Tattoo Johnny Tattoos & Tattoo Design Guide: Gothic Tattoos

Gothic Tattoos

Tuesday 24th of February 2009 02:46:58 AM [Add To This Article]

Gothic tattoos are a type of tattoo design associated with the gothic (or â€œgothâ€) lifestyle. The gothic subculture is strongly connected with a certain type of music and fashion, both of which are often dark and gloomy. This subculture started gaining momentum in the late 1970â€™s and early 1980â€™s, branching off from the punk rock scene. Its influence can be found all over the globe, most notably in North America and Europe. Today, there is still a large goth community and many people within this group enjoy gothic tattoo designs.

Historical Gothic Tattoo Designs

Some of the many aesthetic influences on gothic culture can be traced back to the medieval age or even further. The Egyptian ankh, for instance, is an ancient symbol that has been adopted by many within the gothic community. It is not uncommon to see an ankh tattoo on a goth.

Gothic architecture and romantic literature from the 18^th - 19^th century has heavily influenced the modern-day goth. Not only can gothic clothing and music show such influences, so can gothic tattoo designs. Black and gray tattoo designs are common within this genre, such as ruined castles or cathedrals, but especially ornate crosses.

Common types of historical gothic tattoo design include:

Historical literary figures
Gothic cathedrals
Gothic crosses
Egyptian imagery
Ruined churches and castles
Other religious imagery

Gothic Pop Culture Tattoo Designs

Since the gothic subculture is a contemporary one that is deeply connected with a genre of music, popular culture has a big influence on many within the community. Gothic tattoo design doesnâ€™t always reflect historical imagery, but rather contemporary designs from modern popular culture. Music, films, television programs and books can make their way onto a gothic tattoo design.

Common types of gothic pop culture tattoo designs include:

Band names / logos (Ex: Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy)
Imagery from gothic films (Ex: The Hunger, The Crow)
Imagery from gothic books (Ex: Anne Riceâ€™s The Vampire Chronicles)

Occult Gothic Tattoo Designs

There are certain stereotypes surrounding the gothic community but the truth is, there are many different types of people within the subculture. Since goths are commonly associated with the dark side of life, some within the society are very interested in the occult. The word â€œoccultâ€ literally means, â€œhiddenâ€ and is a broad term for a variety of things. From a casual interest in vampirism to the practice of an alternative religion like Wicca or Satanism, a gothâ€™s occult tastes can greatly vary.

Granted, not all goths have an interest in the occult and it certainly isnâ€™t polite to assume that someone dabbles in arcane religious practices. Still, this is one of many variables that are strongly associated with goths and gothic tattoos. It isnâ€™t uncommon to see a gothic tattoo design that deals with the occult.

Common types of occult gothic tattoo designs include:

Pentagrams
Druidic symbols
Vampires
Wiccan Imagery
Tarot cards

Fantasy Gothic Tattoo Designs

Much of the gothic subculture deals with the darker side of life in a romantic fashion. Mystical forces, death and other esoteric subjects can be quite prosaic to a goth, so why not express this in the form of a tattoo? Fantasy subjects are a fun side to the often morose connotations of the gothic lifestyle. Likewise, a fantasy tattoo can be one of the best subjects for a rich, detailed piece of art. Some of the best tattoos deal with fantasy imagery, as it gives the artist and the customer free range to use their imagination.

Common types of fantasy gothic tattoo designs include:

Pixies / Fairies
Dragons
Griffins

The types of gothic tattoo designs really vary as much as the people within the community. Some make a bold statement with vibrant colors, while others are created in a stark black design. Just as there are no two goths who are exactly alike, each gothic tattoo can be wildly different from the next.