Inked Mag Staff

May 21st, 2021

75 Creative Circus Tattoos

Have you considered running away to join the circus?

For over 250 years, circuses have performed in cities and towns around the world—dazzling audiences with their spectacularly skilled performers. This industry and it’s worldwide boom can largely be credited to Philip Astley. Astley was an English equestrian who began putting on trick horse riding performances in London in 1768. After two years, he roped in a number of other performers to be a part of his act—including acrobats, clowns, tightrope walkers and jugglers. This became what we now know as a circus and over the next several decades, performances grew in both popularity and size.

The modern circus eventually made it’s way stateside during the 1800s, thanks to another English equestrian John Bill Ricketts. Ricketts established the first American circus in Philadelphia in 1792 and in 1793, George Washington attended one of the first performances. During the 19th century, the American circus truly hit it’s stride, thanks to innovators such as P.T. Barnum who began the freakshow movement.

Today, contemporary circuses are still very popular throughout the world. These days, circuses like Cirque Du Soleil include traditional circus performances with a central theme or story. Take a look at 75 of our favorite tattoos inspired by the past, present and future of circuses in the gallery below, then let us know your favorite circus tattoos in the comments section on social media.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jasmine Worth (@jasmineworthtattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tony Jackson (@guero_tattooer)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by René (@renemvrie)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by AGENDA CERRADA (@nelandroide)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by uncle_trashcan (@uncle_trashcan)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lucas Bento (@lucasbent0)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by LUIZA POTYR (@luizapotyr)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Maria C (@miss.crude.tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tony Perez Tattoos (@t.perez_tattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Amber (@amber.elise.tattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Andrea (@nolseytattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Hugo Carrasco (@hugotatuajesbcn)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@aaronaddamstattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Chris_Spriggs (@chrisspriggs)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jacob Lennon (@jacoblennxn)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by •SHELO• (@shelotattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by • • (@bratbabytattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @samseatattoo

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Elisia Lee (@elisialee)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by CAPA (@capa.tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by BALM TATTOO AFTERCARE (@balm_tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mica Cat (@micatattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Cherilyn Lewis (@artbycherilyn)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@badmanazzz)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Liz Marie (@ladysealegs)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jon (@oldschoolbacktattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Natia (@swamplost)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ignacio Serichol (@serichol_tatts)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by • • (@bratbabytattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Laura Egea (@lauraegea_tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@badmanazzz)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ferron Kelso (@bugdylantattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by SYLWIRA WILK (@sylwira_wilk)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@laciegga)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Grace LaMorte (@iporkedittattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lliam Noy (@lliamnoy)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by TJ Forest (@t_bird404)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kate Pila (@pila.tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Anne Shaffer (@cornkisser)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Aleksander Lien (@lienaleks)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Traditional Kings (@traditionalkings)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Beyond Tradition (@beyond_tradition)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dria Andria (@dria.andria)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ✱ ✱ (@cruel.monica)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@ohbedan_tat2)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dominick Cali (@domcalitattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mica Cat (@micatattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mica Cat (@micatattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@badmanazzz)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ➕ (@meowzen)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@silviopqno)

Editor's Picks

Culture
Beachside Bombshells

Inked Magazine’s 2024 Cover Girl competition winners strut their beauty and body art beachside.

Culture
New Kicks on the Block

Indie Ridge has created a niche riders didn’t know they wanted. And it seems to be catching on.

Culture
Rhythm on the Road

Take a spin with Rockford Fosgate for a sensational sound adventure.

newissue