A voodoo tattoo can help you express a deep understanding, knowledge, and connection to the spiritual world. Inspired by ancient African religious beliefs and built on the foundation of tribal rituals and Catholicism, these tattoos popularly depict the voodoo doll, which is believed to be a powerful spiritual tool. Although they are usually associated with evil intentions, a voodoo doll can also be used to connect with deceased souls or bless someone far away. These dolls have a ragged appearance and can stun people. However, with a little creative design tweaking, you can present them in a fanciful way. Keep reading this article to find some impressive, eye-catching tattoo designs that might interest you.
Meaning of Voodoo Tattoos
Voodoo tattoos refer to tattoo subjects that are inspired by spiritual practices in the Voodoo religion, which combines beliefs and rituals from Catholicism and indigenous African traditions. This practice largely revolves around establishing a connection with the unknown spiritual realm and is therefore generally not viewed positively. However, the tattoos can symbolize both good and bad spiritual intentions, a balance between them and spiritual growth and transformation. Some of the most popular symbols of voodoo are veve, which are religious symbol drawings made on the floor that represent the spirits and serve as sacred prayers. A tattoo of these symbols may not be accurate or respectful without doing thorough research or speaking to an expert in the field. The other most popular symbolic object is a voodoo doll which represents the embodiment of spirits and can be used to influence the souls of other living people. It is these dolls that are the most popular and preferred in voodoo tattoos.
Continue to the next section to check out some cool tattoo designs featuring these voodoo dolls and their unique aesthetic look.
8 Best Voodoo Tattoo Designs With Pictures
A voodoo tattoo can openly express your interest or understanding of the practice and help you shape your self-expression through it. Check out the innovative designs below for some inspiration for your next tattoo.
1. Gothic Voodoo Doll Tattoo
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The Gothic style has to be one of the best aesthetic styles to use for your voodoo doll tattoo. The combination of black and other deep hues to intensify the dark and sinister aspects of your theme goes perfectly with this tattoo style, making it look even creepier. The tattoo above also uses white ink highlights to enhance the overall look of the voodoo doll, which has multiple pins poking into it.
2. Cute Voodoo Doll Tattoo
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If you’re someone whose tastes lie on the extreme ends of an aesthetic spectrum, you’ll appreciate this combination of cute and horror. The tattoo features a stitched voodoo doll dressed in a pink dress with a large pink bow in its hair. The hair is also sleek and neat. The doll is made to look presentable, but the stitches, mismatched button eyes, and frozen smile betray the terror it embodies. For the wearer, it can symbolize their inner struggle between good and bad choices and how they’re trying to keep their best face forward despite everything.
3. Voodoo tattoo for women
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Voodoo dolls have been associated with dark arts or black magic for centuries and the practitioners were said to be mostly women. The social implications of such associations thankfully no longer exist today, but if we were to make a voodoo doll tattoo that best suits women, it would be one that speaks of women in distress who resorted to poking voodoo dolls when they felt wronged by someone. The doll can be made from random scraps of cloth and stabbed with needles at random angles, as shown above.
4. Voodoo sleeve tattoo
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A voodoo sleeve tattoo can easily incorporate multiple elements associated with witchcraft, black magic, or occult dark arts and practices. Since there is a larger area of skin, the design can incorporate multiple voodoo dolls in different shapes, sizes, and designs. The design above features a combination of various witchy symbols such as a pentagram, a skull, and various items that give it a bloodcurdling effect.
5. Voodoo Queen Tattoo
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The concept of a voodoo queen can be depicted in a number of ways through tattoos. Such as the portrait of a witch, adorned with heavy, quirky jewelry, dark makeup, and elaborate headscarves, who has a reputation for being skilled in the art of voodoo. Or, as the image above shows, you can create a voodoo doll adorned as a queen, complete with a crown and made of vibrantly patterned fabric. This depiction can be a celebration of the voodoo practice, represent one’s own inner desires to outshine others and shine brightest, or it can be done in honor of someone special.
6. Voodoo tattoo for men
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While there is a general consensus that women are the primary practitioners of voodoo, in indigenous cultures both men and women are known to actively participate in the craft. A simple sketch-style voodoo doll would be perfect for men who prefer a neat and clean design. The image above shows a large voodoo doll that has been pinned all over. The lines are sharp, and the cross-hatching gives it a realistic sketch look.
7. Angry Voodoo Doll Tattoo
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A voodoo doll is generally associated with evil or dark intentions, but is misleadingly made to look sad or pleasant, although the rough stitches indicate the exact opposite. Going on the nose with an evil voodoo doll would hardly be a challenge. Give the doll a wicked grin, large horns, or perhaps tilted evil eyebrows to give it a menacing look. You can explore the aesthetic scope of a red voodoo doll with devil horns, a pointed tail, and a pitchfork to combine a devil tattoo with the evil voodoo doll concept.
8. Voodoo Teddy Bear Tattoo
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Voodoo is a religion that largely revolves around connecting with the spirit world and experiencing its influence, which can extend to spiritual possession. Therefore, a teddy bear in the form of a voodoo doll with a ragged exterior, a stitched smile, and large, mismatched button eyes is a voodoo doll that has been primed for possession. The soul that is to be contacted may be someone who is attached to the teddy bear, and therefore the object is said to facilitate the establishment of a spiritual connection.
While voodoo as a spiritual practice may be perceived differently by different sections of society, one can design its symbols in creative ways to express themselves through voodoo tattoos. From a cutely dressed voodoo doll to a menacing doll, the wearer can choose how they want to present their tattoo and what kind of symbolism it embodies for them. However, remember that these are sacred cultural and religious symbols and should be treated with care and respect. With proper research and harmless innovation, you can create a unique voodoo tattoo for yourself that embodies the deepest inner workings of your spirit and speaks for you.
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Lucas Cummins is an Ohio-based tattoo artist who has been making his mark on the tattoo industry for the past 2 years. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for vibrant expression, Lucas specializes in neo-traditional, colorful, and abstract style tattoos.
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