8 Best Mystical Voodoo Tattoos With Meaning
Eerie, spine-chilling, yet charming designs inspired by this African indigenous religion.
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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A voodoo tattoo can help you express a deep understanding, knowledge, and connection to the spiritual world. These tattoos, inspired by old African religious beliefs and built on the foundations of tribal rituals and Catholicism, popularly feature the voodoo doll believed to be a powerful spiritual tool. Though mostly associated with ill intent, a voodoo doll can also be used to establish connections to departed souls or bless someone far away. These dolls have a ragged appearance and can stupefy people in their tracks. However, with a bit of creative design tweaks, you may be able to present them in a fanciful manner. Keep reading this article to find some impressive, eye-catching tattoo designs that might interest you.
In This Article
Meaning Of Voodoo Tattoos
Voodoo tattoos refer to tattoo subjects inspired by spiritual practices in the Voodoo religion which combines beliefs and rituals from Catholicism and indigenous African traditions. This practice heavily revolves around establishing a connection with the unknown spiritual realm, and thus, is not generally perceived positively.
Voodoo began in the regions of present-day Benin, Togo, and Ghana. Over time, it evolved into regional variations, such as Haitian Vodou, Louisiana Voodoo, and Brazilian Candomblé, often blending with Catholicism and Indigenous beliefs. Tattoos during this period could serve as marks of resistance or spiritual protection.
During colonial times, Voodoo was often misunderstood and demonized by European powers. This led to the portrayal of Voodoo symbols as ominous or evil in Western culture.
However, the tattoos may symbolize both good and bad spiritual intentions, striking 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, representing the spirits and serving as sacred prayers. A tattoo of these symbols may not be accurate or respectful without doing thorough research or speaking to an expert on the subject. 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 humans. It is these dolls that are most popular and preferred in voodoo tattoos.
Continue on to the next section to check out some cool tattoo designs featuring these voodoo dolls with unique aesthetic visuals.
8 Best Voodoo Tattoo Designs With Pictures
A voodoo tattoo can openly declare your interest or understanding of the practice and help you shape your self-expression through it. Take a look at the innovative designs below for some inspiration for your next tattoo.
1. Gothic Voodoo Doll Tattoo
This gothic tattoo perfectly embodies elements of black magic and the occult. The Gothic style has got to be one of the best aesthetics to use for your voodoo doll tattoo. The combination of blacks and other deep shades to intensify the dark and sinister aspects of your theme fits perfectly with this tattoo style, making it appear all the more eerie. The above tattoo has also used white ink highlights to improve the overall look of the voodoo doll that has multiple pins poking it.
2. Cute Voodoo Doll Tattoo
If you are someone with tastes consisting of extreme ends of an aesthetic spectrum, you will appreciate this combination of cute and horror. The tattoo features a stitched-up voodoo doll dressed in a pink frock with a large pink bow on its hair. Its hair is sleek and neat as well. By all means, the doll is made to look presentable but the stitches, the mismatched button eyes, and the frozen smile betray the terror it embodies. For the wearer, it may symbolize their internal struggle between right and wrong choices and how they are trying to keep their best face forward despite all.
3. Voodoo Tattoo For Ladies
Voodoo dolls have been associated with dark arts or black magic for several centuries and the practitioners were said to be primarily women. The social implications of such associations thankfully do not exist today, but if we were to make a voodoo doll tattoo that best suited women, it would be one that spoke of women in distress who resorted to pricking voodoo dolls when they felt wronged by someone. The doll can be made of random scrap fabrics and stuck with needles at random angles as shown above. For those fascinated by the occult, a witchy tattoo like this can symbolize magic, mystery, and personal empowerment.
4. Voodoo Sleeve Tattoo
A voodoo sleeve tattoo can easily incorporate multiple elements associated with witchcraft, black magic, or any occult dark arts and practices. Since there is a larger skin area, the design can comprise multiple voodoo dolls in various shapes, sizes, and designs. The design above shows a combination of various witchy symbols like a pentagram, a skull, and miscellaneous items that give it a bloodcurdling effect.
5. Voodoo Queen Tattoo
The concept of a voodoo queen can be depicted in a few different ways through tattoos. Such as the portrait of a witch, adorned in heavy, quirky jewelry, dark makeup, and elaborate head scarves, who might have the reputation of being skilled at the art of voodoo. Or, like image above shows, you may make a voodoo doll that is decorated like a queen, complete with a crown and made of vibrantly patterned fabric. This image can be a celebration of the voodoo practice, represent one’s own inner desires to overshadow others and shine brightest, or may be done in honor of someone special.
6. Voodoo Tattoo For Men
A spiritual tattoo can serve as a profound expression of one’s inner beliefs, sharing their desire for a connection to the divine. Though a general consensus believes women to be primary practitioners of voodoo, in indigenous cultures, both men and women are known to be active participants in the craft. A straightforward sketch-style voodoo doll would be a perfect fit for men who would prefer a neat and clean design. The image above shows a large voodoo doll pricked with pins all over. The lines are crisp, cross-hatching shading give it a realistic sketch look.
7. Evil Voodoo Doll Tattoo
A voodoo doll is generally associated with evil or dark intentions but is deceptively made to look sad or pleasant, although the rough stitches indicate just the opposite. Going on the nose with an evil voodoo doll would hardly be a stretch. Give the doll an evil grin, big horns, or perhaps tilted wicked eyebrows to give it a menacing look. You may 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
Voodoo is a religion that largely revolves around connecting to the spirit world and experiencing its influence which may extend to spiritual possession. Hence, a teddy bear shaped like a voodoo doll with a raggedy exterior, stitched smile, and large, mismatched button eyes makes for a voodoo doll prepared for possession. The soul intended to be contacted could be someone who was attached to the teddy bear and hence the object would make establishing a spiritual connection convenient.
Although voodoo as a spiritual practice may be perceived differently by different sections of society, one may design its symbols in creative ways to express themselves through voodoo tattoos. From a cutely dressed voodoo doll to one portrays with menacing features, the wearer can choose how they would like to present their tattoo and what kind of symbolism it embodies for them. However, do remember that these are sacred cultural and religious symbols and should be treated with thoughtfulness and respect. With proper research and harmless innovation, you can create for yourself a unique voodoo tattoo that encapsulates the deepest inner workings of your mind and speaks for you.
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