Cybersigilism Is The Tattoo Trend For The Tech Age

As 2024 officially gets rolling, we're seeing more and more tattoo trends pop up. While some are keeping it old school and paying homage to the aesthetics that never go out of style (à la neo-traditional tattoos), others are a sign of the time. One of those very "now" trends is cybersigilism tattoos.

Perhaps not the easiest word to roll off the tongue, cybersigilism combines "cyber" and "sigil." The former is a nod to the cyber age we're living in, while the latter is anything that has occult power. Juxtaposing these two ideas creates some really intense, if not visually shocking images. "Cybersigilism is growing rapidly," tattoo artist Cassie May told Byrdie. "[These pieces are] essentially a mix of tech and tribal, which suits our AI technology age perfectly." This also makes these tattoos a bit controversial because not everyone is on board with AI, especially those in the arts.

But controversy aside, cybersigilism is one of the biggest tattoo trends of the moment. If you're thinking you want something that's equal parts futuristic and mystic, and something the Terminator might rock if he were a tattoo kind of guy, then cybersigilism might be the style for you.

If you're someone who loves the thought of committing a large piece of your body to a tattoo, a cybersigilism back tattoo is the way to go. With so much space, you can really dive into different concepts and images you like, while tying them all together to create one big piece of art.

While not as spacious as the back, the thigh still gives the tattoo artist a lot to work with as far as room for different images and concepts. And because cybersigilism tattoos tend to have an intense or "tough" look to them, thigh placement automatically makes them sexy and inviting in a seductive way.

When you're committed to a look — whether it's cybersigilism, fine-line, patchwork, whatever it happens to be — you put it on your hand. Granted, the hands are one of the most painful tattoo spots, but the throbbing and swelling is a small price to pay for wearing your love for cybersigilism on your sleeve, er, hand. 

As much as cybersigilism is very in touch with the tech age, we can't forget that this trend doesn't exist without the "sigil" part of the equation. Haunting images dripping in mysticism, like witches or warlocks, are great complements. "People always want a strong meaning behind their tattoos, and I think with these tattoos, you usually find the meaning after getting them tattooed," tattoo artist Noel Garcia told Daily Beast. "They just become a part of the person's body, and that person becomes their own video game character or fashion character or warrior, or whatever you want to call it. They almost act like jewelry adornments that flow with the body."

While the face and head get the least amount of action when it comes to tattoos from the general public, no one ever said the general public was right. So, with that in mind, why not tap into cybersigilism designs on your head and/or face? Admittedly, it will limit establishments that will hire you, but you'll look pretty darn fierce and even a bit daunting in a really cool way.