The Spider Web Tattoo: What Does It Mean? | Be Happy Get Tatted

We’ve all seen them before, countless of times again. As a matter of fact it seems that more and more these days you’ll see someone walking down the street sporting a spider-web tattoo on their elbow, hand, neck or other part of the body. But what does the spider-web tat really mean? Besides, “I’ve been to prison”.

One of the most common places to see this piece of ink is usually on the elbow. And the most common explanation for this is that its rooted in deep racism. As noted by the Anti-Defamation League, this particular area of where the web tat rests was worn by convicts in prison to symbolize the killing of minorities just to be able to wear it. White supremacy gangs would wear this tattoo as basic proof that had killed a minority. Which would also explain the stereotype that white men that have been to jail have this tattoo for that reason. Many people also believe that this tattoo represents jail time in general however, and that the rings are numbers of years spent in prison, and has also been known to mean murdering an enemy or being associated with drugs. One worn on the left elbow specifically means “stay away” and warns the passerby that this person is most likely packing a gun with them. The Russian Prison System also has a set of meaning for this tattoo. Usually in this culture it is placed in between the thumb and index or “pointer” finger, indicating drug addiction. It can also mean theif.

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A common belief is that the spider-web’s tattoo meaning has been watered down over the years, and that in today’s modern culture, it has a variety of different meanings to different people. Of course, I am a firm believer in that a tattoos meaning can only defined by its wearer, and that there’s no need to create general meanings for what is otherwise creative art. So let’s explore some of the other common meanings.

Hard Times

A lot of times if you see a spider-web tattoo with a fly in the middle of it, this symbolizes some sort of struggle you’ve gone through in your life that has been hard to overcome. Those who have had a struggle with alchohol or drug addiction are likely to have this design.

Sailor/Navy Spider-Web

The spider-web on the elbow also has the meaning of a sailor awaiting to go home so much, that a cobweb has formed from him leaning on the side of the boat. Pretty sad when you think about it, but this meaning still resonates with many people today.

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Web of Fate

Not typically the better known meaning, but the spider-web has been known to symbolize being “caught” so to speak, in life’s fate it has chosen for you. Known to be popular with bikers and biker gangs.

Feeling of Being Trapped

The spider obviously spins his or her web not only to lay eggs in, but obviously trapping its prey. The contents of their web are known to be incredibly strong. So strong you might even have a far of getting trapped in a life-size one some day! So to the meaning of this tattoo can symbolize someone being trapped in a situation, or life or some place you don’t want to be in. Maybe even like a social or political situation.

Recent And Popular

Many people now a days, especially famous entertainers like musicians or even actors, have been known to sport this tattoo simply because they like the look of it. The spider-web does have an intricate beauty to it, and most times people will get one inked somewhere on their body because they genuinely appreciate the look of it, or think its “cool”.

Vanilla Ice

No matter what the spider-web tattoo has been famous for before, its clear that its meaning has evolved over the decades, and is determined by the person who wears it just like any other tattoo.

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