A lucky subject that has grown in popularity in the tattoo world is the ladybug. Besides their meaning as a sign of good luck, a ladybug—or ladybird as they are known in the UK—also make for a great tattoo design thanks to their cute appearance, link to childhood happiness and unmistakable color combination featuring black and orange.

Humans are always looking for ways to bring good luck to themselves and their loved ones: horseshoes, rabbit’s feet and four-leaf clovers are all common items that are believed to bring good luck in different cultures. People used to carry around these charms, however the popularity of manifesting these superstitions has waned in recent times. 

More people are choosing to get a good luck symbol permanently tattooed on their bodies. The fabled ladybug is a colorful, cheerful character with bright hues used prominently in kid’s stories and nursery rhymes that can stick with you into adulthood. 

Read on to explore pieces that demonstrate how appealing ladybug tattoos can be as inspiration for your next ink adventure.

1. Black and Gray Ladybug Tattoo Design

Fads and trends come and go, even in the world of tattoos where ink is forever. One style that has consistently maintained its appeal throughout the decades of innovation and trend chasing is black and gray work. There is something about designs when they are applied using this monochromatic approach that allows them to age gracefully and retain a classic sensibility.

While ladybird—with their bright and distinct orange and black color combinations—may not be the most obvious choice for black and gray tattoos, their unmistakable black spots mean that even without color there is no doubt about what animal is depicted in the design.