Medusa Tattoo

1. Standard Medusa Tattoo

Your standard Medusa Tattoo is simply the face of Medusa with an often expressionless face together with all her snakes atop her head.

This design is simplistic and elegant but carries with it all the symbolism associated with Medusa.  

2. Fearsome Medusa Tattoo

Unlike your standard, often expressionless Medusa Tattoo, you can choose to depict Medusa's more fearsome side by depicting her with a fierce-looking expression.

While there aren’t many mentions of how many people Medusa turned to stone, it is believed that many tried hunting her down, only for all of them to fall at her gaze. 

3. Snake-Like Medusa Tattoo

While many depictions of Medusa depict her as a beautiful woman with snakes for hair, the original sources claim that she was, in fact, so hideous to view that just looking at how horrible her features were would turn you to stone.

This Medusa Tattoo depicts the Gorgon with more snake-like features as opposed to her usually beautiful appearance. 

1. Traditional Medusa Tattoo

Traditional Tattoos are characterized by their clean bold lines, limited yet vivid color palette, and straightforward stylized design.

This Medusa Tattoo shows the Gorgon with a veiny face and yellow eyes seemingly having been cut in half. 

4. Fine-line Medusa Tattoo

Fine-line tattoos are characterized by their thin lines, realistic depictions, and intricate designs.

This Medusa Tattoo contains the Gorgon herself but also other elements from Greek mythology, including the scales of justice. 

5. Neo-Traditional Medusa Tattoo

Neo-traditional tattoos are a modern variation of the traditional tattoo style.

They keep some of the foundational elements but incorporate more contemporary influences and techniques.

Unlike their predecessors, these tattoos have an increased color palette with more detailing, such as sophisticated shading and color gradation, to create depth and dimension. 

6. Tribal Medusa Tattoo

Tribal Tattoos, particularly those inspired by the 90s style, such as this one, are known for their bold black lines and abstract patterns.

These designs use solid black ink to create their distinctive patterns, which typically feature thick lines that may taper at ends but are distinguished by their sharp, angular edges. 

7. Black And Grey Medusa Tattoo

Black and Grey Tattoos are known for their realistic and often atmospheric appearance.

They use only black ink diluted with distilled water to create various shades of grey. 

One of the hallmarks of this style is the smooth gradient shading that transitions from deep black to lighter shades of grey.

This technique allows for a high level of detail and a three-dimensional appearance, making the tattoos look almost photorealistic.

8. Anime Medusa Tattoo

Anime Tattoos are the new rising trend in the tattooing scene, influenced by the rise in popularity of Japanese anime.

These tattoos are either designed to be faithful recreations of the chosen anime character or environmental designs or, like this design, takes a traditionally non-anime character and giving it an anime makeover. 

9. Beautiful Medusa Tattoo

While the stories of Medusa describe her horrific visage as so repulsive that it turned anyone who looked at her to stone, Medusa, in her mortal form, was incredibly beautiful.

Of course, not many would want an ugly tattoo, and perhaps to pay respect to the tragic figure Medusa was during her life, many choose to depict Medusa in her Gorgon form while maintaining her otherworldly beauty. 

10. Half And Half Medusa Tattoo

If you want to pay respect to both sides of Medusa’s life, why not get a Half and Half Medusa Tattoo?

This lovely design has Medusa’s face split down the middle by the sword she is holding, with one side of her face her human form and on the other her Gorgon form. 

11. Medusa Eyes Tattoo

If you want to have a Medusa Tattoo but don’t want to go all out with its design, try out a Medusa Eye Tattoo such as this one.

This cool Tattoo Design is simply just a strip across the arm, similar to a band tattoo but one that doesn’t wrap entirely around the arm and shows a pupilless Medusa staring at the looker.

12. Colorful Medusa Tattoo

If you want to add a little vibrancy to your Medusa Tattoo, then try out a design similar to this incredibly beautiful Colorful Medusa Tattoo.

This gorgeous Tattoo Design has an enormous amount of color, and the blending of colors on the snakes is amazing. 

13. Trippy Medusa Tattoo

If you’re looking for something a little different and with a little bit of color, check out this super cool Trippy Medusa Tattoo.

This lovely design features a four-eyed Medusa with a rainbow entering her eyes and then leaving her mouth, and some of the snakes have a little bit of color in their eyes, too. 

14. Medusa Bust Tattoo

This phenomenal Medusa Tattoo by the incredibly talented studio_jaw is of a bust of Medusa.

The bust itself looks incredibly realistic and has a chunk missing from the area where the eyes should be as if it is made of wax and someone dragged their finger across it.

The bust also comes with a golden halo that seems to be melting. 

15. Cracked Medusa Tattoo

Another cool idea for your Medusa Tattoo is to have Medusa’s face split open.

This cool design shows Medusa’s beautiful face split into two with the snakes pouring out from the crack.

This tattoo could symbolize how the Gorgon form always existed within Medusa even before her transformation or can symbolize how you have a more fearsome side hidden beneath your exterior. 

16. Cracked Medusa Bust Tattoo

If you want to have a tattoo that is something like you might find in a Greek museum or from an archelogy site, try out this super cool cracked Medusa Bust Tattoo.

Most of the statues found that come from ancient Greece are destroyed in some way, shape, or form when uncovered, that the image of them being broken has almost become synonymous with Greek sculptures. 

17. Gold Medusa Tattoo

If you love the Medusa Bust Tattoo Design but want to make it look a little more expensive, try out this super cool Gold Medusa Bust Tattoo.

This incredible by heekaive has incredible black and grey work, but the addition of the stunningly realistic gold coloring and reflection effects really add so much depth to this design. 

18. Medusa Scalp Tattoo

If you want the Medusa Bust Tattoo but want to have it a little even more damaged, then try out this Tattoo Design of the scalp of Medusa.

This Design only has the top of Medusa’s head, with everything below the eyes missing. Perhaps someone tried to reenact the story of Perseus by chopping off the statue's head. 

19. Split Medusa Tattoo

Another cool idea for your Medusa Bust Tattoo that can make it look a little bit more creepy is this Split Medusa Tattoo.

This creepy design has a cracked and veiny Medusa Bust, but one that is split in half but still stuck together by stringy pieces of blood and skin. 

20. Medusa Floral Tattoo

Flower Tattoos' symbolism changes based on which flower or flowers you choose to adorn your Tattoo Design.

Flowers included in your design can either be used for their symbolism to enhance the tattoo's meaning or, like this design, to make it look more feminine. 

21. Medusa Sword Tattoo

If you want to add an edge to your Medusa Tattoo, then try adding a sword into its design.

While this Tattoo Design probably symbolizes the fight against Medusa, Sword Tattoos can symbolize strength, courage, protection, justice, and honor. 

22. Blade Medusa Tattoo

Rather than having your Medusa with swords, why not have your blade made out of Medusa?

This super cool design has the face of Medusa as the blade, with the hilt either made out of snakes or just having snakes covering the hilt. 

23. Día de los Muertos Medusa Tattoo

The Día de los Muertos is a festival that takes place traditionally between November 1 and 2.

While it is celebrated in a number of countries, it's widely associated with Mexico.

The tradition itself is a complex blend of Christian and "pagan" traditions as it is a fusion of pre-Columbian religious traditions (Olmec, Mayan, Aztec, etc.) and Christianity. 

24. Versace Tattoo

If you are a lover of high-end luxury fashion, then get yourself a Versace Tattoo.

Versace is an Italian luxury fashion company founded by Gianni Versace in 1978.

The logo is inspired by Medusa as Gianni Versace believed the image of Medusa represented power, beauty, and wisdom that embodied his designs.

25. Japanese Medusa Tattoo

While Japan isn’t known for Medusa, and instead has its own versions of mythical beasts known as Yokai.

If you are looking for the best Yokai Tattoo Ideas, check our blog post for more inspiration!

The Japanese equivalent of a snake woman is known as the Nure-onna.

Unlike Medusa, who either looks like a woman with snakes for hair or has the torso of a woman but the lower half of a snake, the Nure-onna is almost entirely a snake but with the face of a woman. 

26. Perseus V Medusa Tattoo

Before Heracles, Perseus was the greatest hero in Greek mythology. 

When Polydectes lusted after Perseus’s mother, Perseus tried to protect his mother from him, seeing the king of the island they lived on as dishonorable.

Polydectes wanted to send Perseus away in disgrace to get to his mother, so he held a banquet where every guest was expected to offer the King a gift.

Perseus, who had no gift to offer, asked Polydectes to name the gift that he would not refuse. The King chose the head of Medusa. 

27. Perseus With Medusa’s Head Tattoo

Before setting off, Perseus prayed to Zeus for aid in defeating Medusa.

Zeus answered by sending Athena and Hermes, who gave him gifts to aid him in defeating the Gorgon.

One of the most important was a shield given by Athena that would reflect the Gorgon's gaze, preventing him from being turned to stone.

Using the gifts given to him, Perseus snuck up on the 3 Gorgon sisters and slew Medusa in her sleep, taking her head. 

28. Medusa With Perseus Head Tattoo

While the story tells of the hero Persues slaying Medusa.

For some, the tale depicts a dishonorable murder of a sleeping innocent.

Based on the tale, Medusa was a tragic figure punished by the Gods for unjustifiable reasons and only met her end due to her fate being intertwined with the ambitions and quests of others.

While Perseus himself had good intentions in protecting his mother, you can twist the tale where Medusa remains triumphant in surviving the ordeal. 

29. Athena Medusa Tattoo

In a later Medusa tale, Medusa is a beautiful maiden whose beauty angers the God Athena (or Minerva in the Roman variation).

Out of respect for the Goddess, Medusa remains celibate and becomes the priestess of Athena’s temple.

However, when the God Poseidon lusts after her beauty, he takes advantage of her within the temple.

Upon finding out, Athena becomes enraged and curses her into becoming the beast we know today. 

30. 8-bit Medusa Tattoo

Lastly, if you’re a fan of old-school gaming, why not try out this cool 8-bit Medusa Head Tattoo?

8-bit is a computing term that refers to a system that uses 8 bits of data width to process and represent information.  

If you’re looking for more inspired 8-bit Video Game Tattoo Designs, check out 88world.co.kr. 

1. Medusa Tattoo On Chest

The Chest is an excellent place for your Medusa Tattoo if you want to show it off with pride.

Centered squarely at your center under your head, it really catches the eye and feels like you are a warrior wearing your pride into battle.

The chest is also super appropriate for a Medusa Tattoo as it synergizes well with looking directly at it, potentially turning the looker to stone. 

2. Thigh Medusa Tattoo Ideas

Thigh Tattoos are a great way of increasing your thigh appeal.

The Thigh has a lot of fat and muscle, so it is one of the best places to get inked if you’re worried about feeling pain, but keep in mind that if you want to show your design off as often as possible, the thigh can be quite restrictive unless you go to the beach frequently. 

3. Arm Medusa Tattoo

Arm tattoos are probably the most obvious choice for first-time tattooers.

It’s no surprise, as the arm is easy to show off and conceal by rolling up the sleeves, but it is also one of the least painful places to get tattooed. 

4. Medusa Tattoo On Feet

The feet probably aren’t most people's first choice when it comes to getting tattooed.

For one, it is a very difficult place to show off your design as almost every type of footwear will cover its design in some way.

It is also extremely uncomfortable to get inked as the foot has thin skin, lots of tendons, and plenty of nerves.

However, if you choose the right design like the one shown and can deal with the pain, they do make for quite the spectacle. 

5. Medusa Tattoo On Neck

Lastly, the neck is a super cool place to get your Medusa Tattoo.

Here, it looks as if Medusa herself is always watching over your back, freezing anyone who dares to approach you from behind in fear.

Back-of-the-neck tattoos can be quite uncomfortable as you will feel the vibrations reverberating through your skull.