20 Powerful Shiva Tattoos That’ll Protect You From Evil

Shiva, the god of destruction, happens to be one of the three most important gods in Hinduism. Alongside Brahma the creator and Vishnu the preserver, Shiva offers happiness, mental health, prosperity, and progress to those who worship him.

Many Hindus choose to get Shiva tattoos because they see him as a powerful protector who can keep them safe in the eyes of evil. Shiva tattoos are a great way for you to show your devotion and express your spiritual connection to Shiva.

Whether you get a smaller, simpler tattoo of a symbol associated with Shiva or a bigger, bolder portrait of Shiva, your tattoo can be seen as a visual representation of your consistency and commitment. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite Shiva tattoos to inspire your next ink.

1. A Shiva tattoo on the arm

When you’re adamant about expressing your spirituality through body art, you might want to go all out and get a delicate, detailed tattoo that stretches across your arm. A Shiva tattoo can protect you from everything you’re scared of and remind you of your worth.

2. A simple Shiva tattoo on the forearm

A simple Shiva tattoo can do the same! When you don’t want to spend too much money, time, or effort on a tattoo, you might want to opt for something smaller and simpler. Don’t shy away from experimenting with subtle Shiva tattoos that carry the same meaning as the statement ones.

3. A tattoo of the Shiva Trishul on the forearm

When you want to give a subtle nod to Lord Shiva, you can get a tattoo of Shiva Trishul. Shiva Trishul refers to the three-headed spear that represents the holy Trinity of the Hindu religion. A tattoo of Shiva Trishul looks equally good in a simple design or a combined concept with elements like mantra or rudraksha.

4. A detailed Shiva tattoo on the inside of the arm

We’ve got another detailed Shiva tattoo coming your way! Shiva tattoos are wearable and versatile, and you can make them your own by adding elements that amplify or completely change the meaning of the tattoo.

5. A wrap-around tattoo of Shiva

Wrap-around tattoos are a great way to permanently embellish a part of your body. They’re typically placed on your arms or your legs, but you can get them pretty much anywhere you want them. A Shiva tattoo around your arm can be your way of letting everyone know that you’re devoted to your faith.

6. A tattoo of Shiva Damaru on the inside of the arm

Shiva Damaru or Damru carries quite profound symbolism in Hindu mythology. With a Damaru tattoo, you can channel the cosmic sound energy and the rhythm of the entire Universe. Damaru also represents the creation and destruction of the Universe.

7. A wrap-around tattoo of the Shiva Trishul

We’ve got another wrap-around tattoo for you! Wrap-around tattoos are awesome because you can make them your own with a few simple tweaks. Whether you add ornaments, mandalas, or other elements that speak to your heart, you can make your Shiva tattoo much, much better.

8. A tattoo of Shiva elements on the arm

When you don’t want to get Shiva’s face tattooed on your body, you can opt for a tattoo of Shiva elements. What do we mean by that? With a tattoo of Shiva Trishul, Shiva Damaru, or Om, you can send the same message you would with Shiva’s *actual* face.

9. A blackwork wrap-around tattoo of Shiva

Blackwork tattoos are perfect for tattoo-getters who prefer the dark, moody aesthetic. Blackwork tattoos are typically deemed protective and sacred, and that’s why they’re the perfect style to choose when you’re planning on getting a Shiva tattoo.

10. A geometric Shiva tattoo

We can say the same thing about geometric tattoos! Geometric shapes like lines, circles, and triangles work wonderfully with all Shiva elements.

11. A tattoo of Shiva elements on the hand and fingers

What about a Shiva tattoo on the hand? When you’re picking the perfect placement for your tattoo, don’t shy away from experimenting with your hands. We do, however, need to underline that hand tattoos are almost always on display which might be something you need to keep an eye on.

See also: 21 Enchanting Evil Eye Tattoo Ideas To Ward Off Negative Energy

12. A Shiva tattoo on the neck

A Shiva tattoo on the neck might be a bold move, but that’s what neck tattoos are for! When you’re itching to show the world your devotion to your faith, opt for a neck tattoo of Lord Shiva or Shiva elements.

13. A small and simple Shiva tattoo

Small and simple tattoos can pack a punch, too! Whether you’re a modern minimalist or afraid of getting a full-blown work of art etched onto your body, you might want to go with a tiny tattoo of Shiva’s face or Shiva elements.

14. A Shiva tattoo on the inside of the arm

Arm tattoos are popular for a reason, but you shouldn’t overlook the beauty of inside-of-the-arm tattoos, either. They’re great for when you want to conceal your tattoo, but they’re also great for showing off. They’re a step in the right direction when you’re struggling to choose the right placement, too.

15. A Shiva tattoo on the back

What about a Shiva tattoo on the back? When you’re willing to “go big or go home,” we suggest you opt for a back tattoo and work with your tattoo artist to come up with a worthy design. We love the way this one turned out, too!

16. A Shiva tattoo on the face

While face tattoos might be “a bit much” to most tattoo-getters, we’d argue that they’re worth your while. With a face tattoo, you’re sending a message to the rest of the world that you don’t care about what anyone thinks of you and that you don’t abide by anyone’s rules.

17. A Shiva tattoo on the fingers

A finger tattoo? Absolutely! When you’re excited to show off your new ink, always opt for a finger tattoo. A finger tattoo will allow you to wear your ink like jewelry and show everyone that you aren’t afraid of speaking up about your faith.

18. A circular Shiva tattoo

We’re obsessed with this design! Whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced body art enthusiast, you can’t deny that this tattoo design makes perfect sense. Shiva tattoos look great when combined with geometric elements, mandalas, and ornaments.

19. A mandala Shiva tattoo on the upper arm

We can’t forget about upper arm tattoos! When you’re struggling to pick the right placement for your tattoo, you can always go with an upper arm tattoo. What do you think?

20. A blackwork Shiva tattoo on the back

We’re ending the article with a blackwork Shiva tattoo on the back. Whether you’re a fan of black outlines or you want to make sure everyone sees your tattoo, you can always opt for something like this and see what happens!