![Top 80+ Best Kali Tattoo Ideas – [2022 Inspiration Guide]](https://nextluxury.com/wp-content/uploads/Kali-Tattoo-@nikkotattooer.jpg)
Top 80+ Best Kali Tattoo Ideas – [2022 Inspiration Guide]
Hindu mythology provides a wealth of inspiration for exciting and the Hindu Goddess Kali tattoo is perhaps one of the most compelling examples of these meaningful designs.
An interesting character, Kali is a multi-faceted deity in the ancient Hindu tradition and wider religious tattoos. Simultaneously meaning a symbol of life and death, creation and destruction, Kali – the consort of Lord Shiva – has been depicted for centuries, providing a massive body of work from which to draw inspiration for fierce Kali tattoos.
Each of the 80+ Hindu Goddess Kali tattoos in this collection demonstrate what is possible when the Hindu goddess of time and death is the result of search inspiration for new tattoo.
1. Unique Kali Tattoo Designs for the Arms and Hands

Source: @antonxtattooer via Instagram

Source: @bhanu_pratap_108 via Instagram

Source: @elpepeadrian via Instagram

Source: @floodtattoo via Instagram

Source: @inkkhalatattoovegan via Instagram

Source: @julien.tattoo via Instagram

Source: @missletotattoo via Instagram

Source: @mrmauro81 via Instagram

Source: @nauzetceballos via Instagram

Source: @nikkotattooer via Instagram

Source: @peteralthoff via Instagram

Source: @stefania_sole via Instagram

Source: @vijaykavithia via Instagram
Arm tattoos have been popular for decades thanks to the variety of placements they provide a person. While hand tattoos were once taboo this prominent placement has become more acceptable as badass designs in recent years thanks to changing attitudes and reduced social stigma.
However-as these fierce Kali tattoos demonstrate-the image of this Hindu goddess is just as striking on the hand or the bicep. Using a variety of styles and approaches, each Kali tattoo in this collection displays just how exciting this Hindu mother goddess can be.
2. Full Back Kali Tattoo Designs

Source: @danadeadgirl via Instagram

Source: @derty_berty via Instagram

Source: @jondix via Instagram

Source: @knattertontattoo via Instagram

Source: @laurent_z_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @lue.jan via Instagram

Source: @marco_decarni via Instagram

Source: @nathanieltattoo via Instagram

Source: @rafaelgiovanoli via Instagram

Source: @ram.royy via Instagram

Source: @the.baxter via Instagram
The back is the largest canvas on the body and these fierce Kali tattoos take full advantage of this massive size. The scale of the back as a tattoo canvas is also significant for the way it provides a tattoo artist with the necessary space to create incredibly detailed designs, which each Kali tattoo in this gallery takes full advantage of.
It truly is the gruesome details that set today’s Kali tattoo designs apart from other work: individual human skull designs on her grotesque necklace, sharp fangs and her flopping tongue are all expertly produced thanks to the large size of the back.
3. Kali Tattoo Illustration in Black and Gray

Source: @antiplanink via Instagram

Source: @ariesrhysing via Instagram

Source: @ashryantattoo via Instagram

Source: @dangie620 via Instagram

Source: @elisa.roewer via Instagram

Source: @grim_blk via Instagram

Source: @huizziandrees_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @jamesacrow via Instagram

Source: @kitmcdermott via Instagram

Source: @lemoinetommy via Instagram

Source: @marieradfordtattoo via Instagram

Source: @moff.tattoo via Instagram

Source: @nuplague via Instagram

Source: @sadler_tattoos via Instagram

Source: @tattedupp89 via Instagram
Black and gray tattoo work has been around for centuries but doesn’t mean that this classic aesthetic is any less appealing today. Commonly associated with a few specific styles, this monochromatic approach can be applied to just about any subject or design concept imaginable, as demonstrated by each Kali tattoo in this gallery.
From the smooth shading and precise line work similar to Chicano tattooing, to meticulously applied stipple work to create depth and contrast, black and gray is a great choice for a terrifying Kali tattoo.
4. Kali Tattoo Designs for the Chest and Stomach

Source: @bintt via Instagram

Source: @dannydevitatts via Instagram

Source: @johann_morel via Instagram

Source: @johnleroux via Instagram

Source: @magictattoo via Instagram

Source: @morag_sangster via Instagram

Source: @sammysurjaytattoo via Instagram

Source: @stan_tattoos via Instagram

Source: @veracruz_tattoo via Instagram
Much like the back, the canvases of the chest and stomach provide a tattoo artist with the space required to create highly detailed, exciting designs and these fierce Kali tattoos don’t disappoint. From expansive black and gray work, stretching across the entire torso, to a full color Kali tattoo directly above the heart, chest and stomach placements are the perfect choice for large tattoo designs.
These notoriously painful locations also demonstrate the wearer’s dedication and resolve along with the tattoo artist’s impressive technical skills.
5. Leg Placement Kali Tattoo Designs

Source: @avenuetattoo580 via Instagram

Source: @blacklanterntattoovence via Instagram

Source: @davidroatorres via Instagram

Source: @dennispase_iet via Instagram

Source: @dickie_gold via Instagram

Source: @dirtbag_mustache via Instagram

Source: @el_sin_verguenza_mike via Instagram

Source: @freehandbill_inver_ink via Instagram

Source: @lennoxtattoo via Instagram

Source: @malik.kleinwort.tattoo via Instagram

Source: @marco_decarni via Instagram

Source: @markus_mad_city via Instagram

Source: @saracervelli via Instagram

Source: @thinkingta2 via Instagram

Source: @tom_bullets via Instagram

Source: @trecetattoopachuca via Instagram
Another great placement choice for a gruesome Kali tattoo is on the legs. The size of the legs provide artists with room to stretch their creative muscles for large designs or employ a more interesting placement for smaller pieces, like over the knee or on the back of the calf.
Whatever the location, the musculature of the legs provide plenty of natural lines that a talented tattoo artist can utilize to create a more compelling and unique Kali tattoo.
6. Neo Traditional Approach to Kali Tattoo Designs

Source: @alex_sances_one via Instagram

Source: @bence.fabian via Instagram

Source: @bobbydeez via Instagram

Source: @carlacacio_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @danny.garcia.tattooer via Instagram

Source: @eduap_tatt via Instagram

Source: @jessicadoestattoos via Instagram

Source: @korthe via Instagram

Source: @minerjva24 via Instagram

Source: @sailorwhispertattoo via Instagram

Source: @sarakaltenhauser via Instagram

Source: @stacieharwoodtattoos via Instagram
Neo-traditional tattoo designs make use of the bold lines and bright colors characteristic of old school tattoos but apply them to a much broader selection of subjects and design concepts. Each Kali tattoo in this gallery takes a slightly different design approach but all contain the essential elements that define this exciting style.
Several of these fierce Kali tattoos also incorporate other elements common in the American traditional style to add contrast and enhance their composition: the use of flowers to frame the gruesome face of the Hindu mother goddess is an especially successful idea.
7. Realistic Kali Tattoo Illustration

Source: @alienstattoodelhi via Instagram

Source: @americandebbie via Instagram

Source: @ian_flynn_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @madame_mim_tattoos via Instagram

Source: @razone_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @tina.pieroni.tattoo via Instagram
The variety of different approaches used to produce fierce Kali tattoos are as diverse as the people who choose to wear this Hindu goddess on their bodies and for some folks, realism is the best option. Each Kali tattoo in this collection uses smooth black and gray ink-with a few splashes of color-to create a photorealistic depiction of this god of sex and violence. It is also interesting to examine the different female faces used as inspiration for these hyper-realistic interpretations.
Kali Tattoo FAQs
Who is Kali?
In Hindu Mythology Kali is the mother, the goddess of death, time and the end of the world and her image is often associated with terrible violence and debauched sexuality. Interestingly, Kali is also a powerful symbol of creativity, feminine energy and fertility as well as being strongly associated with maternal love.
What does a Kali tattoo symbolize?
For many people, fierce Kali tattoos are a way to demonstrate their understanding and acceptance of the finite nature of life: Kali in Hinduism embodies time and death-with her human skull necklace, skirt of arms and bloody knife-devouring the universe and all the people within it.
While is Kali’s tongue always sticking out?
While there are a number of different stories that describe the origins of Kali’s lolling tongue-all involve some gruesome acts of violence-the overall symbolism in the Hindu religion of Kali’s grotesque appendage is as a weapon, allowing her to lap up blood and consume the universe.
Did you enjoy these Kali Tattoo Design Ideas? For more killer tattoo art concepts to help you choose a new tattoo click on the gallery links below: