There are many different types of moths (in this article, we are only talking about moths. If you’d like to know about traditional butterfly meanings, click here) from the atlas moth to the classic death moth, they are a great first tattoo or as an addition to an existing sleeve.

Moth tattoos are not attributed to a specific era of tattooing, however, they became a popular choice during the rise of traditional tattooing in the 19th century.

Even though moths are widely considered as butterflies’ opposite as they are nocturnal, they are a strong symbol of light and metamorphosis. 

Moths come from caterpillars and are drawn to light. As such, they can represent transformation, resilience, personal growth and determination. 

Moths are rooted into traditional tattooing, and can be styled to fit a finer line style of traditional tattooing, or a bold, black and grey and even colour style. 

Moth tattoos are a great first tattoo, or addition to a sleeve, with their placings best as a chest piece, upper thigh, above or below the knee.

They also fit most styles of tattooing but particularly stand out if tattooed in a bold traditional style. 

They are beautiful on their own but can be complimented by traditional flowers, ferns and other nature elements. 

Here at Louielou Tattoo, we pride ourselves on excellent work from the very first contact to the final tattoo.
We offer free face to face consults for large scale work, coverups and reworks of existing tattoos. 

We’re always down for some moth tattoos and can suggest the best styles and placements for you. All of our tattoos are custom drawn for each client. 

Click here if you would like to get a quote and a booking for a traditional moth tattoo at Louielou Tattoo.