Leave Thanksgiving and Christmas behind; for spooky season lovers all around the nation, October reigns as the ultimate month. With its chilling movies, spooky vibe, and thrilling horror events, it builds up to the grand spectacle of Halloween.
Halloween, horror, and tattoos have intertwined for ages. That's precisely why numerous horror conventions, like Spooky Empire, attract skilled tattoo artists who excel in creating spine-chilling ink.
To help you get inspired to do the same, we’ll be looking at:
Skeleton & Skulls
Representing death and human mortality, skeletons and skulls stand out as striking Halloween symbols, encapsulating the holiday's connection to the deceased.
Scary Scars
If you’re willing to sport a big tattoo, scary scars are definitely a conversation starter.
Such a tattoo can make it look like your head or back was cut open (or perhaps just patched together like Frankenstein’s monster).
Head-Turning Tattoos
These tattoos are loud and sure to command attention in a crowded room, so make sure you’re fully committed to a Halloween-themed tattoo before you get your new ink on done.
Michael Myers
Halloween stands as one of the most enduring movie franchises in history. For over four decades, Michael Myers has struck fear into the hearts of fans, his stoic white mask and bloodied butcher's knife becoming iconic symbols of horror.
The Perfect Choice for Horror Movie Enthusiasts
Michael Myers is a household name, instantly recognizable for his chilling appearance. The finest Michael Myers tattoos serve as a testament to the artist's admiration for the franchise, a deep love for the horror genre, and a captivating fascination with the character. While these tattoos may not appeal to everyone, they remain popular among devoted horror enthusiasts.
Cute Trick-or-treat Cat
Image credit: sbtattoo.
Nothing represents Halloween more than a mashup of a black cat trick-or-treating in a skeleton costume. This is definitely more of a cutesy option, but what's not to love?
“Cute” Halloween Options
Plenty of clients will want Halloween tattoos that aren’t “scary.” Images like candy corn and small ghosts made out of bed sheets can work for these customers. Additionally, people who want something more intricate might opt for a detailed tarot card.
Witch
Witches, with their ancient origins, were often believed to possess mystical powers and have a connection to the spirit world. Their infamous gatherings were rumored to occur during the significant seasonal moon transitions on April 30 and October 31.
Hocus Pocus
Not only does the movie hold a prominent spot on certain people's Halloween viewing lists, but it has also inspired devoted fans to immortalize it with tattoos on their bodies. Hocus Pocus tattoos may be niche, but the fans of this movie are devoted.
Winifred's spellbook is a captivating choice among the film's elaborate designs. Crafted from flesh, the book features a functioning eyeball and responds exclusively to its owner. Bursting with powerful spells capable of dramatically altering events, this tattoo incorporates purple smoke and yellow stars, adding a whimsical touch and impeccable detailing to the design.
Skeletal Hand
While external monsters are scary, most of us are frightened by the idea of darkness inside ourselves. That’s what makes 3D perspective tattoos so effective if you want to get something shocking.
For example, these tattoos can make it look like the bones on your hand, legs, or feet are practically popping out of your body. For extra scary points, you can have something peering from behind your bones as if they were prison bars.
Robot parts, alien exoskeleton…the sky is the limit on ways to make the inside of your body look downright creepy.
Bats
While they drink blood for survival without causing harm, Vampire bats contributed to the association of bats with the macabre and evil. Vampire legends claiming their transformation into bats for flight and access to hidden places solidified bats as symbols of ghoulish elements.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Since we can’t live in Halloween Town ourselves, a tattoo of the Pumpkin King might just be the perfect alternative!
Ghost
Ghosts have symbolized Halloween for a very long time, with Celtic beliefs during the festival of Samhain suggesting that spirits roamed closely, given the thin veil between the living and the dead.
Creepy Princesses
Image from Liverpool Echo
Plenty of people have scary flash tattoos or realistic movie monster tattoos.
But finding a creepy version of something otherwise normal will maximize scares. Disney characters with haunting eyes or zombie versions of comic characters are just a couple of ways to subvert expectations and get something seriously spooky on your skin.
Jack-o-Lantern
Originally carried by costumed participants on All Hallows’ Eve to ward off evil spirits. An intriguing Irish Christian folktale is linked to pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns, which in folklore represents a "soul denied entry into both hell and heaven.”
Scream
For those who have never seen the movie, Scream stands as a classic American horror movie franchise renowned for its heart-stopping jump-scares and distinctive storyline. At the center of the series lurks the main antagonist, Ghostface, a menacing figure who instills fear in victims through terrifying phone calls and a chilling knife.
The original 'Scream' film achieved tremendous success, birthing five sequels, each introducing a memorable cast of characters. The likes of Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette have left their mark as notable stars in these movies.
If you are an ardent Scream fan and seek an enjoyable and distinctive way to exhibit your adoration for an iconic character, consider opting for a Scream tattoo.Vampire Teeth
Body horror makes for some of the most genuinely terrifying movies. Seeing the body move or act unnaturally tickles the uncanny valley in our brains and makes us afraid.
You can use this to your advantage by getting tattoos of body parts in unexpected areas.
Owl
While this may not be the most apparent Halloween tattoo, owls actually hold a lot of meaning for the holiday. During Halloween, owls are considered companions of witches, with their screeches reminiscent of a witch's cackle. Ancient Romans associated owls with evil or omens of misfortune.
Black Cat
Druids, as well as Christians later down the line, believed evil individuals could transform into cats, leading druids to capture cats in cages and cast them into sacred fires. Thus, the black cat, with its arched back and piercing yellow eyes, became a symbol of Halloween.
Scarecrow
Scarecrows are definitely creepy. You'll understand why if you’ve ever had the pleasure of walking through a haunted cornfield or even a farmland-themed haunted house. However, scarecrows are not exclusively Halloween symbols; they also represent autumn and harvest.
Spider
Spiders have become part of Halloween imagery due to their ties to witches and haunted houses. Their presence in cobweb-filled corners of abandoned places adds an extra eerie touch. The myth of writing spiders predicting one's impending death further solidified their association with the holiday.
Planchette
Consider getting inked with a heart-shaped planchette, a simple yet profound Halloween tattoo design! This mystical tool has long been associated with communicating with the deceased, making it an intriguing addition to the list of Halloween tattoo ideas.
Become a Tattoo Artist With the Artist Accelerator Program
Having a career in tattooing is not only fulfilling, but it’s also the most stable way to make a living as an artist. However, for decades, the process to become a tattoo artist has been notoriously difficult.
The apprenticeship process requires aspiring tattoo artists to work 50-60 hours a week without pay for 2-4 years. That, combined with the toxic culture of abusing apprentices, makes getting into the industry almost impossible for newcomers.
That’s why we created the Artist Accelerator Program. Our online course provides a simple, structured way of learning to tattoo that has been proven to work by over 2500 successful students, with many of them having gone on to open their own shops all around the world.
Inside the program, we’ll take you through every step of the tattooing process in 9 clear, easy-to-follow modules and support you along the way within the Tattooing 101 Mastermind online community.
In the Mastermind group, you’ll collaborate with other students, get answers to your questions, and receive personalized video feedback on your artwork and tattoos from professional tattoo artists. With this friendly community of both new and experienced tattoo artists, you’ll never be stuck again.
When you join the Artist Accelerator Program, you’ll have instant access to the full course and the Mastermind community, as well as our 30-Day Flash Challenge and recorded interviews with tattoo artists from all over the world.
Click here to learn more about the Artist Accelerator Program.
