Top 53 American Flag Tattoo Ideas [2021 Inspiration Guide]

Ever since The Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution on June 14, 1777, the American flag has been a symbol known all around the world. For more than two hundred years and counting, it has stood for freedom and liberty as well as the unity and might of our nation.

With thirteen white and red stripes and thirteen stars to match across a blue field, the national flag literally came to life in vivid color. It is hard not to be drawn into the commanding Betsy Ross design, which, by the way, is credited to Francis Hopkinson.

Yet, even though today’s flag looks a little different, with fifty stars representing the fifty states and thirteen white stripes for the colonies, what it represents hasn’t changed at all. It’s been said the color red is a showcase of not only valor but hardness. White is purity, while blue is the notion of freedom and justice for all.

However, you might be surprised to know the flag you see today has gone through more than just two changes over the years. The truth is, a forty-eight star flag reigned over the nation for close to fifty years before the version with one additional star took over on Independence Day on July 4, 1959, and another with fifty stars was raised exactly a year later on July 4, 1960.

If you have a strong sense of patriotism for the USA, you’re really going to enjoy these top 60 best American flag tattoos for men. For some men, these patriotic tattoos are a reminder of grandfathers or even brothers who have served in the military. Generally, the American people admire the flag tattoo design as simply a tribute to their homeland and country. Regardless of your connection to these patriotic designs, you’re sure to be inspired by countless creative and masculine American flag tattoo ideas.

See more about – The Top 50 Best Ultimate Tattoo Ideas

American Flag Tattoo Ideas

This is a well-drawn American flag tattoo design etched in black and gray. The shading is precise and exceptionally crafted, with a beautiful technique in the gray of the stars and stripes. Note the new wave ripple symbolizing resiliency and the rent border of the flag.

Nothing can be considered more patriotic for an American than a tattoo idea intertwining the US flag with its bird emblem, the Bald Eagle. This flag is great — the detail of stars and stripes makes it look stitched — and the bald eagle tattoo is beautifully executed with smart gray shading to contrast the flag‘s color.

A beautiful new wave realist tattoo easily identified by the rippling of the flag on the skin. The tattoo artist‘s smart use of white ink, rather than negative space, gives the flag the creamy color in the alternate stripes, while it’s smudged along the outside to give it a border.

This flag tattoo on the upper arm is exceptional. The detail is such that you aren’t sure whether the colors were muted on purpose or if the flag was drawn on staggering black and gray.

This is a cool military-style US national flag tattoo on the inner forearm. It’s done with an emphasis on thick gauge black shading instead of the use of color. The subject’s rank, nickname, and date of birth are etched along the bars of the flag.

Animal realism meets patriotism in a brilliantly worked black and gray eagle and flag tattoo design. The bald eagle is striking in its photo image quality and balanced well by the execution of deft shadow in the rippling flag.

Many consider it disrespectful to have a tattered American flag inked on your skin, but there are some who choose such a design as a memorial tattoo. This tattered American flag tattoo design in vibrant colors takes up half of this person‘s chest.

When a person dies in the service of his country, a flag is draped on the casket and later folded and presented to the surviving kin after the funeral. This tattoo showing a folded American flag and dog tag is a beautiful tribute to a deceased loved one or friend who died serving the country. The flag‘s vibrant colors contrast with the somber symbolic meaning of this design. 

Here are more patriotic tattoos featuring the American flag, with the bald eagle often integrated into the design.