In the US, western culture often revolves around the cowboy, a man who works on a ranch, out in the wild and does most of his daily tasks on horseback. However, in more modern times and once picked up by mainstream fashion, cowboys have come to represent strength, grit, and the yearning for freedom. 

If you’re proud of your American roots, a western tattoo could be your next tattoo design. Giddy up and get ready for the wild west of cowboy tattoo ideas, only outlaws welcome. 

1. Cowboy Bebop Tattoo

Looking for unique tattoos ideas for men? Then why not get a tattoo that combines Western and Eastern cultures. Cowboy Bebop is an anime series from the ’90s (and live-action reboot in 2021) that draws its storyline from western film noir and science fiction. If you want a tattoo with plenty of color, Cowboy Bebop tattoos are an excellent choice.

2. Cowboy Hat Tattoo

If you want a simple tattoo that shows your love for a Western living then choose from a variety of cowboy hat tattoos. This design can be an outlaw symbol or a yearning for freedom. After all, a cowboy isn’t complete without his Stetson. 

3. Cowboy Tattoo

Men get cowboy tattoos to commemorate the death of an important male figure in their life such as a father, grandfather or brother. Others may get cowboy tattoos of their favorite Western movie character, like Clint Eastwood from The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly. These pieces are often more elaborate with high attention to scene and detail, the optimal place would be on the shoulder or back. 

4. Cowboy Skull Tattoo

Part of the cowboy lifestyle is living on the edge. So cowboy skull tattoos may symbolize how close a cowboy can be to death when living life dangerously. On the other hand, it can also represent how men choose to live or just be a fun piece, this design can easily be personalized from comedy to more macabre.