If you grew up admiring the Amazing Spiderman character as I did, then getting a spider web tattoo just makes sense.
Not to burst your bubble, but the harmless spider web tattoo has many negative and positive meanings. When drawn with a skull, the tattoo is said to signify mortality, that no matter how strong you are, death will surely catch up with you. Flowers or hearts are sometimes added to the tattoo design to add a feminine aura to the whole badass look.
There are lots of other meanings of the spider web tattoo you should definitely see before getting the tattoo. Keep scrolling for all the meanings, with 65+ stunning images to choose from.
The spider web tattoo is one of the most criticized tattoos. However, this is a common tattoo people get while in prison, referred to as prison tattoos. That's why spider web tattoos are associated with incarceration and violence, racism, murder, gangs, and many other negative things. In addition, these tattoos are often viewed as dark symbols. Other dark symbols may include graves, vampires, or gothic symbols. However, today the spider web tattoo is associated with positive meanings like strength, stability, and growth.
This tattoo is popular among people in the prison systems. Lots of people get it to mark their time served behind bars. This made the tattoo gain popularity in the 1970s and 1980s.
This is also why the tattoo is associated with negative aspects like drug addiction and crime.
This also made most people assume that the tattoo is reserved for criminals since it is so popular among those serving a jail term.
In terms of prison tattoos, the spider web tattoo is ranked second just below the most famous prison tattoo, the teardrop tattoo.
The web tattoo was also a symbol of several white supremacy groups, which gives it a negative connotation. The members of these groups often inked the spider tattoos on their elbows as a sign of loyalty to their group.
In the late 1970s, wearing such a tattoo would have come at a great price. Some groups required a person to kill a minority before wearing the spider web tattoos. As a result, the tattoo has long been viewed as a symbol of racism.
Nowadays, the tattoo is associated with several positive meanings. Some get it done as a symbol of strength and wisdom, while others believe it to be a symbol of protection.
The spider web tattoo has also been linked to the Native Americans for centuries. It is linked to the spider woman, an important figure in the tribes. The spider woman usually weaves protective webs over newborns, protecting them. This is why spider web tattoos are sometimes done as a symbol of protection.
The spider web tattoos were done on the elbow as a sign of commitment to white supremacy groups. It can only be worn by members that have killed a minority.
The spider web tattoos with skulls are fierce-looking tattoo art. The design features either a web forming the image of a skull or a skull drawn above or below the spider webs.
Such tattoo designs represent death or a near-death experience. It is usually done by members of gangs as a subtle way of showing their brutal nature. The popular tattoo symbol shows people how they will end up if they try to mess with members of the gangs.
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This spider web design was usually chosen by people in incarceration or those serving a term to symbolize time spent behind bars. The body art is said to have a positive meaning. It is a symbol of rebirth, growth, and your journey towards a better path.
The web tattoos with flowers are also a feminine take on the spider tattoos. Some females that have served a term get this to commemorate their time behind bars, while others get it for the mystery behind the tattoo.
Like most tattoos, the true meaning of this tattoo is usually personal, so you should ask the wearer about the meaning if you are curious to know.
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It is believed that the heart shape on a web tattoo is a disguise. It symbolizes how the spider draws people into their web (giving an illusion of love and kindness) before they attack them. Some people get it done to mean that they've got two sides to them. A loving side that will stand by you and a mischievous side that will ruin you if you step on them.
The web tattoo with a heart is a symbol of passive aggressiveness, patience, and smartness. The spider body art is a versatile design that is done by both genders.
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The shoulder spider web tattoo was a popular tattoo among inmates or people in the prison system. The tattoo is done in such a way that it spreads from the front to the back of the shoulder usually with a spider image added to it.
Even though the tattoo is a popular prison tattoo, today it is done for the aesthetics, especially by bodybuilders. Most bodybuilders and athletes get it done because it adds a fierce look to their muscular bodies.
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Nowadays, people get small and simple spider web tattoos without much meaning. But it is believed that the simple spider web is tattooed by the most brutal members of bratvas. It serves as a symbol of the number of minority gang members that have been killed by the wearer.
It is also done as a representation of the hard life and struggles the wearer had to overcome before getting to their current positions as leaders of the gang.
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The forearm is an excellent spot to get meaningful spider web body art to remind you of the good old days.
Whether you're a fan of detailed sleeve work, or you prefer a more simple take on the spider tats, your tattoo will definitely look amazing on the forearm.
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The combination of a butterfly and a spider web shows dedication and a strong will to overcome any obstacle or challenge in life. The butterfly and spider web tattoo design is another spider web tattoo that is frequented by the ladies.
The butterfly tattoo with the web is usually done with dots and swirly lines rather than with straight lines to add an extra layer of femininity to the tattoo.
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The spider web tattoos drawn on the arm region are said to symbolize protection from negative energy. So if you would like to get a tattoo design that helps you feel protected, opt for a spider web design on the arm.
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The web tattoo on the elbow is seen as a dark symbol due to its much darker history. Members of white supremacist groups wear this tattoo after they've killed someone from a minority group.
Although the true meaning surrounding the tattoo might gross you out, members of the groups don't mind the negative symbolism behind it.
Since the elbow web tattoo has such negative associations, it is usually avoided by most people.
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A relatively painful spot to get tattoos and thus reserved for the most meaningful body art.
The spider web tattoo on the neck is a popular tattoo symbol done by the most brutal prison inmates.
Recently, it is done for aesthetic purposes. Some get it because it looks cool, while others get it for a different reason.
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The back is an amazing spot to get spider web tattoos. The space lets you add a few different symbols to your body art to create a unique spider web tattoo image.
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Most people choose these designs to display their fierce personality and love for the horror genre.
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The spider web tattoos done in the ear are unique designs. People who get web tattoos on their ears are said to be reserved, since unless you take a double glance, you'll be unable to see the design. The ear spider web tattoo also shows the struggle you had overcome in your life.
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The black widow is a highly venomous spider characterized by a bright red hourglass symbol on its back. The female black widow is known for eating her mate once she no longer needs him. The black widow spider represents strength, power, and ruthlessness.
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This is my favorite spider web tat. It is an excellent choice for all anime lovers because the design allows you to incorporate your favorite anime character into the tattoo. You can also get creative and add different symbols, like the initials or logo of your favorite anime character.
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