PHOTO: COURTESY JOE SCARNICI/GETTY
Sometimes, I want to be bold and do something different. I like to rebel, you know? Not to the point where it’s frowned upon, but more in the manner of a trendsetter. Am I actually going to get a full sleeve of tattoos because I saw Cara Delevingne with one? Probably not because of her, but I would like one at some point. Am I going to tattoo a dragon on my entire back because I saw Nikita Dragun with one? Definitely not. Rebellion feels good, but sometimes we have to be cautious with just how far we go.
Tattoos are the perfect example of this beautiful boldness. Although it’s 2019, tattoos can still be frowned upon. We may be denied our dream job because of our ink, even though it’s our own stories we decorate our skin with. Society may say no also, just because it can. My favorite form of rebellion is a tattoo because I don’t have to share it with everyone. It can be a little secret edginess that no one else knows about. I get a thrill out of that.
Do Sternum Tattoos Hurt?
The rib cage is a notoriously sensitive area for tattooing. The closer you are to a bone, the more painful the tattoo will be, so take from that what you will. Although the area is technically cartilage, it is directly on top of bone, so it is very painful. Keep in mind that pain tolerance absolutely will vary from person to person.
Sternum Tattoo Designs
There are an incredible number of different design ideas available for them. Certain ones, like roses for example, are way more common than others solely because of their aesthetic. Roses are edgy and beautiful, so they are a perfect option.
Here are some of my favorite designs that caught my eye, courtesy of Pinterest. There are so many different categories: minimalistic, artistic, geometric, spiritual, mythological, edgy, and pretty are just a few. Don’t forget there are more than just these. Make sure you explore all of your options if you want one.
This minimalist option is one of my favorites.
Dripping mandalas are gorgeous options. This one in particular features a flower which resembles an orchid made of glass that was hung with jewels. It is definitely a more artistic option, and I love it.
Triangles are some of the most popular forms of geometric tattoos around right now. This one, centered on the chest, depicts a lush night sky scattered with tiny stars on a layered background of blues and greens. It is gorgeous and whimsical, to say the least.
Spiritual tattoos are common in general but for the image of the Egyptian goddess, Isis, the sternum is the ideal location. As the goddess of fertility and motherhood, placement below the breasts makes an intriguing statement.
Medusa is another cool idea. For those who don’t know the myth of Medusa, she was once a beautiful young woman who was deflowered by the greek god of the sea, Poseidon. This angered the goddess of war, Athena, and Medusa was cursed to have her luxurious mane of hair turned into snakes; she could never look at a man again without turning him into stone.
Edgier options like the skeleton hands make a statement. You don’t really know what it means, but heck if it isn’t scary. The detail of it is incredible.
While roses are pretty basic designs, they definitely work their magic. Other flower style designs are often used and will frequently extend from the underside of the breast.
Celebrities With Sternum Tattoos
Rihanna’s tattoo depicts the Egyptian goddess, Isis. Her chest was the perfect canvas for the piece, and I love how much of what she wears displays it. Rihanna is amazing in general, but she is honestly one of the most trendy celebrities in the world right now.
Ruby Rose’s sternum tattoo is a crown, in tribute to graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. She faced a lot of controversy following its reveal, but more power to her for sticking to what she loves. Basquiat was killed in 1988, leaving behind a substantial repertoire of work that touched on life as it was.
Nikita Dragun is a transgender social media influencer and well-known make-up artist. Her dragon tattoo is an ode to her identity struggles with aligning how she felt internally with her outward appearance.
Melanie Martinez made her mark on the world in 2014, during season 3 of The Voice. Her chest tattoo in the shape of a gumball machine is definitely one of the more creative options I have seen.
Joan Jett hasn’t been in the spotlight very much in recent years, but this hard rock-and-roll babe definitely deserves some recognition. She’s got the letter “V” smack-dab in the middle of her chest.