Halloween Tattoo Ideas

1. Pumpkin Tattoo

Starting off with one of the most iconic of Halloween designs.

Carving pumpkins might seem like a tradition as old as Halloween itself, but did you know that initially, people carved turnips instead?

There is a tale of an individual known as Stingy Jack, who was too dishonest to enter heaven but also tricked the Devil into not taking him to hell, so he walks the world between the planes of good and evil for an eternity with an ember inside a hollow turnip to light his way.  

2. Beetlejuice Halloween Tattoo

This Beetlejuice Tattoo is of the Sandworm.

Sandworms exist in a realm below the neitherworld in a region known as Sandwormland. 

Here, these creatures consume other paranormal entities, such as ghosts.

3. Ghost Tattoo

Another image synonymous with Halloween is the bed sheet ghost.

This ghost has been depicted throughout countless media, making it one of the world's most clichéd designs.

Initially, ghosts were often portrayed in the clothes they passed away in, which led to a problem of how one could tell who was a ghost or not.

Ghosts would instead be depicted in burial shrouds to differentiate them, eventually leading to the bedsheet form we know today. 

4. Creature From The Black Lagoon Tattoo

The Creature from the black lagoon is a 1954 American film monster that is a piscine amphibious humanoid that lives in the Amazon.

The films portray themes of isolation and alienation as the creature is portrayed as a lonely and misunderstood being, as well as themes of man vs. nature as the films depict the destructive impact of scientific and exploratory human endeavors on natural habitats and creatures.

5. Frankenstein’s Monster Tattoo

Frankenstein’s Monster, commonly misnamed as Frankenstein, is a being that first appeared in the 1818 novel by Mark Shelley.

Frankenstein’s monster is another being that suffers from isolation and alienation due to being shunned by society and rejected by its creator.

The novel explores the impacts of social rejection and loneliness on behavior and the need for companionship and acceptance.

6. Witch Tattoo

Witches are just as synonymous with Halloween as pumpkins and ghosts.

Witches and witchcraft itself are believed to have existed in almost every continent on the planet. Still, the stereotypical design of witches we know today has a complex history to it. 

While pointed hats were common during medieval times, the association with witches may have stemmed from the fact that outsiders or those considered "other" might wear outdated or unusual versions of common attire.

During the witch trials, physical deformities including moles, warts, and other blemishes were often cited as the "Devil's mark," and the connection between witches and flying brooms first appeared in witch trial confessions in the 15th century, possibly as a misinterpretation of pagan rituals.

7. Werewolf Tattoo

Werewolves, also known as lycanthropes, have a history that stretches back to ancient times, with one of the earliest references coming from Mesopotamian mythology.

The revival of gothic literature in the 19th century brought werewolves back into the public eye, and in the 20th century, werewolves became a staple of horror films, which established many of the modern tropes associated with werewolves, such as vulnerability to silver bullets and transformation triggered by the full moon.

8. Nosferatu Tattoo

Nosferatu was a seminal film for the horror genre released in 1922.

Nosferatu: A Symphony Of Horror was an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker's "Dracula" that had the names and details changed to avoid copyright infringement.

The original versions of "Nosferatu" were ordered destroyed after a lawsuit from Bram Stoker's widow.

Still, copies of the film survived and circulated, helping to cement its status as a classic.

What many people might not know is that the main antagonist of the film isn’t actually named Nosferatu and is actually Count Orlok.

Nosferatu is an archaic Romanian word that may come from the word Nesuferitu, which means "the offensive one" or "the insufferable one." 

9. Dracula Tattoo

Possibly the most iconic of all the Halloween monsters, Dracula, was created by Irish author Bram Stoker in his 1897 novel.

His character became synonymous with the vampire genre and has had a profound impact on how vampires are perceived in folklore, literature, and media across the world.

10. Micheal Myers Tattoo

Michael Myers is a fictional character from the "Halloween" series of slasher films.

One of the most iconic figures in horror cinema, Michael is characterized by his emotionless demeanor and relentless pursuit of his victims, which helped to define the slasher genre, with his character being a blueprint for the emotionless, seemingly indestructible killer.

11. Headless Horseman Tattoo

The Headless Horseman  is a legendary figure in folklore, most famously appearing in Washington Irving's 1820 short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

The Headless Horseman is said to be the ghost of a Hessian trooper who lost his head to a cannonball during the American Revolutionary War. He rides at night in search of his lost head.

12. Jason Vorhees Halloween Tattoo

Having originally appeared only briefly in the first movie, Jason Voorhees is the main antagonist of the Friday the 13th franchise of films.

Born with physical deformities and mental disabilities, Jason drowns in Crystal Lake due to the negligence of the camp staff.

His mother takes revenge by murdering the camp counselors she blames for her son's death, however, in the sequels, Jason returns as an unkillable monster who always wears his iconic hockey mask. 

13. Freddy Krueger Tattoo

Freddy Krueger is a horror icon who first appeared in the film ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ in 1984.

A child killer released on a technicality, the citizens of Springfield, Ohio, take the law into their own hands and burn Freddy alive.

However, he returns as a powerful spirit who hunts down and murders children in their sleep, which in turn kills them in real life. 

14. Chucky Tattoo

Chucky, or Charles Lee Ray, is the main antagonist of the "Child's Play" horror film series.

To escape death, serial killer Charles Lee Ray’s soul is placed within a doll through a voodoo ritual.

The doll, named Chucky, is later bought as a birthday gift for a young boy named Andy Barclay, setting off a series of violent events.

15. Ghost Face Tattoo

You can scarcely go through a Halloween night without encountering one person wearing the iconic Ghost Face mask.

Ghost Face, unlike his slasher film antagonist contemporaries, isn’t a singular character and is instead an identity adopted by those seeking to murder for various reasons. 

16. Elvira Tattoo

Elvira, also known as the Mistress of Darkness, is a horror icon due to her unique blend of gothic horror and campy humor, which Cassandra Peterson created and portrayed.

A Los Angeles television station hired Peterson to host "Elvira's Movie Macabre,” a show that featured B-grade horror movies about which Elvira gave her witty and sarcastic commentary. 

17. Cute Halloween Tattoo

Not all Halloween Tattoos have to be dark and scary.

Instead, you can always choose to brighten up your Halloween Tattoo design by getting a cute rendition such as this one.

This adorable little design has a heart-shaped patch with a cute pumpkin, a ghost, and a few bats. 

18. Cocktail Tattoo

Halloween isn’t just a time for trick-or-treating, it can also be a time to relax and unwind.

Plenty of pubs and clubs love Halloween and use this time to have specialized drinks and events.

So, if your Halloween spirit is to cut loose, consider getting a Halloween-inspired cocktail tattoo.  

19. Cute Racoon Tattoo

This Animal Tattoo is of an adorable Racoon dressed in his best little Halloween costume.

This cute little guy has his vampire teeth, horns, cape with a spider buckle, and little pumpkin basket to gather his little treats.

If you want to see more cute Animal Tattoos, check out maria.das.tattoos for more. 

20. Care Bear Halloween Tattoo

The Care Bears were originally painted in 1981 by Elena Kucharik for use on greeting cards from American Greetings.

They were so popular they were adapted into plush teddy bears and have since grown into a wide-ranging franchise of toys, TV shows, movies, and other merchandise.

21. Black Cat Tattoo

Cat Tattoos symbolize themes of freedom, resilience, and survival, but most importantly, for the Halloween element, mystery, and spiritual insight.

During the Middle Ages, the Christian Church often demonized pagan beliefs, which included the veneration of animals like cats.

Over time, cats were increasingly linked to devilry and witchcraft, possibly due to their mysterious nature and reflective eyes that made them made them eerie to some cultures.  

22. Scarecrow Tattoo

Halloween and scarecrows might not initially seem like two things that go hand in hand.

However, as Halloween falls during the harvest season in many parts of the world, especially in the northern hemisphere, scarecrows naturally fit into the themes of Halloween.

This is especially due to scarecrows often being made from old clothes stuffed with straw and featuring ghoulish, makeshift faces, that have a naturally eerie appearance. 

23. Witches Cauldron Tattoo

The iconic bubbling witch's cauldron has historical roots coming from various cultural narratives.

In Celtic and Norse mythology, the cauldron often had magical properties.  

In Norse mythology, the cauldron appears as a central object in rituals and as a symbol of rebirth and regeneration, while the most famous cauldron, perhaps being the Cauldron of Dagda from Irish mythology, that could bring the dead back to life. 

24. The Nightmare Before Christmas Tattoo

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a 1993 stop-motion film conceived and directed by Tim Burton.

Jack Skellignton, the leader of Halloween Town, has grown bored of their annual routine and becomes obsessed with the idea of Christmas after discovering Christmas Town.

This Nightmare Before Christmas Tattoo is of Zero, Jack’s ghost dog. 

Are you also looking for the Best Christmas Tattoos? Check out our collection here for more ideas!

25. Make A Wish Tattoo

Rather than making a wish to Santa this year, why not make a wish to Baphomet?

The Baphomet’s earliest mentions are linked to the trials of the Knights Templar in the early 14th century, who were accused of worshipping the idol.

The modern image of Baphomet was significantly shaped by the French occultist Eliphas Lévi in the 19th century.

While the Baphomet is often associated with lust and reckless behavior, it is a symbol of balance in various occult and mystical traditions. 

26. Caroline Tattoo

Caroline is a 2009 stop-motion film about Eleven-year-old Coraline Jones, who needs to adapt to life in the Pink Palace apartments.

She discovers a parallel universe that mirrors her own but with seemingly better versions of her life where her parents are more attentive and engaging with her.

However, she soon discovers that the other world has an evil and manipulative entity that intends to keep her there forever.

Coraline's journey is a metaphor for growing up and learning to appreciate what you have, even if it's imperfect.

27. Super Mario Tattoo

Super Mario is a platform game series created by Nintendo starring their mascot, Mario.

This Video Game Tattoo is of the Piranha Plant but in a pumpkin.

The Piranha Plant debuted in the original "Super Mario Bros." game released in 1985 and quickly became one of the iconic adversaries in the series.

28. Potion Tattoo

Following on from the Witch’s cauldron, potions are equally iconic to the Witch's aesthetic.

Historically, herbalists or healers who worked with plants and herbs to create concoctions or potions for medicinal purposes were labeled as witches due to it being viewed with suspicion and linked to supernatural abilities.

The mysterious nature of potion-making, combined with the limited scientific understanding of the time, made people wary of these concoctions.

This fear often led to associations with dark magic and malevolent practices.

29. Halloween Tree Tattoo

If you love the Christmas aesthetic but would rather have it in a Halloween style, try out this cool Halloween Tree Tattoo.

Before the introduction of Christianity, people in various cultures used evergreen branches to decorate their homes during the winter solstice.

These plants remained green all year and were believed to ward off evil spirits and illness.

30. Cupcake Halloween Tattoo

Another Halloween/Christmas Tattoo here. This time, we have a cute little ghost in the shape of a cupcake.

He also comes along with the stereotypical Christmas treat of a gingerbread man, except this time, he is more of a gingerbread skeleton.

I also really adore the glitter effects of this design on the background as well as the cake cover. 

31. Boo-Bee Tattoo

Here is a fun little play on words design.

This Halloween Tattoo has an adorable little bumblebee dressed up as a ghost collecting his pollen and carrying his own little flower-filled pumpkin basket.

A ghost known for saying Boo and it being a Bee together make this design named Boo-Bee. 

32. Hello Kitty Tattoo

If you want to have a more girly appeal to your Halloween Tattoo, why not try out a Hello Kitty Design?

Hello Kitty is one of the most iconic Japanese characters to come from Japan created by Yuko Shimizu.

Hello Kitty is an anthropomorphic Bobtail cat who lives in London with her parents and her twin sister.

33. Bat Tattoo

Bats have a long-running connection with Halloween. 

In many cultures, bats have been associated with the supernatural, mystery, and the nocturnal.

Their emergence at dusk, particularly around the fall season, makes them prominent and visible symbols of the Halloween season.

One of their most notable connections to Halloween is thanks to Bram Stroker’s novel ‘Dracula,’ in which the titular character had the ability to transform into a bat. 

34. I love Halloween Tattoo

If you really adore the Halloween festival, then honor your love for it with this super cool ‘I love Halloween Tattoo.’

This design has a heartbeat monitor line showing a fast heartbeat, with the traditional love heart shape in other designs, along with a pumpkin and some bats.

35. Kuromi Tattoo

Kuromi is another popular Japanese character created by the Saniro company, the same company responsible for Hello Kitty.

Unlike Hello Kitty, Kuromi has a more gothic aesthetic, which makes her more suited for the Halloween-style Tattoo.

Kuromi is more of a tomboy who is spirited, wild, and somewhat mischievous, which contrasts with the cuteness typical of many Sanrio characters.

36. Isabelle Tattoo

Isabelle is one of the most iconic characters from the Animal Crossing Video Game franchise. 

In "Animal Crossing: New Leaf," Isabelle serves as the player's secretary and assistant when they become the mayor of the town.

This cute little Video Game Tattoo has Isabelle dressed up as a witch. 

37. Pineapple Halloween Tattoo

When immigrants from Europe landed in America, they still wanted to keep their traditions alive.

Irish immigrants brought the jack-o'-lantern tradition with them to America.

While the Irish would generally carve turnips, instead, they found pumpkins more plentiful and easy to carve, so they adapted the practice, which soon became integral to Halloween celebrations.

38. Daruma Doll Halloween Tattoo

The Daruma Doll is a traditional Japanese talisman that symbolizes perseverance, good luck, and achieving one’s goals.

It is modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen sect of Buddhism, with his Daruma Doll being shaped like a pumpkin.

39. Bulbasaur Tattoo

If you love both Halloween and Pokemon, try out this amazing Pokemon Tattoo.

This design features a black Bulbasaur with orange spots, and instead of his usual green bulb on his back, it has a pumpkin design.

The Bulbasaur design can be extremely versatile, which the Pokemon company still hasn’t taken advantage of in games.

For example, a Valentine's Bulbasaur can have a Rose on its back, or a Christmas Bulbasaur can have holly and thistles. 

40. Bat Riding A Broom Tattoo

Lastly we have a fusion of two iconic Halloween symbolisms. This time, it is of a bat riding a witch's broomstick.

Some historians suggest that the imagery might have roots in pagan fertility rituals, where villagers would leap and dance astride poles, pitchforks, or brooms in the fields, symbolizing the growth of their crops.

This leaping was perhaps later misinterpreted or deliberately recast as flying.

1. Halloween Tattoo On Hand

Design is one thing, but if you really want to elevate your Halloween Tattoo style, you really need to consider where to place it.

Let’s take a look at some of the best positionings for your potential next ink. 

2. Shoulder Halloween Tattoo Idea

Shoulder Tattoos are a fantastic place for first-time tattooers.

With so much fat and muscle, the shoulder is one of the most comfortable places to get tattooed.

However, keep in mind that the closer you get to the collarbone or the armpit, the more uncomfortable it will be. 

3. Forearm Halloween Tattoo

The Forearm is another great place to get your new Halloween ink.

Forearm is one of the easiest places to show off yet conceal at a moment's notice by simply rolling up or down your sleeve.

This cool forearm tattoo has a pumpkin, bats, and a Spider Tattoo in its design. 

4. Halloween Tattoo On Wrist

The wrist is an extremely delicate and feminine place to get your Halloween Tattoo.

While Wrist Tattoos look amazing, keep in mind that it is an extremely painful position to get inked.

With thin skin and extremely close to veins, tendons and nerves, it will be an unpleasant experience, but with the right design, well worth it. 

5. Thigh Halloween Tattoo Design

Lastly, Thigh Tattoos are perfect for those looking to increase their sex appeal.

With a ton of fat and muscle, the thigh is great for a less painful experience. 

But remember, the thigh cannot be shown off so easily, so you will need to wear shorts short enough for the entire design to be seen, and you will need to live in a warmer country to make the most of this location.