April 19th, 2022

65 Sad Clown Tattoos

Do you know about the sad clown paradox?

In general, we typically see clowns in one of two ways—happy entertainers or absolutely terrifying figures. But there’s a whole other side to the painted smile: the sad clown. These melancholic jesters frequently appear in art, with their struggles captured in everything from paintings to, you guessed it, sad clown tattoos. Even music explores this theme, with Smokey Robinson and The Miracles’ famous song, “The Tears of a Clown,” perfectly encapsulating the sadness behind the mask.

But there’s more to sad clowns than haunting paintings or a hit song. The sad clown paradox is the contradictory connection between comedy and mental illnesses such as depression. Many comedians source their humor from dark places and use it as an outlet. Often times, this trauma revolves around early childhood, school or family relations. Several well known comedians have discussed the hardships they experienced early in life and why they leaned into comedy, notably Tommy Smothers, Johnny Carson, Woody Allen and Norman Lear. It just goes to show that there can be more to a comedian than the funny jokes they include in their sets or specials.

Comedians or not, many have taken the paradox head on through symbolic tattoos. Take a look at 65 of our favorite sad clown tattoos in the gallery below and let us know your favorite piece from this list in the comments section on social media.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kane Navasard (@kanenavasard)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kane Navasard (@kanenavasard)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Александра (@a_siberia)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Zach Black (@zachblacktattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Matthew Pardo (@mattpardo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Claire Anderson (@cleepstattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Arturo Ledesma (@tatturo_)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Diana L. Sanchez (@la_dianuchis)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Anne Shaffer (@cornkisser)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nicky Joe (@baby__ugly)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lucy Harrington (@lunacy_tattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dakota Herman (@dakotaherman)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Taylor Nicoll (@princesspuru)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@ellenmellon.tattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ✖️ ✖️ (@handling.tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Abel Hinojosa⛓ (@dredsoull)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Murilo França (@francamurilo.ttt)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@geeroetattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Bone Deep Tattoos (@bonedeeptattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by MAUFÉ / tattoo (@_maufe_)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Paulina ✖sad uni✖ (@saduniblin)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Uncle Kit (@uncle.kit)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Alison Sidgwick (@kelpiebat)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Angela Emr (@angela.emr_tattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tattoo Prodigies (@tattooprodigies)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Chase Tucker (@chasetuckertattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jackson (@j.l.rabinoff)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@lance1986)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by • Danny • (@dinnypanther)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@barbielongfox)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@lance1986)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Liz Marie (@ladysealegs)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@blxckdizztor)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jake Conyers (@jakeconyers_)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@lecszi)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Louie Munoz (@louieburger)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by : (@marsinks)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ola Krupnik Tattoo (@ola.krupnik)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@irotasone)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nazlı Ekinci Aydın (@edith__art)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jon Bass (@jonbass1)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sergio Ramos (@pb_sergio)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@isaac_bushkin)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Philipp Pfeil (@philipp_pfeil)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jehf SorpressArt (@jehfsorpressa)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Devoted Ink (@devotedink)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by mfdave247 (@mfdave247)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tattoo Snob (@tattoosnob)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by tattoo.palooza (@tattoo.palooza)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tattoo.com (@tattoodotcom)

Editor's Picks

Heartless Ink Banner Art
Bridging Classical Art and Modern Tattooing

Esteban Rodriguez brings the discipline of classical fine art to the living canvas of skin, creating hyper-realistic tattoos that merge technical mastery with emotional depth.

Show your Ink Fashions Fashion
Show Your Ink Fashions Brings Custom Style to Tattoo Culture

Show Your Ink Fashions creates custom shirts designed to showcase your tattoos as wearable art, blending fashion with personal expression.

Culture
The Ultimate “Superman” Tattoo Roundup: Just in Time for Superman’s Return to Screens

With Superman’s big return to theaters, fans are revisiting some of the most iconic ink inspired by the Man of Steel.

diplo_cover