Powerful symbolism combined and their disquieting aura help make snakes a popular option for tattoo collectors looking for ink guaranteed to elicit reactions. From pit vipers to cobras, vipers, pythons, boas and more, there are countless snake tattoo designs to explore,.

To give you a deadly dose of inspiration and ideas, check out this collection of 89+ best snake tattoo designs. From realistic serpents to folklore, traditional ink and abstract artwork, there’s plenty of tattoo designs to liven up your next piece.

1. Medusa Tattoos

I really enjoy how Medusa snake tattoos can slither in different directions. From realistic snake tattoo to more classical Greco-Roman style body art, the evil Gorgon sister can be portrayed in many interesting styles.

Medusa was once betrothed to Poseidon, but after forgetting her vows, she was dealt the brutal punishment of having a venomous snake nest instead of hair. Her gaze that not only disgusted, but also mesmerized any onlooker who regarded her, turning them to stone (this would be great on public transport). The hero Perseus (son of Zeus) eventually got around her defences with some crafty shield work and beheaded Medusa, then used her vision to turn Atlas of Mauretania into stone for previously refusing him hospitality.

2. Ouroboros Tattoo

The ouroboros is an interesting design that symbolizes infinity, regeneration and the interconnected nature of the universe. First appearing in ancient Egyptian iconography, the image of a snake (or dragon) eating its own tail made its way into the Western traditions via Greece, and eventually became a key image and concept in Alchemy. The ouroboros represented the transmigration of the soul and symbolized the human experience extending beyond the physical world into the next plane.

3. Don’t Tread on Me Tattoos