Mushrooms have evolved in symbolism and meaning over time. When you were a kid, they were whimsical and cute, something out of cartoons like “The Smurfs.”

They made you think of fairies and gardens and storybooks or perhaps simply food. The book Alice in Wonderland popularized the red and white mushroom icon, tying the image in with rabbits falling down holes and little girls growing to three times their normal size.

However, mushrooms have taken on a more psychedelic approach over the years. They’re more commonly known for their natural psilocybin, a drug that will give you hallucinations and visions. Along with LSD, mushrooms became a staple of mid-century drug culture, appearing on tie-dye shirts, tabs, and smoking accessories.

No matter what mushrooms may mean to you, they make excellent images for tattoos, especially small ones. There are many options for color and cartoon-like line work. A small mushroom on the wrist or ankle is fun for a flash of color. Larger pieces including mushrooms often have the classic Alice in Wonderland theme, complete with the iconic hookah-smoking caterpillar or Cheshire cat.

Images of mushrooms invite further creativity for you and your artist. Due to their hallucinogenic qualities, some people might want to see where the mushroom image takes them. They may want to include animals, patterns, names, or anything else they identify with the mushroom. The possibilities for this tattoo are endless.

1. Gilled Mushroom Tattoos

One of the most characteristic representations of a mushroom is its underbelly of gills. There are a variety of mushrooms with gills so you have many different options for the perfect portrayal. Gilled mushroom tattoos can be done in simple black ink with limited linework or using greyscale shading. If you prefer a more lively look splash some color on your fungi like the sixth piece shown. Using linework, gilled mushroom tattoos give your fungus precision and dimension. And since gills are seen from underneath, it offers a great opportunity to play with perspective.