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Inked Mag Staff

October 6th, 2020

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25 Horrifying Hannibal Lecter Tattoos

Are you a fan of "The Silence of the Lambs?"

With dozens of horror movies released every year, it takes a lot for a villain to stand the tests of time and make a lasting impression on popular culture. One of those characters is Dr. Hannibal Lecter, who was created by suspense author Thomas Harris. Harris crafted Lecter for his 1981 novel “Red Dragon,” which follows an FBI profiler named Will Graham who enlists the incarcerated Dr. Hannibal Lecter to help him find a serial killer nicknamed “The Tooth Fairy.” Prior to his incarceration, Lecter was a brilliant psychiatrist in Baltimore, Maryland, however, his career was cut short after his double life as a cannibal serial killer caught up with him. Lecter would go onto appear in Harris’s next book, “The Silence of the Lambs,” helping FBI Special Agent Clarice Starling to find the serial killer nicknamed “Buffalo Bill.” That book was of course adapted into the wildly successful 1991 film of the same name, with actor Anthony Hopkins portraying Lecter. Hopkins won Best Actor at the 64th annual Academy Awards for his portrayal of Lecter, however, against popular belief, he was not the first actor to play the character.

Lecter was first played by Brian Cox in the 1986 film “Manhunter,” which was based on “Red Dragon.” So far, four actors have brought Lecter to life over five films, with Hopkins playing Lecter for 1991’s “The Silence of the Lambs,” 2001’s “Hannibal” and 2002’s “Red Dragon.” Actors Aaron Thomas and Gaspard Ulliel portrayed Lecter for 2007’s “Hannibal Rising,” which was based on Harris’s 2006 book detailing Lecter’s upbringing.

In 2013, Lecter was introduced to the silver screen through NBC’s “Hannibal,” which was based on the characters and elements of Harris’s novels (with the exception of “The Silence of the Lambs.”) The show had Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen portray Lecter and Mikkelsen earned “Best Actor on Television” at the 2014 Saturn Awards for the role.

In honor of the many decades Lecter has delighted literature, film and television, take a look at some of our favorite tattoos depicting this character in the gallery below. Then let us know your favorite Lecter movie in the comments section on social media.

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Jason from Friday the 13th for @fitness_and_puppies #mashkow #mashkowtattoo

A post shared by MASHKOW (@_mashkow_) on Sep 15, 2020 at 12:08pm PDT

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Healed Hannibal my books opening on 26th of September #worldfamousink #inkeeze #killerink #tattooarmour #fkirons #fkironsproteam #wipeoutz #atlastattoosupplies #sullenfamily #hanniballecter #hanniballectertattoo #aberdeentattoo #aberdeentattooartist #seeninthedeen #yarsontattoo #yts_aberdeen #instatattoo

A post shared by ✖Yarson✖Tattoo✖ (@yarson_tattoo) on Sep 25, 2020 at 10:51am PDT

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Hannibal Lecter for my beautiful @nattylouuu Done using @inkofcocotattooaftercare #dotwork #dotworktattoo #hanniballecter #hanniballectertattoo #silenceofthelambs #silenceofthelambstattoo #northernglory #northernglorytattoo #newcastle #newcastletattoo #tattoo #tattoos #tattoosocial #darkartists #btattooing #tattoodo #blackwork #blackworkers #blackworkerssubmission #uktta #uktattoo #tttism #skinartmag #killerink #killerinktattoo #killerinktattoosupplies

A post shared by (@staceygreentattoo) on Sep 22, 2019 at 12:05pm PDT

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New ink! I love it thanks to @niknason_tattoos and @the_parlor_workshop for the design #HannibalLecter

A post shared by Colour with Claire (@colourwithclaire) on Aug 19, 2020 at 9:06am PDT

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Hannibal Lecter…El silencio de los corderos… DETAILS. @bctattoo13 #bctattoo13 #bloodcoldtattoo #bloodcoldtattoo13 #realism #sergio13higueras #realisticart #realismtattoo #hanniballectertattoo #tattoo #tattoart #tattoink #inked #inkeeze #inkedup #instagram #mostoles #mostolestattoo #mostolescity #tattoomostoles #madrid #madridtattoo #alcorcon #alcorconcity #alcorcontattoo #thebestspaintattooartists #tattoos #tattooedmen #thortattoo #tattoink #thebesttattooartists #thelastbesttattoo

A post shared by SERGIO13HIGUERAS (@sergio13higueras) on Sep 9, 2017 at 4:07pm PDT

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TATTOO BY @juanguillermo_moreno • • • • • • Alcatraz Tattoo Hannibal Lecter Healed/curado realizado con @starbritecolors @protonstencil #hanniballecter #hanniballectertattoo #healedtattoo #tattoo #sullenart #realism

A post shared by The Best B n G Tattoo Page (@the.best.b.n.g.tattoo.page) on Sep 22, 2020 at 11:47am PDT

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“Without death, we’d be at a loss. It’s the prospect of death that drives us to greatness.” -Hannibal Lecter Can’t wait to finish this rad horror based leg sleeve! Thanks for looking! Repost from 2019 #hannibal #hanniballecter #hannibaltattoo #hanniballectertattoo #silenceofthelambs #horrortattoo #girlswithtattoos #inkedwomen #girlswithink #colorrealism #colorrealismtattoo #ink #inked #tattoo #tattooed #tattooartist #artist #utahartist #utah #art #jasenworkman #humblebeetattoos #humblebeestudios #h2ocean #h2oceanloyalty #aftercareh2ocean #eternalink #eternalinksponsoredartist #saniderm #sanidermsponsoredartist @jasenworkmantattoo @humblebeetattoos @aftercareh2ocean @eternalink @saniderm

A post shared by Jasen Workman (@jasenworkmantattoo) on Sep 2, 2020 at 2:00pm PDT

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Check out this incredible Hannibal Lecter piece by @rickyclipz!! SWIPE ➡️ to see more! . Ricky loves doing small detailed tattoos. To book an appointment with him, email him at inkbyrick@gmail.com or text him at (214) 477-0321. . . . #hanniballectertattoo #smalltattoos #realismtattoo #dallastattooartist #dfwtattoos #dallasartist #dallastx #addisontx

A post shared by ➕Genesis Tattoo Studio➕ (@genesis.tattoo.studio) on Sep 2, 2020 at 10:00am PDT

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#hannibal #hanniballecter #hannibaltattoo #hanniballectertattoo #hannibalportrait #acab #acabtattoo #portraitphotography #portraittattoo #realistictattoo #tattoorealistic #movietattoos #tattoopassion #tattoo #tattoos #tat #lukaszbejtu #lukasbejtu #bejtu #bejttattoo #instaphoto #intenzepride #intenze #cheyennetattoospirit #cheyennesolluna

A post shared by Lukasz Bejtu (@lukaszbejtu) on Aug 6, 2020 at 12:44am PDT

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Did this portrait of Anthony Hopkins as Dr Lecter today. Today marks the 3-year anniversary of the final episode of Hannibal airing on NBC. Would love to do one more pass on this if I get the opportunity once it heals. Thanks Mark for sitting through a pretty brutal inner arm session today #worldfamousink #hustlebutterdeluxe #fkirons

A post shared by Bryan Merck (@bmerck_ink) on Aug 29, 2018 at 7:27pm PDT

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-crius- RIFFS . . . . . @anthonyhopkins #hanniballecter #hanniballectertattoo #reddragon #canibal #psychology #tattoo #tatuajes #tatuaje #realism #realistictattoo #tattoorealistic #realismtattoo #fullcolortattoo #fullcolor #color #photography #portrait #ink #inked #actor #holywood #movie #horror #sicologia #cheyennetattooequipment #solnova #tatuadoresmexicanos #mexico #monterrey #nuevoleon

A post shared by Crius Monsivais (@crius_monsivais) on Jul 8, 2020 at 10:02am PDT

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#hanniballecter #hanniballectertattoo#tattooinspiration #tattooing#portraittattoo#portrait#hannibal#tattoos_of_instagram #tattoocollector #tattooidea#tattoosociety #tattooartist #praguetattoo#praguetattooartist #

A post shared by Tomas.ink (@tomas.ink) on Jun 6, 2020 at 11:11am PDT

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Is it just us or has everyone else also been binge watching their horror favorites during quarantine? & @roxy_trocar_tattoo . . . . . . . #hanniballecter#hanniballectertattoo#scarymovie#pennywise#it#itmovie#ittattoo#pennywisetattoo#horrorart#horrortattoo#color#stephenking#tattoos

A post shared by (@darkheritagetattoo) on May 9, 2020 at 5:29pm PDT

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¿Han dejado de llorar los corderos, Clarice? Porfa compartanlo con sus amigos ‍♂️ recuerden no dejar su piel en manos de cualquiera #realismotattoo #realistictattoo #tattoo #portrait #portraittattoo #blackandgreytattoo #tinnytattoo #hanniballecter #hanniballectertattoo

A post shared by Tolerable a la vista… (@elzartattoo) on Apr 28, 2020 at 7:49am PDT

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This adorably creepy Hannibal kewpie was done by the lovely, @scrim.shaw! Who would you get a kewpie tattoo of? ✨ . . . #damasktattoo #seattle #seattletattoo #seattletattooartist #tattoo #tattooartist #ink #inked #tattooideas #tattooinspiration #femaletattooartist #femaletattooist #ladytattooers #ladytattooer #vegantattoo #vegantattooartist #veganfriendly #veganprocess #kewpie #kewpietattoo #hannibal #hanniballecter #hanniballectertattoo #silenceofthelambs #movietattoo #dolltattoo #colortattoo #colortattooartist #armtattoo #horrortattoo

A post shared by Damask Tattoo (@damasktattoo) on Feb 8, 2020 at 3:39pm PST

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☠ HANNIBAL VOORHEES ☠ We started freaking dope sleeve project, and got a good start on it. Thanks for trusting on me and travelling for this @ilarihenrik. See you soon man #hannibaltattoo #hanniballectertattoo #jasontattoo #jasonvoorhees #hannibal #hanniballecter #jason #jasonvoorhees #darkthrash #darkthrashtattoo #pori #revityin #kokemäki #tuhoaja Done with @eztattooing needles @vikingink @viking_inks Inks

A post shared by Jyrke Savolainen (@jyrke_savolainen) on Jan 30, 2020 at 8:37am PST

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Did this design over the weekend at the @tattoo_tour won Best of Day Friday . . Done using . @fkiorns @fusionink @stencilstuff @h2ocean @dermalizepro @dipcaps @tattsoul @west_phoenix_delivery . · #tattoo #watercolor #hanniballecter #silenceofthelambs #tattoos #art #hannibal #tattooartist #tattooed #illustration #jodiefoster #tattooart #watercolorart #claricestarling #ink #artist #hanniballectertattoo #anthonyhopkins #inked #watercolour #silenceofthelambstattoo #tattooing #hanniballectermask #thesilenceofthelambs #tattooist #tattoolife #tattooer #watercolors #silenceofthelambsmoth #tattoodesign

A post shared by Abstract Watercolor Tattooer (@derekscottart) on Nov 6, 2019 at 4:04pm PST

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Done with #eliteneedlecartridge by @bukkake_tattoo #eliteneedles #elitecartridges #colortattoo #thesilenceoflambs #hanniballecter #realistictattoo #tattooideas #inkstagram #colortattoos #portraittattoo #tattooed #tattoostyle #tattooartist #tattooartwork #tattoo #tattoolovers #tattoomagazine #colorportraittattoo #tattoos #realistictattoos #tattoosleeve #thesilenceofthelambs #hanniballectertattoo #inked #inkmagazine

A post shared by ELITECartridges (@eliteneedle) on Oct 7, 2019 at 6:38pm PDT

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#hannibal #hannibaltattoo #hanniballecter #hanniballectertattoo #thesilenceofthelambs #blacktattooart #blacktattooing #blacktattoos #blackworkers #blxckink #blackworkerssubmission #blackink #blackinblack #tatuaż #dziara #yana_oparty #gdańsk #sopot #gdynia #gdansktattoo #polandtattoos #polandtattoo #inked #tats #tattoolover #instatattoo #minimalarchive #minimalismtattoo #linework #lineworktattoo

A post shared by Yana O’Party Tattooer (@yana_oparty) on Mar 1, 2019 at 3:19am PST

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Done @lemondialdutatouage by @dermhospitalthomas #thebesttattooartists #tattooworkers #tattooistartmag #risetattoomagazine #tattoosnob #amazingtattoos #skinart_collectors #doll #maydaytattooco #tattoolifemagazine #tattoosofinstagram #inkaddict #madtattoomagazines #inkedlife #tattoodo #tattooed #realistictattoo #dermhospitaltattoo #hanniballectertattoo #lemondialdutatouage #tattoooftheday #frenchtattoo #frenchtattooartist #anthonyhopkins #tattooartmag #balmtattoo #grenobletattoo #tatouagemagazine #tattoofrance

A post shared by D H T / Tattoo Shop (@dermhospitaltattoo) on Feb 17, 2019 at 11:23am PST

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“Whenever feasible, one should always try to eat the rude.” -Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Thank you, Chelsea What’s your favorite #silenceofthelambs quote?

A post shared by Stacey Martin Smith (@staceymartintattoos) on Jan 16, 2019 at 6:23pm PST

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•Werbung/advertisement• Now and then I love doing Neotraditional so here you go. Hannibal Lecter for Jessi. Thanks! #elektrotinte #elektrotintetattoo #tattoo #cologne #colognetattoo #kölntattoo #tattooköln #tattoocologne #kölle #kölnergram #blutjugend #philkaulen #neotraditional #neotrad #hannibal #hanniballecter #hannibaltattoo #hanniballectertattoo #neotraditionalportrait

A post shared by @ blutjugend on Dec 17, 2018 at 11:21am PST

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#tattoosleeve work in progress including a #pennywise #tattoo wrapped around the back which we’ll wait and see for the whole video once done. #horror #horrorsleeve #horrortattoo #pennywosetattoo #ittattoo #jasonmask #jasonmasktattoo #fridaythe13thtattoo #movietattoo #horrorfan #hanniballecter #hanniballectertattoo #bloodtattoo #scarytattoo #clowntattoo #freddyvsjason #freddyvsjasontattoo #femaletattooartist #femaletattooer #aztattoo #aztattooartist #arizonatattoo #arizonatattooer

A post shared by Kaitlin Dutoit (@tattoosbykaitlin) on Sep 27, 2018 at 6:11pm PDT

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Hannibal Lecter Done by @marek_hali #inkjectanano #tattooartists #tattooed #tattoo #tattoos #tattooing #inkedsociety #tattooinsta #instatattoo #colourtattoo #realism #realistictattoo #realistictattoos #tattooworkers #tattoowork #hanniballecter #hanniballectertattoo #anthonyhopkins

A post shared by Hali Tattoo Studio (@halitattoostudio) on Aug 7, 2018 at 6:45am PDT

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Hannibal Lecter by Karlito #ink #inked #inkart #tattoo #tattoer #tattooed #tattooart #tattooartist #tatts #tatuaż #hanniballectertattoo #warszawa #warsaw #warszawatattoo #warsawtattoo #ursynow #sunskinstilo #victorportugalcartridges @arstattoo @victorportugalneedles @sunskintattoo

A post shared by Karlito.ink (@karlito.ink.tattoo.warszawa) on Jul 13, 2018 at 3:04am PDT

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