Clown tattoos are super popular now. The movie IT, with the scary clown Pennywise, made them even more popular. The Joker from DC comics also uses a clown as his symbol. Because of these characters, clown tattoos can mean different things to different people.
Tattoos of clowns have deep meanings and look great in color or just black and white. What a clown tattoo means is more than just the makeup on their face. You can also
Clown tattoos are super popular, so artists have come up with tons of cool designs. To make it easier to pick one you like, we’ve put together some of the best clown tattoo ideas here.
So, what are we waiting for? Let’s take a look!
Meaning And Symbolism Of Clown Tattoo

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Clowns are famous for their bright makeup, silly clothes, and funny actions. But clown tattoos can mean different things to people from different places. They can show more than just happiness and fun. Clowns can also stand for many other feelings.
Clown tattoos can mean different things. Some people get them to show they love fun and seeing the bright side of life. But clown tattoos can also stand for secrets and the sad parts of life hidden behind a smile.
A clown tattoo can also show the scary side of life. This idea comes from how clowns are shown in movies and TV shows today.
Clowns can show how we hide our true feelings, like a painted smile hiding sadness. This can remind us of the masks we all wear. But really, a clown tattoo can mean whatever you want it to mean. It’s up to you to decide what it shows about you.
Some Cool Trivia On The Clown Tattoo

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Clown tattoos have a long history. Circus workers got them to remember their jobs. Now, people get clown tattoos to show they are funny. They also want to show they like to make people happy and smile.
Did you know there’s a word for being afraid of clowns? It’s called Coulrophobia. That means fear of evil clowns. Even the movie “It” used this idea. So, check if your friends or family have Coulrophobia before you get a clown tattoo.
Clown Tattoo Designs That Go Beyond The Circus
There are many clown tattoo designs, just like the many feelings clowns show. You can find lots of ideas online. Before you start looking, check out our special list of clown tattoo designs.
Okay, let’s take a look at these!
Sad Clown Tattoo

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This tattoo shows a clown that looks sad. You can draw tears and a frown on the clown’s face to make it even more clear. This tattoo is good for showing how you feel inside or understanding your feelings.
Clown tattoos can mean different things. They might show a love for the strange and hidden parts of life. A sad clown face can stand for deep feelings that are hidden behind a smile.
You can make your sad clown tattoo your own. Add things like white masks with sad faces or guns. You could even use words like “sad clown.” Try different colors for your tattoo. But usually, these tattoos are black and white because they are about feeling down.
Clown Face Tattoo

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Clown face tattoos are super popular. These tattoos show a clown’s face. The face can look happy and laughing, or it can look sad.
You can change the tattoo to make it your own. A popular way to do this is to use different colors. You can also use color changes, called gradients, to make your tattoo special.
Clown face tattoos look best on your arm or shoulder because the face is the most noticeable part of a clown. You can get this tattoo anywhere that shows. Ultimately, it’s your decision. For a larger tattoo, you could put it on your chest or back where it’s not as easily seen.
Evil Clown Tattoo

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Want a clown tattoo that looks scary and mysterious? Try an evil clown tattoo. It shows the clown with a dark and mysterious face. You can get this to honor scary movies. Or, it can be a way to show a deep meaning.
This tattoo can show the bad or scary parts of life because it looks evil. You can also use it to show how happiness and fear can be mixed together. It’s a good way to show all the different feelings people have.
Many fans love the Pennywise tattoo from the movie IT. If you love books, you could get a tattoo of an evil clown like Hop-frog from Edgar Allan Poe’s story. You could also choose a newer version, like the evil clown from the Dead by Daylight game.
Traditional Clown Tattoo

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If you like classic American tattoos, a traditional clown tattoo could be a great choice. This tattoo shows a clown with bright red colors and a thick black outline.
Clown tattoos are a classic part of American tattoo history. They remind us of the old days of tattoos. The way these tattoos look makes people think of the fun of old-time circuses in America.
You can make the tattoo your own by adding other designs. You could add more designs in the same old-fashioned style. Or, you could make it look like an old circus poster to give it a nostalgic feel. This tattoo looks great on the shoulder or as a sleeve on your arm.
Chicano Clown Tattoo

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If you really like Chicano culture, you might like clown tattoos in the Chicano style. These tattoos come from Chicano culture and are inspired by street art.
This tattoo shows off a traditional Mexican feeling. It’s popular with Mexican-Americans in the United States. A Chicano clown tattoo can help people with Mexican roots feel connected to their culture.
Because of where it comes from, this tattoo often includes other Mexican things. This tattoo has a graffiti look, with lots of small details, soft colors, and some thick lines. It looks really good on places you can see, like your leg or arm.
Gangster Clown Tattoo

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A gangster clown tattoo is a different kind of clown tattoo. It can show the gangster part in different ways. You might see a cigar, hand signs, guns, or other things that mean “gangster.”
This tattoo is different from how clowns are usually shown. It can also mean you don’t follow the rules or ideas of society.
You can change the tattoo to make it your own. Make it bigger or smaller to fit where you want it. You can also pick different colors for the tattoo. To show you’re different, try putting this tattoo in unusual spots, like your ribs, sternum, or back.
Clown Fish Tattoo

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Clown fish tattoos are different from regular clown tattoos. This tattoo shows a clownfish with its usual colors: yellow, orange, red, and black. You can make it unique by using unusual colors, like a clown’s makeup.
This tattoo has many meanings. It often shows love for ocean animals. It can also stand for what a clownfish means, like joy, happiness, and good luck for the person who has it.
If you like nature mixed with fun designs, this tattoo is a good choice. Fish in this tattoo are often very bright and colorful. To make sure you can see it well, get it on your forearm or as a full arm sleeve.
Scary Clown Tattoo

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Scary clown tattoos mix fun with the creepy side of clowns. These tattoos are like the bad clown characters you see in movies and shows. They often have a scary smile, blood, or a really frightening face.
This tattoo shows a clown’s sad or scary side, not the usual happy face. It’s different from what people usually think about clowns. Getting this tattoo is a way to have a special and unusual design that makes you different.
You can get this tattoo in different styles. Try adding things to make the clown look more frightening. Changing the clown’s face is a popular way to make it scary the way you want.
Clown Girl Tattoo

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Clown tattoos are becoming more popular, especially ones that show female clowns. Usually, clowns are thought of as male. But this kind of tattoo changes that idea and shows a woman as a clown.
This tattoo shows the girly side of a clown, like charm and being sure of yourself. It can also be a way to question what people think is beautiful for women. Women can use this tattoo to show their inner clown by not following old rules about beauty.
This tattoo usually shows a female clown looking happy. Instead of the usual clown outfit, you can put ribbons or a dress on the tattoo. To make it more interesting, you can also add things like tears or diamonds to the clown’s eyes.
Cute Clown Tattoo

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A cute clown tattoo is a different way to show a clown. It means being innocent and sweet. This tattoo shows the fun and easygoing part of a clown.
To show how cute it is, this tattoo often has a girl clown in it. It might show a female clown picture. The tattoo can have red cheeks, big, shiny eyes, and a happy smile. You can also pick different colors for your tattoo.
This tattoo is perfect for showing how happy you are inside. It also celebrates living without worries. It reminds you of the simple joys of being a kid. You can put this meaningful tattoo on your wrist, forearm, or arm so others can easily see it.
It Clown Tattoo

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The It clown tattoo, made famous by movies and TV, shows the scary clown Pennywise. Pennywise’s creepy smile and red balloon make people feel scared. This tattoo shows the scary things hidden behind Pennywise’s funny clown face.
Your Pennywise tattoo can show different looks, depending on how detailed you want it and where you put it. You could choose the classic clown Pennywise. Or, you could show Pennywise as a monster with pointy teeth and
If you want a large tattoo, you can put Pennywise’s whole body on your arm. Or, you can use the movie’s logo with Pennywise’s face. You could also show Pennywise holding a balloon on the back of your hand, which is his famous look.
Clown Skull Tattoo

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A clown skull tattoo mixes the fun of clowns with a scary skull. This tattoo shows how happiness and death can be connected. It reminds you to live life to the fullest and enjoy every second.
This tattoo uses bright colors like a clown tattoo, and it includes a skull. To show how life has two sides, you can put this tattoo on your shoulder. If you want a bigger design, you can get it on your chest or back.
Crying Clown Tattoo

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A crying clown tattoo is like a sad clown tattoo. It shows a clown with a frown and tears. This tattoo shows that clowns have feelings, even though they hide them behind their makeup. It represents how deep human emotions can be.
You could mix this tattoo with a scary clown tattoo. Instead of tears, the clown could have blood. Making the tattoo black and white can show how deep the feeling is. This tattoo looks great on the back of your neck, your shoulder, or your arm if you want a longer tattoo.
Small Clown Tattoo

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A small clown tattoo is a simple design that shows a clown in a tiny size. Some tattoos use just a basic outline of a clown, made with a thin line. Others have a more detailed picture of a clown, but still kept small.
Because the tattoo is small, you can’t change it much. But you can use different colors. You can also move the tattoo to different spots. Try putting it on your ankle, knee, behind your ear, or on your wrist.
Clown Eye Tattoo

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If you like things simple and clean, a clown eye tattoo could be perfect. This tattoo usually shows just the clown’s eyes with lots of detail. You can also get just the outline of the eyes for an even simpler look.
People often say your eyes show what you’re feeling inside. A clown eye tattoo really shows this, using just the clown’s eyes to express a lot. This tattoo looks good on the back of your hand or neck.
Vintage Clown Tattoo

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Old-fashioned clown tattoos are a very calming choice for a clown tattoo. This design shows a classic clown image with a brownish color and a grainy look, like an old movie. A popular idea for this tattoo is to copy old circus posters.
You can change this tattoo to make it your own. Try mixing old and new styles in the design. You could make the clown look faded. This tattoo looks great on your forearm or hand, so you can easily see it.
Cholo Clown Tattoo

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The cholo clown tattoo is special. It comes from Chicano tattoo art. These tattoos mix Mexican culture with street style. They always include a clown picture.
You can make your tattoo special by adding things like thick lines and a graffiti look. These tattoos are often bright, so you can try out different colors. Or, you can stick to the Chicano style and use only black and white.
Killer Clown Tattoo

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Like the evil clown tattoo, the killer clown tattoo shows the scary side of clowns. This tattoo often looks like famous killer clowns from movies and TV. They usually have a weapon and blood on their face and clothes.
Clown Hand Tattoo

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Clown tattoos look cool on hands. This tattoo shows a clown on the back of your hand, and it can even go on your fingers. People often use bright colors to make it look good. But before you get a tattoo on your hand, check out our pain chart for tattooing to see how much it might hurt.
Krusty The Clown Tattoo

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This cool tattoo is perfect for Simpsons fans. It shows Krusty the Clown, a famous character. He has green hair and a red nose. You can get a simple outline on your neck. Or, you can add more details and put the tattoo on your arm.
Mexican Clown Tattoo

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Mexican tattoos are a cool way to show love for Mexican culture. These tattoos mix old Mexican symbols with clown designs. You might see a clown wearing a sombrero, or a Mexican eagle on the clown’s shoulder. Sometimes, it’s just a clown with a Mexican-style mustache.
Simple Clown Tattoo

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If you like things simple, this tattoo is perfect for you. It’s a basic clown design, often just an outline. Artists usually make it with simple lines using one needle. People often get it on their wrist, neck, or ankle.
Pierrot Clown Tattoo

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Pierrot clown tattoos are very popular. They come from the Commedia Dell’arte style. These tattoos show the sad, romantic side of clowns. They often have a sad face, white skin, and black tears painted on.
Hobo Clown Tattoo

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The hobo clown tattoo is a cool way to honor the old days of the circus. Long ago, traveling performers charmed audiences. This tattoo often shows a clown in ripped clothes with a fun design. It looks best on your leg or forearm.
How To Get The Clown Tattoo From IT
Want a Pennywise tattoo from the movie IT? This video has a great idea for you. It shows how the IT clown tattoo looks when it’s put on someone’s arm.
First, the artist draws the basic shape on a stencil for the forearm. Then, they use a thin needle to carefully trace the lines. Last, they use a thicker needle to add highlights and shadows. This makes the Pennywise tattoo look real.
This video shows a cool clown tattoo design for your forearm. Even if you want the tattoo somewhere else, it can still give you ideas.
FAQs
Clown tattoos are popular now because of how they’re shown in movies. You might have questions about them. We’ve tried to answer most questions in this article, but you may still have more. Here are some common questions people ask about clown tattoos.
Question: Are there bad meanings linked to clown tattoos?
Answer: No. Clown tattoos don’t automatically mean something bad. But, some people might think of them negatively because of things they’ve seen in movies or TV.
Question: Do clown tattoos need to have lots of colors?
Answer: Clowns are often shown with bright colors. But really, the colors of your tattoo are up to you. You can get a clown tattoo in black and white. Or, you can just get the outline of the clown to keep it simple.
Question: Where is the best place to get a clown tattoo?
Answer: Just like any tattoo, where you put a clown tattoo is up to you. You can get it anywhere you like. But, it’s best to put it where you can see it, like:
Conclusion
Clown tattoos from all over the world are really cool and creative. They look great with different colors. But they also have important meanings and symbols.
If you want a clown tattoo, you can pick one from this list to make it easier. You can also change the tattoo and make your own by putting different parts together.
Go find a well-known tattoo artist and get your clown tattoo.