70 Inspiring Cicada Tattoo Ideas

Cicada tattoos often represent change and transformation or experiencing symbolic rebirth after a time of great change and upheaval.

The following collection of cicada tattoos showcase some breathtakingly detailed insects in a range of styles you can use when planning your next tattoo.

1. Delicate Cicada Tattoos

Forearm tattoo of a detailed cicada — Source: @alexandyrvalentine via Instagram

Minimalist foot tattoo of a detailed cicada in black ink, showcasing fine linework and symmetry — Source: @funbumps via Instagram

Minimalist cicada tattoo on an ankle — Source: @pauletteceyrat via Instagram

Tattoo of cicada and flowers on an upper arm — Source: @kalawa.tattooer via Instagram

A tattoo of a cicada on a woman's upper arm — Source: @emilypaxtattoo via Instagram

2. Upper Arm Tattoo Ideas

Tattoo of a cicada on an arm — Source: @deivabruixa via Instagram

Intricate black ink cicada tattoo on the upper arm, featuring detailed wings and body for a realistic effect. — Source: @murielpeloso via Instagram

Bold cicada tattoo on the forearm, featuring vibrant colors, red accents, and black geometric elements for a modern design — Source: @tattoo_lbert via Instagram

Tattoo of a cicada with wings spread, surrounded by flowering branches on an upper arm — Source: @vevevoomm via Instagram

Tattoo of a detailed cicada and "M. auletes" on an upper arm — Source: @x.ksmith via Instagram

3. Tattoo Designs for the Shoulder and Back

Black and white cicada tattoo on woman's neck and shoulder — Source: @emilyeffler via Instagram

A cicada tattoo on a shoulder — Source: @travisoatestattoos via Instagram

Back tattoos of two cicadas, one on each shoulder — Source: @bozabenz_bill via Instagram

Black and gray cicada tattoo on the upper back, featuring detailed wings and a crescent moon for a celestial touch — Source: @ericcrawtattooist via Instagram

Geometric back tattoo of a cicada with intricate wings, accented by dotwork patterns and symmetrical shapes — Source: @joibaileytattoos via Instagram

4. Heavy Blackwork Tattoos

Blackwork cicada tattoo on the lower abdomen, featuring detailed wings and bold linework for a striking design. — Source: @aliensplsabductme via Instagram

Black line cicada tattoo on a forearm with intricate wing details — Source: @loeuvre.au.noir via Instagram

Tattoo of a detailed cicada on a skin — Source: @loeuvre.au.noir via Instagram
Source: @aleks_rynd via Instagram

A detailed cicada tattoo on a calf — Source: @colbyjunetattoos via Instagram

5. Black and Gray Tattoos

Tattoo of a detailed cicada with black and grey shading — Source: @cbriggstattoo via Instagram

Blackwork cicada tattoo with bold outlines and detailed wing patterns, placed on the upper body — Source: @j.skinz78 via Instagram

Black and gray tattoo of a cicada on skin — Source: @maiaracalixto.ttt via Instagram

A detailed cicada tattoo on an elbow — Source: @masone_tattoo via Instagram

Woman with cicada tattoo on upper arm — Source: @rickschenktattoo via Instagram

Tattoo of a cicada with a crescent moon and floral elements on the skin — Source: @sync.ink via Instagram

6. Tattoo Ideas for the Chest

Realistic black and gray cicada tattoo on the shoulder, featuring detailed wings and soft shading for a lifelike effec — Source: @shannondeel via Instagram

Chest tattoo of a cicada with lavender and leaves inside a geometric frame — Source: @ana.lamaaa via Instagram

A detailed cicada tattoo on a person's shoulder with abstract black ink accents — Source: @bima_tattoo via Instagram

Intricate chest tattoo of a cicada with detailed wings and a vibrant teal gem-like body, accented by geometric patterns — Source: @breckmarquette via Instagram

Person with a chest tattoo of a cicada, lavender, and geometric shapes — Source: @inkatattoolyon via Instagram

Woman with a large black cicada tattoo on her chest — Source: @markzvytattoo via Instagram

Artistic chest tattoo featuring two cicadas with intricate linework, one adorned with abstract geometric shapes and the other with surreal mask-like details — Source: @mollyemrick via Instagram

Woman with cicada tattoos on shoulders and a floral tattoo on arm — Source: @tuszirzemioslotatuaz via Instagram

Intricate cicada tattoo placed on the upper chest, showcasing detailed wings and bold black linework for a striking minimalist design — Source: @jwesttattoos via Instagram

7. Colorful Tattoo Ideas

Colorful cicada tattoo on forearm with geometric patterns and a star — Source: @ameliamooretattoos via Instagram

Colorful cicada tattoo with roses on a forearm — Source: @emlectric_ via Instagram

Colorful cicada tattoo on a person's arm with geometric background — Source: @greenville_ghoul via Instagram

Tattoo of two cicadas in vibrant colors on a person's forearm, surrounded by leaves — Source: @hellorhighwaternola via Instagram

Colorful cicada tattoo on a forearm — Source: @joshuarosetattoos via Instagram

Forearm with detailed cicada tattoo in black, blue, and yellow ink — Source: @ladylisadoll via Instagram

Colorful cicada tattoo on forearm with pink wings and detailed patterns — Source: @a_nikolette via Instagram

8. Dotwork and Technical Tattoos

Tattoo of a cicada with a circular floral design on an arm — Source: @rachelwoodtattoo via Instagram

A detailed cicada tattoo on a person's lower abdomen — Source: @roxanaasimov via Instagram

Detailed cicada tattoo on a thigh with abstract background — Source: @amiratattoos via Instagram

Tattoo of a detailed cicada on an arm — Source: @artbybabyruths via Instagram

Elegant hand tattoo featuring a cicada in intricate dotwork style, with fine lines and geometric patterns enhancing its artistic appeal — Source: @david_oneill_tattooing via Instagram

Detailed dotwork tattoo of a cicada with intricate gemstone-like design on its body, featuring wings and fine linework — Source: @emilyxlynch via Instagram

Black cicada tattoo on a forearm — Source: @manadnatattoo via Instagram

Tattoo of a detailed cicada with "Fig. 1a" text on an arm — Source: @selahjude via Instagram

Black and gray cicada tattoo on a person's forearm — Source: @spiteful_hare_tattoos via Instagram

Black and white tattoo of a cicada on a woman's abdomen — Source: @abetterviewthanu via Instagram

Tattoo of a detailed cicada on an upper arm — Source: @iam_chuckv via Instagram

9. Tattoo Art for the Forearm

Colorful cicada tattoo on person's forearm — Source: @brent_megens via Instagram

Tattoo of a cicada on a forearm with floral designs — Source: @cinzeltattoo via Instagram

Black and grey tattoo of a cicada with a detailed crown on its back, featuring fine shading and intricate linework — Source: @jennietiesman via Instagram

Black ink cicada tattoo on a forearm — Source: @loliflex via Instagram

Tattoo of a colorful cicada on an arm — Source: @tat_brandie via Instagram

Tattoo of a detailed cicada on a forearm — Source: @trevordillonart via Instagram

10. Hand and Wrist Tattoos

Hand with a detailed cicada tattoo — Source: @devilztattooz via Instagram
Source: @alexshimray via Instagram

Bold cicada tattoo on the hand with detailed wings and leaf elements, featuring black ink and intricate shading — Source: @fabiopradotattoo via Instagram

Minimalist cicada tattoo on the hand with fine linework and shading, showcasing delicate wing and body details — Source: @franciannyreis via Instagram

Black cicada tattoo on the hand with bold shading extending to the wrist, paired with 'HOLY HELL' lettering on the fingers — Source: @gorbovskikh via Instagram

Wrist tattoo of a detailed cicada — Source: @danjoink via Instagram

Tattoo of a cicada on a forearm with a leaf tattoo above — Source: @vitormiranda art via Instagram

Forearm tattoo of a cicada with floral patterns in black ink — Source: @wacpannatattoo via Instagram

Black and white tattoo of a cicada on a hand, with detailed wings and head — Source: @ssab_ttt via Instagram
Source: @ssab_tt via Instagram

11. Lower Leg and Thigh Tattoo Art

Black and gray cicada tattoo on a leg — Source: @dannyk551 via Instagram

Line art cicada tattoo on a calf — Source: @dawn.tattoos via Instagram

Leg with tattoos of a cicada and a mushroom — Source: @marcelowhatever via Instagram

Black cicada tattoo on a leg above the knee — Source: @aurelio_tattoo via Instagram

Tattoo of a cicada with a skull design above the knee — Source: @blackdroppar via Instagram

Large cicada tattoo on the thigh with bold outlines and detailed wing patterns, showcasing a minimalist design style — Source: @foragertattoo via Instagram

Tattoo of a cicada with a skull design on a thigh — Source: @la_petite_tattoo via Instagram

Tattoo of a cicada with red eyes and wings above a laurel wreath on a thigh — Source: @myrrhsartgallery via Instagram
Source: @leenronnha via Instagram

Line art tattoo of a cicada on a thigh — Source: @punkt_und_stich_ via Instagram

Cicada tattoo on a thigh with detailed wings and head — Source: @sun.in.my.mouth via Instagram

Tattoo of a colorful cicada with decorative elements on a thigh — Source: @baileyhoweird via Instagram

More about Cicada Tattoos

In tattoo, the cicada is considered a good luck symbol of change and transformation, which is different to insects such as the death’s head moth (more because of how it looks).

Other symbolic meanings associate the cicada with longevity, as the creature’s lengthy hibernation means its’ the longest living insect.

The diaphanous wings of the cicada work beautifully in delicate designs such as linework, fine line black and gray or single needle tattoos.

The cicadas’ interesting body construction means their wings may be an ideal ‘soft’ counterpoint to heavy duty black tattoos, or designs incorporating biology textbook style realism.

Unlike other insects such as moths and butterflies who complete a full metamorphosis, Cicadas change from one fully formed state to another without undergoing a pupal phase.

Famed for its song, the cicada has a long association with literature that goes back to Homer’s Iliad, along with art from the Shang Period of China 1700-2200 BC.

FAQs

What does a cicada tattoo symbolize?