Gothic Tattoos

It seems almost everyone has a tattoo in today’s society. But before they were made cool, Gothic tattoos were used as a way to express a Gothic woma or man’s individuality. By having an interest in the unknown, and intrigued by dark or morbid aesthetics. Goths displayed their curiosity with artistic signs and symbols that helped to define their culture.

Typically etched in black ink using old English fonts, they display the centuries old literature and architecture that brought the culture to life. Soon body sketches of skulls, vines, crosses, and the supernatural began to resemble death and the unknown.

Tattoos have since developed to suit different aspects of their creative personalities. And though Gothic tattoos have become trendy with other subcultures. Their bold and dramatic designs are not for the faint-hearted.

Which parts of the body do people get the Gothic tattoos?

Gothic tattoos come in all shapes and sizes. Their dark details are outlined to help you stand out from the crowd. But many believe their bodies are a blank canvas to fill with big sketches that express their beliefs.

There are a number of popular parts of the body where people place Gothic tattoos. Those who opt for their dark designs want to show them off in areas that are visible like the arms, legs and hands.

Sleeves are a common way to layout a collection of tattoos that glide along the arms or legs. They have a unified theme with interlinking sketches that blend together. Mostly considered to cover the entire arm or leg. Sleeves can also come up to the elbow and knee, or just the forearm and shins.

For some, a sleeve can lead the eye onto the upper back and flow down to become a full body suit. Others skip the sleeves and have a dramatic design encompassing the back and over their shoulders or down their ribcage.

Similarly, Gothic tattoos are popular inks to have on your chest or stomach. Whether you’re looking to add select pieces to your canvas, or want to expand your collection. Gothic tattoos have special elements hidden within their dark designs.

What are the meanings behind popular Gothic tattoos?

Like every piece of ink on your body, Gothic tattoos shouldn’t be etched because you simply like the way it looks. Many have deep and beautiful meanings behind their creepy exterior that can relate to your beliefs.

A tradition skull

Skulls have become a popular choice for tattoos in modern society. They portray rebellion and triumph, making the perfect addition to your canvas. Whether they are dark and grotesque, romanticised with red roses, or embellished with bright colours. Each design represents different elements of the afterlife.

Many Goths decide to ink themselves with a skull design to show their appreciation for the dead. Or a skeleton of a gothic woman as a reminder that death is inevitable. Their curves and shading are a perfect tattoo

Beastial Gothic tattoo

for the hands, knees and shoulders. Or a stack of skulls can fill negative space on a morbid sleeve.

Animals may not seem very Gothic, but many tattooists have a way of tapping into nature’s darker side. From swallows and ravens, to wolves and bats. There are plenty of designs with dark and spooky meanings. And by playing with the dark shading, your tattoo artist will be able to bring a beastial tattoo to life.

A bat is almost always associated with Gothic literature like Dracula or other vampires in pop culture. Many people have bat wings inked across their back to represent mystery and the supernatural. Whereas, in other parts of the world, the creepy animal can portray good fortune and to live a long life.

Similarly, a raven or a crow can have a bad omen in some countries. Whether they’re presented as a sign of death or a warning of ill-fortune. But they have become increasingly popular in Gothic culture. Ravens can be a symbol of wisdom and knowledge, but it mainly depends on how many you have inked on your body. One represents bad luck, two is good luck, three is health and four is wealth. While five and six ravens can portray sickness and death.

Fantastical tattoos

If you like the idea of representing the roots of Gothic culture, a fantastical tattoo might be for you. Inspired by literature, mythology and architecture. They are designed to illustrate the traditional elements of Gothicism.

Take a bite from classic horror movies to bring your nightmares to life. From vampires to fallen angels. You can emulate the devil himself with the ultimate symbol of suffering and sadness. Or take your tatt to the next level with a detailed etch of the Norse god Odin. As the Master of Beasts, Odin’s raw and aggressive qualities make him a popular addition to a sleeve full of wolves and other monsters.

Mythology comes in many designs to represent different elements of various cultures. The Baphomet or better known as the demon goat head, is a common tattoo of Satan’s statue. As half goat and half man, it symbolises the equilibrium of opposites. So if you believe in the power of good and evil, you may have found your next piece.

What do the colours of Gothic tattoos mean?

While black seems to be an appropriate colour for Gothic tattoos, some choose fun, brighter colours to display happiness in the afterlife. There are a range of different colours to characterise the meaning behind your ink.

Purple shows the grief of losing a loved one, and white shows the purity in the spirit of a relative that has passed on. Orange presents the rising sun as life after grief, while pink celebrates their passing.

But there’s no harm in sticking to traditional darker colours to keep your sketches looking eerie. Tattoo artists are able to awaken the simplest of sketches using different shading. No matter how dark and disturbing your ink ideas may be, Gothic tattoos are a chance to let your imagination run wild.