8 Clown Tattoo Designs And Ideas With Meanings (2024)

Clowns are known for their playful display of emotions. Traditionally, they are known to express the harsh truths of life in a joyful way. But today, the representation of clowns has evolved and a clown tattoo can express everything from cheerfulness to sheer evilness. People often get clown tattoos to showcase the edgy, bold, and sinister aspects of life. The expressions on the clown’s face can encode several symbolic interpretations. Wondering what those are? Let us help you with that. This article discusses the different meanings of a clown tattoo as expressed by the design and placement. Keep reading to learn all about it.

8 Clever Clown Tattoo Designs

Clown tattoos are like colorful stories etched on the skin. They are not just about funny faces but they are a mix of feelings and ideas. Some see clowns and think of happiness, laughter, and just living in the moment. But for others, clowns carry a deeper meaning; they are mysterious, mischievous, and maybe even a little scary. People get clown tattoos for all sorts of reasons including their love for the circus or just because they find clowns fascinating. Whatever the reason, these tattoos are like personal paintings, showing off who you are and what you believe in. Here are a few clown tattoos that will inspire you to get one.

1. Sad Clown Tattoo

This tattoo portrays a sad clown on the upper arm. The sadness it conveys reflects that even clowns experience their share of tragedies. The tattoo can be an illustration of the duality of life. With its rich colors, realistic effects, intricate lines, and detailed painting, this tattoo stands out as a striking choice for anyone who wants to no longer hide their struggles.

2. Vintage Clown Tattoo

Clown tattoos were particularly popular in vintage times because of the appealing nature of circus and carnival traditions. In this tattoo, the selection of colors, costumes, makeup, hats, and hairstyles evoke nostalgia. These elements help represent simpler times while embodying the playfulness of clowning.

3. Gangster Clown Tattoo

When it comes to a gangster clown tattoo, everything takes on a more edgy vibe. Gangster tattoos often symbolize life on the streets, rebellion, and the pursuit of money and power. The serious expression, sharp eyes, and abstract background in this tattoo depict the darker side of this lifestyle. The intricate detailing and shading highlight the grey side of the clown. Without any doubt, this is a powerful statement for those embracing their edgy side.

4. Evil Clown Tattoo

There is nothing creepier than a clown tattoo with an evil smile – it is downright frightening. The sinister smirk hides unimaginable darkness behind it. The sharp, wicked look in the eyes is more than enough to convey the evil nature of the tattoo. Yet, many choose to get an evil clown tattoo as a bold statement, showcasing their mischievous side. This tattoo uses a combination of white, black, and red colors to create a striking and highly detailed piece of body art.

5. Scary Clown Tattoo

This scary clown tattoo is truly spine-chilling. The tinted teeth, crooked smile, and fiery, bulging eyes add to bring the dreadfulness to life. The rich and vivid colors, created using traditional tattoo techniques, make it a daring choice for those seeking to embrace the darker side of a clown tattoo. The misaligned teeth show the clown’s inclination to things outside of what is considered normal.

6. American Traditional Clown Tattoo

The American traditional clown tattoo above portrays a clown with tears and an expression that is not particularly sad. This depiction often conveys a sense of mental distress or depression. The use of the American traditional tattoo technique, with its bold colors and vintage charm, adds to the captivating nature of the design.

7. Joker Clown Tattoo

A Joker clown tattoo, inspired by the famous movie character, gives off a chaotic vibe with its creepy look and realistic depiction. The tattoo can be a symbol of rebellion and chaos. The realistic shading and coloring used in this tattoo along with the fine detailing of the hair and eyes add to the lifelike appearance and depth of the design.

8. Mexican Clown Tattoo

In Mexican gangs, getting a tattoo of a clown figure shows that you are brave and willing to resort to extreme measures if need be. It reflects the challenges of gang life in Mexican-American culture. The tattoo depicted here is a prime example, showing a sinister-looking clown with a fearless and blank expression. This fearless gaze and brooding face combine bravery with a sense of protection.

A clown tattoo is a unique design capable of depicting a range of emotions from cheerfulness to depression, even to evilness and bravery. Just like clowns themselves, these tattoos adapt to express whatever the wearer desires. They can be easily customized according to the wearer’s preference. Cheerful and vivid colors are often used to depict happy clowns, while subtle shades and darker colors help portray grave emotions. Though minimalist tattoos have their place, clown tattoos often require intricate detailing to embody all that the wearer desires. Therefore, most people prefer using vivid colors and illustrations to design clown tattoos, just like the ones mentioned in our list above!