Day of the Dead Tattoos

Day of The Dead Tattoos: A Way to Remember

It is not uncommon for people to get tattooed with the names of loved ones they have lost throughout the years. In many cultures, a portrait of a lost spouse, child or friend is a nearly mainstream thing to do. Consider the many memorialized in firefighter tattoos or those who are forever remembered fondly with military tattoos. It is this same way of thinking that engenders Mexican tattoos designed with dear ones in mind.

A Different Kind of Symbolism

In many ways, Day of the Dead tattoos are similar while in many other aspects, they are different. The main difference is that tattoos depicting loved ones lost in a Day of the Dead style are portrayed as skeletons; this is a way to accept that they are no longer among the living in the flesh. As a reminder that they are still alive in spirit, the skeletons are adorned with bright dress, instruments such as guitars and are generally in motion with dance. Other Dia de los Muertos symbols include:

• Brightly colored and disembodied skulls
• Groups of skeletons in celebration
• Bandoleros
• Wine and other spirits
• Bread, called “pan de muerto”
• A face which is half in the flesh and half skull which represents the ongoing cycle of life

The Meanings of Color

Day of the Dead Figurines

In a Dia de los Muertos tattoo, mural, altar or painting each color represents something different and of crucial importance.

• Pink – celebration and joy
• Red – the blood of life and a symbol of sacrifice
• Purple or Indigo – grief and mourning, the pain of loss and suffering
• White – hope, promise and purity of spirit
• Orange – the brilliance of the sun; a new day

A Very Important Color

Yellow symbolizes marigolds, known in the Aztec language of Náhuatl as cempazuchitl. Both the yellow color and marigolds are symbols of death and according to Aztec and other Central American mythology. Here, the flowers themselves are broken apart so that the petals can be used to lead the dead to the altars and homes where they are prayed for and thought of.

Above All: Why The Skeleton

The skull is embellished to symbolize joy in the afterlife.

In most Western cultures, the skull and crossbones and other parts of the human skeleton invoke feelings of fear, discouragement, anguish and danger. This is simply not the case for what the human skeleton signifies in most Latino and Chicano cultures. In most parts of Central and South America, the human skeleton is simply a symbol of what it literally within us – it is a way to show the inner us, the soul, acting just as a human being in the flesh might act. For this reason, you will see Day of the Dead paintings, tattoos and murals depicting skeletons at play; they are dancing, singing, eating, enjoying good wine and experiencing all that makes life worth living. It is important for the families of loved ones lost to gather and remember the person or people that have crossed to the other side. The most important aspect of the Dia de los Muertos tradition is to not imagine but to know that these souls are enjoying themselves and are excitedly but patiently awaiting the reunion with family members still on Earth.

Other Dia De Los Muertos Traditions

Any household that celebrates this sacred holiday will partake in some traditions that make this day a true holiday complete with both literal and figurative meaning for the souls of the deceased as well as those of the living. In a celebrating household, you may encounter:

• Platters of food set out for the dead
• Wine or other spirits at the place setting where the deceased may have once eaten his or her meals
• Singing and dancing to honor lost loved ones
• The lighting of candles and incense to honor and respect
• Setting out of salt water – a known sign of purity and way of welcoming those who have crossed.

In addition to what may go on within the home, community parades and other processions are also quite popular throughout Mexico and some other parts of South and Central America.