Scorpion Tattoos

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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. People might be interested in a scorpion tattoo because Scorpio is their zodiac sign or because they enjoy the dark and foreboding sense that scorpions give. Perhaps it’s just because they look cool.

Scorpion Tribal Tattoos 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.

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 you’d 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

The scorpion and scorpion art are 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. It’s said that when Orion, a giant who was more than human but less than a God and the son of Poseidon, incurred the wrath of Artemis, she called upon a scorpion to attack him. The scorpion’s 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 Medusa’s 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 for 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.

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
High emotions and sensitivities
Imagination and intuitiveness
Sensuality
A big sexual appetite
Loyalty and devotion
Dignity
Controlling and even manipulative
Perseverance
Self-confidence

Scorpio tattoos usually feature an image of the deadly creature, but some just show what looks like a letter “M” and an arrow. Sometimes the scorpion will be designed to look like a serpent.

The Scorpion Tattoo

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.

It’s very interesting to see how the scorpion’s sting is represented in various scorpion tattoos. Some tattoos for example, incorporate what appears to be a small exploding bomb at the end of the scorpion’s tail. Others concentrate on depicting the needle-sharpness of the scorpion’s 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 the back are the most popular spots for a large scorpion tattoo.

On the other hand, a small scorpion on a woman’s foot or ankle is both attractive and intriguing – it’s 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, the back and right above the ankle, which is where women often choose to locate the scorpion tattoo.

Scorpion Tribal Tattoos

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

A tribal scorpion tattoo had the function of an amulet, protecting against: