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Inked Mag Staff

August 19th, 2020

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Are You Afraid of Scary Clown Tattoos?

Check out some of our favorite scary clown tattoos from talented artists around the world.

Coulrophobia, fear of clowns, is one of the most common phobias and according to a study by Chapman University, it impacts roughly 7.8 percent of Americans. The role of a clown has been shown in many different cultures throughout history, from the performers of Ancient Egypt to the tricksters in Native American mythology to the court jesters of the European medieval period. The modern clown is often associated with the circus and came into popularity during the sideshow movement of the late 19th and early 20th century.

In the Western world, one of the first evil clowns was featured in the 1849 short story “Hop-Frog” by Edgar Allen Poe, which follows a court jester who murders the kingdom. More contemporary examples of the evil clown trope include Stephen King’s “It,” and the Joker. The evil clown trope became a true crime phenomenon because of serial killer John Wayne Gacy, who regularly performed at children’s hospitals as Pogo or Patches the Clown. Today, there are tons of examples of evil clowns throughout popular culture, spanning from television depictions in “American Horror Story” to the zombie clowns featured in the video game “Left 4 Dead 2.” Filmmakers and designers certainly aren’t making it easy for people with coulrophobia, but neither are tattoo artists.

There are tons of tattooers from around the world who’ve created terrifying evil clown tattoos—both taking inspiration from beloved characters and pulling the creatures from their own imagination. Take a look at some of our favorite scary clown tattoos in the gallery below, then let us know if you’re afraid of clowns in the comments section on social media.

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« »Done in 3 days in a row (20hours) Reference from my bro @horrifymeuk sponsored by @inkjecta @musotoku @mdwipeoutz @fusion_ink @officialh2ocean @h2oceanproteam @smartphotocase @dermalizepro @killerinktattoo @electrumstencilproducts @hyraw_clothing @younghearted.clothing @audeladureeltattoobysandry #audeladureeltattoobysandry #inkjecta #musotoku #fusionink #h2oceanaftercare #dermalizepro #protectyourskin #youngheartedclothing #killerink #electrumstencilproducts #dark #macabre #evil #horror #texture #tattoo

A post shared by Sandry Riffard (@audeladureeltattoobysandry) on Aug 18, 2020 at 2:54pm PDT

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« Bloodthirsty » Reference from @horrifymeuk @it’s ovieofficial sponsored by @cheyenne_tattooequipment @intenzetattooink @officialh2ocean @h2oceanproteam @h2oceanloyalty @dermalizepro @killerinktattoo @electrumstencilproducts @tattoonumb @hyraw_clothing @audeladureeltattoobysandry #audeladureeltattoobysandry #inkjecta #cheyenne_tattooequipment #intenzeink #intenzefamily #h2oceanaftercare #dermalizepro #protectyourskin #killerink #electrumstencilproducts #tattoonumb #ink #inked #inkedmag #tattooistartmag #tattooartistmagazine #tattoodo #tattoolife #dark #macabre #evil #itmovie #texture #tattoo

A post shared by Sandry Riffard (@audeladureeltattoobysandry) on Feb 1, 2019 at 3:44pm PST

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What’s the matter, kid? Don’t ya like clowns? Why? Don’t we make ya laugh? Aren’t we fuckin’ funny? More on Sarah’s Devils Rejects/horror sleeve last night! @theseancetattooparlor @cheyenne_tattooequipment @eternalink @painfulpleasures @hustlebutterdeluxe

A post shared by Paul Acker (@paulackertattoo) on Dec 16, 2018 at 12:44pm PST

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CLOWN added to Derek’s horror sleeve the other day @theseancetattooparlor @eternalink @cheyenne_tattooequipment @hustlebutterdeluxe @painfulpleasures

A post shared by Paul Acker (@paulackertattoo) on Aug 31, 2018 at 3:37pm PDT

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Whatta ya gonna do? Knock my block off?

A post shared by Paul Acker (@paulackertattoo) on Jan 1, 2017 at 10:10pm PST

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Because it is Halloween One of my favourite collaborations done together with amazing friends @el_mori_tattooartist , @adriancier and my wife @katlinmalm_tattoo at Munich in @mori_occultum ! This was one of the greatest experiences and funniest two days tattooing I have experienced. So much laughing and jokes! Can’t wait to do an other collab with these guys soon at @milanotattooconvention #intenzeink #intenzefamily #fkironsproteam #fkirons #balmtattoo #balmtattooproteam @intenzetattooink @fkirons @balm_tattoo @the.best.tattoo.page @the.best.realistic.tattoos @ink_o_clock @sullenclothing @sullentv @inkedmag @realistic.ink #tatuointi #tatuering #tatoveering #tatovering #tatuaje #tatuajes #tätowierung @tattooarmourpro

A post shared by Torsten Malm (@torstenmalm_tattoo) on Oct 31, 2019 at 2:02pm PDT

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Первая работа 2018 года! #vidoomka #tattoo #tattooart #tattoodesign #tatt #ink #inked #scaryclown #scaryclowntattoo #horrorart

A post shared by Vika Vidoomka (@vikavidoomka) on Jan 8, 2018 at 5:42am PST

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•CLOWN• #tattoo by @albertoescobar_tat2 #clowntattoo #tattoo #camtattoo

A post shared by CAM TATTOO (@camtattoo) on Aug 12, 2020 at 9:56am PDT

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Sometimes I do color. Face & background are healed cover up. Suit is fresh. Joker sleeve in progress.. • • • • • #darkknight #batman #joker #jokerclown #clown #clowntattoo #clownart #clownmask #realistictattoo #realisticart #realisticink #color #colortattoo #colortattoos #cover #coveruptattoo #coverup #movie #movies #batmanmovie #batmanart #villain #gothamcity #gotham #tattoo #tattooink #ink #inked #inkedup #tetovaze

A post shared by Miroslav Kelj (@tattoos.by.miroslav.kelj) on Aug 11, 2020 at 1:22am PDT

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Mad sick Captain Spaulding for @mvrderspreeontv today too! Always a pleasure man! ——————————————————————— Studio: @ironandpintattoos ——————————————————————— Created using: @fkirons @fusion_ink @stencilanchored @oliverstattoobutter @unicart_tattoo_cartridges @jungle_ts @killerinktattoo ——————————————————————— #tattoo #tattooartist #artist #newtattoo #customtattoo #blackworktattoo #blackwork #blackworkers #art #simpletattoo #flashtattoo #guyswithtattoos #lineworktattoo #instaart #sketch #neotraditional #tattoos #cooltattoo #uniquetattoo #captainspaulding #clown #clowntattoo #robzombie #houseof1000corpses #horror #film #abstracttattoo #creepy

A post shared by Chunky T (@art.chunky.t) on Aug 9, 2020 at 4:29pm PDT

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Pennywise being stabbed in the head but also loving it @folkloretradingco @cheyenne_tattooequipment @secondskintac #dallas #dallastexas #dallastattooartists #dallastattoos #dfwtattoos #texastattoo #pennywisetattoo #pennywise #IT #horrortattoo #clowntattoo

A post shared by Dallas Tattoo Artist (@billyweigler) on Aug 5, 2020 at 12:20pm PDT

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SWIPE!! Got to tattoo my killer clown up for grabs! Thanks Tyler. . . . . . @fkirons @fusion_ink @mdwipeoutz @platinum_rose_tattoo_aftercare @puedmagcartridgeneedles @puedmag_inkpire @blackworkgloves #spektraxion #vertixneedles #fusionink #hulkstencilbond #darkart #blackandgreytattoo #realismtattoos #tattoo #tattoos #natedostaltattoos #cats #ldnont #girlswithtattoos #guyswithtattoos #darkartists #bginksociety #skulltattoo #sleevetattoo #sciencefiction #darkartsseri #upforgrabs #clowntattoo #evilclown

A post shared by Nate Dostal (@natedostaltattoos) on Aug 5, 2020 at 6:51am PDT

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Gire p/ Gritar❕ ⚜️ Trabalho premiado como o Melhor Preto e Branco na Expo Tattoo Floripa em 2019⚜️. . Saudades de uma convenção né meu filho? . #clown #clowntattoo #palhaço #arrastapracima #sullenclothing #inkedmag #tattooartist #tattoorealistic #blackandgreytattoos #tattoos #realismo #tatuagem #tatuagemrealista

A post shared by Losni (@victorlosnitattoo) on Aug 4, 2020 at 6:11pm PDT

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Had a blast doing this one today . With Joey ! Thanks for the free range on design ! #blackandgrey #blackandgreytattoo #tattoo #tattoowork #ink #inked #bng #bngsociety #clown #clowntattoo #jester #jestertattoo #realism #realismtattoo #creepytattoo #horror #horrortattoo #evil #eviltattoo #sleeve #sleevework #sleevesession #malesleeve #tattooinspiration

A post shared by Caleb Inks ☠️ (@calebinks) on Jul 30, 2020 at 5:10pm PDT

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Palhaço do filme ( gritos mortais ) fechamento em andamento… #clowntattoo #deadsilence #deadsilencemovie #gritosmortais #tattoopalhaço #darktattoo #sjctattoo #tattoonovale #tattooist #tattoorealismo #blackandgreytattoos #magnomorishitamachines

A post shared by Caio Roberto (@caiera_tattoo) on Jul 30, 2020 at 3:14pm PDT

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El pasado ha pasado y por el nada hay que hacer, el presente es un fracaso y el futuro no se ve No Future!! Por: @lauraegea_tattoo Con: @fistflame y @nuclearwhiteink #tatuajescolor #tatuajesrealistas #besttattoos #tatuajespayasos #clowntattoo #darktattoos #tatuajesenfotos #tatuajesespaña #realistictattoo

A post shared by Laura Egea (@lauraegea_tattoo) on Jul 29, 2020 at 12:00pm PDT

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Clown TATTOO for my brother @xb2355 @cheyenne_tattooequipment @balm_tattoo @nuclearwhiteink . . #clowntattoo #tattoo #sergiodoce #12lagrimastattoo #blackandgreytattoo #circus #blacktattoos #darktattoo #terror #tattoovalencia #valenciatattoo #besttattoos #cheyennetattoo #cheyennefamily #balmtattoo

A post shared by Sergio Doce (@sergio.doce) on Jul 29, 2020 at 11:38am PDT

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#sajlas_ink #tattoo #tattooboy #tattooartist #clowntattoo #creepytattoo #horrorface #worldfamousink #kwadron #katowice #warszawa #picoftheday #lovemyjob❤️ #beng

A post shared by Sajlas_Ink (@sajlas_ink) on Jul 27, 2020 at 12:39pm PDT

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Моя самая любимая работа @mardukofficial #terrifier #theterrifier #terrifiertattoo #horror #killer #art #horrorart #clown #clownkiller #scetch #art #blacktattoo #darktattoo #blackandwhitetattoo #skinduktorvertigo #tattoo #tattooer #tattooed #horrortattoo #goshabomjtattoo #tattoonn #nn #nizhniynovgorod #horrortattoo #theterrifiertattoo #clowntattoo #marduk

A post shared by ТАТУ НИЖНИЙ НОВГОРОД (@goshabomj) on Jul 24, 2020 at 10:46am PDT

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¡TERMINADO! Todo empezó con un humilde payaso y este es el final del pecho. Ahora seguimos con los laterales. Gracias por dejarme a mi bola Sergi, es un autentico honor!!! ————————————————— Para citas dimanueltattooer@gmail.com venenonegro2013@gmail.com 0034/622232857 ————————————————— ————————————————— #letteringtattoo #circustattoo #clowntattoo #chesttattoo #blacktattoo #blackworkers_tattoo #blackandgreytattoos #blackandgrey #tattoos #blackink #barcelonatattoo #supportgoodtattooing #tattoobcn #tttism #thebesttattooartists #thebestspaintattooartists #payasos #tattooartist #tattooart #tattoolife #tattooworkers #inkmagazine #bcntattoo #bcnttt #spaintattoo #tattoomagazine @viking_inks @vikingink

A post shared by DiManuel BCN Espańa (@dimanuel_tattooer) on Jul 14, 2020 at 4:04am PDT

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iT . . . #inked #tattooclown #clown #clownmakeup #clowntattoo #tattoopictures #colortattoo #relaisticatattoo #holiwoodtattoo #tattoolifestyle #tattoooftheday @inkplaycrew @argentina_supplies @tattooboxmza @tattoofreehand

A post shared by Pioli (@pioli_tattoo) on Jul 8, 2020 at 3:46pm PDT

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Clowns are terrifying, but you know what’s not terrifying? This amazing piece our favorite guy @seangardnerisawesome did! Shoot him an email to get on his schedule: Seangardnerisawesome@gmail.com ・・・ KLOWNZILLA Wrapped up this Killer Klowns From Outer Space piece for Mr. Cat Man Mike. Love doing horror themed pieces with my own stylize spin on things, it’s so much fun! #killerklowns #killerklownsfromouterspace #clown #klownzilla #killerKlownstattoo #killerklownsfromouterspacetattoo #clowntattoo #scary #horror #horrortattoo #tattoo #ink #boyswithink #spooky #spookytattoo #newschool #newschooltattoo #salem #salemma #salemmassachusetts #seangardner #seangardnerisawesome #helheim #helheimgallery #color #colortattoo #icecream #fun ✖️✖️✖️✖️✖️✖️✖️✖️✖️✖️✖️✖️✖️✖️✖️✖️✖️ Helheim Gallery 28 Norman Street, Suite 3, Salem, MA, 01970 978-744-2367 Tuesday-Saturday 11am-7pm Www.helheimgallery.com Helheimgallery@gmail.com ✨We are appointment only until further notice! @helheimgallery @kellydotylovessoup @frissies @brittxwhitman @jessbrowntattoos @seangardnerisawesome @drawingdeadart @9threalmgallery @leannelondis @shaynapraytattoos

A post shared by Helheim Gallery (@helheimgallery) on Jul 8, 2020 at 11:30am PDT

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Horror collaboration in progress with @simona_tavcitattoo ‍♂️

A post shared by saso dudic (@saso_tavcitattoo) on Jul 7, 2020 at 8:53am PDT

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Payaso borrachin gracias Eleder!! hecho en @coronatattoooviedo #asturias #asturiastattoo @hustlebutterdeluxe @killerinktattoo @revolutionneedles @soldadorendemoniado @thesolidink @fkirons #hustlebutterdeluxe #killerink #revolutionneedles #soldadorendemoniado #thesolidink #fkirons #clowntattoo

A post shared by RODRIGO KALAKA (@rodrigokalaka) on Jul 2, 2020 at 1:25pm PDT

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TASTY TASTY FEAR!!! Who else is excited for #itchapter2!? Who’s seeing it this weekend? Who’s seen it already??? Had a blast with this #pennywise a couple weeks back and thought now was the perfect time to post with the release this weekend. Thanks Hailee! , can’t wait to add more! #it #itmovie —————————————- Sponsored by @fusion_ink @fusionink_pro @fkirons @hustlebutterdeluxe @fytcartridges @electrumstencilproducts @secondskintac @painfulpleasures @blackhopecurse #realism #realismtattoo #realismtattooartist #ink #inked #inkedmag #inkedmagazine #tattooistartmagazine #tattooistartmag #tattoosnob #Tattoo_art_worldwide #tattoodo #skinartmag #tattoorevuemag #tattoolifemagazine #tattooistartmagazine #thebesttattooartists #tattooartistmagazine

A post shared by Evan Olin (@evanolintattoo) on Sep 5, 2019 at 5:58pm PDT

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Happy Sunday ya’ll, hope everyone’s relaxing and enjoying it! Here’s another tattoo/stencil. This one on the always awesome @enlightened_amethyst. Stencil courtesy of @electrumstencilproducts —————————————- Sponsored by @fusion_ink @fusionink_pro @fkirons @hustlebutterdeluxe @electrumstencilproducts @secondskintac @painfulpleasures @blackhopecurse #realism #realismtattoo #realismtattooartist #ink #inked #inkedmag #inkedmagazine #tattooistartmagazine #tattooistartmag #tattoosnob #Tattoo_art_worldwide #tattoodo #skinartmag #tattoorevuemag #tattoolifemagazine #tattooistartmagazine #thebesttattooartists #tattooartistmagazine

A post shared by Evan Olin (@evanolintattoo) on Jul 7, 2019 at 8:08am PDT

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