16 Eye-Catching Bat Tattoo Designs With Pictures

Unleash your dark and mysterious side with this creature of the night!

Reviewed by Izzy Cullhaj, Cosmetic Tattoo Artist Izzy Cullhaj Izzy CullhajCosmetic Tattoo Artist facebook_iconinsta_icon
Written by Gracia Odile, MA Gracia Odile MA linkedin_icon Experience: 3 years
Edited by Madhumati Chowdhury, MA (English Literature) Madhumati Chowdhury MA (English Literature) linkedin_icon Experience: 7 years
Fact-checked by Shreya Mukherjee, MA (English) Shreya Mukherjee MA (English) Experience: 2 years
Last Updated on

Bats are associated with a range of gothic themes like darkness, the supernatural, and mysterious occurrences. This is one reason bat tattoos are a popular design choice for fans of eerie and spooky ideas. Bats are also the subject of popular folklore, literature, and pop culture. So, whether you revere bats or find them to be cute, getting a bat tattoo can give you joy for sure. In this article, we have listed some eye-catching designs that will resonate with your personality. Check them out and choose your pick.

Meaning Of Bat Tattoos

Bat tattoos can mean a multitude of things to those who wear them. Being a nocturnal animal, bats often symbolize the mysterious nature of darkness. Additionally, bats are quite admired for their communication abilities and their acute sense of intuition. In some cultures, they are even considered to be a sign of good luck and a long life. Thus, it is no wonder that with so many meaningful interpretations, people gravitate toward getting badass bat tattoos. Scroll down to check out our list of eye-catching bat tattoos and feel inspired.

16 Bat Tattoo Ideas With Meanings

Depending on what you like, you can choose a tattoo style from among these captivating bat tattoo designs that will speak to you.

1. Bat Stomach Tattoo

Bat tattoo on the stomach of a man
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

This simple but vibrant bat tattoo has a mysterious allure and the easily concealable placement adds to it. The black-and-grey shading, along with the bold outline and sharp detailing, make the design captivating. The bat’s scary ears, with its pointed ears, add depth to the design. The mysteries associated with darkness are easily reflected in this stomach tattoo.

2. Bat Blackwork Tattoo

Bat tattoo in blackwork on a woman’s shoulder
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

The blackwork bat tattoo on the front shoulder is indeed a stunning design. The black ink against the skin makes the design pop and enhances the dark vibe of the mammal. The bat is depicted mid-flight with its wings stretched out showing it is ready to catch a game. It shows the wearer’s appreciation of working from the shadows and pouncing to defeat an opponent when they expect them the least.

3. Bat And Moon Tattoo

Bat and moon tattoo on a woman’s shoulder
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

A bluish-black silhouette of a bat flying toward a pinkish-blue bright full moon creates a design that is both dreamy and mysterious. The watercolor style enhances its allure and urges you to delve into the narrative. The moon and bat, representing the contrast between light and darkness, come together in this harmonious design, highlighting the need for balance in life.

4. Bat Wrist Tattoo

Bat tattoo on the wrist
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

A bat tattoo is often depicted as a scary black figure with a blank, crooked face, but here we have something different. The cute and lovely blue-colored bat is a simple watercolor design that shows the playful side of the bat. This pretty design could be ideal for someone looking for a bat tattoo as a symbol of luck in their life.

5. Bat Shoulder Tattoo

Bat tattoo on the shoulder of a woman
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

The black geometric bat tattoo on the shoulder is stylish and neat. The clean, clear lines that divide the bat into different segments highlight the uniqueness of the design. It exudes a futuristic appeal. The design can also be tweaked with some colors to give it a stained glass look if you like classic, vintage designs.

6. Witchy Bat Tattoo

Witchy bat tattoo on the back shoulder of a woman
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

This striking bat tattoo on the back is definitely one of the scariest. The thick, bold black outline and realistic detailing on the face give off sinister vibes as if it is up to no good. The crooked smile and pointed ears are sure to startle anyone at first glance. Look no further if you are looking for a design that can send chills down the spine.

7. American Traditional Bat Tattoo

American traditional bat tattoo on a woman’s shoulder
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

This design is a perfect example of an American traditional bat tattoo. The bat flying toward the flowers creates a lively image, showing the animal in a harmless stance, despite its fierce reputation and cultural association with the dark. Plus, in Native American culture, a bat design represents death and rebirth, symbolizing new beginnings. Therefore, this could be an ideal design to represent your belief in trying new things in life.

8. Girly Bat Tattoo

Girly bat tattoo on the arm of a woman
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Who wouldn’t love a cute little bat caricature with big round eyes and rosy lips? This charming Kawaii design, with its neat outline and simple colors, ensures it attracts immediate attention and appreciation. The shy and adorable bat could be the perfect choice if you want to express good fortune, longevity, and happiness, as believed in Chinese culture.

9. Traditional Bat Tattoo

A flying bat tattoo on a woman’s forearm
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

This traditional-style bat tattoo adorns a woman’s forearm. It is a fresh design depicting the bat, its wings and other elements in vibrant colors. The bat appears to be coming out from what looks like a mirror, quite aware of its surroundings as it takes flight. It is simple and whimsical with a color combination that makes it stand out.

10. Bat Chest Tattoo

A flying bat tattoo on a woman’s chest
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

This bat chest tattoo is a great idea if you are looking to cover a large area of your body. The design stretches from one shoulder to the other, creating a bold statement of your love for these mysterious creatures. The bat has its wings spread wide, showing that it is ready to take flight and tackle whatever life throws its way head-on.

11. Realistic Bat Tattoo

A flying bat tattoo on a woman’s forearm
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

If you are looking to get a more detailed and real lifelike depiction of a bat tattoo, this tattoo style is perfect for you. A design like this truly captures all the features of a bat, from its wings to facial characteristics. The tattoo inked on a woman’s arm has a striking realistic appearance and symbolizes a long life and the power of smooth communication with the world around.

12. Minimalist Simple Bat Tattoo

A minimalist flying bat tattoo on a woman’s chest
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

If you are a fan of the Batman comics, then you will know that this is no simple minimalist bat tattoo, but it is the bat signal that beckons Gotham’s protector. You can get this one even if you are not a fan of this mysterious superhero and this minimalist design is simple enough and does not look scary. It looks elegant as it is etched right between the collarbone, but it works for a range of other placements, such as the back of the neck or your calf.

13. Vampire Bat Tattoo

A flying vampire bat tattoo on a man’s back
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

If you are a fan of the gothic and supernatural, a vampire bat is the right pick for you. This striking and terrifying tattoo is a wonder, once you can get past the bloodshot eyes! This bold piece that adorns the back symbolizes a thirst for life, immortality, and wild adventures

14. Neo-Traditional Bat Tattoo

A bat tattoo on a woman’s back
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

What makes this neo-traditional bat tattoo so unique are the vivid colors used here. If you’re looking for a bat tattoo design with a special touch, this is the one to go for. The tattoo is bold and artistic, with sharp lines and the smart use of red to bring about depth and intensity to the design. This one symbolizes freedom and the desire to embrace change.

15. Flying Bat Tattoo

A black and white flying bat tattoo on a woman’s back
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

This flying bat tattoo in minimalist design is inked on the back of a woman is simple and one you can never go wrong with. This one’s for all those who want to keep their tattoos discreet. However, if you feel it is too simple for your liking, you can always go ahead and add other decorative elements like flames or roses to personalize it.

16. Old School Bat Tattoo

An old school bat tattoo on a man’s back
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

If you are in for a commitment to intimidate others with your ink, this old school bat tattoo is the one for you. This tattoo exudes power just like you can see in the eyes of the bat. It is drawn on the back of a man, which is very much visible but can easily be concealed under clothing. It looks dark and spooky with its eyes wide open and wings spread.

Bats commonly feature in gothic tattoo designs, either as a standalone motif or with other elements. They are extremely versatile and there are a range of bat tattoos that you can pick from, according to your aesthetic preference. Whether you love minimalist designs or intimidating, large gothic pieces, there is a design for everyone out there. Bat tattoos symbolize easy communication, freedom, power, and a thirst for life. If you love the message that these tattoos represent, consider getting one for yourself today!

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Izzy Cullhaj
Izzy CullhajCosmetic Tattoo Artist
Izzy is an experienced cosmetic tattoo artist driven by creativity. She favors a natural approach to cosmetic tattooing that aims to enhance her client’s inherent beauty. She specializes in crafting borderless, “barely-there”, and undetectable cosmetic tattoos.

Read full bio of Izzy Cullhaj
Gracia Odile
Gracia OdileBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Gracia Odile is a teacher-turned-beauty and lifestyle writer with three years of professional experience. She has a bachelor's degree in English from St. Stephen's College, a master's in Anthropology from the University of Madras, and a degree in education from GGSIPU.

Read full bio of Gracia Odile
Madhumati Chowdhury
Madhumati ChowdhuryAssociate Editor
Madhumati is an associate editor with seven years of professional experience. She has previously worked as an editor, proofreader, and a writer with various organizations, helping her navigate through the various facets of content creation and refinement with ease.

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Shreya Mukherjee
Shreya MukherjeeBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Shreya is a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience. After graduating from Christ University, Bengaluru, she started as a writer for a non-profit organization, Bhumi, as an intern. She then wrote for a progressive content website.

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