Halloween Tattoos

By elizabeth37 October 20, 2021 Halloween Celebrations 0 Comments

Halloween Tattoos ideas & Designs: Each year, Halloween is celebrated on October 31, and Halloween 2021 will take place on Sunday, October 31. Many people will celebrate this spooky season not only with amazing and elaborate costumes, but also with stunning Halloween tattoos!

This tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.

As early as the Christian tradition, November 1 was set aside as the day to honor all saints, which is now known as All Saints Day. Over time, it encompassed some of the traditions of this Celtic pagan holiday, and the evening before it became known as All Hallows Eve, and then Halloween.

As time passed, the holiday became everyone’s favorite autumn celebration, complete with trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins, festive gatherings, dong costumes, and eating treats.

HALLOWEEN – THE HORROR HOLIDAY

Fall is the time of year between life and death, plenty and scarcity. Halloween is a time of celebration and fantasy, even though it is a dark one.

Some 2000 years ago, the ancient Celts celebrated a festival called Samhain (pronounced sow-in or sah-ween). As the harvest season ended and the dark days of winter began, it was the equivalent of our New Year’s celebration. The Celtic day began at sundown; the concept that a new year begins as the nights get longer makes sense in this context.

As the name suggests, All Hallows’ Eve occurs one day before All Saints Day and was known to early Europeans as All Hallows’ Eve.

Both All Hallows’ Eve (October 31) and All Saints’ Day (November 1) commemorate saints (“hallows” = saints), commemorating the deceased loved ones.

However, Halloween is the spookiest night of the year. The holiday isn’t confined to the United States, either. People around the world celebrate it in many different ways.

SPOOKY & CREEPY – HALLOWEEN TATTOO SYMBOLS AND MEANINGS

The Halloween celebration celebrates the end of the harvest season and thus the autumn elements. Halloween’s traditional colors are black, orange, and sometimes purple.

Many Halloween symbols will fall into one of three major categories:

The Season and the Harvest (corn husks, candy corns, jack-o-lanterns)
Death and Mortality (skeletons, skulls, ghosts, graveyards)
Misfortune or Evil (witches, bats, black cats, clowns)

LIST OF COMMON HALLOWEEN TATTOO SYMBOLS AND MEANINGS

In addition to images of death, skeletons and ghosts also come to mind when we think about death. The subject matter of Halloween symbols is sure to include anything that could be considered spooky and relate to death, such as graveyards and cemeteries.

All Hallows’ Eve guisers typically carry Jack-o-Lanterns to ward off evil spirits. According to Irish Christian folklore, the jack-o’-lantern represents a soul denied entry into both heaven and hell.
A witch is regarded as having mystical powers and is often believed to be connected with Satan or the spirit world, resulting in their connection to eons of history. It was believed that their biggest gatherings occurred on the 30th of April and, of course, on the 31st of October.
Bat – Many of these are caused by vampire bats, which eat blood, but only enough to survive without killing the host. Bats have become symbols of evil and of all things ghoulish in mythology because vampires are thought to change into bats for flight and to enter places with more ease.
Halloween has always been associated with ghosts. Even during the festival of Samhain, Celtic people believed ghosts were nearby as the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest.
Druids and Christians believed that evil humans could transform into black cats by locking them in cages and throwing them into sacred fires. With its piercing yellow eyes and arched back, the black cat became the symbol of the spirit of Halloween.
Skeletons and skulls – Halloween symbols of death and the human condition, skeletons and skulls are striking. During the holiday, they remind us that death has always been an underlying theme.
Halloween is considered the most dangerous holiday of the year due to the thin veil between the living and the dead. Death can walk the earth at night on Halloween due to the thin veil. It meant that their ghosts would return on Halloween night to visit their homes. Family members would leave food out as snacks and even put out chairs for their loved ones to rest.
Scarecrows – Scarecrows are more than just Halloween symbols; they are a symbol of the harvest and the fall season.
Halloween legend says an owl and a cat are the companions of witches. Owls are thought to sound like witches when they screech. At least in Ancient Rome, owls were considered bad or harbingers of evil.
Because of their connections to witches and haunted houses, spiders have become part of Halloween imagery. Usually they are associated with the extra creepiness found in the corners of dilapidated haunted houses or horrors. Not to mention the stories about writing spiders. If a writing spider spins your name in its web, you are destined to die soon.
Corn husk – Corn husk are Halloween symbols that go all the way back to the times of Samhain when agriculture was a big part of the season.

FLASH TATTOOS FOR HALLOWEEN

In an interview with 16 News Now, artist Phil Rich says Halloween is no longer just a holiday, but a style.

“Now that nearly 1 in 4 Americans have tattoos, people can show their love for all things Halloween with a Tim Burton tattoo or a potion bottle tattoo. The acceptance of tattoos and individual styles while classically rendered is only growing and will continue to do so,” he says.

Since a long time ago, Halloween, horror, and tattoos have blended together. That’s why so many horror conventions, such as Spooky Empire, bring in tattoo artists who specialize in scary tattoos.

There are many artists and shops that offer Halloween deals as well. Keep in mind, however, that it’s a tattoo and getting it as cheap as possible probably shouldn’t be the goal.

There are plenty of classic tattoo designs for men, as well, like a raven, snake, owl feather, or even a mandala.

Nonetheless, Halloween is a fun time to get a gruesome tattoo from a flash sheet and attend an event hosted by your favorite tattoo shop.

HALLOWEEN TATTOO IDEAS

To help you with your research for your next creepy tattoo design, we went on a hunt through Instagram to find the best Halloween tattoo ideas.

Take a spooky look below to check them out all:

There are people who like Halloween, and then there are people who love Halloween. If you’re the latter, getting a Halloween-themed tattoo may be on your mind this year. After all, it’s the best way to show off just how much the holiday means to you.

It’s just as easy to apply a hilarious or creepy Halloween tattoo design as decorating your home and dressing up in your favorite costume on Halloween. You can get pumpkins, spider webs, ghosts, witch hats, and even Disney villains. For those who want to go all out to celebrate the season, they can commit to a whole Halloween scene sleeve. The following Halloween tattoos are a great example of how to make a one-day holiday into a year-long celebration.

SCREAM HEART

Tattoo artist STEGA re-created the ghost face from Scream, complete with blood tears.

HOUSE OF VILLAINS

Please enter the house of villains. Tattoo artist Megan created this locket of all of her mom’s favorite Disney villains.

This Hello Kitty, who is channeling her inner Hellraiser, has a gift for you to celebrate Halloween. Open it if you dare … This was done by tattoo artist Jessica Czernics.

HALLOWEEN CANDY

This is something sweet to eat. If you’re looking to go the next level, try having the lollipop swirl glow in the dark as seen here by tattoo artist Amanda Carmel.

SNAKE AND SKULL

There are two things that are iconic for Halloween: snakes and skulls. The snake is sliced up after its battle with a human skull drawn by Ricky Mo.

CHESHIRE CAT

Drawn by tattoo artist Toshy Kun, this cheshire cat tattoo is just creepy enough for the holiday.

HAND FULL OF “FLOWERS”

Instead of flowers, here’s a bouquet of skulls, jack-o-lanterns, and candy corn to have you feeling festive this season. Drawn by tattoo artist Nathan Hill.

BEE HAND

We’re not exactly sure what’s going on here, but it’s definitely creepy. So hats off to tattoo artist Cristina Niettto.

FACELESS

This half-sleeve is all about eyes, and they’re watching your every move. Tattoo artist Grah Matter turned this sketchbook art into a tattoo masterpiece.

THE INVISIBLE MAN

The Invisible Man returns this Halloween. Tattoo artist Rest replicated the iconic character perfectly.

SKULL CHERRIES

This may look delicious to eat, but beware of the skull-shaped cherries because you’ll turn into a skeleton when you take one bite. Tattoo artist Trinity Blemings created this look “to make my Saturday bright 🍒✨”

Most Halloween ghosts are intended to be spooky, but this one exudes some serious Casper the Friendly Ghost vibes. Drawn by artist Adhriane E. Rolim Gonçalves, we can’t get over how cute this tattoo is — especially with the witch hat.

THE SAM LOLLIPOP

Tattoo artist j_le_strange captured a number of Halloween-themed goodies on this tattoo sleeve, including candy corn, bats, and a spider, but we especially love the half-bitten lollipop. It’s a reference to the horror film Trick ‘r Treat.

CREEPY CANDY

Speaking of candy, tattoo artist Leah Sharples nailed the spooky vibe of the holiday with this tattoo — particularly the wrapped eyeball piece. And then there’s the tooth to remind us all how much dentists probably hate trick-or-treating.

SPOOKY CAT

Sorry, kitty, but that ghost costume isn’t stopping anyone from knowing that there’s a cat under the sheet. This cute tat was done by Sandbridge Tattoo artist Mandi Johnson.

SPOOKY GHOST

Halloween is the spookiest time of the year, and Tanya Fowler totally captured that with this tattoo. “I love everything about Halloween,” Fowler tells Woman’s Day. “[It’s] my favorite time of the year.”

HALLOWEEN MAGIC TRICK

Jen Ellis described this unique piece in the photo’s caption, saying it combined several of Ellis’ favorite things: “Halloween, roller skating, magic, and the circus!” It was done by artist DonnaKlein.

GLOWING GHOST

Artist Jessica V’s Instagram bio says “Spoopy” (aka cute/spooky) year-round, and that also describes this tattoo. The little trick-or-treating ghost is beyond adorable, and we are obsessed with the lime green outline that gives the ghost a glowing effect.

VAMPIRE TEETH

Who among us hasn’t worn plastic vampire teeth for a Halloween costume at some point in their lives? Now this person gets to wear them forever thanks to artist mikesgarbageart.

CHERRY PUMPKIN

A cherry with a jack-o’-lantern face is now the perfect way to blend summer and fall, thanks to hand-poke tattoo artist blackscraps.

HAUNTED MANSION

Artist Angelo Parente brought the Disney theme park ride Haunted Mansion to life with this coffin-shaped tat. The use of all black ink makes things extra spooky.

JACK, SALLY, AND ZERO

Angelo Parente also did this tattoo featuring Jack and Sally the ghost dog Zero from The Nightmare Before Christmas. It may have Christmas in the title, but it’s definitely a Halloween movie.

BOOGIE’S BOYS

Another popular Halloween tattoo idea are the three childlike anti-heroes from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Their names are Lock, Shock, and Barrel, but they’re better known as Boogie’s Boys. This piece was designed by ramonassanchez.

CLASSIC JACK-O’-LANTERN

mr.j.dupes is keeping it classic with this jack-‘o-lantern tattoo. The brilliant orange and yellow ink really bring the image to life.

PUMPKIN SKULL

You no longer have to chose between a skeleton and jack-o’-lantern! In this piece of ink, courtesy of artist Susie Balloni, the classic jack-o’-lantern serves as the head for a spooky skeleton surrounded by autumnal leaves.

FRANKENSTEIN BART SIMPSON

Lindsay Cadillac is the artist behind this tattoo that meshes The Simpsons with the spooky holiday. Considering how much the TV show loves Halloween, the creator would likely be honored to see this Frankenstein Bart permanently etched on someone’s skin.

SPOOKY FALL LEAF

Halloween is one of the prime fall holidays, and this ink reflects that by putting a haunted mansion inside of an autumn leaf. The color work here is great with the sunset, grass, and pumpkins. And we love the little bats flying outside of the leaf borders.

CREEPY CRAWLY

This spooky spider would be kind of Halloween-y all on its own, but Amanda McFarland took it one step further by having the spider clutching a pumpkin. Totally eerie and perfect for the holiday — or all year round.

SPOOKY ’90S

This tattoo isn’t overtly about Halloween, but it has a lot of mainstays of the holiday like the witch’s hand, a spiderweb, and a ghost. It’s also perfectly ’90s with the Tamagotchi reference. Hayleyblackwoodtattoo knocked this one out of the park.

PUMPKIN CAT

Black cats may be considered bad luck by some, but this tattoo gives the kitty a little redemption. It’s such a cute cat sitting in a pumpkin. Hats off to artist Sophie Lewis for this one.

MICKEY MOUSE PUMPKIN

There are few friendlier faces than Mickey Mouse’s, and this pumpkin-ified version is so fun. “I’m always ready to do Halloween tattoos,” artist Shannon Taber wrote in the caption of this July photo.

WITCH’S NIGHT OUT

Artist Jessica Czernics created this mesmerizing witch and moon silhouette. The details of the cat and the bats are also so great.

PUMPKIN BREW

This tattoo looks good enough to drink! Artist fakelegfoxtattoo captioned it, “I’m so looking forward to fall this year,” and honestly, same. But at least these tattoos keep the spooky season on trend all year long.

30 Tattoos for Anyone Who’s Obsessed With Halloween

For certain individuals, Halloween is an occasional occasion that passes with the changing leaves and basically returns the next year. For others, Halloween isn’t only an occasion – it’s a lifestyle. Also, what better way of showing one’s all year devotion than a horrendously magnificent tattoo? Halloween is brimming with images, symbols, expressions, and stories. There are such countless opportunities for things that make a decent Halloween tattoo.

Tattoos and Halloween basically have a place together. The “elective” work of art and “option” occasion appear to go connected at the hip, as a great deal of tattoos are based around nonconformity symbolism. For those fixated on blood and gore movies, jack-o’- lights, and dark felines, they ought to plan to contact their tattoo craftsman soon, on the grounds that they will need some new ink in the wake of seeing these.

From phantoms and pumpkins to witches and spiderwebs, there are such countless plans that are not difficult to customize and that address the spookiest season.

The following are 30 Halloween-motivated tattoos that admirers of the occasion will need to flaunt the entire year. Certain individuals might even consider getting mutiple!

Furthermore, let us know – which one is the best Halloween tat of all?

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Spell Book

Fans of the 1993 classic Hocus Pocus are sure to recognize this iconic imagery. It’s the Sanderson sisters’ spell book! With a creepy real eye embedded in its cover, this small arm piece is sure to give anyone chills.

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Practical Magic

The Sanderson sisters aren’t the only witches worthy of body art! Let’s not forget about Gillian and Sally Owens. The symbolism of this shoulder tattoo is related to a heartwarming line from Practical Magic. “But there are some things I know for certain: Always throw spilt salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck, and fall in love whenever you can.”

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Sally

Fans of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas will recognize main character Sally in this gasp-worthy, brightly hued arm piece by Lilian Raya, a tattoo artist in Mexico City. “I’ve been dying to do this character for so long!” she wrote alongside the post. She also asked for more female characters from Tim Burton. Fingers crossed!

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Jack-O’-Lantern Finger

For a subtle nod to a lifelong love of Halloween, there’s no better way to go than by opting for a tiny tattoo. This teeny jack-o’-lantern made its way to a “spooky babe’s” thumb. Check out the charming attention to detail. And straightforward black ink has its charm.

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Bat Wings

Perhaps this tattoo-rocker is a Batman or Batgirl fan. Or they’re simply looking to channel the spooky, magnetic vibes of the nocturnal creature. Either way, they’re clearly a fan of Halloween. This ankle tat is a simple, fun way to show their spirit.

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Winifred

What would Halloween be without Bette Midler’s character Winifred Sanderson in Hocus Pocus? Her character embodies the spooky, entertaining vibe of the holiday. It’s no wonder plenty of Halloween lovers have opted to have her likeness tattooed on them. “Another Winifred! I try not to do the same design twice, but I’m always happy to draw an alternate version of something if some flash of mine has already been claimed,” wrote the artist.

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Halloween Illusions

What’s real? What’s fake? Halloween often stirs us to think about the afterlife but other dimensions besides our own. This thought-provoking body art from Oregon-based tattoo artist Molly Vee has some vintage, feminine flair, as well as a nod to all things otherworldly.

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Ghost & Pumpkin Tattoo

A ghost and a pumpkin with a pop of bright orange. Oh my! This eerie piece by tattoo artist Angelo Parente is perfect for anyone who wants their body art to fully reflect the spirit of the spooky season. It’s truly over-the-top!

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The Headless Horseman

Washington Irving’s The Headless Horseman is a classic Halloween story that takes place in Sleepy Hollow. Traditional folklore holds that the Horseman was a Hessian trooper who was killed during the Battle of White Plains in 1776. But we also recognize the story as one told by Disney in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. This gasp-worthy, dramatic work by Angelo Parente encapsulates the imagery of the tale.

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The Classic Jack-O’-Lantern

Jack-o’-lanterns are one of the most common symbols of Halloween. Of course, they make for a great tattoo. Add a feminine spin with flowers. Or step up the creepy factor with a moon, webs, and haunted house in the distance.

More from CafeMom: 16 BFF Halloween Costumes for the Ultimate Party Duo

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‘Beetlejuice’ Wisdom

When it comes to Halloween movies, Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice is a classic. It even landed on Broadway! This awesome tattoo combines some spooky imagery with one of the best quotes from the film. And just look at the detail on Barbara and Adam’s eerie faces.

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‘Trick ‘r Treat’

“I know summer isn’t over, but spooky season is here,” wrote this Instagram user. This vibrant, colorful illustration is from the film Trick ‘r Treat. Never heard of it? It’s a 2007 American anthology horror film written and directed by Michael Dougherty. But really, what embodies a spooky holiday more than an an iconic horror film?

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Pumpkaboo

This is a great Halloween tattoo for Pokemon fans. Can we get him added to Pokemon Go?Pumpkaboo is just too adorable. And talk about the perfect ink for a Halloween lover!

More from CafeMom: 25 Halloween-Inspired Baby Names for Girls

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Spiderwebs

Spiderwebs make an awesome-looking design. They also happen to be a classic element of tattoos. In turn, they’re perfect for anyone who wants a more “subtle” Halloween tattoo. Here are four variations of webs that look eerily elegant.

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Queen Status

For the most dedicated Halloween enthusiasts, claim a fitting title with this “Queen of Halloween” tattoo. The crowned pumpkin and bats are super-detailed. The imagery also works well with the text. Let’s face it: Anyone with this much dedication to the holiday deserves a crown!

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Black Kitty

If one has a love for cats is as strong as a love for October 31, then this cute kitten may be just the ticket. It’s classic imagery for this spooky holiday. Mystical black cats are the stars of the Halloween show, after all. And we love how the design also has a traditional feel.

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Friends Who Poison Together …

These BFF tattoos are haunting in the best way. The pink and purple teacups of poison are both adorable and spooky. The aesthetic brings to mind the Disney film Coco, as well as Day of the Dead or Día de Los Muertos. The Mexican holiday that usually falls around the same time as Halloween.

More from CafeMom: 16 Epic Best Friend Tattoos for You & Your Soul Sister

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Ghost Life

Sometimes the most obvious designs are the best. This little ghost makes a perfect ankle tattoo. The shading gives it dimension. And the red dots add some color.

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When Sharon Needles Is Bae

As the fabulously spooky drag queen Sharon Needles once said, “When in doubt, freak ’em out.” And certainly this tattoo ought to freak ’em out. That is, in the best possible way. It’s eye-catching any day — as well as on all Halloweens to come.

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Witch’s Broom

We don’t know about all y’all, but broomsticks are definitely our preferred mode of transportation. Candy corn, stars, and smoke were added to give this some extra detail. The color is also jaw-dropping. Come, we fly!

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Strolling Through Halloween Town Like ...

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Strolling Through Halloween Town Like …

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is definitely a Halloween classic. Plenty of people consider themselves lifelong fans of the cult movie. So, it wouldn’t be unusual to gravitate to a Nightmare-inspired ink. This illustration of Jack Skellington with his trusty companion Zero is the cutest!

More from CafeMom: 10 Easy Halloween Treats for Lunches, After-School Snacks & Class Parties

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Hot & Dangerous

This sassy tatt is great for beauty lovers who have an undeniable dark side. Who knew lipstick and a scythe could look so good together? So goth. That cobweb on the lipstick tube is the perfect spooky Halloween touch.

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Tastes Like Poison

Halloween art mixed with a Beyoncé quote? How could anyone possibly go wrong! We love how this tattoo looks like a truly devilish elixir. But it has a touch of humor, too.

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Witches Only

This witch tattoo is completely magical. Check out her outfit and the stars! And the cats and bats! All the details are perfectly placed.

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Baby Bat

Who says all Halloween tattoos have to be super spooky? This cute little bat looks like he’s ready to give everyone a hug. Given that Halloween is very much a holiday to be celebrated by little ones, spooky body art can absolutely come with a dash of innocence. The heart is a sweet touch to boot.

More from CafeMom: 36 Majorly Cool & Tiny Micro Tattoos

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Just a Bunch of Hocus Pocus

Brooms and black kitties! This glowing green and black tat is filled with gasp-worthy details. It has an in-your-face appeal while managing to remain whimsical. Check out the golden shimmer on the “hocus pocus” lettering.

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Death’s-Head Hawkmoth

The death’s-head hawkmoth is a real insect that gets its name from the skull-like marking on its thorax. So, of course the unusual creature makes a fitting Halloween symbol. It’s a perfect choice for horror film lovers and film gurus in general. Hello, Silence of the Lambs.

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Vampire Fangs

Fake vampire fangs don’t just belong in in the mouth. They can also look great on the arm. It’s the perfect tiny tatt! #VampLife

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Creepy Little Things

A small finger tattoo can also be just as eye-catching as a bigger piece. These pumpkin and tooth tattoos are so much fun. Talk about festive imagery. That said, they’re also perfectly creepy for Halloween lovers.

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