Scorpion Tattoos

Scorpions

Scorpions can be found throughout the world. Their habitat stretches from the southern United States clear around the globe; including Asia, Africa, South America and the Caribbean. Scorpions use venom to paralyze their prey - a scorpion will grasp its prey with pincers, then arch its tail over its body toward the victim. A stinger in the end delivers the venom.

Many people think scorpion stings are always deadly to humans. In fact, while a sting can be very painful, the danger of fatality depends on the type of scorpion. In the United States, most people recover without serious injury. However, there is one species in America that can kill, and a sting from a scorpion in Africa or Asia can be fatal. Scorpions can be brought from one region to another, so it's always best to be cautious when dealing with live scorpions.

Myths and Meanings

Scorpion symbols have identified Egyptian kings, and gods based on the creatures were thought to be healers of the living and protectors of the dead. In Babylonian myth, half-human, half-scorpion warriors were known for their fierce fighting skills. In Greek legend, a scorpion killed the archer Orion, who can now be seen as a constellation in the night sky.

The Basics of Scorpion Tattoos

In its simplest form, a scorpion tattoo is just a drawing of the eight-legged creature. Scorpions are invertebrates with hard shells. Scientists place them in the order Scorpiones in the class Arachnida, which also includes spiders. They have two large, segmented front legs which end in pincers. The body is also segmented, with six flat plates covering the soft interior. The tail, which curves up over the body, has six segments as well.

There are many different types of scorpions. Size, color, and shape differ among the different families within the order Scorpiones. To see some examples of different types, try The Scorpion Files, a web site for enthusiasts from around the world.

Scorpion tattoos often feature the insect in its famous killing pose, with pincers extended and tail curved high. The drawing can be life-like or stylized, black and grey or color. It can also be part of a larger image.

Some Ideas for Scorpian Tats

The astrological symbol for Scorpio.

If you don't want a simple, lifelike drawing, you can get as creative as you want with scorpion tattoos. You might choose to show the insect in battle, either with its classic prey (other insects or small rodents) or with an enemy of your own. You can adapt the Egyptian myth and portray the creature as a protector, or even as the guardian of a loved one's soul.

Scorpions have been inked as centerpieces of abstract designs or as abstract creations in their own right. The insect's shape can be created from flames, tribal patterns, even barbed wire. It can be combined with kanji or other lettering.

The Zodiac

People born between later October and late November may choose tattoos representing their astrological sign of Scorpio. Astrologers say that Scorpio is represented by the stones opal and topaz, the colors dark red or maroon, and the metals steel and iron. The sign's element is water. All of these things could be incorporated into scorpion tattoos.

Examples

To see examples of different styles of scorpion tattoos, try TattooArtists.org. This artist-run site has lifelike creations plus scorpions drawn in styles ranging from tribal to biomechanical to New School.

For more ideas, try the two big tattoo rating sites, RankMyTattoos.com and RateMyInk.com. RateMyInk.com is searchable and both sites have many variations on scorpion tattoos.

Sometimes the best tattoos are inspired by art in other mediums. You'll find different takes on the idea of the scorpion at DeviantArt.com, an online community of artists who post their original work. Keep in mind that anything you see here is someone else's creation, and it's copyrighted - but this site is great for ideas.