The upper back allows for large, sweeping tattoos, which is why many people favor them. Most regular shirts conceal upper back tattoos and shirts with straps can give a revealing peek. Upper back tattoos can also start out small and be expanded over time, since the back is the largest expanse of skin for tattoos. Your imagination is the only limit in getting an upper back tattoo that reveals your interests, heritage or personality.Wings
Wings make great upper back tattoos, especially for women. Angel wings can be large, traditional-looking white wings or small, colored wings, depending on the statement you want to make. Small wings might suggest that you’re an angel but not perfect or that you’re only part angel. Butterfly and fairy wings come in all kinds of colors and make beautiful tattoos. Men might get dragon wings or dark angel wings.
Tribal
Tribal upper back tattoos can display your family history, interests or simply elegant designs. Tribal tattoos come in lots of shapes, sizes and colors and have been used in indigenous tribes and clans for centuries. A Celtic knot in the center of the back can be placed in the center of a cross or embellished with flames. Celtic knots have beautiful interwoven patterns that work well as half-dollar sized tattoos or sweeping across-the-back collages.
Animals
Animals in nature scenes work great as upper back tattoos because the space allows for large, intricately-designed tattoos and can hold scenes and landscapes. Whether alone or in a setting, dragons and lions can seem almost life-sized on the upper back. They can also be small and placed around the shoulder blade. Americans can get large, soaring eagles–the United States national bird–on their upper backs.
