Inked Mag Staff

May 13th, 2022

75 Groovy Lava Lamp Tattoos

These artists put all their creativity into these funky lava lamp tattoos.

1963 was a big year for our little blue planet. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The first woman, Valentina Tereshkova, went to space. Elizabeth Taylor’s “Cleopatra” hit the big screen. And the lava lamp, now a beloved icon of retro decor, was invented, inspiring everything from lavalamp tattoos to psychedelic art movements.

The lava lamp was invented by British entrepreneur Edward Craven Walker, who founded the lighting company Mathmos in the same year. Lava lamps contain colored wax suspended in liquid and as the lamp heats up, changes occur to the wax’s density and liquid’s surface tension. As the warmed wax rises through the liquid it then cools down, loses it’s buoyancy and falls back down to the bottom of the lamp in a continuous cycle. Lava lamps got their name after mimicking the visual effects of Pāhoehoe lava, which is a smooth and flowing type of basaltic lava.

Lava lamps exploded in popularity worldwide over the coming decades and became a cultural symbol of the 1960s and 1970s. Lava lamps made many appearances in popular television shows of the time, including “Doctor Who” and “The Avengers.” They’ve since become synonymous with counter culture and hippies, often accompanied by plenty of tie dye, peace signs and Grateful Dead records.

Take a look at 75 of the grooviest lava lamp tattoos we could find on social media in the gallery below. Then let us know your favorite lava lamp tattoo on this list in the comments section on social media.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ✨ ✨ (@kirabishoppp)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ginny Neumann (@ginnymarietattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Anna (@annasuperpoke)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by sofia (@sofia.tats)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Emma Harrison (@emmharr)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@medos.tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@longlizztattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by PIGA (@cool_piga)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Handpoked Tattoos (@vasia)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Bri Haug Tattoo (@brihaug)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Janine Ramos (@janinetattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Melody Crow (@melodycrowtattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rachel Smith (@rachelsmithtattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ginger Pennington (@tattoosbyginger)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ⚡️Slay Tattoo⚡️ (@slaytattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Darcie Kapor (@darciekaportattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@mrs_sasink)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @sam.inky

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Louise Simpson (@bunnie.tatz)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@little_elm_tattooer)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by vic (@vicmesitattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Louise Simpson (@bunnie.tatz)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by vic (@vicmesitattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nancy Marie Cabrera (@nancytatt)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rea (@reaganmauldintattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ginny Neumann (@ginnymarietattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nicole May W (@imacatmeow_tattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by vic (@vicmesitattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Karen Awesom (@karenawesom)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ✣ soft girl ✣ (@butterfliesblood)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Deryk Webb (@derykwebb)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Hailey (@artbyhaileybs)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Melody Crow (@melodycrowtattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Becca Gillen (@beekachuu)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@stefanytattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mahagany Shaw Tattoos (@mahaganyshaw)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ryan~ (@kiitattz)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by MERRIN (@mer.pokes)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ginger Pennington (@tattoosbyginger)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by D_World_Of_Ink (@d_world_of_ink)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ⚡️Slay Tattoo⚡️ (@slaytattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by sirdrizzle (@sirdrizzle)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Becca Gillen (@beekachuu)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gab Yunis (@gabyunis)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dylan Sartin (@dylantattooart)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lindsee Bee (@lindseebeetattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @queenofclouds__

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ℕ ℕ (@linneapastel)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Arturo (@staytrippytattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tattoo Snob (@tattoosnob)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Shira Twig ‍♀️ (@shiratwig)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Julia Neely (@julianeelyislame)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gab Yunis (@gabyunis)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by WHO TATTOO (@whotattooedyou)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by CAT’S CLAW TATTOO (@wtieds)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tattoo Snob (@tattoosnob)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lucy Blue (@lucybluetattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Emma Harrison (@emmharr)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Louise Simpson (@bunnie.tatz)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ash (@ashleyyavocado)

Editor's Picks

Culture
Hooked on Ink

Tattoo enthusiasts often claim addiction, but true addiction involves chemical and psychological dependence. Obsessive love for tattoos is not the same as addiction.

Events
Austin City Limits 2024: Tattooed Icons and Epic Performances – Copy 1

From Soulful Ballads to Punk Anthems: Tattooed Artists Leave Their Mark on Austin City Limits 2024

Events
Austin City Limits 2024: Tattooed Icons and Epic Performances

From Soulful Ballads to Punk Anthems: Tattooed Artists Leave Their Mark on Austin City Limits 2024

Inkedshop