History Main / PowerTattoo

* The Sekirei crests, located on the upper back, in ''Manga/{{Sekirei}}''.
* The mark of the Battling God from ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf''.

* The [=HiME=] marks in ''Anime/MyHime''.
* Lena Sayers in ''Anime/MyOtome'' has one as well.
* All chosen warriors in ''Manga/FushigiYuugi''
* ''Manga/YuYuHakusho'': Hiei has the Dragon of The Darkness Flame tattooed on his arm.
* ''Franchise/SailorMoon''. The Sailor Senshi have planetary marks appear on their foreheads when the plot deems it important.
** The members of the Royal Moon Family (Queen Serenity, Princess/Neo-Queen Serenity, and Small Lady) have permanent crescent moon markings on their foreheads. When using the power of the Silver Crystal, the markings glow.
* ''Franchise/YuGiOh'':
** In ''Anime/YuGiOh'', the Eye of Anubis fulfills this trope. Sometimes mistaken for The Eye of Wdjat, which is the symbol on Yugi's Puzzle, it can appear on the foreheads of bearers of the items when they use shadow magic. Glowing gold. It has also turned up on [[strike:the Steves]] those under the power of Marik through the Millennium Rod.
** The Orichalcos symbol also counts. It does turn up, glowing, on people under its influence like the Eye of Anubis.
** The Signers from ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'' each have a glowing red mark from the Crimson Dragon on their right arms. Their antitheses, the Dark Signers, have purple marks corresponding to the Earthbound Gods on their left arms.
* The Geass mark from ''Anime/CodeGeass''. Geass users have it on their eyes, whereas those who can grant Geass powers have them elsewhere, typically the forehead.
* The ''Manga/TokyoMewMew'' girls have marks on their bodies, indicating that they have been infused with Red Data Animals' DNA.
* In ''Manga/SaintSeiya'', the Bronze Saint, Dragon Shiryu has the likeness of a Chinese ''long'' tattooed on his back. It's barely visible most of the time, but reappears as his [[BattleAura Cosmo]] ignites. Unfortunately for him, it also reveals his weakness: the raised claw of the dragon matches the location of his heart, [[ChekhovsGun pointing out a fatal flaw]] in his attack style (he lowers his defense when punching.) Also, when he's close to death, the tattoo vanishes almost completely.
** The SpinOffspring anime ''Anime/SaintSeiyaOmega'' has Shiryu's son Ryuhou, with a tattoo exactly like that, minus the weakness. In his case, it didn't appear until the Pallas arc, but when it did, the fandom went wild.
** His master has a Tiger tattoo on his back. Notice a trend here?

* ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' and its Spiral Power: the users have generally spiral-shaped pupils. And Lordgenome has ''spiral body hair''.
* ''Anime/MobileFighterGGundam''. Symbols of the Shuffle Alliance.
* +Anima markings in ''Manga/PlusAnima'', though they're actually scars.
* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'':
** Orochimaru's Curse Marks, although they turn into {{Marked Change}}s when activated.
** Kurama's seal may also count.
** Tsunade, [[spoiler:Sakura]] and possibly Mito's Yin seal.
* ''Manga/{{Boruto}}'' : Karma grants the user the power of the Otsutsuki clan. [[spoiler: Unfortunately, the drawback is that the Karma is actually the backup data for the Otsutsuki that was slain and in time, the Otsutsuki's data will overwrite the user's, transforming them into a clone of said Otsutsuki.]]

* ''Manga/DGrayMan'':
** Kanda has that huge tattoo over his chest. Or at least the left side of it. It's related to his HealingFactor.
** [[spoiler: Alma Karma too. Apparently, all of the Second Exorcists did. Or would have, anyway.]]

* Negi from ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'' gets these when he initially activates his [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique Magia Erebea]].
* Brain from ''Manga/FairyTail'' has these and act as a PowerLimiter of sort.
* After being [[BoltOfDivineRetribution electrocuted]] by god, Olgrius is covered in markings in ''Manga/WildWind''. These pass on to his descendents which mark them as masters of manbeasts. [[Manga/WildRose Mikhail's]] are natural but [[Manga/WildFangs Syon's]] are actually [[BioAugmentation genetically engineered]].
* In ''Manga/{{Tokko}}'' people with [[PowersViaPossession phantoms]] inside them develop tribal-looking tattoos when they first awaken their powers.
* Ai from ''LightNovel/DragonCrisis'' has red markings on her right shoulder caused by the [[TransformationTrinket Lost Precious]] inside her body.
* In ''Anime/TenchiMuyo'', when Tenchi activates his [[PowerGivesYouWings Light Hawk Wings]], three glowing blue triangular stripes appear on his forehead. The goddess Tsunami also has two blue circles on her forehead that glow when she's using her powers. [[spoiler:Before reincarnating herself in human form, Tsunami's older sister Washu had three green circles, and regains them whenever she accesses her old powers. Washu's daughter Ryoko will gain the same markings at some time in the future when she reaches full power.]] Tenchi and Ayeka also get black stripes on their cheeks when their strength-enhancing Juraian battle armor is active.
* The crest of the Six Flowers in ''LightNovel/RokkaBravesOfTheSixFlowers''.

* Subverted and deconstructed, like [[DeconstructorFleet just about everything else]], in ''Manga/{{Bokurano}}''. [[spoiler:The kids get tattoos when they're chosen as the next pilot, which superficially resemble Power Tattoos. They aren't the root of any powers, though, and serve only as a warning to the recipient that YourDaysAreNumbered and a small hint as to the nature of the upcoming opponent. They're a very visceral reminder of one of the show's central themes: having the weight of the world on your shoulders ''sucks''.]]

* In ''ComicBook/DeathVigil'', necromancers gain their power from sigils tattooed on their bodies.

* In the Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer fanfic ''[[http://parrot.moments-lost.org/earchive/viewstory.php?sid=3370 I Am What I Am]]'', Cordelia's sword Subtlety can be carried around as a tattoo on her eye.
* In ''Fanfic/TheConversionBureauTheOtherSideOfTheSpectrum'', Marcus Renee's superhuman body and magical abilities come from arcane runes tattooed all over his body with ink that's been mixed with ground-up enchanted crystals.
* In the ''Manga/{{InuYasha}}'' ContinuationFic ''Fanfic/BeyondTomorrow'', Ren possesses a [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragon]] tattoo on his back that enables him to [[VoluntaryShapeshifting morph]] into a dragon. [[spoiler: His younger sister Tomoyo]] has a [[ThePhoenix phoenix]] tattoo on her back that gives her similar powers.
* In the ''Literature/{{Worm}}'' x ''VideoGame/{{Dishonored}}'' crossover fanfic, ''Fanfic/AChangeOfPace'', Taylor has the Outsider's Mark, proof that [[TouchedByVorlons he's given her his power]].

* ''Literature/TheBlackTattoo''. And it was pretty darn creepy.

* Junichiro Tanizaki's ''The Tattooer'', a short story wherein a sadistic artist drugs a young geisha and tattoos a black widow spider on her back, thus releasing the [[TheVamp cruel seductress]] hidden within her.
* Eugenie Markham of Richelle Mead's ''Dark Swan'' series has multiple tattoos, most of which invoke the powers of the assorted deities she uses to enhance her magical abilities.
* In ''Literature/TheHouseOfNight'', the fledgling vampyres initially get a crescent moon on their forehead. When it fills in completely, they have finished the Change into an adult vampyre. The main character Zoey Redbird's crescent tattoo has already filled in of course, along with getting various tattoos as she gains numerous [[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands special abilities]].
* Jennifer Lynn Barnes' novel ''Tattoo'' is about this. A woman from TheLittleShopThatWasntThereYesterday gives a girl named Bailey and her friends some stick-on tattoos that last for a week. Each of them gets a different power for the time they have their tattoos, though they don't know this when they get them.
* Mr. Dark, the BigBad of ''Literature/SomethingWickedThisWayComes'', controls the other carnies this way.
* Gorlist, Drow warrior from novels of Elaine Cunningham, has a dragon tattoo. Its glow indicated the presence of a dragon somewhere around, as well as [[ColourCodedForYourConvenience its kind]] (which is needed to prepare for the encounter).
* The Charter Mages in Creator/GarthNix's ''Literature/OldKingdom'' series. Among other unspecified things, the forehead marks allow "uncorrupted" Charter Mages to identify each other with a touch.
* Literature/CassandraPalmer from Karen Chance book series has a pentacle tattoo on her back that's a ward.

* The Imperium from ''Literature/TheGrimnoirChronicles'' brand kanji onto their operatives that enhance physical attributes as well as superpowers. The good guys know some that ''weaken'' captives and apply them in ash.
* ''Literature/TheFallen'''s protagonist Aaron has this whenever he activates his angelic powers.
* The protagonist of ''Literature/TheWardedMan'' and ''The Desert Spear'' by Peter V. Brett covered himself in magical wards, each of which had a different power.
* Shade from ''Literature/DarkLife'' is a variation. [[spoiler:His tattoos are a manifestation of his Dark Gift, which is to alter the color of his skin.]]
* The half-vampire members of the Fellowship of St. Giles in ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' have tattoos that indicate how much they are utilizing their vampiric powers, and thus how close they are to losing control.
* Members of magically-inclined families in ''Literature/CollegiaMagica'' are required to bear a tattoo of their family crest on the back of the left hand, whether they themselves are magically talented or not.
* Cabaline wizards in ''Literature/DoctrineOfLabyrinths'' are tattooed from elbow to knuckle as a display of their power and status.
* A variant appears in ''Literature/BuryingTheShadow'' involving dyeing the teeth as a visible sign of someone's powers. Soulscapers dye their teeth pink. Scryers dye their teeth indigo.
* The ''Literature/IronDruidChronicles'': Atticus, and other druids who care to exist are connected to the Earth via tattoos, giving them their awesome druidic powers.
* In ''Literature/SparrowAndBright'', the princess Hope has tattoos all over her body that absorb power from the sun. This means she likes to sunbathe naked to take in as much power as possible in the morning.
* In the Literature/SpiritAnimals series, the titular BondCreatures can each enter something called the "passive mode", in which they become a tattoo somewhere on their partner's body. While convenient for transport, the spirit animal is incapable of aiding their companion in this state.

* In ''Literature/TheChildrenOfMan'' magic-users get glowing InstantRunes on their body when they use their powers. If you use your magic enough, this dyes your skin and gives you permanent tattoos.
* Dragon Riders in the ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'' are marked with the gedway ignasia, a silver mark on their palm.
* In ''Literature/TheGirlFromTheWell'', Tark has five tattoos which serve to seal the woman in black. To those with supernatural sight, they seem to glow and writhe with power.
* In Kristen Painter's ''House of Comarre'' series, the eponymous comarre (essentially geishas for vampires) have special gold tattoos called "signum." These serve to identify them, and the process of creating signum also purifies their blood. In the course of the series it's revealed that certain signum have other functions.
* In "Literature/WarlocksOfTheSigil" warlocks tend to have a tattoo that represents their power.
* In ''The Envoy'', the protagonist gets a BequeathedPower from the previous Envoy, when the latter is ambushed and killed by the BigBad's forces in the form of a tattoo that, eventually, allows him to tap into the interdimensional energy/knowledge (sort of like AkashicRecords), as well as his GeneticMemory (granting him the skills of his warrior ancestors).
* ImpliedTrope in ''Literature/TheCrocodileGod.'' The Filipino sea-god Haik has his arm covered in a sleeve of crocodile scales, plus a back-piece of crocodile-ridges. He got his arm tattoo after killing a saltwater crocodile [[CanonForeigner when he first came to the islands]] (not knowing the Filipinos revered them as [[DinosaursAreDragons dragons]]), so he [[CannibalismSuperpower ate its flesh in penance]] and is now a crocodile/dragon-shifter. It's later stated that ''all'' Filipino tattoos are magical to some extent, being [[TattooAsCharacterType spiritual connections to one's community.]] Haik used to have ''even more tattoos:'' The Samoan pe'a, anklets, a crocodile-scale chest-piece, bird-tattoos, and a modern-day sleeve. [[DeathOfTheOldGods After Catholicism spread through the islands]] and [[RuleOfSymbolism he had to "take most of them off"]] to avoid being MORE mistreated than he already was, he later realized [[MortonsFork the other gods couldn't find him.]]
* In the ''Malloreon'' sequel series to ''Literature/TheBelgariad'', the [[ReligionOfEvil Grolim priestess]] Chabat's face is scarified with a flame motif that comes alive when she uses sorcery. However, it's more a sign of her fanaticism than of any exceptional power: she's a middling sorceress and [[spoiler:quickly gets {{eat|TheSummoner}}en when she summons a demon in a WizardDuel]].
* In the ''Literature/ChaosGods'' series, Ki has a tattoo on her forehead which marks her as a Servant of the god Tavk. It glows when she invokes Tavk's power.
* {{Inverted}} in ''Literature/{{Touch2017}},'' where Caleb and his fellow "assets" have a tattoo that functions as a PowerLimiter[=/=]PowerNullifier. Their masters use this to control them, and if they try to escape it can drain their powers so much that they'll die.
* Alek Fitz, the protagonist in Brian [=McClellan=]'s ''Valkyrie Collections'' series, has three magical tattoos. The two on his hands are under his control, and grant him the ability to do ridiculous amounts of damage with "bare-handed" attacks. [[spoiler:The third, a barcode over his heart, is a SlaveBrand that lets his owner inflict as much pain as she feels like if he doesn't follow orders.]]
* ''Literature/{{Phaeton}}'' has the tribal brands which will glow upon activation of a non passive power.
* ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'': Some mutants have tattoo-like markings due to their powers, some of which are {{Animated Tattoo}}s as well. Also, magical tattoos are not unknown among wizards (e.g., Glyph, who inherited hers with her [[LegacyCharacter inherited magical powers]]) or those who pay wizards to place them [[SuperEmpowering in order to empower them]]. Zigzagged with Eldritch, who inscribed herself with magical tattoos to prevent anyone else from doing so (which would have turned her into their mind-controlled slave).
* ''Literature/FoodOfTheGods'' by Cassandra Khaw: Rupert's full-body tattoos are the physical embodiment of the myriad ghosts and spirits he's [[WillingChanneler contracted]] as bodyguards; they {{Animate|dTattoo}} and rise from his skin when the spirits are active. The most go-getting among them wins a coveted place on the surface of Rupert's heart. [[spoiler:When Rupert cuts a deal with [[EldritchAbomination Nyarlathotep]], his body gets covered with an eldritch star map.]]
* ''Literature/GentlemanBastard'': Bondsmage MagicalSociety uses simple black ring tattoos around the wrists to mark a mage's power and rank. A three-ring mage is a deadly OutsideContextProblem in the first book, so the protagonist is ''very'' concerned to meet a [[TheArchmage five-ringer]] in the third book.
-->'''Locke:''' All I ever heard was that more is better. Just how many can one of you people have, anyway?\\
'''Archedama Patience:''' [[BlaseBoast This many]].
* In ''Literature/ChroniclesOfAncientDarkness'', Renn gets lightning-bolt tattoos in the third book to protect her from demons. They later become a ChekhovsGun in the fourth book when a delirious Torak thinks Renn has found him and grabs her arm, only to notice there are no tattoos. It turns out to be [[spoiler:Seshru, Renn's mother]].

* Gabrielle's [[http://images.ados.fr/television/photo/5535277553/dernier-episode/xena-gabrielle-883126441.jpg back tattoo]] in the ''Series/XenaWarriorPrincess'' finale, which only glows once, but protects her from a fireball that would've seriously injured or killed her.
** In the fourth season episode "Between the Lines", while traveling through India, Xena and Gabrielle find their souls sent into the future to preserve their Karmic line from the sorcerer Alti. At one point, they paint elaborate Mehndi henna tattoos over each other's bodies, and use the tattoos to channel their souls back into their own time.
* The tattoos of the Checkmate Four in ''Series/KamenRiderKiva''.
* In ''Series/TheInvisibleMan'', Darien's quicksilver Indicator tattoo on his wrist. Doubles as MarkOfTheBeast, as when it's red it means he's in the throes of quicksilver madness.

* The tattoos that Lindsay gets in ''Series/{{Angel}}'' to hide himself from the senior partners.
* In the first season of ''Series/{{Smallville}}'', when nearly every citizen in town got powers from GreenRocks, a gang has tattoos with meteor rock ink that allow them to pass through solid matter.
* ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'': After being possessed by demons a few times and having to exorcise each other, Sam and Dean get protective tattoos to stop it from happening again.
* ''Series/{{Misfits}}'': A tattoo artist can manipulate people through supernatural tattoos; he even managed to stab Curtis with a dagger tattoo.
* ''Series/{{Shadowhunters}}'': Shadowhunters have tattoos that give them powers, in the show they are called Runes.

* Used literally in ''VideoGame/PlanescapeTorment'' where Tattoos are one of the main pieces of equipment and confer numerous benefits on their wearer, as well as some playing a part in the plot. In addition, one of the Nameless One's non-equipment tattoos is [[MarkOfTheBeast the Symbol of Torment]], [[spoiler:a physical manifestation of pain that he always bears, even if he forgets it's there. Do things right in the game, and his torment ends -- and the tattoo falls off]].
* ''VideoGame/{{Primal}}'':
** Jen has a circular design on her back that glows when she adopts various demonic forms. We're told it's important, and [[AbortedArc nothing else.]]
** [[spoiler: Lewis]] has a similar mark on his arm, although it may be just an ordinary tattoo.
* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
** The mark of the Triforce in some games, which generally appear on the back of the dominant hand.
** Not to mention the [[SuperMode Fierce Deity form's]] facial tattoos from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask''.

* Heraldry in the ''VideoGame/StarOcean'' series, the equivalent of magic, uses symbols drawn on the body.

* Shanoa of ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' has a nice set of three Power Tattoos, one on each upper arm and a large one on her back, which use Glyphs to cast her spells.

* Although never seen due to graphics limitations, enemy mages in ''VideoGame/BaldursGateII'' have these. They operate as an improved Contingency spell [[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard granting the ability to simultaneously cast multiple spells of any level]].
* The Tsoo from ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'' gain their powers from these.
* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'', l'Cie have a tattoo-like mark, though it's referred to as a brand, which varies in design based on the fal'Cie that chose them. It glows when they use magic or summon Eidolons, and changes over time to serve as a sort of countdown. If the l'Cie doesn't complete their [[MissionFromGod Focus]] before it finishes changing, they become a Cie'th, basically a crystalline zombie-like monster that wanders the world is pain and regret. ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyType0'' also features l'Cie, but trade out the physical brand for a floating, [[PowerGlows glowing]] version.
* In ''VideoGame/PrinceOfPersiaTheTwoThrones'', the Prince becomes infected by the [[TheCorruption Sands of Time]], and occasionally transforms into a unique being known as the Dark Prince, which functions as a SuperpoweredEvilSide. His whole body is covered by glowing tattoos while in this state. He also has normal tattoos when he isn't transformed.
* Almalexia in ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind''.
* These act as powerups of a sort in ''VideoGame/CliveBarkersUndying''.
* ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarUniverse'': Beasts can turn into a large humanoid monster if they get a special kind of tattoo, known as a Blast Badge.
* ''VideoGame/FableIII'' has tattoos that start to glow as you gain more magic power and morality. And then there are glowing markings that appear on your clothes if you use flourish attacks, their amount are increased as you gain more magic power. If your morality is good, your tattoos glow blue, just like the tattoos of Maze in the first Fable.
* ''VideoGame/{{Rift}}'': The Defiant faction's resident stouts tattoo themselves heavily, both to [[StoryboardBody commemorate their accomplishments]] and to [[HumanNotepad help channel their elemental heritage]]. Unfortunately, while this can be seen on {{N|onPlayerCharacter}}PCs, it's [[GameplayAndStorySegregation not really an option for players]].
* In ''VideoGame/GoldenSunDarkDawn'' Himi of Yamatai has FacialMarkings on her forehead that greatly resemble the Third Eye Stone. Conveniently, the Third Eye is what she needs to [[FaintingSeer wake from her visions]] and extract useful knowledge from them. Mysteriously, villain Blados has similar markings on his forehead. Their purpose is unknown, but [[EpilepticTrees speculated]].
* ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights2'': Ammon Jerro in the original campaign. Safiya in ''[[ExpansionPack Mask of the Betrayer]]''. In both cases, derived from the [[TheMagocracy Red Wizards of Thay]].
* ''VideoGame/DungeonFighterOnline'': The [[LeeroyJenkins Male Fighter's]] subclass, [[KiManipulation Nen Master]], makes use of tattoos to harness the power of nen without having to devote time. [[http://dungeonfighter.nexon.net/GameGuide/Characters.aspx?page=malefighter According to the websight]], these tattoos [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique decrease someone's life span by several years.]]
* The never-released game ''VideoGame/TattooAssassins'' revolved around fighters with magic tattoos. It isn't nearly as good as it sounds.
* Corvo from ''VideoGame/{{Dishonored}}'' gets one from [[HumanoidAbomination The Outsider]], a circular design resembling a compass (complete with tiny, spidery "N" for North) on the back of his left hand.
* The eponymous Mark in ''VideoGame/MarkOfTheNinja'' grants its wearer increased agility and perception. However, it also causes mild-to-severe hallucinations, eventually driving the person wearing it insane. Thus, it's only used in dire circumstances, and the one who takes the mark is required to commit {{Seppuku}} afterwards.
* Jason Brody of ''VideoGame/FarCry3'' gets a tattoo on his left arm that continues to grow as he gets new skills or finds new hidden collectibles around the world. It's ambiguous as to whether this is genuine magic or all just in his mind, since he never gets the ability to do anything that's quite beyond human limits, but it does seem to signify how much of a badass he's become due to how much it's grown.
* In the ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}'' series having on the these on the left side of you body is the mark of a Siren, a being that possess vast supernatural powers.
* In ''VideoGame/EveOnline'', tattoos are a large part of the Minmatar backstory, and in the current setting there are special, nanite-powered tattoos, for example "War Tattoos" activated by adrenaline, or simply by their owners will. A more straightforward example of a Power Tattoo in the EVE-verse are the "Voluval" tattoos that form by themselves after a ritual and a mystical concoction is consumed, these Voluval marks can, among other things, help their recipient become a head of state or cast people out of their whole society - although this is largely because of beliefs and expectations attributed to certain types of tattoos, rather than the powers of tattoos themselves.
* [[PlayerCharacter Hawke]] from ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' is seen with one in the ''Destiny'' trailer, in which he seems to use it to channel BloodMagic. It's absent in the game itself, even as a Blood Mage, until you equip the [[IconicOutfit Mantle of the Champion]], but even then it's purely aesthetic.
* In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'', Qunari characters cannot equip helmets due to their horns ([[StoryAndGameplaySegregation though this also applies for a hornless Qunari Inquisitor]]) so they instead use Vitaar, magical warpaint that hardens Qunari skin but is toxic to all other races.
* In ''VideoGame/FallenLondon'', you can get a tattoo from the Lady in Lilac during the Feast of the Exceptional Rose (AKA the Neath equivalent of Valentine's Day). The tattoo choices are based on people you meet and events you witness over the course of the game, with some becoming available only if you've completed certain stories, and you get a point of Bizarre or Dreaded from the tattoo you choose that makes it easier to become more Notable.
* A [[MagicKnight Nexus Champion]] from ''[[VideoGame/NexusWar Nexus Clash]]'' is covered with tattoos that rewrite their relationship with the laws of physics and grant them phenomenal powers. The only price is that some of these powers give the Champion a duty to maintain the BalanceBetweenGoodAndEvil.
* The Kabal from the ''Mean Streets of Gadgetzan'' expansion of ''VideoGame/HearthstoneHeroesOfWarcraft'' are marked by glowing red tattoos. They can be tapped into at any time for extra power, but they also [[PowerAtAPrice warp their users' bodies]].
* This is a gameplay mechanic in ''VideoGame/LetItDie''. You can buy temporary tattoos for your characters in-game that confer buffs, and the Mushroom Magistrate is able to create these, and she'll sell them to you or exchange them for Skillshrooms.
* In ''[[VideoGame/{{Oddworld}} Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee]]'', Abe gets a pair of hand tattoos that allow him to transform into an avatar of Shrykull, the god of lightning. In ''Abe's Exoddus'', he gets a chest tattoo that lets him heal the sick for a bit of a MessianicArchetype.
* In the ''VideoGame/FireEmblem'' series, those with unusual heritage or powers often have a "brand" or "mark" of some sort. Examples include those with Holy Blood in the [[VideoGame/FireEmblemGenealogyOfTheHolyWar Judgral]] [[VideoGame/FireEmblemThracia776 games]], Spirit Charmers and the Branded in the [[VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance Tellius]] [[VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn games]], the Mark of Naga [[spoiler: and Grima]] in ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening Awakening]]'', and [[spoiler: the Mark of Duma and Mila in ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemGaiden Echoes: Shadows of Valentia]]'']].
* Tattoos are the central element of ''VideoGame/TokyoTattooGirls''. After an incident that wrecked Tokyo, many of these suddenly appeared on various women, granting them mystical power. The player, a professional tattoo artist, is capable of further developing their female partner's and help her take control of Tokyo. The more tattoos a girl has, the greater their power becomes, increasing their overall Charisma as well as their power in specific types of wards (commercial, residential, etc.), and often granting some additional benefits (such as adding new map abilities or lowering all potential Honor losses).
* In ''VideoGame/PromiseOfWizard'', the Wizard Mark manifests itself on a wizard's body when they are [[TheChosenOne chosen]]. It is given at random when the Sage has performed a ceremony, but not at any time as there are a limited number of those who bear it. Every time a wizard dies, the Sage must replace them - hence the mark becomes an indicator of the wizards who work for the Sage. In total, there are 21 holders of the mark.

* Talies from ''Webcomic/TheMotleyTwo'' (as well as other [[GeometricMagic Writer-Mages]]) has a rune inscribed on his palm that, apart from marking him as part of the order, gives him a sensitivity to the flow of magic.

* ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010'' has Aqualad, whose arms are tattooed. They [[PowerGlows glow]] when he is using his [[MakingASplash hydrokinesis]]. All Atlantian magic using warriors have these. Those who completed the full training course like Tempest, Aquagirl, or Lagoon Boy (Aqualad dropped out to serve under Aquaman) can even hide the tattoos when they aren't using their powers.
* In the wolrd of ''WesternAnimation/{{Wakfu}}'', Sacriers (like Kriss Krass) get their powers from their tattoos. This is a LighterAndSofter change from the time of ''VideoGame/{{Dofus}}'', where Sacriers instead used BloodyMurder.
* In the AnimatedAdaptation of ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'' Clan [[BrainComputerInterface Enhanced Imaging]] implants look like green facial tattoos that glow when activated. Though pics of Clanners from the gamebooks seem to suggest that EI subcutaneous implants aren't supposed to be visible.

** The members of the Moon Matriarchy (Queen Serenity, Princess/Neo-Queen Serenity, and Small Lady) have permanent crescent moon markings on their foreheads. When using the power of the Silver Crystal, the markings glow.

** The Starbrand from ''ComicBook/TheNewUniverse'' -- basically a [[AmplifierArtifact Cosmic Cube]] in tattoo form.
*** Creator/WarrenEllis' AlternateContinuity, ''newuniversal'', takes it a step further and has four "power glyphs": the Starbrand glyph as above, the Justice glyph (which lets the bearer DetectEvil and generate {{Laser Blade}}s), the Nightmask glyph (which gives the bearer powerful [[{{Telepathy}} telepathic abilities]]) and the Cipher glyph (which gives the bearer the ability to [[GadgeteerGenius create advanced technology]]) equating to the four heroes of the original New Universe (Star Brand, Justice, Nightmask, and Spitfire).

** ''Franchise/GreenLantern'' villain the Tattooed Man (both of them) takes it a step further. His power is making his tattoos spring off his body and come to life.
** Same goes for Tattoo, his DistaffCounterpart from the short-lived ''ComicBook/{{Aztek}}'' series. And Tats, his ''ComicBook/{{New 52}}'' DistaffCounterpart from ''Power Girl/Huntress: Worlds Finest''.

** [[ComicBook/{{Aquaman}} Aqualad]], of ComicBook/TeenTitansRebirth and ComicBook/YoungJustice2019, has tattoos down his arms and legs that glow when he uses his hydrokinesis or his electro-shock powers.

** In the wonderful but unappreciated DC comic ''Son of Vulcan'', the main character Mikey gets the previous Vulcan's power when the dying hero touches his face, transferring Vulcan's power through a sort of tattoo. The tat is supposed to go on the new Son of Vulcan's chest, to facilitate [[ClarkKenting secret identifying]], but because the transfer is rushed, Mickey ends up with a brightly glowing hand-shaped mark right on his face.
** In ''ComicBook/JusticeLeague2018'' John Stewart acquires a fully operational tattoo of a power ring. When people demand he removes his ring, whether it's alien royalty or his fellow Corpsmen, he simply responds that he ''can't''.

** Creator/WarrenEllis's AlternateContinuity, ''newuniversal'', takes it a step further and has four "power glyphs": the Starbrand glyph as above, the Justice glyph (which lets the bearer DetectEvil and generate {{Laser Blade}}s), the Nightmask glyph (which gives the bearer powerful [[{{Telepathy}} telepathic abilities]]) and the Cipher glyph (which gives the bearer the ability to [[GadgeteerGenius create advanced technology]]) equating to the four heroes of the original New Universe (Star Brand, Justice, Nightmask, and Spitfire).
*** All four are later introduced to the main Marvel Universe in Jonathan Hickman's ''Avengers'' run and in ''ComicBook/Ultimates2015'' - though on Earth, only Starbrand and Nightmask are explicitly connected to the White Event thanks to the multiversal collapse around Earth.
** ComicBook/RachelSummers developed a Phoenix tattoo over her right eye for a while when she seriously used her powers. It wasn't necessarily a sign she had the Phoenix, just her connection to the entity in question.
** The new character Ink in the ''ComicBook/XMen'' comics has a different power for each tattoo he has. [[spoiler:At first he thought he was a {{mutant|s}} who would get powers based on his tattoos, but it turns out his tattoo artist is a mutant who could give people powers by giving them tattoos.]]
** Minor X-Men character Gentle inverts this with his vibranium tattoos. It serves to limit his power of increasing his muscle mass and strength a'la Hulk, because if the power goes out of control it'll potentially harm his body. Every time he activates his power, his peak strength increases from the last, reducing the effectiveness of them over time.

** Aqualad, of ComicBook/YoungJustice, has tattoos down his arms and legs that glow when he uses his hydrokinesis or his electro-shock powers.

** [[ComicBook/{{Aquaman}} Aqualad II]] possesses Atlantean tattoos that glow when he uses his hydrokinesis.

[[caption-width-right:350:The Way of the Arrow]]

* ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'' has Aqualad, whose arms are tattooed. They [[PowerGlows glow]] when he is using his [[MakingASplash hydrokinesis]]. All Atlantian magic using warriors have these. Those who completed the full training course like Tempest, Aquagirl, or Lagoon Boy (Aqualad dropped out to serve under Aquaman) can even hide the tattoos when they aren't using their powers.

** The Signers, and their antithesis the Dark Signers, in ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds''

* A dressing scene in ''Webcomic/SleeplessDomain'' reveals that Undine has an inverted blue triangle representing her water powers on her chest. Such symbols are a trait of Magical Girls in the setting. Each girl has her own unique mark and it can appear anywhere on the body. When their powers fade in adulthood or are otherwise lost, the mark becomes more like a burned out scar, as seen with Tessa in a scene similar to the one revealing Undine's mark. (One wonders what will happen with Zoe's mark, considering her's is in her ''eye''.)

* A dressing scene in ''Webcomic/SleeplessDomain'' reveals that Undine has an inverted blue triangle representing her water powers on her chest. Such symbols are a trait of Magical Girls in the setting. Each girl has her own unique mark and it can appear anywhere on the body. When their powers fade in adulthood or are otherwise lost, the mark becomes more like a burned out scar, as seen with Tessa in a scene similar to the one revealing Undine's mark.

* The fanfic novelization''Fanfic/BreathOfTheWild'' faithfully adapts the story of the [[Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild namesake game]]. However, an original addition to the story is that three characters receive at least one of these. All of their tattoos glow with different colors.

** Kinetix, in ''ComicBook/{{Legion of Super-Heroes}}'', when she got her powers restored by the White Witch. In this case, the tattoo was the least unusual part of her resulting appearance, which included white skin, pointed ears, and a tail.

* In ''Webcomic/AliceAndTheNightmare'', everyone has a tattoo denoting their Suit, but for oneironauts, they denote their Traumen powers as well.
* Talies from ''Webcomic/TheMotleyTwo'' (as well as other [[GeometricMagic Writer-Mages]]) has a rune inscribed on his palm that, apart from marking him as part of the order, gives him a sensitivity to the flow of magic.
* ''Webcomic/Aurora2019'': Elemental mages commonly get tattoos to help channel elemental energy into themselves and work their will with said energy.

** Likewise, in ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne'', the main character gets [[PowerGlows glowy]] sorta-power-tattoos all over his body, "sorta" in that they're a natural part of his demon body.

* In the ''Manga/{{InuYasha}}'' ContinuationFic ''Fanfic/BeyondTomorrow'', Ren possesses a [[InstantAwesomeJustAddDragons dragon]] tattoo on his back that enables him to [[VoluntaryShapeshifting morph]] into a dragon. [[spoiler: His younger sister Tomoyo]] has a [[ThePhoenix phoenix]] tattoo on her back that gives her similar powers.

* Most of the palms in ''VideoGame/KidIcarusUprising'' are this.

* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'', l'Cie have a tattoo-like mark, though it's referred to as a brand, which varies in design based on the fal'Cie that chose them. It glows when they use magic or summon Eidolons, and changes over time to serve as a sort of countdown. If the l'Cie doesn't complete their [[MissionFromGod Focus]] before it finishes changing, they become a Cie'th, basically a crystalline zombie-like monster that wanders the world is pain and regret.
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyType0'' also features l'Cie, but in a different context, instead "branded" by the Crystals.

* ''Anime/FullmetalAlchemist''

* The [=HiME=] marks in ''Anime/MaiHime''.
* Lena Sayers in ''Anime/MaiOtome'' has one as well.

* ''Franchise/YuGiOh''

* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}''

* ''Manga/DGrayMan''

* Negi from ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'' gets these when he initially activates his [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique Magia Erebea]].

* Creator/DCComics

** Same goes for Tattoo, his DistaffCounterpart from the short-lived ''ComicBook/{{Aztek}}'' series. And Tats, his ''Comicbook/{{New 52}}'' DistaffCounterpart from ''Power Girl/Huntress: Worlds Finest''.

** Aqualad, of Comicbook/YoungJustice, has tattoos down his arms and legs that glow when he uses his hydrokinesis or his electro-shock powers.

** In ''Comicbook/JusticeLeague2018'' John Stewart acquires a fully operational tattoo of a power ring. When people demand he removes his ring, whether it's alien royalty or his fellow Corpsmen, he simply responds that he ''can't''.
* Creator/MarvelComics

** Comicbook/DoctorStrange has an ankh which will appear on his forehead if he is close to Death, or whenever he most needs an affirmation of life.
* Smaxx from ''Comicbook/TopTen''. A tattoo unwittingly left on his chest by a dying princess is the focus of much power-usage.

* In FanFic/TheConversionBureauTheOtherSideOfTheSpectrum, Marcus Renee's superhuman body and magical abilities come from arcane runes tattooed all over his body with ink that's been mixed with ground-up enchanted crystals.
* In the ''Manga/{{InuYasha}}'' ContinuationFic ''FanFic/BeyondTomorrow'', Ren possesses a [[InstantAwesomeJustAddDragons dragon]] tattoo on his back that enables him to [[VoluntaryShapeshifting morph]] into a dragon. [[spoiler: His younger sister Tomoyo]] has a [[ThePhoenix phoenix]] tattoo on her back that gives her similar powers.
* In the [[{{Literature/Worm}} Worm]] x Videogame/{{Dishonored}} crossover fanfic, FanFic/AChangeOfPace, Taylor has the Outsider's Mark, proof that [[TouchedByVorlons he's given her his power]].

* In TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}, while practically any object can become a magic focus if given enough time and preparation, practitioners of some traditions prefer to use tattoos. The reasoning for tattoos can be for religious significance, effectiveness, or that it's hard to disarm somebody of a focus inked onto the body; but most commonly because [[RuleOfCool they look pretty badass]].

* ''VideoGame/{{Primal}}''

* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda''

* ''VideoGame/LegendOfLegaia''

* ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei''

* In ''Videogame/DragonAgeInquisition'', Qunari characters cannot equip helmets due to their horns ([[StoryAndGameplaySegregation though this also applies for a hornless Qunari Inquisitor]]) so they instead use Vitaar, magical warpaint that hardens Qunari skin but is toxic to all other races.

* In the VideoGame/FireEmblem series, those with unusual heritage or powers often have a "brand" or "mark" of some sort. Examples include those with Holy Blood in the [[VideoGame/FireEmblemGenealogyOfTheHolyWar Judgral]] [[VideoGame/FireEmblemThracia776 games]], Spirit Charmers and the Branded in the [[VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance Tellius]] [[VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn games]], the Mark of Naga [[spoiler: and Grima]] in [[Videogame/FireEmblemAwakening Awakening]], and [[spoiler: the Mark of Duma and Mila in [[VideoGame/FireEmblemGaiden Echoes: Shadows of Valentia]]]].

* In ''VideoGame/{{Rift}}'', the Defiant faction's resident [[FiveRaces stouts]] canonically tattoo themselves heavily, both to [[StoryboardBody commemorate their accomplishments]] and to [[HumanNotepad help channel their elemental heritage]]. Unfortunately, while this can be seen on {{N|onPlayerCharacter}}PCs, it's [[GameplayAndStorySegregation not really an option for players]].

* {{Inverted}} in ''Literature/{{Touch}},'' where Caleb and his fellow "assets" have a tattoo that functions as a PowerLimiter[=/=]PowerNullifier. Their masters use this to control them, and if they try to escape it can drain their powers so much that they'll die.

* ''Literature/GentlemanBastard'': Bondsmage MagicalSociety uses simple black ring tattoos around the wrists to mark a mage's power. A three-ring mage is a deadly OutsideContextProblem in the first book, so the protagonist is ''very'' concerned to meet a five-ringer in the third book, all the more so when she says that [[TheArchmage five is the maximum]].