Top 8 Goblin Tattoo Ideas With Their Meanings

A goblin tattoo is a perfect fit for you if you have been one of those kids who related more to the darker aspects of fairy tales growing up. These grotesque monsters are often portrayed as evil creatures with ugly physical features. However, some modern retellings show them in gray lights. In contemporary times, goblins are being appreciated for their rebellious and trickster nature that brands them as smart rather than reducing them to their appearance. If you agree with these sentiments and wish to get a goblin tattoo of your own, we can help you with some cool ideas. Keep reading this article to find some innovative and breathtaking tattoo ideas featuring these clever mythical creatures.

Meaning Of A Goblin Tattoo

Various forms of goblins have featured in folklore and mythology across multiple cultures around the globe. In the West, goblins are ugly, gluttonous creatures that trick and harm humans. However, in the East, although shown as having intimidating physical appearances, Goblins are seen more as protective guard creatures who use tricks to distract their enemies and potential threats to dissuade them from the things they are protecting. They may also be close companions to humans, using their magical abilities to interact or befriend them, while guiding them away from lurking dangers and ensuring their safety.

A goblin tattoo may symbolize these concepts of mischief, rebellion, guardian spirits, and more, depending on the wearer and their personal philosophies. Continue on to the next section to check out how they may be depicted as tattoos.

8 Best Goblin Tattoo Designs With Pictures

A goblin tattoo can be illustrated in both intimidating as well as adorable ways to add a creative twist to your self-expression. Browse through the following tattoo ideas for cues, tips, and inspiration to illustrate one for yourself.

1. Green Goblin Tattoo

While green can be a color of freshness, fertility, and growth, it is also known as the color of guilt, resentment, or envy. In various literary texts, goblins are portrayed in varying shades of green, signifying the evil or ugliness in them. A green goblin tattoo displays the goblin in its most classic perception. But as you can see in the image above, you may show him to be just a friendly neighborhood man, chilling at the window of his humble home. It all boils down to interpretation and individual expression.

2. Japanese Goblin Tattoo

Although generally portrayed as an evil demonic being in spiritual iconography, Japanese satirical works often portray the goblin as a manifestation of the darker aspects of the human psyche. The design above features a goblin with an intimidating face but a humanoid body, adorned with carefully detailed accessories and skilled shading work inspired by traditional Japanese artworks. This tattoo can speak of the wearer’s understanding of Japanese culture, literature, and belief systems.

3. Demon Goblin Tattoo

Present the goblin in its classic interpretation but with a modern twist. The demon goblin tattoo above shows a blood-curdling rendition of the creature with a human torso, clawed hands, leathery wings, and demon horns. It appears to be a shapeshifter, which easily places this design in alignment with folktales where goblins are depicted to be the physical embodiments of one’s inner demons. The realistic shading and the runic marks on the goblin’s body, along with the back placement, make it an intriguing piece of body art.

4. Korean Goblin Tattoo

Contrary to your favorite K-dramas that show a dashing actor playing the role of a Goblin, in actual Korean folklore, goblins are known as trickster nature spirits or demons. However, they may not always have ill intentions. They have a special power to interact with humans and they would often play or even help humans. They are also often known to attempt to take on a full or part human form. The tattoo above shows a goblin dressed in a festive hanbok with lively colors that give it a refreshing vibe despite its monstrous facial features. Adding meaningful Korean (Hangul) script to the tattoo can further enhance its symbolism.

5. Goblin King Tattoo

As opposed to the popular depictions of the goblin, show him in all the glory of a king — perhaps to signify that an underdog can always work their way up to the top. A goblin king tattoo can be a powerful portrayal of a leader who guides their subject with care and wisdom. The design above shows an old and wrinkly goblin, wearing a velvety cloak, and holding an ornamental object. The shading work done to give the cloak a velvet texture with an intricate golden border gives it the look of regality. The wearer may present themselves or honor a respected figure in their life through this fantasy tattoo.

6. Fantasy Goblin Tattoo

Let your imagination and creativity loose for a spectacular goblin tattoo design that depicts these mischievous creatures in vibrant fantasy worlds. For instance, the forearm tattoo above shows a content-looking green goblin standing amidst an overgrowth of wildflowers. The dark foliage at the top and the vibrant hues of the florals combined with the lively green of the goblin’s face creates a beautiful contrast of colors, perhaps also hinting at all the different emotions goblins are capable of feeling. This is a great concept to express the imaginative mind of the wearer and their love for all things fantasy and supernatural.

7. Goblin Tattoo On Wrist

The wrist placement is cool for a tattoo that is meant to grab the attention of an onlooker instantly. A goblin tattoo on the wrist would be of a smaller size due to the limited space, but it can still incorporate great attention to detail for an impressive piece of art. The tattoo above features a realistically detailed face of the goblin with skilfully blended shading work and stippled textures, creating depth, drama, and an eye-catching effect. This tattoo placement is great for those who embrace their eccentricity and wish to dialogue around it.

8. Black Goblin Tattoo

Colorful tattoos are great, but the impressive depth and dynamic angles are best achieved with black ink tattoos. You can see above how the combination of blacks, grays, and negative space creates a realistic effect, focussing on the little details like the wrinkles on the skin and the raggedness of the cloak. There is also a subtle use of white ink to highlight the beard and the mischievous glint of the eye. This tattoo is great for drawing attention to one’s darker aspects with just a little touch of mystery to the personality.

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Lucas CumminsProfessional Tattoo Artist

   

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, color, and abstract style tattoos.

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