20+ Bad Luck Tattoos Ideas You Need To See!

395

Alright, buckle up, folks. We’re about to venture into the shadowy corners of the tattoo world. Now, don’t let that scare you away. After all, every bright canvas has its darker shades. But trust me, navigating these darker alleys can be just as fascinating.

So, have you ever heard about the notorious bad luck tattoos? Yeah, I know it sounds straight out of a spooky campfire story, but hear me out. There’s a long-standing belief that certain tattoo designs and symbols can be the equivalent of walking under a ladder, breaking a mirror, or crossing paths with a black cat. A bit hair-raising, eh?

Tattoos, for the most part, are a celebration of individuality, a way to wear our stories on our skin. But for some, they can be a magnet for negative vibes, thanks to their ill-fated designs and meaning. Intrigued? Let’s dive in!

Upside Down Horseshoe Tattoos

@sophiekennedy.tattoos via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

Let’s kick things off with the upside-down horseshoe tattoo. In the olden days, folks believed that hanging a horseshoe with its ends pointing up would ward off bad luck. So, an upside-down horseshoe? Well, you can imagine the shivers that sends down some spines.

Your Significant Other’s Name Bad luck Tattoos

@tattoopondes via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

Next up, we’ve got your beloved’s name. Ah, the classic romantic gesture! Turns out it might be a bit of a curse. Countless starry-eyed lovers have inked their sweetheart’s name, only to find themselves nursing a broken heart soon after. Talk about a painful reminder!

Tattoo Artists Upside Down Cross Tattoos

@btflmnds via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

We’ve all seen the upside-down cross, haven’t we? While it can scream ‘rebellion’ or ‘nonconformity’, some folks believe it ushers in bad luck or evil. Still, context matters, friends. An upside-down cross could also symbolize humility, paying homage to Saint Peter.

Tattoo Artist Asian Characters Tattoos

@joseo.tattoo via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

Oh, and let’s not forget Asian characters. The Kanji symbol for ‘death’, for instance, is believed to bring misfortune. Same goes for the infamous ‘666’, the number of the beast, and the Valknut symbol from Norse mythology, associated with death and bad luck.

The Number of the Beast – 666 Tattoos

@kaylamytattoo via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

From the East, let’s make a sharp turn towards Norse mythology with the Valknut—a symbol linked to death and Odin, considered by many as unlucky. Then there’s the infamous number 666, associated with the devil, and an assortment of occult symbols like inverted cross and the pentagram, often seen as doorways for evil spirits.

Valknut Tattoos

@american_tattoo via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

Got a penchant for macabre themes? Tattoos featuring skulls, death, and dark subjects might seem like bad luck to some. And let’s not forget the black cat, considered an emblem of misfortune in numerous cultures.

Occultism Symbols tattoos

@sithlord32 via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

Symbols from occultism, such as the pentagram, are believed to bring bad luck and can be seen as an invitation for evil spirits

Macabre Tattoos

@jollyboy via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

Got a penchant for macabre themes? Tattoos featuring skulls, death, and dark subjects might seem like bad luck to some. And let’s not forget the black cat, considered an emblem of misfortune in numerous cultures.

Black Cat tattoos

@yoyo.tattoo_ via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

Black cats are seen as a symbol of bad luck in many cultures, so having one tattooed can be seen as an invitation for misfortune.

Unfinished Dragon Eyes Chinese Culture tattoos

@oskarsputnink via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

In Chinese culture, there’s an interesting belief around dragon tattoos: always finish the dragon’s eyes at last. Why? Because dragons are guardians, and their soul—invoked by the tattoo—shouldn’t have to endure the entire tattooing process.

Sigils

@khell.ink via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

Then we have sigils, inscribed symbols often seen on talismans. They’re believed to bridge the conscious and subconscious mind, so you might want to think twice before getting them inked. Same goes for tattoos of broken mirrors, evil eyes, magpies, ouija boards, umbrellas, knives, ladders, empty rocking chairs, and crossroads—all often linked with bad luck.

Broken Mirrors tattoos

@jokertatts via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

Then we have broken mirror tattoos, an embodiment of a popular superstition. There are also symbols like the Evil Eye for protection, the single magpie for good luck (but double for to represent bad luck!), and the infamous Ouija board, often linked with the supernatural.

Evil Eye Tattoo

@gabigajewska_tattoo via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

The Evil Eye is a symbol that has been around for centuries and is seen as a form of protection against bad luck. It’s believed that the Evil Eye can deflect negative energy away from you and keep protect you safe from harm. If you’re looking for a way to stay protected, this might be the perfect tattoo for you.

Magpie Tattoo

@ati.ful via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

A magpie tattoo is another popular bad luck symbol. In some cultures, a single magpie is believed to bring good luck, a bad omen but two of them together represent the opposite. This belief likely stems from the idea that two birds = bad news. So, having this bird tattooed can be seen as an invitation for misfortune.

Ouija Board Tattoo

@tattoo_studio_86 via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

The ouija board is a popular symbol in tattoo art, but it’s also a symbol that could be seen as bad luck. The board is associated with contacting the dead and supernatural entities, so having this image inked onto your skin could invite negative energies into your life.

Umbrella Tattoo

@_brunoink via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

Other symbols like the umbrella (don’t open it indoors!), knife, ladder, and the empty rocking chair can also be perceived as harbingers of bad luck.

Knife Tattoo

@kimi.ink.ink via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

Knives are seen as a symbol of protection and strength, but they can also be seen as bad luck symbols. In some cultures, for example, it’s believed that having a knife tattooed onto your skin will bring you misfortune and invite evil into your life.

Ladder Tattoo

@uhmemily via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

The ladder is a symbol of progress in some cultures, but it can also attract negative energy and be seen as bad luck. It’s believed that walking under a ladder can bring you bad luck and invite negative energies into your life. So, having this image tattooed onto your body could remind you to avoid misfortune and stay safe.

Empty Rocking Chair tattoos

@caaro_lines via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

The empty rocking chair is well known symbol a traditional bad luck symbol. It’s believed that an empty rocking chair can summon spirits from the other side and bring misfortune into your life. Having this image tattooed onto your body will remind you to stay away from potential danger and avoid inviting negative energies.

Crossroads Tattoo

@nathanricetattoo via Instagram – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo

The crossroads tattoo serves as ominous symbol and a poignant reminder of life’s critical decisions but can also symbolize bad luck, especially when visited at night.

Conclusion

Alright folks, we’ve explored quite the panorama of ‘bad, embrace bad luck’ tattoos, and here’s the kicker: there isn’t a one-size-fits-all ‘unlucky’ tattoo. It’s a mixed bag, really, with personal beliefs, cultural practices, and individual stories playing a big part. For some, a certain creature, number, or even a word can spell doom, while others may wear the same design as a badge of honor. The beauty of this art form lies in its subjectivity, wouldn’t you agree?

Getting a tattoo is a thrilling journey, but it’s also an investment in time, money, and a bit of pain tolerance. If you’re going to splash out on this kind of body art, be prepared to do some homework first. Dive into the meanings, the folklore, the cultural context behind your chosen design. After all, you’re not just wearing an image on your skin; you’re wearing a story, a statement.

Remember, the hands that ink you matter. Go for a seasoned tattoo artist who knows their craft like the back of their hand. Good technique and proper hygiene are non-negotiable. And yes, good artistry comes with a price tag, but a well-executed tattoo is worth every cent.

As for whether you should get a dragon tattoo, that some might consider ‘unlucky’, well, that’s a call only you can make. For me, personally, I get a kick out of these designs. There’s something inherently daring, a bit of a thumbing of the nose at superstition, and I find that pretty darn exciting.

At the end of the day, your skin is your canvas, and your first tattoo is your masterpiece. Choose a design that speaks to you, that sparks joy, even if it ruffles a few feathers in the superstition department. In this inked-up journey of self-expression, it’s all about marching to the beat of your own drum, my friends. So, go out there, and make your mark!

Feature Image from Pinterest – Love this design? Try a Temporary Tattoo