Tribal tattoos are a very popular style of armband tattoos. Tribal tattoos don't have to be representative of a specific tribe, but they are meaningful to the tribes they represent. Some tribes believe that the tattoos keep their members safe from harm, and some look at the tatttoos as a rite of passage for young men and women. It's best to try and design your own tribal tattoo to make it unique to you. Tribal tattoos tend to hold up well over time due to the heavy use of black ink.
A more feminine approach to armbands might be a delicate ring of flowers or a vine. Stars make a pretty armband, and so do butterflies. A butterfly that has long, outstretched wings can form a beautiful armband. Armbands can highlight a woman's arms and look good on the upper or lower arm.
Dragons and snakes make good armband tattoos because their parts can wrap all the way around the arm. Barbed wire is another idea for a more manly looking tattoo. Celtic patterns look interesting and intricate across a man's bicep, or a row of flames might make a statement.
Religious symbols always make eye-catching tattoos. A row of crosses of different shapes and sizes creates a visually interesting armband, and if you're Catholic, consider a rosary bead necklace wrapped around the arm.