85 Unique Octopus Tattoos You'll Need To See - Tattoo Me Now (2024)

Octopus tattoos may be one of the most unusual tattoos for you to get. But if you want a tattoo that instills fear in others and symbolizes danger, mystery, intelligence, and illusion, then an octopus tattoo might be the right tattoo for you.

Besides their outlook, octopus tattoos also have very symbolic meanings, encouraging people to get them tattooed on their bodies. If you plan on getting an octopus tattoo, we got you covered.

In this article, we have gathered a collection of 85 trending octopus tattoos. We will also discuss the meanings and placement of octopus tattoos to make your tattoo selection a breeze. So without further ado, let’s dive in.

Octopus Tattoos Meaning

They may look like some traditional sea creature tattoos. However, many profound meanings associated with octopus tattoos inspire people to get this tattoo. It holds a spiritual meaning, which is a sign of healing yourself.

An octopus is usually able to heal itself with the help of its unique abilities. This way, you get inspiration to develop the skills and courage to overcome all your challenges.

This mighty sea creature is significant to many cultures, and various tribal octopus designs depict its significance. Octopuses are very important to Polynesians. They believe that it represents the ruler of the sea, known as Kanaloa, the God of the Sea. To honor Kanaloa, the Polynesians would often get tribal octopus tattoos.

Octopi are known for the ink they spray when they jet away from an enemy. Thus, Octopus tattoos symbolize freedom as they are more likely and able to free themselves from different traps, situations, or settings.

There are countless other meanings associated with octopus tattoos, such as devotion, mental intelligence, flexibility, strength, illusion, sensitivity, and transformation.

If Octopus is your totem animal, you are most likely already very adaptable and able to deal well with unpredictable shifts in life.

Octopus Tattoos Placements

You can place an octopus tattoo anywhere on your body. The best and popular placements for octopus tattoos are the legs, back, and arm. They are ideal as they draw attention to the tentacles of the octopus, which are one of its most distinctive features.

The size and the design of the octopus tattoo determine these placements. You might also consider getting it on your thigh, stomach, or ribs if your design is large.

Small or medium-sized tattoos look great on the hand, neck, ankle, or upper chest. No matter where you get your octopus tattoo tatted, it will still look lovely and unique.

Octopus Tattoo Designs & Ideas

Blackwork

Blackwork tattoo style is a fascinating and unique approach to tattooing. These blackwork octopus tattoos look great on the upper body, and the detailed work of these tattoos is simply incredible.

Octopus and Skull Tattoo

The octopus represents many things. Sometimes it is a sea monster; other times, it symbolizes rebirth and renewal, but the symbolism becomes more powerful when you incorporate it with a human skull. An octopus with a skull tattoo can represent the life cycle and intelligence.

Octopus Tattoos Female

Traditional Octopus Tattoos

Octopus Tattoos On Hip

Visible tattoos are excellent, but having the option to cover them up can also be beneficial. That is one of the reasons hip tattoos are such popular choices. Also, the area is large enough for a lot of fine detail. The hip is one of the least painful locations for inking, especially on the upper outer thigh.

Octopus Tattoos Back

The back is great because it gives you a lot of room for your tattoo design. With all this space, it makes sense to choose something detailed and comprehensive. You can, however, get any tattoo you like; you can choose an octopus tattoo design that covers your whole back or only a portion of it.

Colorful Octopus Tattoos

Why not consider getting a colorful octopus tattoo if you want a design that will stand out? The vibrant colors instantly catch people’s attention. Alternatively, you can use realistic colors like bright reds, blues, and yellows, or if you prefer a more cartoonish approach, that will work as well.

Octopus Tattoos Arm

A tattoo on your arm is an excellent option if you want a visible tattoo and want an easy way to cover it up. You can get a badass-looking arm tattoo to enhance your muscles. It is one of the most popular spots for body art, where your octopus tattoo will look great. Choose from a larger design that wraps around the arm or a smaller design that fits your arm perfectly. Color and black ink work well.

Octopus Tattoos Forearm

The placement for your tattoo can be just as important as your design. Octopus tattoos on the forearm are a great choice because it is a spot that heals well. You can also show it off or cover it up whenever you want. To make a bold statement, extend your octopus tattoo onto your wrist and hand.

Small Octopus Tattoos

Choosing your tattoo design also requires you to consider size, detail, and placement. There is no restriction where you can or cannot get a small tattoo. Tiny tattoos are a great option and do not matter if it is your first or tenth tattoo because of their versatility. Additionally, they tend to be less painful and less expensive. Because small tattoos do not age well, the design needs to be relatively simple, as too much detail would ruin the tattoo.

Octopus Tattoo Leg

If you want to get creative with your tattoos, leg tattoos are great. They are large enough to place a full octopus tattoo, and they are versatile.

Octopus Tattoo Sleeve

An octopus sleeve tattoo is a beautiful choice if you want a tattoo with a lot of detail. It’s a bold choice, but also a cool one. Your tattoo design can combine various elements, or you can stick to a theme. It could include an octopus, a ship, an anchor, or something else that is meaningful to you. As an alternative, you could use your entire arm for an octopus piece, which would allow for greater detail.

Japanese Octopus Tattoos

Japanese tattoos have a very distinct style, often created using a mix of black and grey and a limited but vibrant color palette. In Japanese culture, the octopus symbolizes a mythical creature called Akkorokamui from Ainu folklore. It is both feared and respected and can possess both healing and destructive powers.

Blue Ringed Octopus Tattoos

Blue-ringed octopuses are venomous species of octopus. They are deadly but do make for a great tattoo.