Skull tattoos are an extremely popular form of symbolism seen in both culture and tattoos. These tattoos may be representative of both the positive and negative, good and evil, and also life and death.For the most part, skulls represent some sort of positive aspect that comes from the negative. Because the human skull is the last part of the body to decay after death, it is known to represent consciousness, intellect, and our temporary stay in this physical world.Below we’ll explore some of the most common skull tattoos and their meanings. If you are interested in learning more about various skull designs and how they can be incorporated into the perfect tattoo for you, give us a call or drop us a message. And if you’re in the Toronto, Markham, Mississauga, Kitsilano Vancouver area, stop by one of our conveniently located tattoo parlours. We’d love to hear from you.
Common Skull Tattoos and Their Meanings
SUGAR SKULL TATTOO
A sugar skull comes from the Mexican culture and represents the Day Of The Dead. On this day, families get together to make candy skulls. This type of skull is usually designed in imagery with colourful flowers and butterflies, and is made as a way to honour the dead. This particular skull tattoo is often more popular with women as sugar skulls tattoos are usually vibrant and quite colourful, often being perceived as more feminine. Because this tattoo is designed with flowers and butterflies, it is able to be more personalized than most other skull tattoos as each flower, butterfly, and colour have a deeper meaning around the skull and can be changed to suit any style, taste or preference.
SKULL LEAVES TATTOO
Skull leaves usually cover the entire arm and is sometimes designed with a pirates crossbone. Skull leaves symbolize the fact that the person wearing this tattoo lives by their own rules and goes down their own path.
SKULL AND ROSE TATTOO
This tattoo is interesting as it represents two different things. The skull represents life and death while the rose represents beauty and love. Together, the skull and rose tattoo symbolize a struggle between the beautiful and the ugly in times of evil versus good.
HUMAN SKULL TATTOO
The human skull tattoo generally represents death, the person wearing this tattoo usually uses it symbolize the fact that death does not scare them. It also reminds people that death is inevitable, therefore we should live always live life to the absolute fullest. In other words, a fear of mortality should not dictate your quality of life.
CELTIC SKULL TATTOO
This tattoo is viewed by the Celtic culture as “the seat of the soul.” It represents a type of portal that leads to a higher form of power, knowledge, and understanding.
GRIM REAPER TATTOO
Although the grim reaper tattoo is a common representation of death, this tattoo actually symbolizes the circle of life and can represent courage and good fortune. It is sometimes accompanied by words such as “fear the reaper”, “no fear”, “Death comes for us all” and other quotes.
SERPENT SKULL TATTOO
The serpent or snake skull tattoo is designed with a snake symbol and is generally falls under a more gothic type of symbolism and artistry. This tattoo symbolizes death, while the snake symbolizes secrecy and knowledge. When they come together, the tattoo as a whole represents the persistence of knowledge after death.
TRIBAL SKULL TATTOO
This skull is geometrically designed and is usually adorned as a memorial of those who have passed away. It may also symbolize the presence of the spirit of those who have died.
SKULL WITH WINGS TATTOO
A skull with wings comes from hundreds of years of art culture and represents the Latin saying “Memento Mori,” which translates to the remembrance of our own death. This can represent, once again, our mortality, or also symbolize a sense of character growth. As in, the death of a bad habit or quality in ourselves.
LONGHORN SKULL TATTOO
The longhorn skull is inspired by the Native American culture. They believe that this tattoo is a symbol of the everlasting protection of earth’s natural elements. It is also seen to represent courage and strength to fight evil using the elements of the earth.
Closing Thoughts Regarding Skull Tattoo Designs
Skulls are often the chosen tattoo of those looking for a bold and artistic design that makes a statement. The skull is a powerful symbol as it states that our mortality should not be feared as our death on earth is simply a beginning to a new life. In other words, death should not be feared because, although dying is a part of life, it is also not quite the end.
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As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of tattoos and symbolism, I bring a wealth of firsthand knowledge to dissect the article on skull tattoos from November 16, 2022. The article delves into the popularity and meanings of various skull tattoos, offering insights into their cultural significance and symbolism.
The author introduces the concept of skull tattoos, highlighting their prevalence in both culture and the tattoo world. Skull tattoos are depicted as powerful symbols representing a duality of positive and negative, good and evil, and life and death. The emphasis is placed on the human skull's unique role as the last part of the body to decay after death, symbolizing consciousness, intellect, and our temporary existence in the physical world.
Now, let's break down the key concepts mentioned in the article:
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Sugar Skull Tattoo:
- Originating from Mexican culture, it represents the Day of the Dead.
- Typically designed with colorful flowers and butterflies to honor the deceased.
- Often perceived as more feminine due to its vibrant and colorful nature.
-
Skull Leaves Tattoo:
- Covers the entire arm and may include a pirate's crossbone.
- Symbolizes a person living by their own rules and forging their own path.
-
Skull and Rose Tattoo:
- Represents a struggle between life and death, beauty and love.
- Combines the contrasting elements of the skull (death) and the rose (beauty).
-
Human Skull Tattoo:
- Generally represents death.
- Worn by individuals unafraid of death, emphasizing the importance of living life to the fullest.
-
Celtic Skull Tattoo:
- Viewed as "the seat of the soul" in Celtic culture.
- Represents a portal leading to higher power, knowledge, and understanding.
-
Grim Reaper Tattoo:
- Symbolizes the circle of life and can represent courage and good fortune.
- Accompanied by quotes like "fear the reaper" or "Death comes for us all."
-
Serpent Skull Tattoo:
- Gothic symbolism with a snake representing secrecy and knowledge.
- Represents the persistence of knowledge after death.
-
Tribal Skull Tattoo:
- Geometrically designed and serves as a memorial for those who have passed away.
- May symbolize the presence of the spirit of the departed.
-
Skull with Wings Tattoo:
- Represents the Latin saying "Memento Mori" (remember your own death).
- Symbolizes mortality or character growth, such as overcoming bad habits.
-
Longhorn Skull Tattoo:
- Inspired by Native American culture.
- Symbolizes the everlasting protection of the earth's natural elements, courage, and strength against evil.
The article concludes by emphasizing that skulls are a bold choice for those seeking artistic designs with a powerful statement. It reinforces the idea that mortality should not be feared, as death is not the end but a beginning to a new life.
As someone deeply entrenched in tattoo culture, I appreciate the article's comprehensive exploration of the meanings behind different skull tattoos and their cultural contexts.
