Simple dotwork squid tattoo

Squid Tattoo Ideas That Reveal The Beauty Of These Magnificent Animals

Categories Animal TattoosPosted on

Squid tattoo is a perfect choice if you are looking for a beautiful artwork with a broad meaning. Besides being a brilliant, creative and flexible sea creature, the squid also has a mystical component around it. Of course, he also has incredible abilities such as changing the color or disappearing in a cloud of ink when he feels the threat near. These and other beautiful characteristics made this animal to become one of the most popular tattoo designs in the past few years. So in this article, we are going to take a look at the meaning of squid tattoo. And as always – we have selected the best tattoo ideas at the end of the article. So, if you were thinking about getting a squid on your body – stay with us for a few minutes.

Large squid on the arm
Large squid on the arm
Red and blue squid tattoo by jenn matthews
Red and blue squid tattoo by Jenn Matthews

Squid – a mysterious animal with the ability to disappear

Squids are insatiable predators who occasionally attack other members of the same species. Scientists have not yet discovered why do they do this. According to the squid-world.com, there are around 300 different species of squids, and they live in the majority of the world’s oceans and seas. Their size ranges from a mere two inches to three or four hundred. The most famous squid was almost six hundred inches in length! Squids are intelligent, sophisticated, mysterious, lonely and versatile creatures. They can survive both close to the surface of the water and in the darkest depths of the ocean.

Ankle piece
Ankle piece
Traditional squid tattoo on the calf by james armstrong
Traditional squid tattoo on the calf by James Armstrong

As we have mentioned above, one of the most significant abilities that this animal has is the camouflaging. Squid can disappear right in front of our eyes by changing its color like the chameleon. Moreover, if the escape plan from the predator doesn’t work, squids can expel a black cloud of ink behind them, that covers their path for a while. Due to this incredible ability, squid earned a name of the magician and illusionist.

Old school black squid tattoo
Old-school black squid tattoo
Awesome squid on the right inner arm
Excellent squid on the right inner arm

Squid tattoo meaning

As this animal lives in the depths of the sea, naturally most of its symbolism relates to the water, emotion, and intuition. Thanks to the popular culture, people know much more about the squids after the Kraken’s appearance on the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’

Dotwork squid with red ornament in the background
Dot-work squid with a red ornament in the background
Woodcut style tattoo of a squid wrapped around the whale
Woodcut style tattoo of a squid wrapped around the whale

Squids are invertebrate animals, which mean that they do not have any bones and that’s what makes them so flexible and elegant. Without the bone structure, the squid flows naturally in the water. Because of this characteristic, they became the symbol of freedom. So, having a tattoo of a squid reminds you to relax or to get rid of the bad habits. The free movement of the squid inspires us to change our way of perception, to try out new things.

Big squid tattoo on the arm
Big squid tattoo on the arm
Blackwork piece
Blackwork piece

Another impressive ability of squids is that they can survive without a testicle which they have lost during the attack. So, a squid also expresses the ability to get rid of stuff when the times are tough. This tattoo will remind you to let go of the hard things. For example, if you have lost someone close and you can’t get over it, a squid will be a reminder to keep living. Our life is a short journey, and the unnecessary things slow us down. If we would act as the squids and get rid of those things, we could achieve something much faster. Moreover, squid can regrow the lost tentacle, so it may also be a symbol of regeneration and renewal.

Sophisticated squid
Sophisticated squid
Black and red squid tattoo
Black and red squid tattoo

Squid tattoo variations

Due to their ability to change the color, squids can adapt almost any color of the rainbow. So that’s good news for you because you have a lot of ways to be creative. But the colors are not the only option you can change. Since the squids are sea animals, they will look perfect with other marine-themed tattoos such as anchors, ships or boats, lighthouses and others.

Squid and ship tattoo on the calf
Squid and ship tattoo on the calf
Neo traditional green squid on the forearm
Neo-traditional green squid on the forearm

Squid is suitable for both gents and ladies. The most popular placements are legs, upper back, shoulders, and chest. But you don’t necessarily have to fall under the standards! If you choose the right design and a professional artist – rest assured that your tattoo will look excellent almost anywhere on your body.

Giant squid on the right arm
Giant squid on the right arm
Detailed dot work piece
Detailed dot-work piece

Squid tattoo ideas

It is always useful to invest some time and to understand the meaning of your tattoo completely. As you can see, squids are mysterious animals with many beautiful symbols. But as always – it doesn’t have to mean something to you. If you like this animal, it can be only that – a squid tattoo and nothing more. Due to the incredible abilities of the squids, the tattoo artist can create the most amazing artworks. You can see that many designs involve the tentacles wrapped around arms or legs. However, if you like smaller and minimal tattoos – squid is also an excellent choice because it looks good both in small and more significant sizes. Take a look at our selection of the most beautiful squid tattoos. We are sure that you will find the inspiration you need!

Black squid tattoo on the left calf
Black squid tattoo on the left calf
Cute small squid on the calf
Cute small squid on the calf
Traditional blackwork squid tattoo
Traditional blackwork squid tattoo
Squid belly tattoo
Squid belly tattoo
Geometric head squid
Geometric head squid
Dotwork squid
Another dot-work squid
Squid under the ship
Squid under the ship
Teal blue squid on the leg
Teal blue squid on the leg
Squid on the wrist
Squid on the wrist
Black and white squid with the third eye
Black and white squid with the third eye
Cosmic background squid
Cosmic background squid
Black and grey squid
Black and grey squid
Simple dotwork squid tattoo
Simple dot-work squid tattoo
Angry red squid and a diver
Angry red squid and a diver
Giant squid and whale tattoo on the forearm
Giant squid and whale tattoo on the forearm
Whale and giant squid tattoo on the chest
Another woodcut style whale and giant squid tattoo on the chest
Squid with black ink cloud
Squid with black ink cloud
Giant squid on the left shoulder and arm
Another giant squid on the left shoulder and arm
Watercolor squid on the arm
Watercolor squid on the forearm
Outline squid tattoo on the right arm
Outline squid tattoo on the right arm
Another dotwork squid
Another dot-work squid