99 Scorpion Tattoos Scorpio Tattoo Designs ~ Tattoona

For a tattoo that has a lot of attitude, history and lore, consider the myriad of scorpion tattoos available. The scorpion carries with it a storied history. You might be interested in a scorpion tattoo because Scorpio is your zodiac sign or because you enjoy the dark and foreboding sense that scorpions give. Perhaps its just because they look cool.

Scorpion tattoos can be dark and forbidding, but they can also be a lot more attractive than you might think. These tiny, deadly desert creatures in appearance, a cross between a spider and a tiny lobster have gracefully curved bodies that lend themselves well to tattoo designs.

Scorpion tattoo design on a man's arm

A scorpion tattoo can look exotic and intriguing on a man or a woman all in all, a great image for someone who wants a tattoo with a little bit of edge, or one that is a little beyond the ordinary.

Scorpion tattoos can be large or small, and they can have as much or as little detail as youd like. In any case, it will be immediately recognizable because even those of us who have never seen an actual scorpion seem to have an innate recognition of the symbol and all that it represents.

Scorpion Tattoos And Their Meaning

Scorpion art is part of the folklore and symbolism of many different cultures and has various meanings:

Greek Mythology:
The scorpion is featured in its own mythological tale. When Orion, a giant who was more than human but less than a God, incurred the wrath of Artemis, she called upon a scorpion to attack him. The scorpions sting made Orion immortal in the form of the constellation of Orion.

Another story goes that when Medusa was slain by Perseus, the blood that leaked out of Medusas neck turned into snakes and scorpions.
The Bible:
The Bible uses the story of Israelites trampling scorpions as a metaphor for achieving victory over the terrible acts brought on by the devil.
Ancient Egypt:
There was an Egyptian scorpion goddess that was thought to help ease the pain of childbirth (if women prayed to her appropriately). The scorpion, therefore, stood a lasting symbol of maternal sacrifice.
The scorpion was also associated with the ancient Egyptian god of the desert, called Set.
The Mayas:
Because the scorpion numbs its prey before stinging, the ancient Mayans associated the scorpion with surgery.
Mexico:
The scorpion is the symbol of Durango, a state in Mexico.
Buddhism:
Scorpions were found in designs on sword handles and amulets in Tibet and a variety of other Buddhist cultures.

Black Scorpio Tattoo

Scorpio Tattoo Designs

Zodiac tattoos are one of the most popular styles of tattoos, so it stands to reason that the scorpion tattoo and Scorpio tattoos in particular are so popular. Scorpio is a water sign that is given to people born between October 24 and November 22. Those born under the sign of Scorpio are said to have the following qualities:

Willfulness
Highly emotional and sensitive
Imaginative and intuitive
Sensual
Loyal and devote
Dignified
Controlling and even manipulative
Perseverant
Self-confident

Scorpio tattoos usually feature an image of the deadly creature, usually combined with the scorpio symbol, which looks like a letter M with an arrow.

Here's our scorpio tattoo gallery:

Scorpion Tattoo Ideas

Scorpion Tattoo Design

The most interesting thing about a scorpion is the sting in its curving tail. Without that deadly stinger, it would be a fairly innocuous little creature.

Its very interesting to see how the scorpions sting is represented in various scorpion tattoos. Some incorporate what appears to be a small exploding bomb at the end of the scorpions tail. Others concentrate on depicting the sharpness of the scorpions stinger.

Like a curled fist, the partially coiled scorpion image seems to indicate that its wearer is a fighter, someone to be reckoned with, someone not to cross. The arms, shoulders and back are the most popular spots for a large scorpion tattoo.

On the other hand, a small scorpion on a womans foot or ankle is both attractive and intriguing its the type of tattoo that works as a reminder that while the scorpion might be small, he is mighty and should be feared. In a small but unobtrusive way, the wearer sends a signal that even the small and quiet can be forceful and sometimes deadly.

The most popular areas of the body for the smaller feminine tattoos include the arms, back and right above the ankle, which is where women often choose to locate the scorpion tattoo.

Tribal Scorpion Tattoos

Scorpion Tribal Tattoos

Besides realistic scorpion designs there's also a wide variety of tribal scorpion tattoos. The scorpion was a popular symbol used in the tribal tattoo art of many different cultures.

In more traditional times, the tribal scorpion tattoo had the function of an amulet, protecting against: