From the painters' canvases to the pages of writers, the Gothic style has changed and shifted throughout the years. Today, gothic tattoos might be the best representatives of this rather eye-catching style.
Ironically, these often dark and dreary optical creations come from some of the most brilliant minds. For tattoo artists, dark-colored ink is the paint, and a person's skin is the canvas.
However, before picking the design, you might want to know the characteristics of gothic style tattoos. Luckily, works of the same style use similar elements. One of the more visible characteristics is the grim and dark themes. Many goth tattoo designs include creepy animals, holy figures, and ritualistic symbolism.
However, the use of colors — or, more correctly, the lack of them — sets these tattoos apart visually. Usually, gothic tattoos primarily use black ink. However, there are cases where a more eye-catching color gets used, and this mixture of shades can help craft some super realistic ink works.
Now that we have grasped the basics, you might go ahead and look at some gothic inkspiration. Below, we've compiled a goth sleeve tattoo or two for you to enjoy and described some of the most common symbols used in these creations.
As you go through the entries, make sure to upvote the ones that you liked the most. Also, don't forget to share your opinions about the tattoos in the comments!
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Monster Coming Out Of The Dark Tattoo
Meaning of Gothic Tattoos
The word "gothic" is usually associated with gruesome, dark, and enigmatic concepts of our world. Burning demons, twisted angels, black goats, and scary crows are some of the most popular things found in these tattoos. The meaning of these tattoos can change depending on the subject. Throughout the post, we will take a look at tattoos that include:
- Fonts;
- Flowers;
- Ravens;
- Angels;
- Architecture;
- Skulls;
- Spiders;
- Crosses.
Gothic Style Crow Shoulder And Chest Tattoo
Gothic Font Tattoos
A quote tattoo is only as good as the font in use. Unlike Times New Roman or Ariel, the Gothic font is rare. What distinguishes Gothic from every other style is the styling of the letters. A Gothic font tattoo lives up to the name by having the same dark and mysterious vibes. So, even if you plan to write a sweet message like “I Love You,” why not do it in the most sinister way?
Gothic Flower Tattoos
For nature fans, nothing is better than stepping into the abyss with a grotesque flower tattoo. Gothic flower tattoos often bend and shape a flower or other plant around another object. Hearts, headless deer, or some other disturbing things — nothing is off the table. Often, flowers in gothic tattoos symbolize decay and a person's passing. They usually stick out of a skeleton or are wrapped around a vital organ.
Cathedral Calve Tattoo
Gothic Raven Tattoos
The raven has gotten quite a lot of attention in the Gothic world. Literature sees this bird quoting the ever-famous "Nevermore" — a disturbing message to hear at midnight. In art, the raven represents an apocalyptic episode or the coming of dread. The meaning of the bird stays the same in a gothic raven tattoo, symbolizing something dreary, like grief over a lost love.
"Defend Animals" Gothic Lettering Piece
Gothic Angel Tattoos
There are two varieties of angels — the ones that still work with God and the ones that turn against their master (aka demons). Where angels represent the good side, demons are the complete opposite. Thus, a gothic angel tattoo captures one or the other. Angels are shown as virtuous and holy creatures. Demons, on the other hand, symbolize the darker side of life.
"Several Curves" Eccentric Shoulder Tattoo
Gothic Architecture Tattoos
Gothic buildings were very popular throughout the middle ages. Although contemporary architecture is now more desirable, gothic structures built back then are still famous even after several centuries. While new gothic buildings are no longer built, their legacy survives through gothic architecture tattoos. Like the structures, the tattoos can symbolize longevity in the face of time and history.
Custom Beetlejuice Piece
Skull and Skeleton Tattoos
A gothic skull tattoo captures the not-so-cheerful aspects of this style but in the best way possible. If you haven’t figured it out yet, gothic tattoos often refer to passing away. As our bodies decay, all that gets left behind are bones, including the skull. You're also likely to encounter skull tattoos that have flower elements in them. For example, some tattoos have grass and flowers poking out of the holes of the skull, often sockets of the eyes.
"Petite Chrysanthème" Forearm Tattoo
Spider Tattoos
With their six legs and sharp teeth, just a sight of these tiny creatures can make your skin crawl. Hence, even a simple gothic spider tattoo can look creepy and send shivers down your spine. Since spiders create webs that capture smaller creatures, they can represent creativity. However, at the same time, they can also symbolize one’s struggle in the complicated "web of life."
Spooky Cat Tattoo
Gothic Cross Tattoos
Gothic style and religion go hand-in-hand, like peanut butter and jam. However, throughout history, this duo has changed. While it is still visible through the marvelous cathedrals constructed during the middle ages, these days, you can enjoy this combination through the well-designed gothic cross tattoos. Usually, these tattoos are associated with passing away, pain, anger, or faith.
Salem Upper Arm Tattoo
Big Ominous Raven Forearm Tattoo
Stylized Large Animal Back Piece
Dark Aries Hand Tattoo
Framed Angel Tattoo
Dark Lightning Body Tattoo
Sophisticated Raven Tattoo
Contrasting Girl Tattoo
Skull Cherries Upper Arm Tattoo
Skulls And Snakes Full Arm Piece
Dragon Circle Tattoo
Large Contrasting Octopus Tattoo
"Hail Cycling" Arm Tattoo
Dressed Up Girl Contrasting Tattoo
"The Mysterious Elegance Of The Death" Arm Tattoo
Full Back Gothic Moth Tattoo
Enigmatic Stag Creature Tattoo
Mothra Large Chest Piece
Highly Stylized Baroque Skull Tattoo
Tons of really consistently well done and very detailed shading throughout this piece
Holbein’s “The Advocate” Tattoo
"Can't Trust No One, Even Yourself" Arm Tattoo
Mesmerizing Dinosaur Skeleton Full Chest Piece
The details throughout the entire piece are so good. The negative space framing done with the crow heads, wow! The kid laying inside the tree trunk was such a gem to find. The bat on the shoulder, the negative deer figure on the arm, with the negative bat and skull right by that, next to an amazingly structured and awesome face. All of that surrounding this really interesting depiction of a skeleton/fossil thing... its just so much to love. Its such a great composition, and incredibly well executed. I'm very impressed by the talent shown here.
Nekomata Upper Arm Piece
Nekomata are a type of cat yōkai that feature in Japanese folklore, classical kaidan, essays etc.
Headless Horseman Full Back Tattoo
Grand Death Eagle Sleeve Piece
"The Bird In The Frame"
Big Scary Fly Hand Tattoo
Crow Sleeve Piece
Snake Skeleton Full Arm Tattoo
Dark Gothic Neck Tattoo
Freehand Skull Tattoo
Victorian Dress Arm Tattoo
Stylized Bat Tattoo
A lot of these are not Gothic, but this is just ridiculous. Not in any world is this the least bit Gothic lmao. Its good, its adorable, cute af, but not Gothic lol
Devil Playing With Fire Tattoo
Dark Freehand Arm Piece
Dark Church Leg Tattoo
Freehand Seraphim Tattoo
"Cupid" Arm Tattoo
"Sacred Heart" Chest Tattoo
Baroque Lion Tattoo
Wheel Of Fortune Forearm Tattoo
Dramatic Valkyrie Full Back Tattoo
“The Drolatic Dreams Of Pantagruel” (1565) Series Tattoo
Gothic Hand On A Thigh Tattoo
Thorny Branches Elbow Tattoo
Dark Symmetrical Thigh Pieces
The Morrígan Upper Arm Tattoo
War and fate are the Morrígan's main areas of focus, especially when it comes to predicting negative outcomes, death, or victory in battles. As part of this role, she frequently takes on the form of a crow, referred to as the badb.
Alien "Face Hugger" Tattoo
"Ornament And Architecture Reaching For The Sky" Arm Tattoo
Junji Ito Inspired Sleeve Tattoo
Gnarly Looking Massive Leg Tattoos
"Baby Teeth And Iris" Tattoo
Dark And Interesting Arm Piece
Gothic Dolphin Piece
"Dizzy Eyes" Tattoo Over A Tattoo
Full Skull Design Tattoo
Attacking Eagle Tattoo
"Playful Fight" Contrasting Tattoo
"Angel Of Death" Calve Tattoo
Butterfly Skull Thigh Piece
Black Widow Hand Tattoo
"Insanity" Written In A Gothic Font On A Thigh Tattoo
Contrasting Weapon Tattoo
Memento Viviere Collarbone Tattoo
Three Gothic Crosses Arm Tattoo
90's Style Gothic Heart Tattoo
Skull Behind The Ear Tattoo
Gothic Stylized Skull Tattoo
Bones And Skull Traditional Tattoo
"The Eyes, Chico, They Never Lie" Arm Tattoo
Babies In A Monsters Mouth Arm Tattoo
Stylized Dagger Tattoo
Dark Gothic Cathedral Calve Tattoo
Sick Moth Tattoo
Bold Stylyzed Octopus Tattoo
Spine Forearm Tattoo
That would have looked better placed on the back.... where the spine is, no?
"Lovely Candle" Tattoo
Strange Contrasting Arm Piece
Red Vampire Arm Tattoo
Light Gothic Statue Piece
"Dark Art" Full Back Tattoo
Entertaining Jester Etch Tattoo
Get Blessed By This Frog Tattoo
"Shrimp With Flaming Village" Upper Thigh Tattoo
Stylized Skull With A Chicken Foot Tattoo
Stylized Lettering With A Cherub Tattoo
Back Tribal Tattoo Piece
Most of these are incredibly well done, a few of them are not very goth but very good art
Most of these are incredibly well done, a few of them are not very goth but very good art