The connotation for spider web tattoo designs has tended toward criminal tattoo and the prison gang culture of symbolic ink.
In modern times the meaning of Spider web tattoos is changing; they’re useful filler for joining up American traditional tattoo style designs or used in tattoo dreamscapes linked to Native American tattoo art.
An intricate spider web tattoo is useful for the tattoo enthusiast looking to showcase complexity in their ink choices, and due to the difference between black spider ink and negative space, can be excellent designs on hard to ink areas such as the elbow, patella, armpit and neck, or as a joining image in a sleeve tattoo.
While spiders – commonly the black widow spider – are often implemented in this kind of tattoo, they’re not necessary in every spider web design. Their size varies drastically, but the eye-catching style of a spider’s web remains intact at any proportion.
As proof of their prowess, the 79 spider’s web tattoos on our docket are certain to pique the interest for spider man – or spider woman’s – next trip to a friendly tattoo artist.
1. Leg Spider Web Tattoos
2. Neck Spider Web Tattoo Design
3. Forearm Spider Web Illustration
4. Upper Arm Spider Web Art
5. Shoulder and Chest Spider Tattoo
6. Elbow Spider Web Tattoo Design
7. A Cobweb on the Knee
8. Unique Spider Web Tattoo Illustration
9. Spiderweb Tattoo on the Arms
10. New School: The Palm Spider Web Tat
Spider Web Tattoos FAQs
Are spider web tattoos prison tattoos?
The spiderweb tattoo has a lot of different meanings but is most often associated with a criminal tattoo signifying the process of doing time in prison.
One meaning of the spider web symbolizes being trapped and tangled in the prison system, or having cobwebs form due to inaction and inactivity that comes with spending time in a cell.
However, there’s another even more disturbing meaning tied to prison and criminal tattoo, with the spider web being tied to white supremacy – both inside and outside of the prison system.
According to the Anti-Defamation league, who track body art symbolism in white supremacy groups, to be a bona fide white supremacist one must have killed a minority to earn a spider web tattoo. The spider web is similar in meaning to the teardrop tattoo which is popular for killers in Latinx and African American prison tattoo symbolism.
Are Spiderweb tattoos popular in American traditional tattooing?
Spiderweb tattoo designs are applied as simple filler for art enthusiasts in the American traditional style. They’re especially popular when placed along hard to ink areas such as the elbow, patella, and armpit.
In modern times, they’ve also been deployed in quick-to-do promotions a tattoo artist may utilize for days such as Halloween, or Friday the 13th.
What other meanings do Spider web tattoos have?
Spider webs are considered sacred numerous Native American groups, and they are directly linked to dreams. They come with countless shamanic connotations. A spider web tatt can indicate a wearer who is a shrewd strategist that likes to set traps for his prey.
The tattoo meaning of Spider web ink can be amplified by the presence of an actual arachnid, but this inclusion is purely optional. If you do include a spider, there are plenty of species to choose from and are popular subjects in Gothic and photorealism tattoo styles.
Which type of spiders are popular for in tattoos?
In the US the black widow spider is by far the most popular spider tattoo for use in conjunction with spider web designs. In Australia, you’d get a different answer as iconic arachnids such as the Funnel Web, and hectic looking red back spider, take pride of place on top of the roster of eight legged monsters.
Did you enjoy these cobweb and spider tattoo ideas? Are you looking at other designs for your tattoo artist to fill in that difficult to ink area? Check out the links below for more awesome tattoo art galleries: