Skull Tattoos

What is the Symbolism Behind the Skull?

While once only considered a sign of rebellion, the symbolism behind the skull is often more positive than negative. In the Tarot deck, for example, the Death card, often pictured as a skull or skeleton, is a symbol of change - good and bad. One of the more common meanings behind the image of the skull is “memento mori” - Latin for “remember you must die.” The thought might seem depressing at first, but it’s actually a reminder to live life while you can.

The skull can show the victory of death over life and the transience of the human existence (often referred to as “All is vanity”), but the negative impact can be tempered by the belief of some that part of a person’s soul can survive death and triumph. At the same time, it can be a sign of machismo, proof that the wearer of the skull tattoo understand and accepts his or her fate.

The skull image is used in several religious cultures. The Indian god Kali is pictured with skulls in her wrathful form. Within the Kabbalistic tree of life, the skull symbolizes not death but rebirth, and is a celebration, not mournful time. In Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico, the skull is a reminder of death, but it reminds people that while death is a misfortune, it can also be seen as “the ultimate liberation.”

Gamblers enjoy using the skull as a “reverse bad luck” charm, hoping it will bring them good fortune. When used by gamblers, it is often accompanied by black cats and dice rolling seven.

Not all meanings are positive, however. The Nazi SS used the death’s head as a symbol, and many neo-Nazis still use the symbol in tattoos to this day.

Skull and Crossbones

Skull and crossbones

The skull and crossbones is a common type of skull tattoo. While the skull and crossbones design has often been used to symbolize poison and death, especially when used on a pirate flag, many people no longer have the same negative reaction to seeing it, especially with the resurgence of pirate imagery. With the current romantic notion of pirates, the skull and crossbones tattoo is becoming more popular and less “frightening.”

The Serpent and the Skull

Serpent and Skull

Another common subset of the skull tattoo is the serpent and the skull, in which a snake is pictured emerging from the empty eye socket of a skull. The snake in the image is symbolic of a chthonic god of knowledge and immortality. The message behind this tattoo is that knowledge persists beyond death, and the serpent has the secret.

Who Gets Skull Tattoos?

Skull tattoos - and skull and crossbone tattoos - were once considered the domain of bikers and “low-lifes,” but as the meanings behind skull tattoos are learned, and as tattoos rise in popularity, they have become more common. Celebrities, musicians, and even “regular” people now wear their skull tats with pride. There is no age or gender that is more apt to have a skull inked nowadays, however men may have more visible ones than women.

Where Can You Find Skull Tattoo Designs?

Skull tattoos, like many other tattoo designs, can be found in books and magazines, flash, and the Internet.

On the Internet, Tattoo Johnny is one of many sources for quality skull tattoos.

Finally, don’t forget to always ask your tattoo artist for drawings and suggestions. Tattoo artists are artists in their own right and can often create a custom design for your tattoo.