You’ve seen it. That jagged, black geometric sigil etched onto the back of a hand. It’s distinct. It’s sharp. It’s the mark of the outsider tattoo, and honestly, it might be the most recognizable piece of digital iconography to ever make the jump from a console screen to actual human skin.
Most people see a cool design. Fans of Arkane Studios’ Dishonored see a life sentence of cosmic meddling.
When the first Dishonored dropped in 2012, nobody really expected a fictional brand given to an assassin by a bored god to become a staple of modern tattoo culture. But here we are. Walk into any reputable shop in a major city, and the artist has likely done at least three of these. Probably more. It’s a phenomenon that transcends just "loving a game." It’s about the aesthetics of the Void.
What the Mark Actually Is (In-Game and Out)
The lore is heavy. Basically, the Outsider—this ethereal, black-eyed entity who lives in a dimension called the Void—picks people he finds "interesting." He doesn't pick good people. He doesn't pick bad people. He picks people who are at a turning point. He burns this mark into their left hand, granting them supernatural abilities like Blink, Devouring Swarm, or Bend Time.
In the real world, the mark of the outsider tattoo doesn't give you the ability to teleport across a rainy Dunwall rooftop. Bummer, I know. But it carries a massive weight for the wearer.
Viktor Antonov, the visual director for Dishonored, brought a very specific Eastern European industrial aesthetic to the game. The mark reflects that. It isn't just a logo; it’s a cryptic bit of typography. It looks like it was carved with a shard of obsidian. That’s why it works so well as a tattoo. It doesn't look like "video game art." It looks like an ancient, occult symbol that’s existed for a thousand years.
The Hand Placement Dilemma
Placement matters. In the game, Corvo Attano and Emily Kaldwin have the mark on the back of the left hand. If you’re a purist, that’s where it goes.
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But getting a hand tattoo is a "job stopper" for a reason. Even in 2026, where ink is way more normalized, the back of the hand is high-visibility. It’s bold. You can’t hide it in a job interview unless you’re wearing gloves, and wearing gloves to a bank interview is weird.
I’ve talked to plenty of fans who opted for the forearm or the shoulder instead. Does it lose the meaning? Kinda. Part of the mark's power in the game is that it's "hidden" in plain sight, often covered by a glove with a hole cut out for the sigil. It's a secret identity. When you move it to your calf, it’s just a cool design. When it’s on the hand, it’s a statement.
Pain and Practicality
Hands hurt. A lot. There is almost no fat on the back of your hand, just skin, bone, and tendons. The needle vibrates against the metacarpals, and you’ll feel it in your teeth.
- Healing is a nightmare. You use your hands for everything. Washing dishes, typing, opening doors.
- Fading happens fast. Hand skin regenerates quicker than back skin, and it’s constantly exposed to the sun.
- Detail issues. The mark has some very fine lines and sharp angles. If your artist goes too deep, it blows out. If they go too shallow, it’ll look patchy in six months.
Why Artists Secretly (or Openly) Love This Design
Tattooers get bored. They get tired of doing infinity symbols and lions wearing crowns. The mark of the outsider tattoo is a breath of fresh air because it relies on pure "blackwork" fundamentals.
It’s all about the "taper." The lines start thick and end in needle-thin points. If an artist can nail the saturation of the black ink while keeping those tips sharp, it’s a portfolio piece. It’s a test of technical skill. Plus, it’s symmetrical enough to look balanced but organic enough to flow with the anatomy of the hand.
I spoke with a local artist who mentioned that the mark is one of the few gaming tattoos that doesn't "age" poorly. Because it isn't a literal character face or a clunky UI element, it retains its mystery. People who don’t know Dishonored will just think you’re into some cool, esoteric occultism. You don't have to explain the plot of a 14-year-old game to every stranger who asks about it.
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The Symbolism Beyond the Console
Why do people still get it?
The Outsider represents choice. That’s the core of the game—whether you use your power for vengeance or mercy. For a lot of people, the mark of the outsider tattoo represents their own agency. Or maybe they just feel like an outsider themselves. It’s a badge for the weirdos, the loners, and the people who feel like they’re watching the world from a slightly different angle.
There’s also the "stealth" aspect. Dishonored is a stealth game. Getting the mark is a quiet nod to other fans. It’s a "if you know, you know" situation. There is a specific type of dopamine hit when a barista spots your hand and just whispers, "Shall we gather for whiskey and cigars tonight?"
Common Mistakes to Avoid
If you’re dead set on getting this, don’t just walk into a $50 shop. You’ll regret it.
First, the orientation. Some people get it facing themselves. Don't. Tattoos should generally face "out" or "down" so they look right to someone looking at you. On the hand, the bottom of the mark should be toward your wrist, and the top toward your knuckles.
Second, the "glow" effect. In the game, the mark glows blue or purple when you use powers. Some people try to get their artist to add a blue aura or "glow" with white highlights.
Honestly? Don't do it.
White ink turns yellow or disappears. "Aura" shading usually ends up looking like a bruise after three years. Stick to solid, saturated black. It’s timeless. It’s what the design was meant to be.
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Third, the size. If you try to shrink it down too much to "hide" it on your wrist, the lines will eventually bleed together. Ink spreads under the skin over time. This is called "migration." To keep the negative space in the center of the mark clear, you need to give the design some room to breathe.
Technical Checklist for Your Artist
When you sit down for your consultation, you need to be specific. The mark of the outsider tattoo is deceptively simple, but the devil is in the details.
- Linework Consistency: The points need to be sharp. If they look rounded, the whole aesthetic is ruined.
- Saturation: It needs to be "black hole" black. No gray wash, no shading. Just solid pigment.
- Anatomy: The mark should sit centrally on the back of the hand, but slightly skewed to follow the line of the index finger's metacarpal. This makes it look "natural" when you move your hand.
The Cultural Legacy of the Mark
It’s rare for a game to leave such a permanent mark on tattoo culture. The Last of Us has Ellie’s moth and fern. BioShock has the chains on the wrists. Dishonored has the mark.
But the mark feels different. It feels more personal. Maybe it's because the Outsider is a character who doesn't judge you. He just watches. Having that symbol on your body feels like an acknowledgment that your life is your own to shape, for better or worse.
If you're worried about it being "just a trend," don't be. The game might be old, but the design language is peak gothic industrialism. It’s going to look cool in 2040.
Actionable Steps for Getting the Mark
If you're ready to commit to the Void, follow these steps to ensure you don't end up on a "bad tattoo" subreddit:
- Research Blackwork Specialists: Look for artists who specialize in "Tribal," "Neo-Tribal," or "Blackwork." They understand how to pack black ink so it stays dark and crisp.
- The "Two-Week" Rule: Since this is often a hand tattoo, book it when you have at least four days of light work ahead. You cannot be lifting heavy boxes or scrubbing floors with a fresh hand tattoo.
- Saniderm is Your Friend: Ask your artist about medical-grade adhesive bandages. Hand tattoos are prone to infection because we touch everything. Keeping it sealed for the first 24-48 hours is a lifesaver.
- Check the Source Material: Bring a high-resolution screenshot from the game. Don't just bring a photo of someone else's tattoo. You want the original geometry, not a copy of a copy.
- Think About the Right Hand: If you're worried about the "job stopper" aspect but still want the hand placement, consider your non-dominant hand. Or, if you really want to be lore-accurate, remember Corvo wears it on the left.
The mark of the outsider tattoo is more than a fandom bit. It’s a piece of art that looks as good in a leather jacket as it does in a suit. Just make sure you're ready for the "Does that mean something?" questions. Because they will come. And you’ll have to decide if you want to explain the Void or just tell them it’s a cool design you found. Both are valid.