Source: @munstersincorporated via Instagram

This is an interesting neo-traditional piece that incorporates several contrasting elements—an accurate depiction of Flounder from The Little Mermaid and a sultry interpretation of Ariel—along with other nautical elements like a fully rigged ship and coral, all contained within a bottle and applied in black and gray ink.

Source: @wes.pratt via Instagram

Here the artist draws on American traditional work—notice the simple face, bold lines and flower—to create a black and gray mermaid that is reminiscent of Sailor Jerry’s hula girls. 

Source: @jen_animalrightsbe via Instagram

This clean foot tattoo utilizes black and gray ink, a limited use of bold lines that is reminiscent of lithographs and a frame to improve the composition and complete this tattoo of a mermaid watching a ship sail away in the middle of a storm. 

Source: @travisjamestattoos via Instagram

Source: @crix_vila_ via Instagram

Source: @soniatattoolady via Instagram

Source: @batsforbrains via Instagram

Arguably, American traditional is where it all started for Western tattooing, and for many people it is still the go to for big, bold designs. A traditional mermaid tattoo has long been a part of the flash sheets that adorn the walls of tattoo parlors around the world. Many sailors chose the beauty of these mythical creatures to represent their passion and devotion to the sea.

In many ways, a beautiful mermaid served as the physical embodiment of the oceans that carried sailors around the world. It was fitting to permanently apply these sultry variations on a half fish, half woman on their bodies.

Drawing on the bold lines and vibrant colors of the older school, neo-traditional tattoos expand on this illustrative approach to create a more creative and free tattoo design. These tattoos provide the tattoo artist an excellent cross section of both the new school and old school approach to everything from mermaid scales through to glitter, and wicked placement options such as the foot or neck.