If you’ve ever sat on a porch in July and let the cicadas’ chorus wash over you, you already know why they make such dreamy tattoos. There’s something about their buzzing—part music, part weather, totally nostalgic—that feels like summer stitched into your skin. A cicada tattoo can hold so many meanings: transformation, resilience, that fleeting beautiful moment when everything comes together. Let me show you a few favorites I’ve been obsessing over.
A cicada shedding its old self, surrounded by blooms
Credit: chou_tatt
This one feels like watching a tiny miracle. The cicada is mid-escape from its shell, inching up a stem that’s dotted with bright flowers and little berries. It’s a perfect little story about change—first, the cocoon or shell, then the climb toward color, and finally the full-on bloom. It’s delicate but full of life.
Clean and classic: the minimalist black cicada
Credit: mashroomink
If you like simple lines that say a lot, this is your vibe. It’s just black ink—no fuss—but the wing patterns are so crisp you don’t miss color at all. It proves that a stripped-back design can still feel intricate and intentional. Less really can be more when it’s done right.
A psychedelic splash of color
Credit: shio1red
This one’s pure joy. Bold, unexpected hues fill the wings and body, and the whole piece reads playful and a little wild. It’s the kind of tattoo that makes people grin and says, "I like color. I like life." If you want your ink to have personality, this psychedelic take is a fun shout.
Simple and elegant below the shoulder blades
Credit: minustattoo
Placed right under the shoulder blades, this delicate cicada feels quietly glamorous. The fine-line wings are symmetrical and refined, the kind of tattoo that’s intimate but still stylish when it peeks out. Perfect for someone who wants meaning without shouting it from the rooftops.
When cicadas meet mushrooms: a little bit magical
Credit: kopelovetattoo
This one leans into the fantastical—cicadas paired with mushrooms, bright colors, and a storybook vibe. It’s whimsical without being twee, and honestly, it’s the kind of piece that makes you want to wander through an illustrated forest. If you love standing out and you love a bit of magic, this combo is a whole mood.
That old-world, entomology-book feeling
Credit: ritavonlehe
This vintage-style design looks like it belongs in a dusty natural history volume—etching lines, lots of detail, timeless energy. It’s for the person who appreciates history, texture, and the kind of ink that feels like a classic study rather than a trend.
Big, bold, and unapologetic on the shin
Credit: bermigram
This one’s a statement—large, dark, and impossible to ignore. It takes up the shin with heavy, intricate blackwork. If you’ve got the energy for big pieces and want something that reads as strong and distinctive, this bold cicada delivers.
A cicada poised to fly—on the foot
Credit: manuazevedo.ink
This foot tattoo feels kinetic—like the cicada’s about to launch. The detailed black lines capture motion and delicate wing structure, which is such a nice contrast against the foot’s curves. It’s perfect for wanderers and people who are always moving forward.
The kind of forearm piece you can almost hear hum
Credit: manuazevedo.ink
This forearm design focuses on those tiny, thoughtful lines—every vein in the wing counts. It has such a calm, natural rhythm that you can almost hear summer when you look at it. Great choice if you love details and a quieter kind of beauty.
Cicada silhouette against a stylized sunset
Credit: ianreynold
A cicada framed by a sun motif feels poetic—like a nod to cycles, endings, and beginnings. The black insect pops against the sun’s shape, creating contrast and a visually striking balance. It’s meaningful and dramatic in a quiet way.
A cicada lounging among fern fronds
Credit: santiagogdon
This one reads like a nature photograph—dots and fine lines give it depth, and the surrounding botanicals make the whole composition feel organic. The cicada looks like it just landed and is resting, which gives the piece a calm, lived-in vibe. If you love nature’s small, quiet moments, this is for you.
A little insect with a hint of the cosmos
Credit: strawberrygoose_tattoo
Pairing a cicada with a single star brings in that dreamy, celestial energy. The insect feels grounded but also somehow part of the bigger sky—perfect for people who love both dirt-under-your-nails walks and late-night stargazing. It’s gentle, mysterious, and kind of beautiful.
The takeoff pose: an adventurous arm piece
Credit: carrieblacktattoo
This cicada looks determined, like it’s on a mission. Positioned on the arm, it reads as movement and momentum—great for anyone who sees their life as a series of journeys. It’s bold but not showy, and it carries a little personal pep talk every time you glance at it.
A chest piece that demands attention
Credit: j.r.smith____
A cicada on the chest is intimate and intense. It’s right over your heart, symmetrical and strong, and it feels like wearing your resilience on the outside. This placement isn’t subtle—it’s a bold declaration of transformation and what matters most to you.
Tiny dots, huge impact: the dotwork cicada
Credit: hey.julieanne
Dotwork is one of those tattoo styles that feels like craftsmanship. Each little dot builds texture and shadow so the cicada looks layered and alive. If you appreciate meticulous detail and something a bit tactile-looking, this dotwork approach is a dream.
A cicada tucked into a little night garden
Credit: daniturkeysammie
This one reads like a bedtime story you can wear—cute stars, leafy branches, a gentle vibe. It’s whimsical without being juvenile, and it’s the kind of piece that makes daily life feel a touch enchanted. Ideal for anyone who wants their tattoo to feel comforting and sweet.
Go big: the oversized thigh cicada
Credit: artesobscurae
If you want to make a statement every time you step out, this is the route. A thigh-spanning cicada turns your leg into a dramatic canvas, with wings stretching across and commanding attention. It’s bold, beautiful, and absolutely unapologetic.
Right over the heart: a centered cicada
Credit: cicadaink
Centered over the heart, a cicada becomes deeply personal. It’s minimal, clean, and symbolic—rebirth, endurance, close to what keeps you going. If tattoos are part of how you tell your inner stories, this placement feels like a quiet, meaningful confession.
Cute and cartoony: cicadas that make you smile
Credit: jennifertroktattoos
Who says cicadas can’t be adorable? This cartoon version is all charm—big eyes, bright colors, exaggerated features that make people grin. It’s a playful reminder that your ink can be joyful and not always serious.
A hyper-real, almost-living cicada
Credit: simonster.ink
This is the one that fools you into thinking a real insect just landed on your skin. The shading, the translucence of the wings, the tiny antennae—everything is rendered with insane skill. If you want a tattoo that celebrates nature’s complexity and craftsmanship, this realistic style is a knockout.
Wrap-Up
All of these designs are more than decoration—they’re little odes to change, resilience, and the rhythms of life. Whether you want something tiny and subtle or big and theatrical, a cicada can carry a lot of meaning. If you’re thinking about new ink, maybe let the cicada buzz around in your head for a bit—you might be surprised how much they grow on you. Anyway, if you end up getting one, please tell me about it. I live for these stories.