Totem Tattoo Photo #20467

The concept stretches across many traditions, where animals serve as spiritual protectors or reflections of personal strength. Because the word "totem" relates to specific cultures, many people choose a design that feels personal and respectful rather than copying sacred imagery.

By placing thousands of tiny dots at controlled spacing, dotwork artists achieve smooth gradients and intricate patterns. This labor-intensive method gives tattoos a unique texture that stands apart from traditional line-based work.

The collarbone's clean horizontal line provides a natural guide for elongated designs. This placement adds a subtle accent to the upper body and works especially well with fine-line and minimalist styles.