ANCIENT MARKS
Nordic, Knotwork, BindRune, Geometric and Ornamental Tribal tattoos by Jon Poulson.
Salt Lake City, Utah - USA
ANCIENT MARKS - Nordic, Viking, Knotwork & Rune Tattoo Art by Jon Poulson
Custom Nordic, Knotwork, Bindrune & Ancient Symbolic Tattooing in Murray, Utah.
This is the home of Ancient Marks - The Art Studio of Jon Poulson, owner of Aloha Tattoos in Murray, Utah.
Known for large-scale Nordic, Viking, Knotwork, ornamental tribal, and Sacred Geometry tattoo art, Jon has spent over two decades developing a style rooted in symbolism, mythology, body flow, and intentional design. Jon’s work blends historical inspiration with modern tattooing techniques to create tattoos that feel powerful, personal, and built to move naturally with the body.
People come to us with a bunch of symbols and images they found on Pinterest and Google with no clear direction. You’re not alone if you have no idea how to put it all together with Just a feeling of deeper connection. Many of may clients come in feeling scared to leave something out and want to include everything they see as Viking or Nordic. They want it to mean something important but don’t know how, or even where to start.
We understand. At Ancient Marks each tattoo turns into a personalized piece and not a symbol catalog. We start with your story and we build a tattoo that feels like yours, with your symbolism, with inspiration from you. Your Nordic Tattoo is closer than you think… We work with clients just like you every day to create masterpieces that last a lifetime.
Ancient Marks Tattoo offers Clean, Professional Tattoos by Friendly, Talented, Award Winning artist Jon Poulson. Using Modern, Sterile, Traditional Tattoo Methods, and only the Best Pigments available. We go exceed industry standards to ensure your tattoo is personalized to you and looks the very best it can for a lifetime.
You can see more of Jon’s work by exploring this site, or visiting alohatattoos.net
➤ LOCATION
Ancient Marks is Jon’s private studio Adjacent to the Award winning Tattoo studio:
Aloha Tattoos in Murray, Utah
Ancient Marks Tattoos
6657 South State St. Suite 5
Murray, Utah 84107
☎ CONTACT
The only way to get into Jon’s schedule is to fill out an Inquiry Form
Click the link below submit an Inquiry Form so we can get all if your info in one place. Next we review your project and send a link to schedule a Virtual Pre-Consultation.
During your Pre-Consultation, Jade will answer your questions and get the process started, Jade will help get all of your reference materials, ideas, and thoughts in order and then work with Jon to get your in-person consultation appointment scheduled. With Jon, you can discuss your Tattoo Project and plan your Drawings and Tattoo appointment(s). She’s been doing consultations for years, and has an advanced knowledge of the process that works best.
Feel free to contact us directly via Text or email. We encourage you to browse through the pages on this website to learn more about us and how we design and conduct tattoo sessions.
Remember, this is a private studio, so text or email is usually the best way to reach us.
Please explore the site using the links above to learn about our Tattoo Process, the First Steps, the Drawing Process and how working with Jon Poulson looks.
Below is a sample of Jon’s work from Instagram:
Below just is a small sample of the tattoo work that Jon Poulson has done over the past few decades in Salt Lake City, UT
Some of my favorite tattoo styles.
below are a few of my favorite styles. as you can see, the styles I enjoy tattooing lead me to call my private studio Ancient Marks Tattoo. For a more inclusive list of the styles that I love to tattoo, click here, to read a bit more about me.
There’s something about Nordic symbolism, ancient knotwork, sacred geometry, and the old stories that has always pulled at me on a deeper level. Maybe it’s the connection to ancestry, the mythology, the struggle and triumph woven into the symbols, or maybe it’s the idea that these marks once carried real meaning for the people who wore and carved them. For me, this style of tattooing goes far beyond decoration. I love creating pieces that feel powerful, intentional, and alive; tattoos built from runes, bindrunes, knotwork, mythology, ornamental flow, sacred geometry, and ancient symbolism that move naturally with the body while telling a deeply personal story. Whether it’s a single rune carrying meaning through a difficult chapter of life, or a full-scale composition inspired by the Eddas, Yggdrasil, ravens, wolves, serpents, gods, and ancient warrior culture, the goal is always the same: to create something rooted in history, shaped by your story, and designed to carry meaning for the rest of your life.
Nordic, Viking Tattoos, Knotwork - My Passion
Ancient Symbols. Modern Power.
If you’ve ever felt drawn toward the old gods, ancient symbolism, Viking mythology, or the endless flow of Celtic knotwork, you’re in the right place. These tattoos carry history, meaning, and a certain weight to them that goes far beyond aesthetics. They connect people to ancestry, spirituality, mythology, and personal transformation.
I specialize in Nordic, Viking, and Ornamental knot work inspired tattoo work built around blackwork, ornamental flow, sacred geometry, and large-scale body composition, often including Color. My approach blends historical inspiration with modern tattooing techniques to create tattoos that move naturally with the body while still carrying the spirit of the ancient world.
Nordic and Viking tattoos often pull from Norse mythology, Norse Family culture, Concepts such as: Conquering and Overcoming hardships, Inspiring to be better and Sense of Belonging to something bigger, better and more powerful. Stemming from humanities ancient symbolism:
Wolves, Ravens, Mythical beasts, Serpents, Bears, Boars, Steer, and dragons or all sorts…
Iconography from the Eddas
RuneStone Carvings
Pagan Gods and their children - their adventures and tales brought to life
Mjölnir (Thor’s Hammer)
Elder Futhark runes
Custom bindrunes
Sigils and Staves
GodMasks
Berzerkers
Yggdrasil
Large pieces that combine these elements to tell your personal story.
Symbolize your struggles and your ability to overcome
connecting you to your ancient past
These symbols once appeared carved into stone, wood, weapons, jewelry, and ships — carrying meanings tied to protection, fate, strength, sacrifice, exploration, and the unknown.
Endless knotwork flowing from the beasts mentioned above
Interwoven patterns as fills
Spirals and sacred geometry
Ancient symbolic flow representing eternity, interconnectedness, and the cycles of life
Whether the goal is honoring heritage, exploring spirituality, building a large-scale bodysuit, or simply creating something that resonates on a deeper level, the process is always collaborative and custom-built for the individual wearing it.
These projects are most commonly approached through blackwork and ornamental tattooing, though selective color and texture can absolutely be incorporated depending on the direction of the piece. Our imagination is the only limit.
BindRunes & Viking Age Runes
Magic in Every Mark.
Runes are far more than an ancient alphabet. They are symbols layered with meaning, intention, history, and mystery — originally carved into stone, wood, weapons, jewelry, and other objects throughout the Norse and Germanic world. For many people, runes represent protection, transformation, guidance, strength, ancestry, or personal evolution.
I work primarily with the FUTHARK runes, specifically, the Elder Futhark runes, bindrunes, and historically inspired Nordic symbolism, creating custom pieces designed specifically for the individual wearing them. Some clients come seeking a single rune with personal meaning. Others build entire compositions around mythology, sacred geometry, or larger symbolic narratives.
Bindrunes are created by combining multiple runes into a single flowing symbol:
Protection
Strength
Courage
Growth
Transformation
Healing
Direction
Spiritual connection
These symbols can be subtle and minimal, or woven deeply into larger sleeves, chest pieces, and body-flow compositions.
While modern rune tattoo culture has exploded in popularity, I place a strong emphasis on understanding the historical roots, symbolism, and cultural context behind the imagery. These are not just decorative marks — they are symbols that have carried meaning for centuries, and I approach them with that respect in mind.
Ornamental Tattoos
Elegance in Motion. Flow That Follows the Body.
Ornamental tattoos are where artistry meets anatomy. These designs are crafted to move with your body—wrapping around curves, following lines, and enhancing the natural flow of your form. This style blends geometric patterns, mandalas, dotwork, and elements of sacred geometry, Celtic knotwork, Norse symbols, and even Polynesian tribal motifs—woven together into something fluid, beautiful, and completely custom.
Unlike other tattoo styles that are symbol-based or standalone, ornamental tattoos are designed to feel like they belong to you. They’re often used to accentuate the chest, ribs, spine, arms, or legs—anywhere the design can flow organically with your body.
Expect fine linework, symmetry, and repetition—but also storytelling. These pieces can be deeply personal, combining visual elegance with the deeper meanings of ancient patterns and symbols.
If you’re looking for something that’s both decorative and meaningful, something that wraps your story around your body like armor or lace, an ornamental tattoo might be exactly what you’re after.
Sacred Geometry & Geometric Tattoos
Structure. Balance. Beauty.
Sacred geometry tattoos are more than beautiful—they’re rooted in the belief that the universe is built from a series of divine patterns. These tattoos speak to those who find meaning in harmony, symmetry, and universal balance.
Whether it’s the Flower of Life, Metatron’s Cube, or a custom pattern built from geometric shapes, I love designing pieces that feel both meditative and powerful. These tattoos often resonate with those seeking a deeper connection to spirituality or who simply appreciate the beauty of clean, flowing symmetry.
You’ll often find this art style on bodies, walls, and even vehicles—because once you see it, you realize it’s everywhere. In your tattoo, it becomes personal, intentional, and striking.
Combining Styles
Contemporary tattooing allows me to combine these styles occasionally
While I like to stick to the roots of the styles, I often enjoy mixing these styles together to make modern masterpieces, rooted in tradition.
lets see what you come up with, lets talk about your ideas and make something magic, just for you.
“From the tips of his toes to his neck, each man is tattooed in dark green with designs, and so forth.”




