Friday the 13th Tattoo Sale in Fort Collins - Solana Tattoo Company

Friday the 13th is more than a superstition. It’s a fun tattoo tradition. Every time the date rolls around, lines of people show up eager to join this slice of tattoo culture that’s been passed down for generations. 

At Solana Tattoo Company in Fort Collins, Colorado, we always offer a Friday the 13th tattoo and piercing sale to honor that tradition, and we elevate it with thoughtful designs, diverse artists, and a streamlined process that ensures you have the best tattoo experience possible.

Here at Solana Tattoo Company, Friday the 13th isn’t just a sale. It’s a day that we honor, rooted in interesting history and community. Here’s a look at the origins of Friday the 13th, how it became associated with tattoos, and what sets Solana apart amid the sea of shops hopping on the movement.

Friday the 13th is supposed to be unlucky. But like most good myths, the truth is far more interesting. Long before hockey masks, horror movies, or black-cat superstition, Friday the 13th carried meanings tied to cycles, power, and symbolism that had nothing to do with fear. Tattoo culture didn’t invent Friday the 13th tattoos; it reclaimed them.

The Real History of Friday the 13th (Spoiler: It Wasn’t Always Spooky)

Friday the 13th’s reputation as an unlucky or ominous day is totally off base and surprisingly modern. Long before horror films and superstition took over, the number 13 held powerful (and positive) associations.

In many ancient cultures, 13 was linked to feminine power, cycles, and balance. There are roughly 13 lunar cycles in a year, and for centuries, the moon and the number associated with it have been linked to fertility, intuition, and the divine feminine. Some historians believe that 13 symbolized completion rather than chaos.

So what happened?

<Steps on soap box. Clears throat.>

As patriarchal religious structures became dominant, symbols tied to feminine power were often reframed as dangerous or taboo. The number 13 slowly shifted from sacred to suspicious. Combine that with Friday, a day historically associated with executions and religious warnings in Christian tradition, and you get the foundation for the superstition we know today.

The final nail in the coffin came much later. In the 20th century, popular culture (and especially Hollywood) ran with the fear. Horror movies like “Friday the 13th” didn’t create the superstition, but they absolutely cemented its eerie reputation.

In other words, Friday the 13th didn’t start spooky. It was made spooky.

As a woman-owned shop (by a woman born on May 13th, btw!), we are taking that distortion back and returning to the real roots. We see this as a day to celebrate intuition, balance, completion, feminine power, nature, and creativity.   

How Friday the 13th Became a Tattoo Tradition

Friday the 13th didn’t become a tattoo tradition because it was scary. It became one because tattooers claimed it.

Long before horror movies, social media, or modern-day flash events, American tattooing was built around a walk-in culture. Early tattoo shops, especially in port cities, military towns, and working-class neighborhoods, relied on pre-drawn flash designs that could be tattooed quickly, cleanly, and consistently. These designs weren’t random. They were symbols: protection, defiance, luck, survival.

The number 13 was already a staple of tattoo imagery by the early-to-mid 20th century. Paired with black cats, skulls, daggers, dice, snakes, and broken mirrors, it represented a kind of quiet rebellion, an acknowledgment of danger, mortality, and uncertainty, worn willingly on the skin. Getting tattooed with “unlucky” imagery wasn’t about inviting bad luck; it was about owning it. (See the “reclaiming” theme?) 

Tattoo culture has always existed slightly outside the mainstream. Choosing to get tattooed on an unlucky day was a natural extension of that mindset. Friday the 13th became a day where tattooers leaned into symbolism, not superstition, turning fear into iconography and tradition into craft.

By the mid-1900s, many tattooers already had dedicated “13” flash sheets ready to go. These designs were intentionally small, bold, and repeatable, making them ideal for high-volume walk-in days. There was no national rulebook, no standard pricing, and no single origin shop. Each studio developed its own version of the tradition, tailored to its artists, clientele, and flash style. 

When the “Friday the 13th” movies popped up in the ’80s, it just amplified the tradition. Horror films reinforced imagery tattooers had already been drawing for decades and introduced the art to a wider audience. What had once been an insider tradition within tattoo culture became a globally recognized event.

At its core, Friday the 13th works because of flash. Flash allows artists to tattoo at speed without sacrificing quality, and it gives clients clear expectations while honoring tattooing’s roots. Honoring these historical roots is a huge reason Solana is a walk-in flash shop, in addition to being a custom/appointment-style shop. (No surprise the owner has a minor in history!)  

It’s not a novelty. Friday the 13th is one of the purest expressions of traditional tattoo culture. Artist-designed, symbol-driven, and grounded in history. We love it!

What is Tattoo Flash (and Why it Matters)

Flash tattoos are pre-drawn designs created by tattoo artists. They’re displayed on walls or in books.

Flash is foundational to tattoo history. It’s how tattooing scaled, how styles developed, and how artists shared their visual language long before Instagram and Pinterest existed. Good flash is not random. It’s intentional, curated, and designed to be tattooed well. 

At Solana Tattoo, flash isn’t an afterthought or something we throw together to capitalize on Friday the 13th demand. It’s our specialty. And it has been since day one. 

We release brand-new, original flash for every single Friday the 13th. Never recycled, never generic. We always try to surprise you and do something different than what every other shop churns out. Our artists design their flash sheets with heart, longevity, and storytelling in mind. 

Not your typical Friday the 13th tattoo flash sheet

(Check out this deeper dive on tattoo flash history if you want to nerd out with us.)

Friday 13th Tattoo Sale in Fort Collins 

Many shops participate in Friday the 13th. Very few do it as we do.

Here’s what sets Solana Tattoo apart:

A massive, diverse artist team

We have one of the largest teams of diverse tattoo artists in Northern Colorado. That means:

• More flash designs to choose from

• More styles represented

• Shorter wait times because we can tattoo more people efficiently

Experts in high-volume flash events

Friday the 13th isn’t chaotic when you know what you’re doing.

We’ve hosted Flash Friday, our original Solana Tattoo tradition, on the first Friday of every month since we opened. That means our systems, flow, and artist experience are dialed in. This environment is second nature to us, and it shows.

Friday the 13th may be special, but we’re professionals at events like this.

A spa-like, non-intimidating atmosphere

Tattoos don’t have to feel scary.

Our shop is designed to feel calm, clean, and welcoming, especially for first-time tattoo clients. We pride ourselves on creating an environment where questions are encouraged and nerves are respected.

We also offer private tattoo rooms, so you don’t have to lie exposed in a crowded room if you prefer privacy.

Olivia's private tattoo room

Cleanliness that exceeds state requirements

Every single Solana Tattoo artist is certified in blood-borne pathogen handling and stays up to date on their training. Our cleanliness standards exceed Colorado state requirements. Because your safety isn’t optional.

Thousands of designs beyond just Friday the 13th

If you want something different:

• We have thousands of flash designs displayed on our walls

• You can choose from the previous Friday the 13th flash, too! 

• You’re not limited to just one sheet or even one tattoo. It’s your body! 

Thoughtful extras (because details matter)

• Free coffee, tea, and water in our lobby

• Locally run, women-, family-, and artist-owned

• Founded by a Colorado State University graduate

• Affordable retail if you want to shop while you wait (most under $5; eat that, Five Below bwahah!).

• A genuinely inclusive space welcoming people of all backgrounds

• You don’t have to wait in line or in the lobby all day. We will take your number and call you when your turn is close. 

  
  

Planning your Friday the 13th Tattoo Sale in Fort Collins

We’ll be releasing our Friday the 13th tattoo specials and original flash designs on Instagram as the date approaches.

📍 Follow us: @solanatattoo

Whether this is your first tattoo or your fiftieth, the Friday the 13th tattoo sale at Solana Tattoo in Fort Collins is about more than superstition (or the oppression of OG feminine power). It’s about honoring tattoo history, celebrating artistry, and making the experience truly enjoyable.

Superstition optional. Quality guaranteed.