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Scarab Tattoo Photo #9697

Black and grey Scarab tattoo with clean linework on the forearm
Scarab tattoo — Photo 19 of 49

The scarab beetle occupies a central place in Egyptian mythology as a symbol of rebirth, the rising sun, and divine creation. The dung beetle's habit of rolling a ball across the ground mirrored the sun god Khepri pushing the sun across the sky.

Using only black ink at different dilutions, this style achieves a photographic quality with rich shadows and soft highlights. Black and grey work is versatile enough for portraits, nature scenes, and symbolic imagery.

Forearm tattoos benefit from a natural canvas that follows the arm's long shape. Designs can wrap around the arm or sit on the inner or outer surface, giving flexibility in how the tattoo is displayed.