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Death Moth Tattoo Meaning With 101+ Amazing Images for You to Try

by Sherri Owens

The death head moth tattoo symbolizes transformation, metamorphosis, and adaptation.

I've done my fair share of moth tattoos and the death moth tattoo is the most popular. Most people like to make the skull at the back of the death moth exaggerated, while some even go as far as adding a skull diagram on the wings of the moth.

There are several death moth tattoos you can get and here are the top 101+ tattoos I've come across. Before we get into that, let's look at the death moth tattoo meanings.

Death Head Moth Tattoo Meaning

Death head moth tattoo meanings vary according to different cultures. In some, the death head moth tattoo represents metamorphosis, transformation, and protection; in others, it can symbolize bad luck.

Unlike hummingbird moth and Luna moth tattoos, a death head moth tattoo is easily recognized by its intimidating looks, due to its skull-like back region. It is one of the insect tattoos that stand out from all other animal tattoos both in symbolism and uniqueness.

There are several meanings attached to death moth tattoos and we'll be looking at them below.

Symbol of Transformation

Death moths undergo the journey of metamorphosis to become grown (adults). Moths start their lives as an egg before it hatches into larvae with a protective cocoon. When it outgrows this stage, it becomes pupae before finally growing wings to become an adult.

Having to undergo such a tedious path in life, it's not surprising that this tattoo is used to express transformation.

Getting a death moth tattoo with the symbolism of transformation is usually done by people aspiring to leave their comfort zone. They want to put in the work that leads to them becoming a better version of themselves.

Symbol Of Alternative Lifestyle

Moths are nocturnal creatures that are most active at night. They use the moonlight to navigate through the dark.

A moth tattoo can be done to represent that you're a night owl or show your love for the alternative lifestyle.

The death moth image is frequently tattooed in combination with the moon. These two symbols together create a mystical, esoteric vibe.

Symbol Of Resilience

A death moth tattoo represents the strong resilience that death moths exhibit at different stages of their lives.

Before they can sustain flight as adults, they are caught up in stages where they can barely move around. To survive, they must adapt to their environment to avoid detection by predators. For example, at the larva stage, death moths have cocoons that form a protective covering around them.

In the same light, a death moth tattoo can also represent adaptation in hardship and a person who has the tattoo can be said to be strong and resilient.

Symbol Of Protection

Let's be realistic, skull images always look a tad bit scary. This is why the death moth tattoo is used as a sign of protection to strike fear in the heart of your adversaries. This is possible with the death head moth tattoo due to the unique skull-like design on their thorax.

I suggest making the skull in your death moth tattoo design a bit exaggerated to make it more intimidating.

Symbol Of Life and Death

The skull on the back of the death's head hawkmoth tattoo is said to represent the inevitable future of the end of life (death) of all human souls.

100+ Head Moth Tattoo ideas

Arm Moth Tattoo ideas

Any tattoo design looks good on the arm and death moths are no different. The long and slightly broad space of the arm works well in making the moth tattoo look great.

Another upside of the arm tattoo design is how easy it is to cover the tattoo using either long or short-sleeved tops.

You can draw your arm tattoo in different ways, depending on your personal preference, and the creativity and skills of your tattoo artist.

So, will you be getting an arm death moth tattoo? If yes, then here are some images you can recreate:

Black Death Moth Biceps Tattoo

Image by @antikvnst via Instagram

Small Death Moth Shoulder Tattoo

Image by @smallmountaintattoo via Instagram

Wolf and Death Moth Arm Tattoo

Image by @bobtyrrell via Instagram

Colorful Flowers and Death Moth Arm Tattoo

Image by @yesitattoos via Instagram

Colored Berries and Death Moth Arm Tattoo

Image by @samanthacastrovinci via Instagram

Black and Grey Death Moth Arm Tattoo

Image by @georgiemaeart via Instagram

Flowers and Death Moth Arm Tattoo

Image by @ratcult via Instagram

Black Skull and Death Moth Arm Tattoo

Image by @maxwelllacroix via Instagram

Small Grey Death Moth Arm Tattoo

Image by @sutattoosd via Instagram

Black and Grey Death Moth Elbow Tattoo

Image by @mthorpeart via Instagram

Minimalistic Grey Death Moth Arm Tattoo

Image by @skylerespinoza via Instagram

Forearm Death Moth Tattoo Designs

The forearm Death moth symbolism is said to symbolize rebirth and resilience. The forearm is usually exposed, making it easy to flex your stunning tattoo and keep the compliments rolling in.

Most forearm Death moth tattoos are large. You can also get a large forearm death moth tattoo to cover up a previous tattoo.

Crystals and Death Moth Forearm Tattoo

Image by @krissydiane_tattoos via Instagram

Geometric Skull and Death Moth Forearm Tattoo

Image by @thesawmilltattoostudio via Instagram

Dagger and Death Moth Forearm Tattoo

Image by @dejavu_tattoos via Instagram

Colored Candle and Death Moth Forearm Tattoo

Image by @travisbrucetattoos via Instagram

Small Death Moth Elbow Tattoo

Image by @fabled.north.tattoo via Instagram

Flowers and Death Moth Forearm Tattoo

Image by @loganisaacson via Instagram

Black Flowers and Death Moth Forearm Tattoo

Image by @angeloparente via Instagram

Colored Flowers and Death Moth Forearm Tattoo

Image by @frecklefriday via Instagram

Grey Death Moth Forearm Tattoo

Image by @laurenalicetattoo via Instagram

Shaded Death Moth Forearm Tattoo

Image by @artfulinkbali via Instagram

Flowers and Death Moth Forearm Band Tattoo

Image by @erikalukaart via Instagram

Black and Grey Death Moth Forearm Tattoo

Image by @song_tattoos via Instagram

Chest Death Moth Tattoo

The chest is the most versatile spot to get the death moth tattoo. It looks great on both men and women.

Most men exaggerate the skull of the death moth to make it look more masculine. A nice addition to the moth tattoo for females is the addition of flowers tattoo to the moth design which makes it look feminine and bold.

Black Death Moth Chest Tattoo

Image by @death_cloak via Instagram

Flowers and Death Moth Chest Tattoo

Image by @rubyblk via Instagram

Big Death Moth Chest Tattoo

Image by @_marcopelizzari_tattoo via Instagram

Globe Background Death Moth Chest Tattoo

Image by @mikhailandersson via Instagram

Grey Shaded Death Moth Chest Tattoo

Image by @ashli.w.tattoos via Instagram

Grey Death Moth Chest Tattoo

Image by @kaico_12 via Instagram

Roses and Death Moth Chest Tattoo

Image by @alexktattoo via Instagram

Big Black Death Moth Chest Tattoo

Image by @zhendry_tattoo via Instagram

Crowns and Death Moth Chest Tattoo

Image by @unbothered.potato.85 via Instagram

Dark Art Death Moth Tattoo on Chest

Image by @wolfleytattoos via Instagram

Stomach Death Moth Tattoo Designs

Death moth tattoo is a symbol of metamorphosis. As such, it is the perfect choice for pregnant women to get inked on their bellies. This serves as a symbol to give the unborn child strength throughout the development period.

Black Death Moth Stomach Tattoo

Image by @hauntedhattie via Instagram

Black and Grey Death Moth Stomach Tattoo

Image by @sekaf_ile via Instagram

Black and Grey Death Moth Stomach Tattoo

Image by @lilindigotattoo via Instagram

Floral Death Moth Tattoo

Image by @scrappyytattoosand_scrappyy via Instagram

Flowers and Death Moth Stomach Tattoo

Image by @monstrosity937 via Instagram

Death Moth with Leaves Tattoo

Image by @alexduquettetattoos via Instagram

Death Moth and Moon Tummy Tattoo

Image by @candibeaverart via Instagram

Death Moth and Traditional Black Work Tattoo

Image by @tattoosby.newyork via Instagram

Black and Grey Death Moth Stomach Tattoo

Image by @etzeltattoo via Instagram

Big Death Moth Stomach Tattoo

Image by @fxckinpeachy via Instagram

Back Death Moth Tattoo Ideas

The death moth tattoo on the back symbolizes the need for change and progression.

Tattoos on the back are super cool. The largest moth tattoo can be done on the back. The freedom that comes with so much space will allow you to bring your tattoo to life.

You can make your death moth tattoo unique by adding another skull to the wings. You can also add special numbers or geometrical drawings to make the design unique.

Half Moon and Death Moth Back Tattoo

Image by @andreasabyss via Instagram

Death Moth with Skulls on Wings Back Tattoo

Image by @tezp_tattooist via Instagram

Colorful Death Moth Back Tattoo

Image by @monikabooo via Instagram

Sun and Moon with Death Moth Back Tattoo

Image by @shannaleighkelly_tattoos via Instagram

Black and Grey Death Moth Back Tattoo

Image by @peter.m0llandder.basilisk.tattoo via Instagram

Skull on Death Moth Back Tattoo

Image by @cooper.ray.tattoo via Instagram

Symmetrical Skull and Death Moth Back Tattoo

Image by @ulafkrieltattooart via Instagram

Greyscale Death Moth Back Tattoo Piece

Image by @conor_kerr_tattooartist via Instagram

Colorful Death Moth Back Tattoo

Image by @babyknowles via Instagram

Death Moth Bug Tattoo

Image by @flashlyrosetattoo via Instagram

Head And Neck Head Moth Tattoos

Not everyone is a fan of tattoos done on the head or neck, but there is no denying how awesome they look.

Most people who rock the death moth tattoos on their heads are seen as bold and fearless.

If you ever dare to take a trip down the wild side, here are some daring death moth tattoos on the head and neck region for your inspiration:

Grey Shaded Death Moth Neck Tattoo

Image by @temeink via Instagram

Black and Grey Death Moth Throat Tattoo

Image by @capitolchriscook via Instagram

Colorful Death Moth Throat Tattoo

Image by @chuckieneedles via Instagram

Black and Grey Death Moth Head Tattoo

Image by @goudyart via Instagram

Black Death Moth Neck Tattoo

Image by @cleaver_tattoo_artist via Instagram

Colorful Death Moth Throat Tattoo

Image by @rempetattoo via Instagram

Dark Shaded Death Moth Throat Tattoo

Image by @c.hassardjacobsen via Instagram

Skull and Death Moth Neck Tattoo

Image by @ryanmizzentattoo via Instagram

Skull on Death Moth Throat Tattoo

Image by @leahmurff via Instagram

Black and Grey Death Moth Neck Tattoo

Image by @tawdtattoos via Instagram

Red Skull on Death Moth Throat Tattoo

Image by @mr_ink92 via Instagram

Hip Death Moth Tattoo

Thinking of getting the death moth tattoo on your hips? Here are several designs to consider, from traditional styles to more trendy and realistic tattoos.

Black Death Moth Hip Tattoo

Image by @payneandcomfort via Instagram

Cobra and Death Moths Hip Tattoo

Image by @albuquerquetattoos via Instagram

Flowers and Death Moth Hip Tattoo

Image by @gitattoos_jay via Instagram

Colored Skull and Death Moth Hip Tattoo

Image by @seanmillertattoos via Instagram

Thigh Death Moth Tattoo

You can get different types of death or luna moth tattoo on your thigh; from simple to imaginative and creative body art. What's more, thigh tattoos give you a mysterious and sexy aura.

Latin Saying and Death Moth Thigh Tattoo

Image by @ali_crawley via Instagram

Shaded Death Moth Thigh Tattoo

Image by @tintenbunkerandtattoogoldendiamond via Instagram

Message and Death Moth Thigh Tattoo

Image by @intheskintattoonc via Instagram

Black and Grey Death Moth Thigh Tattoo

Image by @honeytrap.tattoo via Instagram

Grey Death Moth Thigh Tattoo

Image by @zoegracetattoos via Instagram

Witchy Cat and Death Moth Thigh Tattoo

Image by @krissydiane_tattoos via Instagram

Black and Grey Death Moth Thigh Tattoo

Image by @casandrasantos.ink via Instagram

Planchette and Death Moth Thigh Tattoo

Image by @maia_forster via Instagram

Grey Shaded Death Moth Thigh Tattoo

Image by @tattooedbyg via Instagram

Black Death Moth Thigh Tattoo

Image by @tessa_tattoos20 via Instagram

Dark Black Death Moth Thigh Tattoo

Image by @nicdub_tattoo via Instagram

Skull and Death Moth Thigh Tattoo

Image by @cassaratattoo via Instagram

Vampire Skull and Death Moth Thigh Tattoo

Image by @inkchantedarts via Instagram

Ornamental Background and Death Moth Thigh Tattoo

Image by @lo_marie_s via Instagram

Leg Death Moth Tattoos

Slender designs work best on the legs, which is why most people opt for simple and slender tattoo designs when tattooing their legs.

The size of the tattoo doesn't have to limit the design, though. You can get creative with your design by adding any symbol of your choice to the moth tattoo.

Snake and Death Moth Leg Tattoo

Image by @phillygtattoos via Instagram

Skull and Death Moth Leg Tattoo

Image by @gross_ink_tattoos via Instagram

Grey Death Moth Leg Tattoo

Image by @tjb.ink via Instagram

Flowers and Death Moth Leg Tattoo

Image by @closeencounterstattoo via Instagram

Matching Death Moth Legs Tattoos

Image by @kaybowmantattoo via Instagram

Death Moth Below Knee Tattoo

Image by @lizminellitattoo via Instagram

Twin Death Moth Below Knee Tattoo

Image by @sweetleaf_yoin_tattoo via Instagram

Matching Death Moth Knees Tattoos

Image by @staydap_tats via Instagram

Black Death Moth Leg Tattoo

Image by @mus.tattoo via Instagram

Hand Death Moth Tattoo

Hand tattoos are becoming a trend and I can see why. The death moth tattoo art on the hands look really classy. It serves to elevate the whole style of the wearer.

If you work in a formal setting, I suggest staying away from hand tattoos, but if you must, you can get the simple and minimalistic death moth tattoo.

Here is a list of amazing death moth tattoo ideas to select from:

Black and White Death Moth Hand Tattoo

Image by @needle.mistress via Instagram

Leaves and Death Moth Hand Tattoo

Image by @lunarose_tattoo via Instagram

Black and Grey Death Moth Hand Tattoo

Image by @mat_heinzeroth via Instagram

Black Shaded Death Moth Hand Tattoo

Image by @tetuuvec via Instagram

Black and Red Death Moth Hand Tattoo

Image by @inkandneedle.eastlansing via Instagram

Black and Grey Death Moth Hand Tattoo

Image by @blotterinktattoo via Instagram

Grey Death Moth Hand Tattoo

Image by @simondevenporttattooandminorinktattoos via Instagram

Black Death Moth Hand Tattoo

Image by @pyramid_performance_ via Instagram

Flowers and Death Moth Palm Tattoo

Image by @lukeaashley via Instagram

Roman Numbers and Death Moth Hand Tattoo

Image by @erol.tattooer via Instagram

Death Moth Both Palms Tattoo

Image by @lukeaashley via Instagram

Colorful Death Moth Tattoos

Colors work well to uplift the whole look of death moths tattoos. There's no rule when it comes to the colors you can use, so choose your favorite and get that kickass tattoo done.

These are some tattoo designs to inspire you. You can switch the color to your preference to create a tattoo that resonates best with your personality.

Colorful Flowers and Death Moth Tattoo

Image by @shaynexart via Instagram

Colorful Cat and Death Moth Tattoo

Image by @sarahktattoo via Instagram

Death moth tattoo designs are no doubt awesome. Seen a design you would love to recreate? Great, just get a good tattoo artist and you're good to go.

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