You most probably know energy attracts energy and what we send out comes back to us. Bad luck tattoos follow this same spiritual law. Ignoring this can leave you vulnerable to negative energies and psychic attacks!
Tattoos are a bold form of self-expression. It carries your essence, your thoughts, and your energy to the outer world.
But what if we tell you that these very tattoos can also bring in energy from the outside world into your own life, and these energies can be unwelcome!
Throughout history and across cultures, some tattoo designs have been associated with bad luck, misfortune, or even doom. They are known as bad omen tattoos or bad luck tattoos.
Whether rooted in folklore, spiritual beliefs, or personal experiences, these tattoos have a reputation for bringing negativity to those who wear them. We have approached this topic from two different perspectives.
Taking into account popular beliefs of tattoo artists worldwide and also delving into the ancient Eastern wisdom of the Vedic Astrology and Vastu, we have compiled a list of 12 bad luck tattoo ideas that you should never get inked, lest you fall prey to some very sinister energy and unwittingly attract bad luck for yourself and also your loved ones.
So, if you’re ready, let’s check out the most infamous bad luck tattoos and their meanings.
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12 Bad Luck Tattoos
Here’re twelve bad omen tattoos; tattoos that bring bad luck, according to tattoo artists and Vedic spirituality:
1. Macabre Tattoos: A Gateway to Misfortune?
Tattoos featuring gory images like skulls, skeletons, grim reapers, bloody knives, bleeding hearts, and so on give off dark energy which can attract similar vibes from the spirit world.

These dark imageries become a portal and invite negativity and even accelerate misfortune. Surrounding yourself with such images can make you susceptible to unfortunate incidents.
2. Negative Phrases and Words: Words Hold Power
Words have energy, and inking phrases like “Death,” “Unlucky in Love”, “Hellbound,” “Born to Lose,” or “Doomed” on your body can attract the very misfortunes they spell out.

Carrying such pessimistic declarations on one’s body reinforces a cycle of bad luck, depression, or hardship. These unlucky tattoos are an open invite to sinister forces.
3. Broken and Inverted Symbols: Bad Luck by Design
Certain tattoo symbols, when broken or inverted, take on ominous meanings and become unlucky tattoos. For instance:
- Broken Mirror: In folklore, breaking a mirror is said to bring seven years of bad luck. A tattoo of a shattered mirror might symbolize distorted reality, broken fortunes, or a fractured soul.

- Broken Clock: A tattoo of a broken clock can symbolize lost time, missed opportunities, or even an untimely death. Many believe that wearing such an image invites delays, stagnation, setbacks, or existential struggles.

- Inverted Horseshoe: While a properly positioned horseshoe (open side up) is a sign of luck, an inverted one is thought to cause all your luck to ‘spill out.’

- Inverted Umbrella: Opening an umbrella indoors is already considered bad luck, and an inverted umbrella is associated with lost opportunities and incoming misfortunes.

- An Upside-Down Cross: While an upright cross is a religious and protective symbol, an inverted one is often linked to non-holy sentiments and dark forces, which can attract negative energy.

Steer clear from these bad luck tattoo designs.
4. The Infamous Number 666: The Mark of the Beast

The number 666 is infamous for its biblical association with the devil and the Antichrist. Whether or not you subscribe to this school of thought, many people claim that having this number tattooed invites negativity, bad energy, and even unexplained misfortunes.
5. Animal Tattoos: The Unlucky Ones
While many animal tattoos symbolize strength or wisdom, others are linked to bad omens. Such bad luck tattoo ideas include:
- Crying Cat: Often seen as an omen of sorrow, a crying cat can symbolize loneliness, despair, or bad luck in relationships.
- Scorpions: These poisonous creatures are associated with betrayal, revenge, and danger, making them a symbol of bad luck in many cultures.
- Snakes: While some view snakes as symbols of transformation, others associate them with poisonous energy like deceit and treachery.
- Bats: In Western superstition, bats are linked to darkness, fear, and misfortune.
- Eagles and Owls: Though majestic, these birds are often considered harbingers of death and misfortune in various cultures.
6. The Valknut or ‘Death Knot’: A Deadly Defeat?

This ancient Norse symbol consists of three interlocked triangles and is associated with Odin, war, and death. It is believed to be linked to fallen warriors and can symbolize an untimely or violent death, making it a risky choice for a tattoo.
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7. Unfinished or Incomplete Symbols: An Invitation for Bad Luck
Tattoos that are left incomplete intentionally or unintentionally or contain missing elements are thought to bring bad luck.

An unfinished dragon tattoo or an incomplete yin-yang or eternity symbol might bring unbalanced energy, sudden endings, unresolved matters, broken paths, or eternal incompletion in life.
8. Wrong Placement of Religious Symbols: An Offence Against Spirit
Religious tattoos must be placed with utmost sincerity and caution. For instance, placing a sacred Hinduism symbol like “Om”, an image of a deity, or a sanskrit hymn below the waist or near the feet is considered sacrilegious and can lead to bad luck or spiritual retribution.

Such tattoos should be inked on arms or chest.
9. Crying or Unhappy Face: A Lifetime of Tears?

Some believe that a tattoo of a crying or unhappy face locks the wearer into a cycle of sadness or despair, reinforcing negative emotions throughout life.
10. Your Significant Other’s Name: A Love Curse?

A name tattoo might seem romantic, but many believe it jinxes relationships. Tattoo artists suggest that tattooing a partner’s name often leads to breakups or divorce, as if tempting fate to prove the love wrong.
11. Sigils Related to Dark Magic: Inviting the Unknown
Sigils and occult symbols are often used in rituals, and their meanings are esoteric and complex. They are often used as a seal to contain magical intent or conjurings.

Tattooing these symbols without understanding them can invite unwanted spiritual consequences or dark energy plays.
12. Evil Eye Talisman: Protection or Curse?
The Evil Eye is meant to ward off negative, toxic, harmful, or envious energy, but if it’s directly looked at, it sends out powerful vibrations that can bring bad luck and misfortune to the one who is looking at it, especially if their energy is not balanced or grounded.

The idea is this talisman protects the wearer by repelling negative forces away from them. Looking at it directly can have an adverse spiritual effect on people around you.
Portal To Hell?
Tattoos not only carry your identity, they also carry your energy and attract similar vibrations from around.
They can be portals of very powerful energetic plays. Be careful what message you’re sending out to the Universe; you might open some doors that you cannot close easily!
So, these are the bad luck tattoos, according to tattoo artists and spiritual practitioners. Are you sporting a bad omen tattoo? Can you add on to this list of unlucky tattoo ideas? Please leave a comment below and let us know your story!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are some bad luck tattoos?
Some common bad luck tattoos include a crying cat, a crying face, a broken mirror, a death knot, an inverted cross, or any text or image that’s gory or invokes sadness.
Does a tattoo attract negative energy?
Tattoos are designs and words, which can be very powerful and act as a catalyst for negative energy by invoking their power.
What are some symbols for bad luck?
Some common symbols for bad luck include a broken mirror, inverted horse shoe, open umbrella indoors, etc.

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