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Everything You Need to Know About Geometric and Ornamental Tattoos

Have you always admired tattoos with symmetry, patterns, and intricate line work? Have you ever wondered about getting a tattoo with ancient symbolism and meaning, or a tattoo that is intrinsically linked to the movement and artistry of the body? Then an ornamental or geometric tattoo might be the perfect choice for you!

Geometric and ornamental tattoos are styles of tattoo that are rooted in mystery, religious symbolism, and ancient patterns. These styles focus heavily on lines and patterns to create mesmerizing tattoos that can have a hypnotic quality on viewers as they examine the patterns your tattoo creates. Some examples of these styles of tattooing are geometric shapes, ornamental tattoos, mandala tattoos, and sacred geometry tattoos. This tattoo art style takes an immense amount of attention to detail and skill due to the nature of the straight lines and detailed patterns. At Certified Tattoo Studios, our artists who specialize in geometric and ornamental designs have honed their craft with a steady hand and loads of experience, meaning your tattoo will come out just the way you envisioned.

Geometric Tattoos

Geometric tattoos are, in many ways, just like they sound. This style of tattoo relies heavily on geometric shapes to create dazzling, interwoven designs that complement the body beautifully. Geometric tattoos can be more simplistic or incredibly detailed and ornate. They can also be very bold and vibrant, or delicate and subtle. There are so many designs that fall into this category, leaving much of the defining of the artwork up to the person getting the tattoo and the artist inking it.

Another beautiful aspect of geometric tattoos is their relation to symbolism. Geometric tattoos have a longstanding relationship with spiritual and religious practices from ancient religions. The patterns and shapes utilized in geometric tattoos often have symbolism and meaning beyond the shape itself. A circle, for example, can have many meanings beyond the geometric shape such as relationships, community, and the circle of life itself.

Similarly, many geometric tattoos reflect life itself and how the world works. Much of nature and the world works in cyclical or other patterns. Flowers, migration patterns, and even the human body have a certain geometry and symmetry to them, which can be reflected in geometric tattoos!

Ornamental Tattoos

Ornamental tattoos are similar to geometric tattoos but often have a different overall appearance and design. This style of tattoo also utilizes symmetry and geometry, but often depicts images or scenes. Ornamental tattoos often draw inspiration from the art of ancient civilizations and the religious symbolism used in certain cultures. Many ornamental tattoos reflect the drawing style of Celtic, Polynesian, or Indian patterns characterized by neat, thin lines and patterns, typically tattooed with black ink and no color (although some ornamental tattoos do feature red ink.

As the name implies, ornamental tattoos are meant to ornament the body. With swirling lines and interlacing geometric patterns, ornamental tattoos often align with the body depending on placement. Some of the more common images associated with ornamental tattoos are of the sun, moon, flowers, or ocean. Many ornamental tattoos have different meanings as well, reflecting mandalas or amulets which might offer protection or could have various meanings such as power, beauty, or wisdom. Many modern ornamental tattoos do not necessarily have a deeper meaning, however, and instead are a way to display beautiful artwork and imagery on the skin.


If you’re interested in getting an ornamental or geometric tattoo, look no further than the amazing tattoo artists we have at Certified Tattoo Studios who specialize in these beautiful designs. Schedule your free consultation today to get started.