The most popular tattoo trends of 2022 are mythical, astrological and most of all, nostalgic. The best and worst tattoo styles from the turn of the millennium are back with a vengeance, so don't laser off that old tramp stamp yet. Brisbane's Valley Ink tattoo shop manager Aleks Canard told ACM chunky tribal tattoos and delicate butterflies were making a return. In terms of placement, the hands and neck were the most popular spots for a new tattoo, he said. But Mr Canard recommended novices placed their first tattoos somewhere more discreet until they got used to sideways glances from passersby. And for classicists, American and Japanese traditional styles were evergreen choices and would always be on trend, Mr Canard said. Trends from the1990's and early 2000's are coming back, from low slung pants with cargo pockets to butterfly clips. The tattoo scene is no different, with tramp stamps, barbed wire and tribal tattoos seeing a resurgence in 2022. Think George Clooney's character in 'From Dusk Till Dawn' (1996) who sports a thick, snaking tribal inspired tattoo across his neck and shoulder. Or Pamela Anderson's iconic barbed wire upper-arm band, a tattoo the 'Baywatch' star removed after 20 years in 2014. Modern versions or the trend are designed to be smaller and more dainty than their 90's inspiration, said Mr Canard. Expect to see more variations on these design in 2023. It's unsurprising, following the COVID-19 lockdowns, that freedom was a popular subject for tattoos in 2022. This was widely expressed in the outstretched wings of angels, birds and butterflies, Tattoo style icons, Justin Bieber and David Beckham, have served as major inspiration, both sporting angel wings behind their necks, Mr Canard said. "Celebrities have played a big part in bringing tattoo trends to the masses," he said. The tattoo artist said angel wings are "undefeated" as the most asked-for tattoo with men inspired by the pop star and footballer. Butterflies are tipped to be a common motif in 2023, with the trend showing no signs of slowing as celebrities like Barbie Ferreira debut new winged tattoo inspiration. And then there's this classic from Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine. Greek gods and characters in mythology have been popular with men for a while and continue to be a favourite, Mr Canard said. Mid-2022 saw a spike in Medusa tattoos following TikTok videos explaining the symbol to represent strength against sexual abuse for some. One TikTok user explained the Medusa represents a "blessing disguised as a curse" and with her signature snakes as a "means of self-preservation." The tattoo features the face of a woman with snakes writhing from her head, which Mr Canard said was timelessly popular beyond the recent spike. IN OTHER NEWS: Delicate line drawings have been popular for a while now, with specialised tattoo parlours popping up to service the niche, Mr Canard said. "We're still riding that trend," he said. The style allows for minimal and discreet tattoos, often inspired by classic art or whimsy. The ultrafine style is also used in delicate cursive writing, as seen along Rihanna's collarbone. Like in grammar, this tattoo typically signifies that more is still to come. After the 2013 establishment of Project Semicolon in the US, the semicolon tattoo became associated with mental illness, suicide and addiction awareness. The message continues to inspire semicolon tattoos with celebrities driving the trends popularity further. Selena Gomez got a semicolon on her wrist in 2017 along with stars from '13 Reasons Why,' a show about teen mental health, produced by Ms Gomez. Semicolon tattoos are generally seen just below the wrist, with the public-facing position sending a message of solidarity with sufferers of mental illness. Astrology is enjoying a surge of popularity, with horoscopes, tarot and birth charts going mainstream on social media. Zodiac inspired tattoos range from a star sign in a simple line drawing to intricate sketches of planetary positions. These tattoos were often made with fine lines, delicate moon and sun motifs and an occasional rainbow of colours. This look typifies the current 'cool girl' aesthetic, worn by tattooed icons Zoë Kravitz and Australian model Cat McNeil. The patchwork style is achieved by collecting lots of smaller, unconnected tattoos commonly on the hands, back or arms. Mr Canard noticed that women coming to Valley Ink tended to get fine line drawings to form their patchwork, while men were opting for 'traditional' style tattoos.