Spider Lily Tattoo Idea? Try It for 2 Weeks
Spider Lily Tattoo Idea? Try It for 2 Weeks
Lasts 10–14 days
A spider lily tattoo, usually the red spider lily or higanbana, symbolizes death, mourning, remembrance and rebirth. In Japan it blooms at the autumn equinox and is planted near graves. Its flowers and leaves never meet, so it also stands for separation and final goodbyes. Many people wear one to honor someone lost.
At InkToday, this spider lily is 1.6 x 2.5 in and lasts 10–14 days, so you can live with the design before you book a real tattoo.
Size: 1.6 x 2.5 in (4.1 x 6.4 cm) · Best placement: forearm, ribs or behind the ear
What's in the kit?
Every InkToday tattoo ships in its protective sleeve, with an application guide to help you put it on.
How do I apply my tattoo?
Our tattoos are painless and very easy to apply yourself – it only takes a few simple steps.
Follow the application guide supplied with your tattoo, or watch our video tutorial here.
Once applied, the ink reacts with the proteins and the keratin in your skin, and darkens within 24 to 36 hours.
Your tattoo then stays visible for 10 to 14 days depending on where you apply it on your body, before fading away naturally.
Colour and appearance
Unlike most temporary tattoos, INKTODAY ink bonds to the surface of your skin instead of simply sitting on top of it.
Once applied, the ink reacts with the proteins and the keratin in your skin, and darkens within 24 to 36 hours.
The final result looks like a real tattoo, in a deep blue-black colour.
How long does the tattoo last?
INKTODAY tattoos are designed to fade within 10 to 14 days.
How long they last depends on where you apply them, on your daily activities and on how hydrated your skin is.
The ink fades gradually as your skin renews itself naturally.
Here is an estimate of how long they hold, area by area:
🦵 Leg: day 1 to 5 (very dark colour), then day 6 to 12 (colour fading).
🦶 Foot: day 1 to 8 (very dark colour), then day 9 to 14 (colour fading).
🦵 Knee: day 1 to 6 (very dark colour), then day 7 to 12 (colour fading).
💪 Forearm: day 1 to 6 (very dark colour), then day 7 to 12 (colour fading).
💪 Shoulder: day 1 to 7 (very dark colour), then day 8 to 14 (colour fading).
💪 Upper arm: day 1 to 7 (very dark colour), then day 8 to 14 (colour fading).
✋ Hand: day 1 to 4 (very dark colour), then day 5 to 8 (colour fading).
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InkToday ink: how we designed it
We developed our InkToday formula drawing on the natural, ancestral practices of tribes who used plant sap to mark their skin.
Our unique formula lets our INKTODAY tattoos last longer while giving a deeper, blacker colour.
Water-resistant and incredibly realistic, our tattoos offer an authentic, long-lasting experience.
Discover our founders’ story and how InkToday ink was created here 👀
Shipping and returns
We ship to most countries worldwide, free above the amount shown in your cart.
All non-personalised orders can be returned within 14 days, as long as the tattoo’s individual packaging has not been opened, of course.
Why try it before the real one
- See if 1.6 x 2.5 in is the right size where you want it (forearm, ribs…).
- Watch how it looks on your skin, day after day.
- Love it? Show it to your tattoo artist. Not sure? Try another design next month.
What a spider lily tattoo means
In Japanese tradition, the spider lily is often linked to farewells, memory and new beginnings. Many people choose it to honor someone or a chapter they have closed.
How to apply
- Clean and dry the skin.
- Press the tattoo on firmly.
- Peel off the backing.
- Let it develop: the ink darkens over 24–36 hours.
InkToday makes plant-based semi-permanent tattoos that develop on the skin over 24–36 hours, look like real ink and last 10–14 days, so you can try a tattoo design before getting it for real.
Meaning
Lycoris radiata is known as the red spider lily, corpse flower or equinox flower. Its Japanese name, higanbana, refers to higan, a Buddhist holiday around the autumnal equinox. To pay tribute to the dead, red spider lilies are commonly planted on and around grave sites, and they are also used in funerals. In Korea, the plant is called the flower of unrealized love.
Source: Wikipedia, article “Lycoris radiata”
Size and placement
Design size: 1.7 x 2.6 in (4.1 x 6.4 cm)
| Placement | How it looks at this size | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Forearm | At 2.5 in, the stem runs along the arm with the stamens fanning out | Someone who wants to keep a memory in sight |
| Ribs | The flower sits on the side, hidden under clothes | Someone who prefers a private piece |
| Behind the ear | Small and partly hidden by hair, only the bloom shows | Someone who likes a tattoo people discover |
FAQ
What does the spider lily tattoo mean?
A spider lily tattoo usually means death, mourning, remembrance and rebirth. In Japan, the red spider lily, or higanbana, blooms at the autumn equinox and is planted near graves to honor the dead. Because its flowers and leaves never appear together, it also stands for separation and lost love. Many wear it to honor a loved one who has passed.
What does a black spider lily symbolize?
A black spider lily is not a real flower color, so its meaning comes from the red one, with a darker twist: grief, the end of a chapter, mystery and protection. In tattoos, a black outline spider lily like this one is simply the red spider lily drawn in black ink. Most people read remembrance and quiet strength in it.
What does spider lily symbolize?
The spider lily symbolizes final goodbyes, death and the afterlife, but also rebirth and new beginnings. In Japan it is the flower of higan, the autumn equinox, when families visit their ancestors' graves. In Korea it is the flower of unrealized love. Its long stamens, like spider legs, give it its name and its striking shape.
Is red spider lily bad luck?
In Japan, the red spider lily is tied to death and funerals, so people avoid giving it as a bouquet. That is a custom about gifts, not a curse on tattoos. As a tattoo, it is usually worn as a tribute, a memory or a sign of change. If the dark side bothers you, wear it for two weeks first and see how it feels.
Is it okay to get a spider lily tattoo?
Yes. The spider lily is a common tattoo, popular in fine line, Japanese and anime-inspired styles. Just know its meaning before you get it: it is linked to death, mourning and farewell in Japan. If that fits your story, it is a strong, elegant choice. If you are unsure, a temporary version lets you live with it first.
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