Top 69 Scorpio Tattoo Ideas – [2020 Inspiration Guide]

Used since ancient times as the eighth astrological sign in the Zodiac, the signature Scorpio scorpion has been one of the hottest trends in tattooing for decades.

Whether hyper-realistic or done in an illustrative style, tattoos depicting scorpions are an incredibly diverse lot.

Because these segmented creatures have an incredibly complex anatomy, only the most skilled tattoo artists can truly capture the beauty and drama of scorpion designs. By focusing on designs of this caliber, both the artist and the client being tattooed represent a new era of getting inked.

Gone are the days when poorly applied stick and pokes garnered played in the same field as lovingly crafted works of art. The next era of tattooing is all about style, and talented artists creating designs worthy of the men who wear them.

Scorpion designs are complex and beautiful, but the symbolism behind them belies a tough exterior. These intricate designs are most commonly approached using constellation designs, but there are countless other methods available for applying a scorpion tattoo. Some artists take great care so that each segment has its own unique appearance.

Additionally, because scorpions look excellent from any angle, there are a variety of placement options to best suit a man’s individual physique.

1. Forearm Scorpio Tattoos

The forearm is a great place for Scorpio tattoos thanks to the natural lines of the musculature in this part of the arm. This placement also gives the wearer the ability to decide who does and does not get to see their tattoo depending on the social setting.  

2. Black Ink Scorpio Tattoos

There is something about bold black ink that just works for tattoos. There is a directness to this approach that eschews color for fully saturated black ink. This style is also perfectly suited to Scorpio tattoos. 

3. Upper Arm Scorpio Tattoos

The upper arm is another good choice when it comes to tattoos. The larger size of the upper arm means that more detailed and interesting designs can be applied, and the higher placement gives the wearer and even higher degree of discretion in terms of tattoo visibility.  

4. American Traditional/Neo Traditional Scorpio Tattoos

As they say, bold will hold. As these exciting tattoos demonstrate, the bold line work and vibrant colors of American and neo-traditional work is a great choice for Scorpio designs. The variety of interpretations of these dangerous animals means there is a traditional scorpion for every taste.  

5. Chest Scorpio Tattoos

Nothing quite reinforces the importance of a tattoo like placing it directly over the heart, and this is why chest pieces remain popular. The size of the chest also means that artists can create large, detailed designs that are even more impressive.  

6. Shoulder Scorpio Tattoos

The curved lines of the shoulder provide artists with plenty of opportunities to create interesting designs while the location high on the arm gives the wearer a high level of visual discretion. These interesting Scorpio designs demonstrate just how successful shoulder pieces can be.  

7. Back Scorpio Tattoos

The largest canvas on the body, the back is best suited for big, detailed pieces. A talented artist is able to create vivid scenes that incorporate a number of different elements to create unique and breathtaking Scorpio inspired back pieces.  

8. Leg Scorpio Tattoos

The legs provide a number of different canvases to choose from to apply Scorpio tattoos: The thigh, knee and calf can all be successfully utilized to create one of a kind designs.  

9. Sleeve Scorpio Tattoos

Some of the most exciting and dynamic tattoos in the world are full sleeve designs. The natural lines of the arm draw the eye up and down the entire piece, while the large size gives artists plenty of room to tell a story with their ink.  

10. Hand, Finger, and Foot Scorpio Tattoos

Instantly visible, tattoos on the hands are sure to make an impression, while ink on the feet is a bit more personal. These pieces demonstrate just how striking Scorpio tattoos can be when applied to the hands and feet. 

11. Dotwork Scorpio Tattoos

One of the newer trends in tattoos, this approach uses varied densities of tiny dots to create the different tones and textures in the piece. The effect that is created is pleasing to the eye while simultaneously demonstrating the artist’s skill and patience.  

Scorpio Tattoo FAQs 

Why is the Scorpio sign an “M”? 

The origin of the stylized “M” that represents Scorpio in the Zodiac has never been fully explained, although there are many theories about the roots of this glyph. 

Some people suggest that the “M” represents the word Maiden and that this highlights the feminine qualities of this sign as well as the other sign with a similar glyph, Virgo. Others believe that the rising and falling lines of the letter symbolize the duality of the personality and the Kundalini force that balances these aspects of consciousness.  

The stylized “stinger” on the end of the glyph has the obvious associations with phallic symbol, while other interpretations tie it piercing barriers to reach higher planes of consciousness.  

Which animal is linked to Scorpio? 

While it is most commonly associated with the scorpion, the Zodiac sign Scorpio is actually represented by three different animals. These three different animals represent different stages in the progression of Scorpio and each animal is associated with different traits and characteristics. 

The scorpion is a lower iteration of the sign and is associated with aggression and jealousy. Scorpions tend to hide in cracks and crevices and are dangerous when provoked. 

The second phase is the snake, with similar tendencies towards destruction although Scorpio is more calm and collected in this iteration. People who have progressed to this phase are slow to anger but are prone to violent outburst once provoked. 

The final form of Scropio is the eagle. Associated with clear vision and soaring heights, the eagle maintains the traits of caring for loved ones however this higher level rarely wastes time on petty revenge. The eagle is also said to elicit powerful intuition for those who reach this level.