Most trends come and go at lightning speed, but tattoos aren’t so easy to sweep under the rug when they’re no longer in style.
Generation Z is going crazy for sinewy, sleek-looking cyber sigil designs that are said to have symbolic “powers.”
The dangerous-looking designs, dubbed Gen Z’s answer to ’90s tribal tattoos, have racked up millions of views on TikTok, with dozens more eager to get their own veiny-looking tattoos.
The trend has been largely inspired by celebrities, with celebrities like Billie Eilish and Phoebe Bridgers joining in by inking their skin.
Cyber sigilism combines the digital age with traditional “sigils,” referring to a painted symbol considered to have magical powers.
a tiktok videowhich has already racked up 27 million views, shows tattoo artists at the Markd studio in Sydney answering what they think are Generation Z’s favorite tattoos.
Grimes photographed with a cybersigilism tattoo on her leg. Generation Z’s latest tattoo trend is ‘cyber sigilism’, which is said to have magical powers. In the photo: a cybersigilism tattoo.
Dua Lipa pictured at Glastonbury earlier this year showing off her cyber sigilism tattoo. The dangerous-looking designs, dubbed Gen Z tribal tattoos, have racked up millions of views on TikTok.
Every artist gives the same answer: cyber sigilism.
Love hearts and bones are common as part of the designs and are said to represent the wearer’s goals and desires, not that they can be erased once achieved.
The designs are believed to be instilled with the user’s intentions, which are then sent through technology where they are printed and drawn on the skin.
Tattoos vary, but tend to be characterized by fine lines and sharp angles that transform into organic shapes like hearts and trees. Often symbolic looks resemble veins.
Although most designs are drawn in black ink, some adventurous tattoo lovers have even chosen to draw their “tribal” designs in white.
The placement varies with several popular locations covering the back, lower back, and arms. Some especially brave young people have chosen to tattoo cyber-stealth designs on their faces.
Cyber sigilism combines the digital age with traditional ‘sigils’, referring to a painted symbol that is considered to have magical power.
Canadian singer Grimes (pictured) has also practiced a number of cyberstealths, including having a wire drawing on her back and legs.
A TikTok video, which has now racked up 27 million views, shows tattoo artists at the Markd studio in Sydney answering what they think are Gen Z’s favorite tattoos, and the answer is always cyber sigilism.
The designs are believed to be instilled with the user’s intentions, which are then sent through technology where they are printed and drawn on the skin.
Phoebe Bridgers had a cybersigilism tattoo on her hip and another in the middle of her chest
The trend has been led by several celebrities who have adorned their bodies with unusual designs.
Singer Phoebe Bridgers has one of the strange spike designs on her hip, while Dua Lipa has one on the bicep of her arm.
Meanwhile, in September last year, Billie Eilish got a huge cyber sigil tattoo that covered her entire back.
Canadian singer Grimes has also practiced a number of cyber sigils, including drawings with wires on her back and legs.
A favorite place for symbolic designs is the lower back.
Several ink lovers have expressed their admiration for the trend, although some noted its similarities to designs from the 1990s.
One commenter wrote: ‘Cyber sigilism is the new tribal tattoos. Wait a few years and you’ll see them the same way you do middle-aged parents with tribes.’
Several commentators on the trend have noted the similarities between cyber sigilism tattoos and the ink reminiscent of the tribal tattoos that became fashionable in the ’90s.
A second agreed, writing: ‘I don’t see anything futuristic about this. I see 1996. They look like Geiger paintings. You know the guy who designed the alien in the movie.
A lover of cyber sigilism could not understand the criticism. They wrote: ‘What is the hate towards tribal tattoos? They look very good.
The menacing-looking designs are a world away from last year’s Gen Z tattoo fix, which saw hundreds of people get inked with tiny designs, inspired by the micro-tattoo trend.
Young people were inspired by Hailey Bieber and online artists who posted videos of their smallest designs to adorn themselves with small tattoos. In particular, mini tattoos drawn on and between the fingers were in fashion.