5 Common Moth Tattoo Meanings

Image courtesy of Diogo Brandao @ Unsplash.com

Learn about moth tattoo meanings, and how you can use these designs to symbolize all sorts of wonderful meanings.

Ask your friends and family which insect they like better, between moths or butterflies, they’re almost guaranteed to choose the later.

Butterflies are often thought of as beautiful creatures, whereas moths…

Well, most people think of them of creepy night creatures with wings that flap around their outside lights all night.

But moths truly are an incredible species of insect.

They may be nocturnal creatures, often painted in darker or more neutral colors. But they can also be stunningly beautiful, with their geometric wing patterns, and offering colors a whole world of breathtaking colors and design.

They’re also symbols that carry deep meaning, and can provide a slightly deeper understanding of life.

Which is exactly why they’re a great tattoo designs. It’s also why moth tattoos are getting super popular in the tattoo industry.

5 Moth Tattoo Designs & Their Artistic Interpretation

Below we’re breaking down the symbolic meanings behind moth tattoos, and some of the best ways to get your next moth ink fix.

Whether you choose a geometric moth tattoo, a watercolor moth tattoo, a realistic death moth tattoo or any other moth tattoo design, you’ll find many of the same themes and meanings behind these gorgeous creatures.

Let’s look at just a few of the most common meanings of a moth tattoo.

#1 – Transformation

Moths have a rather interesting lifecycle. They go from being a crawly caterpillar to wrapped-up cocoons, then they emerge from a chrysalis and fly away to their freedom. In other words, a moth’s journey is one that’s all about change. Moth tattoo designs can represent transformation. Therefore people will often get a moth tattoo to represent their own new beginnings, new chapters, personal transformation, spiritual growth and endurance.

#2 – Fleeting nature of life

A death’s head hawkmoth is another extremely popular moth tattoo design that represent the fleeting nature of life. These designs are an extremely popular choice for tattoo enthusiasts who want darker elements or a grittier meaning for their new tattoo.

Image courtesy of ajmac @ Freeimages.com

#3 – Self-acceptance

Moths always persevere and persist through their life’s journey, and it doesn’t matter that they might not be as “pretty” as a butterfly. Which is why moth tattoo design often have meanings of accepting yourself exactly the way you are. A moth doesn’t care that it’s not a pretty as a butterfly. It accepts it’s life for what it is. It accepts what it looks like. And through its natural instincts, it knows what it has to do, and it never looks back.

#4 – Personal Reasons

Moth tattoos can also carry personal meaning that doesn’t include any of the above meanings. Maybe they were a deceased loved one’s favorite animal, or you’ve just always liked the way they looked. Those are also valid and totally acceptable reasons for getting a moth tattoo.

#5 – The spirit world

Because of their short lifespans and nocturnal habits, moth are often thought of as spiritual beings. In fact in many cultures moths are believed to be super-natural elements and spirits from the afterlife, coming back to visit the natural world.

Whether you associate moth tattoos with any of these meanings is up to you. But either way, these designs are just so enduring and we’re sure they won’t go out of style anytime soon.

Moth Vs Butterfly Tattoos – Which One Should You Choose?

When it comes to tattoos or any type of creative expression, what you choose is totally up to you. Both moths and butterfly tattoos are great options. These insects have amazing life cycles, from caterpillars to cocoons, and finally emerging as free flying creatures of the world.

Because of their journey and natural beauty many people link both butterfly tattoos and moth tattoos to the same meanings. Beauty, change, transformation and growth… These are just a few of the common meanings both insect designs have in common. So they can both be great options if you’re looking to get a new tattoo.

But the choice is yours. We recommend looking through books or magazines about the natural world and searching online for different moth, butterfly or insect species that you like as a tattoo design.

If you’re not sure which one to choose we recommend talking to skilled artists to see if they can help you land on a design you’ll love. You can also use our AI tattoo maker to come up with unique designs for your next ink fix.

Image courtesy of Anna Keibalo @ Unsplash.com

Moth Tattoo Meaning FAQs

Finally, let’s review a few FAQs we get about moth tattoos and their meanings from our readers.

Do luna moth tattoos have any particular meaning?

Luna moths are slightly larger and more colorful moths. They can carry many of the same meanings above. But because of their light green coloring, short lifespans and constant pursuit of light, luna moths are sometimes seen as powerful symbols of mystery, inner wisdom and intuition.

What tattoo style is best for a moth tattoo?

Tattoo style is always up to you and you can get a moth tattoo in almost any style. Death moth tattoos are often done with black ink and thick bold lines. But luna moth tattoos can look amazing as watercolor tattoos or realistic tattoos in vibrant colors. You can even get moth tattoos in traditional tattoo style with bold outlines, minimalist, dotwork or even ignorant tattoo styles. It’s totally up to you and your tattoo artist. In fact we recommend talking to your artist about the styles they’re best at doing, and then choosing a design based on their recommendations.

What does a moth tattoo mean in the LGBTQ+ community?

Because moth tattoos are symbols of acceptance and self-expression, they’re particular popular in the LGBTQ+ community. You might also find some reference that moth tattoos are associated with bisexuality. But this isn’t really true. As you should know by now, a moth tattoo doesn’t mean any one thing in particular. And you can literally choose whatever meaning for your tattoo, whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or not.