Spider tattoo designs are a popular choice for both men and women. Although these insects are repulsive in real life, they are frequently chosen for tattoo designs. In fact, tarantula spiders are even kept as pets by some, so what’s the harm in a tattoo? Well for spider lovers, spider tattoo designs look aesthetic and have symbolic value, drawing people’s interest. There are numerous designs available, such as 3D and tribal, and you can select one based on your preferences, perceptions, and personality. Spider tattoos can also represent the stages of your life that you are going through.
Did You Know?
Spider tattoos symbolize creation, wisdom, empowerment, fertility, strength, courage, and mysteriousness.
Meaning Of Spider Tattoos
While some may find spider tattoos to be unsettling, for others they might be indicative of a big personal change in life. These seemingly spooky tattoos carry different meanings and associations. Here is what the spider tattoos may symbolize:
Spiders often spin their web in dark places to trap their prey. Therefore, the imagery of a spider and its web may potentially signify repressed emotions hidden in the dark corners of the mind or unacknowledged emotions.
A spider tattoo may also indicate a journey toward spiritual growth, achieving spiritual balance, or enlightenment.
The spider tattoo can depict the cyclical nature of the universe, indicating the inevitability of birth, death, and rebirth.
A spider spins its web meticulously and patiently. Hence these tattoos can remind the wearer to cultivate patience and perseverance while striving to achieve their goals.
A spider tattoo can convey a sense of fear and danger and encourage the wearer to be vigilant of his surroundings.
In many cultures, spider tattoos are believed to attract good wealth and fortune, bringing an abundance of blessings in life.
You can consider this symbolism associated with spider tattoos and see how they connect with your values before choosing a design. Keep scrolling to check out a few spider tattoo ideas to get inspired.
The Best Spider Tattoo Designs
Here are ten spider tattoo designs for our arachnid lovers that are very interesting to peer at.
1. Spider Hand Tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
This blackwork-style tattoo truly makes the spider come alive! The design is executed in black, solid lines, which makes the tattoo look balanced and lends dimension to it. The intricate, traditional patterns on the spider’s back are the most captivating aspect of the design, adding a touch of elegance to it. The prominent display of this design on the hand surely makes for a bold, powerful statement. Further, the negative spacing and shading add depth and give the feel as if the spider is moving on the hand.
2. Spider Web Elbow Tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
A spider tattoo on the elbow, executed in black ink, makes for a surprising design! The shape of the design looks great around the natural curve of the elbow. This tattoo symbolizes a sense of balance, mortality, and destiny. The negative spacing and the concentrated but strategic black shading highlight the delicate strands of the web, creating a stunning visual impact. Further, the thin, blank lines also help to add a sense of neatness to the design and prevent it from looking overwhelming.
3. Spider Web Knee Tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
The knee is a great place for spider tattoos as it offers a large surface area and greater visibility. This mandala-style spider web tattoo on the knee seamlessly blends the symmetry of a mandala with the web patterns. The lines and curves along the knee make the otherwise simple design whimsical and cohesive. The play of negative space and thick, black bold lines help to draw out the details of the spider web beautifully. The spider web tattoo serves as a reminder to strive for balance and harmony in life.
4. Jumping Spider Tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
Here is a simple tattoo of a jumping spider rendered in a minimalistic style using black ink. Jumping spiders are usually non-aggressive and often symbolize good luck and prosperity. This design is an almost realistic depiction of a jumping spider, with hairy legs and popping eyes. If you are fond of spiders and want to add a touch of whimsy to your personality, go for this design.
5. Traditional Spider Tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
Spider tattoos can match any aesthetic, even a traditional one! In this design, the use of red and black shades creates a nice contrast and makes the artwork look visually dynamic. This chest tattoo makes for a great fit for those who are bold at heart. This tattoo can symbolize overcoming danger or fear.
6. Small Spider Tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
This small spider tattoo on the forearm gives the impression that the spider is crawling upward. This helps to add a sense of energy and movement to the design. The use of fine lines in black ink helps to add a nice contrast to the skin while the spacing helps to add to the weightlessness of the design. This tattoo may symbolize omens, dreams, dedication, or determination.
7. Spider Back Tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
Placing the spider tattoo on the back makes for a big statement! Well, this design looks intimidating at a glance as the bold black lines give it a striking and impactful look. This upper back tattoo inked in black commands attention and signifies power, strength, and creativity. The simplicity of the design helps to add a sense of personality to it.
8. Black Spider Tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
This intricate tattoo sleeve design utilizes black and gray shading to give a realistic depiction of the spider web. The shading adds some depth to the design without using colors, lines, or patterns, with a black spider sitting prominently at the bottom of the web, on the wrist. This tattoo design may represent mystery and darkness. Further, the use of black and gray tones helps lend texture to the design.
9. Spider Chest Tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
This stunning spider tattoo on the chest can symbolize wisdom, intellect, and intelligence. Spiders are widely known for their problem-solving abilities and their resilience in the face of challenges. The use of red ink within the black spider tattoo design creates a stunning contrast and makes the spider look simply majestic. Also, the broad canvas of the chest makes it easy to incorporate this elaborate artwork.
10. Spider Finger Tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
A tiny spider tattoo on the finger can not just make your ink work look delicate but also endlessly appealing at the same time. Shedding its eerie image, this mini spider tattoo looks every bit chic and minimalistic. Further, the use of linework adds to its charm. Also, the tiny size of the tattoo makes it easy to commit to!
11. Spider Shoulder Tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
If you are someone who does not like to keep it minimal, then this tattoo is surely something that’s going to leave you impressed! The black, bold artwork features intricate designs, motifs, and patterns. The spider placed on the upper arm alongside the spider web gives this tattoo a serious masculine vibe.
12. Spider Heart Tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
This spider heart tattoo celebrates the power of love to create something beautiful. It also signifies resilience, strength, and the ability to overcome obstacles. The intricate detailing like the spider web forming in the shape of the heart and the white ink work on the spider look alluring. The dotwork shading on the spider’s body in varying densities creates a smooth transition between light and darker areas.
13. Wolf Spider Tattoo
The wolf spider tattoo signifies power, agility, and the ability to quickly adapt to any situation. The heavy shading throughout the artwork adds a sense of depth, dimension, and dynamism to the design. The placement on the stomach makes for discreet ink. Moreover, in some cultures, the stomach is considered the energy center. Therefore, even if this tattoo might look intimidating to some, it may symbolize inner strength, security, and courage.
14. Spider Leg Tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
This ferocious-looking spider tattoo screams power! It also imbues strength and perseverance. The hints of black and gray colors and the shadow effect under its legs and body lend the tattoo a three-dimensional look. Further, the negative spacing helps enhance its appeal and make it look realistic. This tattoo on the thigh will look stunning, especially due to its oversized format.
15. Spider Tattoo Behind The Ear
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
Behind-the-ear spider tattoos have a very cool yet sexy appeal! This spider hidden tattoo can easily take the viewer by surprise. The black bold inkwork looks stunning behind-the-ear. This tattoo represents rebirth, renewal, and transformation. It makes for a perfect choice for those who are going through a major change in life. Plus, this simple yet artful tattoo is surely going to get you compliments.
16. Spider Stomach Tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
If you are looking for a tattoo that won’t peek out of your clothes, then this spider stomach tattoo is just the one for you! It’s a great tattoo to be inked if you want to keep your body art a secret. Plus, the large canvas on the stomach makes it easy to include designs of any size and shape. The strategic shading on the black and gray beautifully mimics the play of light and shadow.
17. Spider Wrist Tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
A spider on the inner wrist will only pop whenever you want! Whether you like to keep your artwork hidden or want to flaunt it by rolling up the sleeves, this tattoo truly offers the best of both worlds. This tattoo can symbolize proceeding with caution in life, trusting your instincts, and being careful about whom you put your trust.
18. Spider Flower Tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
Who said flowers and spiders can’t go together? This tattoo not only looks aesthetically pleasing but also carries a deep symbolic meaning. It emphasizes the duality of life. The rose is reminiscent of love and loss, while the spider can signify growth, self-discovery, and the ability to surmount life’s challenges. The intricately shaded rose adorned with dark leaves and a spider slowly moving towards it also create imagery of mystery.
19. A Spider With A Skull Tattoo
Spider tattoos have a slightly gothic side to them.
One spider tattoo idea is that of a skull with a spider body. The tattoo would look deadly and a tad scary but at the same time interesting and wildly different.
20. A Spider Hanging From A Web
A spider hanging from a web would make a great spider tattoo.
The tattoo could be made entirely with touches of grey or black and would look best when imprinted on the hand.
21. A Number Of Spiders
If one spider seems minimalistic, you could ink several spiders crawling up various parts of your body like your neck, arm, back, torso, or leg. The tattoos could be made in black and the spiders could be domestic spider species or the slightly, more poisonous ones.
22. A Colorful Spider Tattoo
These creepy, eight-legged insects are often perceived as black and scary creatures that one should stay away from. Though they scream of danger, a colourful spider brings about a different aspect to this creature.
Quick Tip
You can add a rose, key, or bulb to amp up your spider tattoo.
23. Spiderman Spider Tattoo
Spiderman is a very well-known character, because of which the crawly creatures have been very popular in comic books and adapted films. The basic plot dwells on a young adult who is bitten by a spider and gains superhero powers. You could tattoo the spider from the suit this superhero wears or tattoo the suit itself across your chest. Or, you can choose to go with a black widow tattoo if you’re looking for a more feminine touch out of superhero comics.
Ray Sunnydale, a blogger, got a Spider-Man design tattoo on his forearm, inspired by his childhood love for Spider-Man. He writes about the deeper meaning it came to signify for him: “I later learned a spider is a symbol of the virtue of patience, which I am often in need of a reminder (i).”
24. Spider With A Dice
Tattoos are meant to be decorative, creative, unique, artistic and innovative. A spider with a pair of dice covers all these aspects and makes the tattoo truly worth inking.
25. A Tribal Spider Design
Body art of tribal spider tattoo design made in black and white would be a very nice way to decorate your body with meaningful symbolism to give it a personal touch. The tribal design would remove the fierceness of the spider and make the tattoo look friendly and decorative instead of scary and dangerous.
26. A Spider Crawling Up A Neck
Here’s one for a bizarre fashion trend. Fear is the x-factor here. Spiders generally freak people out. A spider crawling up someone’s neck would be an interesting tattoo as well as a conversation starter. The only downside to this tattoo is there might be a few people who might misinterpret it as a real spider and try to flick it off your neck.
27. A Spider Inside Its Web
A spider spins its own web. Not just that, it proceeds with a well-thought and detailed plan. A spider inside a web might represent an individual who is aware of the fact that he has to make his own choices and cannot blame others for the ones that go wrong. In other words the person is responsible for making his own choices in life, whether good or bad. A permanent tattoo is bold to represent the same.
28. 3D Spiders
3D is a new technique of tattooing that adds a 3 dimensional aspect to a tattoo which was previously limited to 2 dimensions only. A 3D tattoo enhances your beauty and aesthetics, giving it a striking and scary tattoo effect. The 3 dimensional aspects bring height, depth and width to the tattoo, making it look realistic and tangible.
29. Phantom Troupe Spider Tattoo
The Phantom Troupe spider tattoo was featured in the Hunter x Hunter series. Each member of the “troupe” in the series wears the tattoo. The design includes a stylized spider with a number on its back, ranging from 1 to 13. It signifies each member’s place in the group. In addition to symbolizing a sense of belonging, the spider tattoo conveys the members’ strong emotional bonds and unwavering commitment to the troupe’s mission. It serves as a badge of honor. While this tattoo takes inspiration from the one in the series, there is plenty of room for customization as per one’s taste.
Fun Fact
Celebrities like Kehlani and Demi Lovato sport fun and unique designs of spider tattoos.
Tattoo Researcher, Terisa Green, shares an insight, “The black widow spider with the red hourglass on the abdomen can carry a meaning closely aligned with its real characteristics. Only female black widow spiders have red markings and are larger than the males. It’s a common, though not universal behavior, that after mating, the female will consume the male. Therefore, the black widow spider tattoo might be for a fan of spiders but it might also be a warning that danger is imminent.”
Infographic: Eight-Legged Elegance: The Best Spider Tattoo Designs
Discover the allure of spider tattoo designs with their intriguing symbolism and captivating esthetics. From gothic-inspired skulls to vibrant and realistic 3D renditions, scroll down to explore the best spider tattoo designs that embody creativity, uniqueness, and a touch of fascination. Take a look at the infographic below!
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
People get tattoos to represent so many things. Their emotions, personality, love for something or someone, and stories that stay close to their lives are depicted through tattoos. They use certain motifs to symbolize these things. Spider tattoo designs are also motifs representing meanings related to death and prison. These tattoo designs can be incorporated with other elements like skull, web, or dice to bring out more profound meaning and imagination. A positive spider tattoo meaning could be related to the web that it weaves, which symbolizes the connectivity of the world. If you also want to get a spider tattoo, the list mentioned above may help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do spiders represent good luck?
Yes, spider tattoo designs are believed to symbolize good fortune, wisdom, progress, and harmony.
Why do girls get spider tattoos?
Girls may get spider tattoos to represent fertility and balance. However, the intent may vary from person to person.
What does the 12-legged spider tattoo mean?
A 12-legged spider tattoo is a symbol of the phantom troupe, a fictional criminal organization in an anime series called Hunter X Hunter. The head of the spider symbolizes the leader while the twelve legs signify the members of the group.
How do I find a reputable tattoo artist to create my spider tattoo design?
You can explore famous tattoo artists in your town by reading their customer reviews and visiting them in person to check their sterilization and safety practices before finalizing on your tattoo artist.
What are some considerations when choosing the size of a spider tattoo?
One has to consider the design details, coloring, and placement of the tattoo when finalizing the size.
How do I choose the right colors for my spider tattoo design?
Choosing the right colors for your spider tattoo may depend on the design details and meaning of the tattoo. You can ask your tattoo artist to help recommend the perfect colors as per the design and requirements.
What are some other elements that can be added to a spider tattoo design, such as webs or flowers?
You can elevate your spider tattoo by adding a few elements like skulls, butterflies, and geometric patterns. These elements are often found in American traditional tattoos and are popular in such designs.
What are some common locations for spider tattoos on the body?
While this depends on the person’s preferences, spider tattoos are commonly inked on the back, arm, forearm, legs, or calf.
How do I care for my spider tattoo to ensure it lasts and looks its best?
Avoiding direct sun exposure, washing the tattoo with gentle soap and water, and moisturizing your skin regularly will ensure the tattoo lasts longer.
Key Takeaways
Spider tattoos symbolize the phase of life you are going through. These tattoos are ideal for both men and women and can be visually striking and a few hold a personal significance. Spider tattoos can be inked with various icons like skull, or dice and each of them gives a visual treat and conveys a different meaning.
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
Check out this amazing video for the best spider tattoo designs! Get inspired by the latest trends and find the perfect tattoo for you!
Personal Experience: Source
Was this article helpful? 
Terisa Green, PhD, is a tattoo researcher with over 20 years of experience and the author of The Tattoo Encyclopedia: A Guide to Choosing Your Tattoo and Ink: The Not-Just-Skin-Deep Guide to Getting A Tattoo. She undertook a tattoo apprenticeship at Sunset Strip Tattoo in Hollywood and learned about all the aspects of tattoos – from mixing pigments to customer care.
Read full bio of Terisa Green
Jyotsana Rao is an engineering graduate from NIT, Nagpur, who discovered her love for writing during her undergraduate days. She is passionate about writing about everything related to beauty – makeup, fashion, hairstyles, skin care, or hair care and has 4 years of experience on writing in these genres.
Read full bio of Jyotsana Rao
Subhrojyoti is an associate editor at StyleCraze with four years of experience. He has a master’s degree in English from Presidency University, Kolkata, and has also done a post-graduate certificate course in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University, Kolkata.
Read full bio of Subhrojyoti Mukherjee
Shreya is a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience. After graduating from Christ University, Bengaluru, she started as a writer for a non-profit organization, Bhumi, as an intern. She then wrote for a progressive content website.
Read full bio of Shreya Mukherjee
Leave a Reply