Gen Z’s replaces millennial tribal tattoo trend with cybersigilism — what is it?
Forget tribal tattoos — Gen Z is ushering in a futuristic, new favorite in body art.
The generation’s ink of choice is cybersigilism, a type of sharp, spiky line work that looks both gothic and space-age.
“They typically feature intricate, thin black lines forming sharp patterns,” tattoo artist Sydney Smith explained to Popsugar. “These tattoos often incorporate technological or mystical elements, creating a unique aesthetic that’s both modern and ancient.”
The tattoo trend has blown up on TikTok, where thousands of users boast their cybersigilism body art, and even celebrities have leaned into the fad.
Dua Lipa sports a small piece of art on her bicep, while Billie Eilish’s spine tattoo spans almost her entire back. Phoebe Bridgers has a cybersigilism tattoo on her hip and one of Grimes’ legs is marked with a similar style, although in red ink.
“In this fast-paced, tech-driven world, people are always looking for ways to stand out and tell their stories,” Smith explained.
“Cybersigilism tattoos give them that canvas, letting them show off how their beliefs and experiences are tangled up with our digital lives.”
For those looking to get their own cybersigilism tattoo, it comes at an eye-water price due to the precision and line work necessary for the style of ink.
Small tattoos might cost up to $100, while larger pieces can cost as much as $500, according to Popsugar.
“These tattoos often involve a lot of detailed, fine-line work, which requires more time and skill, so you might be looking at a higher price tag as compared to simpler art,” Smith said.
The ink is so rampant among the younger generation that people have likened it to Gen Z’s version of tribal tattoos, which were popular among Gen X.
“So GenZ is getting the same tattoos as their GenX parents?” wrote one TikTok user.
“As a Gen X with a tribal (tramp stamp), I was shocked when my Gen A son got a tribal and then a cyberscigilism tattoos,” one parent said of her Gen Alpha kid. “His fashion is also a spin of what his dad wore in high school. It all comes back.”
“My issue with cybersigilism is that I associate it with the Monster energy logo,” quipped one person.
While critics claim cybersigilism is just a modern take on tribal ink, this wouldn’t be the first time Gen Z has revived an old trend with their generational spin.
Tramp stamps, for instance, became popular in recent years amid a Y2K style resurgence, despite a reported “tattoo recession” among young clientele.
