People Are Getting Covid-19 Tattoos And Here Are 30 Of The Most Creative Ones
Inking your skin is just one last step in the journey of giving yourself a tattoo. In reality, it all starts from hours spent browsing tattoo ideas and annoying your friends with an endless stream of "what do you think?" images.
And our love for ink has never been so big. A recent study has shown that 30% of Americans have at least one tattoo, which is five times more than eight years ago.
But many people have found a source of inspiration in the recent pandemic. In fact, coronavirus-themed tattoos are becoming a quirky sub-genre which represents everything we’ve been living with in the past months. From tributes to front-line doctors to the holy symbol of pandemic chaos, a toilet paper roll, scroll down for the best ones as compiled by Bored Panda.
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Today I got this design tattooed, it is Banksy's tribute to Covid doctors - a child who chooses the doctor among the heroes to play with!
Just a quick little jammer about how we all feel about 2020
Bored Panda reached out to Josh Young, a professional tattoo artist and owner of Highwater Gallery, Swansea to find out more about the ink on skin industry in the times of the pandemic.
Josh said that even though he hasn’t seen a rise in coronavirus-inspired tattoos himself, he's witnessed a few tongue-in-cheek ones, like “‘I survived COVID 19’ in a banner, or a twist on the traditional woman by adding a nurse outfit and a mask.”
“There will probably be a lot more being done in the next few months, after things get back to some form of normality. It’s all quite fresh at the moment and no one really knows which way this pandemic will go.”
Tattoo for the doctor, inspired by the current situation in the world, based on a drawing by @engelhardt_art
Having said that, Josh stays skeptical as to whether the coronavirus is a good source of inspiration. “The fact is, people have passed away due to it and I don’t think it’s particularly nice to use it as inspiration for a tattoo idea, unless done in a positive way.” But the artist said it’s not up to him to tell people what to get.
On the other hand, Josh has seen good coming out of the crisis too. “I’ve seen a few tattooists who have offered discount tattoos to key workers during this whole pandemic, which is a positive thing to come out of it and a way of giving back to those who have been on the frontline.”
Let's be responsible in this situation. Take care of yourself and let us take care of the most vulnerable.
He wanted to surprise his wife with this tattoo that represents her for all the effort and sacrifice she has made and there is still to be done in this stage that we are all living. Thank you very much for the creative freedom and the good time!
Some people go home to their families. Some people´s pets are their only family.
Since during the lockdown, all tattoo shops were closed, many businesses have had no choice but to stand still. But now that many salons have reopened, Josh said “there has been a huge increase in bookings and work.”
Josh believes that the “lockdown gave people a lot of time to plan their tattoo, a lot of tattooists were in touch with their regular clients and could discuss potential ideas and concepts.”
He also said this may be due to the fact that people stayed inside and saved some money that they can now put towards getting some ink art done.
Last week's tattoo for an emergency nurse at Jove hospital. Thank you very much and thank you very much for the work you do.
The only kind of germs you DO want right now!
This depicts the spirit of nursing. but not the exhaustion, dispare and depression caused by Covid-19.
Okay... personally, I would have gone for something more symbolic rather than literal.
Note: this post originally had 113 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
Don't get me wrong. I like some of these designs, many of them are cool. Also, I understand why someone may want to have covid-theme tattoo (it's generation-defining situation, after all). Nonetheless, I find this post kinda funny, because it's like: "So, I have to stay home and avoid unnecessary social interactions...? LET'S MAKE A PROFESSIONAL TATTOO, 'CUZ WHY NOT!" Kinda hypocritical, especially when it comes to the ones made as tribute to healthcare professionals.
I know! More people are getting tats right now then I've ever seen!
Because if they do it after, it'll become oldfashioned.
Why not? You're living through a time that's going to be taught in history class at some point.
Monday, I'm not saying to not do do covid tattoos. But not right now. Not when we have to stay home. One can get one when it will be safe, not necessarily in this very moment, when they put their families and themselves in risk unnecessarily going outside. It's not like the tattoo cannot wait a few months until we'll have this pandemic more under control or even better, until it will be over.
I honestly think this is super dumb! Why would you want to permanently have something on you for life that will remind you of dealths, depression, isolation, lock downs, etc!! It doesn't make sense at all to me.
I have mixed feelings about this post, but I understand why someone may want to have COVID-themed tattoo. People tend to do tattoos which remind them about important moments in their lives. And not necessarily pleasant ones, since there are many tattoos made as tribute to deceased loved ones et caetera. So, since this pandemic IS an important and in some cases life-changing situation, some people want to have this kind of tattoos as some kind of memorabilia.
I’m a hospital social worker; I have sat with grieving families, lost coworkers and feared for my own safety. I would like to get one to remember this time, remember the people and remember what really matters.
Co-worker, bout 20years ago, broken heart in barbed wire, date beneath, "I survived" underneath the date. It was the day she was raped, and served as a reminder she could endure and survive anything
It also served to open up a conversation that NO ONE was having at the time. She helped me a lot, just because I asked about her tattoo
Tats are extremely personal and important to the owner. It’s living art that can help the owner manage, deal with some of the challenges of their lives, and successes. It’s a chance to memorialize a time, person or success that is very important to the owner. I can appreciate why people choose to wear their feelings. It can be a coping mechanism. Not for everyone, but, hey that’s why we are all different.
I was thinking the same. I want this to be over and push it out of my brain forever. BUT- if a loved one died, or I caught Corona and survived, I would want to commemorate it in some way.
Why not? You're living through a time that's going to be taught in history class at some point.
Don't most people get tattoos to remind them of an important something in their lives?
Most people just put the kids drawing on the fridge......
Rob Fraser Good response!
Not to be a Debbie Downer but don't they know that IT'S NOT OVER for those those that inked to say they survived? Hopefully, they will but the census is that this will be going on for a couple more years; even when we get the vaccine. I, for one, love the doctor and nurse tattoos. I would guess it's a tribute or they have a love one in the medical field.
The I survived covid ones....a little early to rejoice, id say...
Hope
So cringe....getting a tat during a panademic..
Seriously, fuck these people. They’re making it last longer.
I know it’s good sometimes to try and find the positive in a bad situation, and using humour can help. But I think a lot of these corona tattoos are distasteful. the idea of having a reminder of the thousands who have died, lost their jobs, and had their lives affected by this virus. Seems like a really odd thing to have on your body forever? Like when people get a tattoo of a gun...
Many people use tattoos as some kind of memorabilia. They do tattoos when some important event occurs in their lives. And since there are many tattoos connected to deaths of loved ones, divorces etc. the event does not have to be pleasant - it has to be important. After all, its also bad events in our lives which defines us and helps us to grow. Since COVID-19 definitely IS an important (and in many cases life-changing) event, of course some people want to have a tattoo connected with it. Kinda weird but understandable. Anyway, it is still less weird or creepy than having a tattoo of dead grandma or child, at least in my opinion.
Worked with a woman that had her rape memorialized with a tattoo, see my response to Zoe, above
Some are good but most I would not want to be walking around with for the rest of my life
I honestly don't understand why they are doing this. Such a tattoo might look funny today but in a few years it will be completely irrelevant.
Not to the owner. And that’s what tattoos are all about, the owner.
You're thinking of the Tasmanian Devil and Tweety bird tattoos. Haha
Why not? You're living through a time that's going to be taught in history class at some point. Tattoos are pretty dumb regardless 90% of the time anyway. They look great...but unless it's a memorial tattoo of some kind it's always going to end up being irrelevant.
OK, you've had your laugh - now roll up your sleeve.... and I don't mean for a tattoo.
I work in healthcare, but when (IF) this is all over, the last thing I want is a permanent reminder on my body. I mean, I get it for some people, but.
Last thing I want is to remember this &I#$%^! year.
The "I survived a pandemic..." tattoo is a bit premature, no? Sadly, there are new cases every single day. Still very scary and no clear end in sight.
Meredith Wilson what
Meredith Wilson ?
I want to burn this horrible hell-fire of a year out of my mind (I'm going to feign selective amnesia for 2020), but I understand for many people this may be a coping mechanism and a sign of resilience and strength. I have a feeling that many of the earlier tattoos which feature images of doctors/nurses may actually grace the arms of hard-working healthcare workers as a tribute to their professions.
Why would someone make a permanent tattoo of a temporary situation?
Perhaps surviving COVID-19 is something they are proud of.
Uncommon Boston what
Uncommon Boston lol
Uncommon Boston what
I just want to add that if these tattoos were inspired a lot from an artist's work, the artists should be paid too, not just the tattooist
Makes cry.
I could understand why a nurse might do this, but some of them strike me as a really odd choice... but hey, not my body.
Who the fuck gets a tattoo in a pandemic that’s nowhere near over? Maybe they’re all from NZ..
Well...some of them looks great now...but..do they realize that they will carry them for the rest of their lifes, right?
I don't like tattoos. I think it's bad to put something permanent on your body. Good grief you change your mind!
Despite the intended humour, I cannot help but feel disgusted by the sight of discoloured skin. It used to impress me as a kind of a skin disease and, wearers should not be allowed to use the public swimming pools. Now I view it as a pitiful brain deficiency. It has little to do with the skin, more with the attitude of the sufferers who voluntarily got them and display them proudly in public.
Don't worry, you have every right to think about tattoos and their owners as disgusting. I'm pretty sure there are many people who - looking at you - also thinks about your clothing style or face, or body shape or attitude as disgusting. I for example greatly despise people like you who exclaims another person has 'pitiful brain deficiency' only because they have different lifestyle than theirs. For me they're rather simply-minded and I really feel sorry for them.
the real text if you like to do it with your tattoo is......maybe a long one... Ovid mean sheep..C is see and 19 is know as the number of surrender.......all together in one line is "See a sheep surrender"
The elite will be proud. You people are waving their flag for them, they can just sit back and watch their agenda unfold.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
What a retarded idea to get a tattoo about Covid.
You should rephrase that.
Maybe read before you post????
Don't get me wrong. I like some of these designs, many of them are cool. Also, I understand why someone may want to have covid-theme tattoo (it's generation-defining situation, after all). Nonetheless, I find this post kinda funny, because it's like: "So, I have to stay home and avoid unnecessary social interactions...? LET'S MAKE A PROFESSIONAL TATTOO, 'CUZ WHY NOT!" Kinda hypocritical, especially when it comes to the ones made as tribute to healthcare professionals.
I know! More people are getting tats right now then I've ever seen!
Because if they do it after, it'll become oldfashioned.
Why not? You're living through a time that's going to be taught in history class at some point.
Monday, I'm not saying to not do do covid tattoos. But not right now. Not when we have to stay home. One can get one when it will be safe, not necessarily in this very moment, when they put their families and themselves in risk unnecessarily going outside. It's not like the tattoo cannot wait a few months until we'll have this pandemic more under control or even better, until it will be over.
I honestly think this is super dumb! Why would you want to permanently have something on you for life that will remind you of dealths, depression, isolation, lock downs, etc!! It doesn't make sense at all to me.
I have mixed feelings about this post, but I understand why someone may want to have COVID-themed tattoo. People tend to do tattoos which remind them about important moments in their lives. And not necessarily pleasant ones, since there are many tattoos made as tribute to deceased loved ones et caetera. So, since this pandemic IS an important and in some cases life-changing situation, some people want to have this kind of tattoos as some kind of memorabilia.
I’m a hospital social worker; I have sat with grieving families, lost coworkers and feared for my own safety. I would like to get one to remember this time, remember the people and remember what really matters.
Co-worker, bout 20years ago, broken heart in barbed wire, date beneath, "I survived" underneath the date. It was the day she was raped, and served as a reminder she could endure and survive anything
It also served to open up a conversation that NO ONE was having at the time. She helped me a lot, just because I asked about her tattoo
Tats are extremely personal and important to the owner. It’s living art that can help the owner manage, deal with some of the challenges of their lives, and successes. It’s a chance to memorialize a time, person or success that is very important to the owner. I can appreciate why people choose to wear their feelings. It can be a coping mechanism. Not for everyone, but, hey that’s why we are all different.
I was thinking the same. I want this to be over and push it out of my brain forever. BUT- if a loved one died, or I caught Corona and survived, I would want to commemorate it in some way.
Why not? You're living through a time that's going to be taught in history class at some point.
Don't most people get tattoos to remind them of an important something in their lives?
Most people just put the kids drawing on the fridge......
Rob Fraser Good response!
Not to be a Debbie Downer but don't they know that IT'S NOT OVER for those those that inked to say they survived? Hopefully, they will but the census is that this will be going on for a couple more years; even when we get the vaccine. I, for one, love the doctor and nurse tattoos. I would guess it's a tribute or they have a love one in the medical field.
The I survived covid ones....a little early to rejoice, id say...
Hope
So cringe....getting a tat during a panademic..
Seriously, fuck these people. They’re making it last longer.
I know it’s good sometimes to try and find the positive in a bad situation, and using humour can help. But I think a lot of these corona tattoos are distasteful. the idea of having a reminder of the thousands who have died, lost their jobs, and had their lives affected by this virus. Seems like a really odd thing to have on your body forever? Like when people get a tattoo of a gun...
Many people use tattoos as some kind of memorabilia. They do tattoos when some important event occurs in their lives. And since there are many tattoos connected to deaths of loved ones, divorces etc. the event does not have to be pleasant - it has to be important. After all, its also bad events in our lives which defines us and helps us to grow. Since COVID-19 definitely IS an important (and in many cases life-changing) event, of course some people want to have a tattoo connected with it. Kinda weird but understandable. Anyway, it is still less weird or creepy than having a tattoo of dead grandma or child, at least in my opinion.
Worked with a woman that had her rape memorialized with a tattoo, see my response to Zoe, above
Some are good but most I would not want to be walking around with for the rest of my life
I honestly don't understand why they are doing this. Such a tattoo might look funny today but in a few years it will be completely irrelevant.
Not to the owner. And that’s what tattoos are all about, the owner.
You're thinking of the Tasmanian Devil and Tweety bird tattoos. Haha
Why not? You're living through a time that's going to be taught in history class at some point. Tattoos are pretty dumb regardless 90% of the time anyway. They look great...but unless it's a memorial tattoo of some kind it's always going to end up being irrelevant.
OK, you've had your laugh - now roll up your sleeve.... and I don't mean for a tattoo.
I work in healthcare, but when (IF) this is all over, the last thing I want is a permanent reminder on my body. I mean, I get it for some people, but.
Last thing I want is to remember this &I#$%^! year.
The "I survived a pandemic..." tattoo is a bit premature, no? Sadly, there are new cases every single day. Still very scary and no clear end in sight.
Meredith Wilson what
Meredith Wilson ?
I want to burn this horrible hell-fire of a year out of my mind (I'm going to feign selective amnesia for 2020), but I understand for many people this may be a coping mechanism and a sign of resilience and strength. I have a feeling that many of the earlier tattoos which feature images of doctors/nurses may actually grace the arms of hard-working healthcare workers as a tribute to their professions.
Why would someone make a permanent tattoo of a temporary situation?
Perhaps surviving COVID-19 is something they are proud of.
Uncommon Boston what
Uncommon Boston lol
Uncommon Boston what
I just want to add that if these tattoos were inspired a lot from an artist's work, the artists should be paid too, not just the tattooist
Makes cry.
I could understand why a nurse might do this, but some of them strike me as a really odd choice... but hey, not my body.
Who the fuck gets a tattoo in a pandemic that’s nowhere near over? Maybe they’re all from NZ..
Well...some of them looks great now...but..do they realize that they will carry them for the rest of their lifes, right?
I don't like tattoos. I think it's bad to put something permanent on your body. Good grief you change your mind!
Despite the intended humour, I cannot help but feel disgusted by the sight of discoloured skin. It used to impress me as a kind of a skin disease and, wearers should not be allowed to use the public swimming pools. Now I view it as a pitiful brain deficiency. It has little to do with the skin, more with the attitude of the sufferers who voluntarily got them and display them proudly in public.
Don't worry, you have every right to think about tattoos and their owners as disgusting. I'm pretty sure there are many people who - looking at you - also thinks about your clothing style or face, or body shape or attitude as disgusting. I for example greatly despise people like you who exclaims another person has 'pitiful brain deficiency' only because they have different lifestyle than theirs. For me they're rather simply-minded and I really feel sorry for them.
the real text if you like to do it with your tattoo is......maybe a long one... Ovid mean sheep..C is see and 19 is know as the number of surrender.......all together in one line is "See a sheep surrender"
The elite will be proud. You people are waving their flag for them, they can just sit back and watch their agenda unfold.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
What a retarded idea to get a tattoo about Covid.
You should rephrase that.
Maybe read before you post????