Cicada tattoos are a unique way to celebrate your love for nature. The soothing humming sound of these insects often takes us back in time and reminds us of breezy summer evenings in the countryside. Nostalgic, right? But hey! They are much more than nature’s summer symphony. Cicadas feature prominently in Greek and Roman mythology and lore. They symbolize resurrection, immortality, growth, and even personal transformation. If you can relate to their symbolism and love animal tattoos, you may want to consider getting a cicada tattoo. If this idea appeals to you, browse through our collection of 8 unique cicada tattoo designs below and understand their meanings. Scroll down!
Meaning of Cicada Tattoos
Cicada tattoos are more than just art and have deeper symbolic meanings. In Greek and Roman mythology, cicadas symbolize resurrection. They can also represent your connection to nature and a new beginning. While their meanings can vary depending on the wearer’s personal interpretations and values, a cicada tattoo typically means the following:
They are considered a symbol of good luck for those who are looking for a change or are undergoing a transformation in life. Cicadas have a long hibernation period and can survive crazy circumstances. Therefore, cicada tattoos symbolize resilience, perseverance, and endurance. They serve as a reminder to look life in the eye and emerge victorious. The beetle has a rather short lifespan. However, in Greek mythology, they are a symbol of resurrection and rebirth. Therefore, a cicada tattoo can also represent longevity and vitality. Let’s not forget the amazing life cycle and metamorphosis of cicadas, which is quite similar to that of caterpillars. For many people, cicadas represent personal growth and reformation.
Aside from that, a cicada’s shorter lifespan can serve as a reminder to live life to the fullest and cherish the good times. Keep scrolling to check out some awesome cicada tattoo ideas you can try.
8 Unique Cicada Tattoo Designs
If cicadas and their symbolism fascinate you, why not express your love for them through art? Check out the 8 unique cicada tattoos below and take your pick.
1. Traditional Cicada Tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
This traditional cicada tattoo uses bold black outlines to capture the anatomy of the beetle. The vibrant green color on its head and the brown shading on its back add a touch of realism to the design and prevent it from looking monotonous. The wings have clean lines and are spread out on both sides, as if the cicada is ready to fly. The design is both realistic and stylized, capturing the essence of the cicada.
2. Geometric Cicada Tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
Geometry is everywhere in nature – from landscapes to insects. This colorful geometric cicada tattoo pays homage to the harmony and balance of nature. The design covers a significant portion of a man’s back. The cicada has outstretched wings with angular and straight lines, which can signify direction. The curved lines can symbolize the flow of life. The mosaic of vibrant colors mimics stained glass, creating a striking contrast on the skin. The abstract pattern adds a contemporary feel to the artwork.
Did you know?
In 2007, Tommy Lee became the first person to get a tattoo in flight. Tattoo artist Mario Barth of Starlight Tattoo tattooed a black and gray peacock on Lee’s leg at 45,000 feet aboard Lee’s private jet. The act earned Lee and Barth both names in the Guinness Book of World Records.
3. Minimalist Cicada Tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
This tattoo takes the “less is more” approach. The elegant and minimalist design outlines the shape of the cicada with neat precision. The wings are folded over the back and the minimal lines give the insect an ethereal look that accentuates its beauty. The focus here is on simplicity and can signify clarity in one’s life journey.
4. Cicada wing tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
The cicada’s wings are rendered in black and gray shading, capturing their delicate beauty. The wing is meticulously detailed with a slightly bold outline and fine lines that form the intricate veins on the wings. The subtle shading and a focus on negative space emphasize the translucent appearance of the wings, which contrast beautifully with the skin. The tattoo brings out the beauty of the cicada wing without the distraction of color.
Did you know?
The most common tattoos are said to be hearts, angels, butterflies, and skulls.
5. Neo Traditional Cicada Tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
Here, the combination of vibrant emerald green with hints of yellow on the exoskeleton and blue on the wings creates visually stunning images. The bold lines and exaggerated features stand as a powerful emblem of transformation. Green represents nature and life, while yellow symbolizes creativity and optimism. This tattoo celebrates the vibrancy of nature and symbolizes the journey of transformation.
6. Cicada skull tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
This bold, graphic tattoo design combines a skull with the body of a cicada. The focus here is on the bold lines and dense shadows. The contrast between the skull’s empty, black eye sockets and the negative space around it creates a sense of mystery. The tattoo is a powerful statement that suggests the duality of life – the fleeting beauty of the cicada and the inevitability of death. It is a celebration of the transience of life and can be interpreted as cherishing all the moments while they last.
Did you know?
The oldest mummy ever found with tattoos contained over 50 drawings. These drawings were made by piercing the skin with a sharp object and then rubbing charcoal into it.
7. Cicada chest tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
This cicada tattoo is realistically designed and looks like it just landed on the skin! The design has a very muted color palette, in earthy colors such as brown, black and olive green, which makes the cicada look realistic and natural. It reflects the natural tones of the insect and its proximity to nature.
8. Cicada Insect Tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
This beautiful tattoo is a monochromatic masterpiece, showcasing the cicada in all its glory. The color palette is muted, and the design combines linework and shading, adding dimension and depth to the design. The subtle black shading on the cicada’s wings adds texture. This tattoo can symbolize a celebration of new beginnings and a reminder of personal growth, as the flowers symbolize the joy of nature.
Whether you’re a tattoo enthusiast or want a tattoo that celebrates your personal growth and transformation, opt for a cicada tattoo. They can be rendered in any style and customized to your aesthetic preferences. Remember, these fascinating insects are symbols that resonate with different aspects of life, including transformation, growth, and reformation. If you’re ready to embrace a design that resonates with your personal story, a cicada tattoo can be a way to make your mark. We hope you’ve found some much-needed design and placement inspiration in this article.
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Brik Rangel is a highly skilled tattoo artist with 12 years of experience in the field. She specializes in transformative tattoo makeovers and cover-ups. After honing her craft in São Paulo, Brazil, she now works as a tattoo artist and manager at Manhattan Tattoos in New York and as a tattoo artist at Divine Tattoos in New Jersey.
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Shreya is a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience. After graduating from Christ University, Bengaluru, she started as an intern writer for a non-profit organization, Bhumi. After that, she wrote for a progressive content website.
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Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has written more than 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from University of Calcutta, West Bengal and did her post-graduation from Kalyani University, West Bengal.
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Joyce Joyson is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over a year of experience in creating short-form content for the beauty, fashion and lifestyle niches. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science and Geography from IIS University and a Master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kristu Jayanti College.
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