Skull Tattoos

Skull Tattoos

These fearsome and ghoulish symbols can be a tad gruesome for some but their meaning has long made it popular among those who appreciated the many faces of death. Skulls are one of the clearest physical representations of human mortality; there is no other symbol that so clearly tells us that the subject that will be shared is that of death itself. However while for many death is shrouded in fear, sorrow and darkness, it is also important to note that there is also great humor, beauty and freedom associated with death as well. This is why the skull is so important to human expression, it helps us to express the many feelings that death and life instill in us culturally, spiritually and personally every day.

Day of the Dead Skulls

In Mexican culture, the Day of the Dead is a special celebration for those loved ones who have passed on that involves special sugar skulls and masks. Celebrated on November 1st (for children and infants who’ve passed on) and November 2nd (for adults who’ve passed away), the Day of the Dead celebration is intended as a celebration of life as much as an acknowledgment of those who have passed away. In tattoo form, the sugar skull often marks the loss of a loved one or the act of accepting death as one of many aspects of life.

Skull and Crossbones

While for many years the skull and crossbones stood for poison and death, they’ve now come to stand for the romantic notion of rebellion such as with the popular notion of pirates.

Serpent and the Skull

This is an image of a snake slithering out of the socket of a skull. The snake in this image stands for knowledge and immortality and when paired with the skull stands for the immortality of knowledge itself.

Skull for Luck
Gamblers often wear a skull tattoo paired with a black cat, dice or cards to ward off bad luck at the table. Wearing a skull tattoo is also thought to ward off death and evil.

Skull to Mark Survival
Many times a person who has survived a life threatening illness or accident may get a skull tattoo to mark their victory over death. This can also be for an emotionally damaging experience.

Momento Mori
This is a skull worn in memory of lost loved ones.

Rebellion
Skulls can signify fearlessness and a sense of rebelliousness which surpasses death. These tattoos often feature a skull that seems animated and mischievous.
When choosing which skull to etch onto your body, it is important to take in each element of the tattoo before you decide. As with any other type of tattoo there are many meanings both culturally and personally for each version of the skull motif.  It’s well worth the time to talk to tattoo artists and do your own research into the meaning of a tattoo before you have it inked into your skin. Keep in mind, it may pay to make a few changes to the traditional patterns to sidestep the clichés that some skull patterns have taken on among the trendy.