation in the marketing of Indian art and craft products within the United States. It is illegal to offer or display for sale, or sell any art or craft product in a manner that falsely suggests it is Indian produced, an Indian product, or the product of a particular Indian or Indian tribe or Indian arts and crafts organization,

  • Avatar for Monique A Guevara

    Monique A Guevara

    says:

    Where is there a Native artist in Seattle, WA/Oregon area?

  • Avatar for Tabitha

    Tabitha

    says:

    Tattoos are great. Good job artist. But since when did ancient native american tattoos have lions? Lions are native to Africa so are some of these designs.

  • Avatar for Gayle Messina

    Gayle Messina

    says:

    The detail is fabulous ! The power in each tattoo is breathtaking ! Extremely beautiful work, you are all masters in your own way !

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