Gen Z are inking themselves with ‘cybersigilism’ tattoos believed to have ‘symbolic powers’

Most trends come and go with lightning speed, but tattoos aren’t so easy to sweep under the rug when they’re no longer in vogue. 

Gen Z are going wild for the wiry, sharp-looking cybersigilism designs, which are said to have symbolic ‘powers’. 

The dangerous looking designs – dubbed Gen Z’s answer to 90s tribal tattoos – have amassed millions of views on TikTok, with dozens more keen to secure their own veiny looking tats.

The trend has been largely inspired by celebrities, with A-listers including Billie Eilish and Phoebe Bridgers joining in by inking their skin.  

Cybersigilism combines the digital age with traditional ‘sigils’ – referring to a painted symbol that is considered to have magical power.

One TikTok video, which has now racked up 27 million views, shows tattoo artists at Markd studio in Sydney answering what they believe is Gen Z’s top favourite tattoos. 

Dua Lipa pictured at Glastonbury earlier this year showing off her cybersigilism tattoo. The dangerous looking designs – dubbed Gen Z’s tribal tattoos – have amassed millions of views on TikTok

Each artist gives the same answer – cybersigilism.

Love hearts and bones are commonplace as part of designs and are said to represent the goals and desires of the wearer – not that they can be scrubbed off once these are achieved.

The designs are thought to be instilled with the wearer’s intentions, which are then sent out via technology where they are printed and sketched onto the skin.

The tattoos vary but tend to be characterised by thin lines and sharp angles that morph into organic shapes such as hearts, and trees. Often the symbolic looks resemble veins. 

Though most designs are drawn with black ink, some adventurous tattoo lovers have even opted to have their ‘tribal’ designs sketched in white.

The placement varies with several popular spots covering the back, lower back and arms. Some particularly brave youngsters have chosen to get cybersigilism designs tattooed on their faces.

Cybersigilism combines the digital age with traditional ‘sigils’ – referring to a painted symbol that is considered to have magical power

The Canadian singer, Grimes, (pictured) has also have a number of cybersigilism, including wiryred sketching up her back and legs

One TikTok vide , which has now racked up 27 million views, shows tattoo artists at Markd studio in Sydney answering what they believe is Gen Z’s top favourite tattoos – with the answer always being cybersigilism

The designs are thought to be instilled with the wearer’s intentions, which are then sent out via technology where they are printed and sketched onto the skin

Phoebe Bridgers had a cybersigilism tattoo on her hip and one in the middle of her chest 

The trend has been fronted by a number of celebrities who have scattered their bodies with the unusual designs. 

Singer Phoebe Bridgers has one of the bizarre barbed designs on her hip while Dua Lipa has one on the bicep of her arm. 

Meanwhile, in September last year, Billie Eilish went full hog with a huge cybersigilism tattoo covering the whole of her back.

The Canadian singer, Grimes, has also have a number of cybersigilism, including wiryred sketching up her back and legs.

A favoured spot for the symbolic designs is on the lower back. 

A number of keen ink lovers have expressed their admiration for the trend – though some noted its similarities to the designs of the 1990s.  

One commenter wrote: ‘Cybersigilism is the new tribal tattoos. Give it a few years and you’ll look at them the same as you do with middle-aged dads with tribals.’

Several commenting on the trend have noted the similarities between cybersigilism tattoos and ink reminiscent of tribal tattoos made trendy 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 that designed the alien from the movie.’

One cybersigilism lover couldn’t understand the criticism. They wrote: ‘What’s the hate with tribal tattoo. They look so good.’

The menacing looking designs are a world away from last year’s Gen Z tattoo fix, which saw hundreds inking themselves up with tiny designs, inspired by the micro tattoo trend.

Young people looked to inspiration from Hailey Bieber and online artists posting videos of their smallest designs, to deck themselves out with tiny tattoos. In particular, mini tattoos drawn on and in between the fingers were all the rage.