Find a Tattoo Artist
in YOUR city
________________________

Skull Tattoos – Symbol of Life and Death

Once skull tattoos were thought to be a symbol of death and rebellion, but now they have more of a positive association. Skull tattoos are seen positively by being a reminder that all living things die and to live life to the fullest while you still can. They still have some negative undertones, such as roughness, survival or used in a white supremist design. Overall, most skull tattoos now have been more of an optimistic symbol which is why they have increased in popularity. Both sexes are fans of skull tattoos, but of course are more common among males.

 

Varieties of Skull Tattoos Without a doubt, the most famous of the skull tattoos is the skull and crossbones design which is also known as the Jolly Roger. This symbol indicates poisonous material or death, however, in more recent time it has gained popularity as a positive design. With the popularity of pirates rising from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, the skull tattoos with crossbones are more about the pirate culture and fantasy then about death and poison. Also the skulls with swords rather than crossbones are another popular nod to the pirate culture.

Another variety of skull tattoos is with a snake looping out one eye socket and into the other. Skull tattoos are popular amongst bikers who get the ink of a skull with flames surrounding it, with red eyes or covered in barbed wire. Workers in the field of medicine also get skull tattoos to symbolize their daily work with life and death.

Skull tattoos can also be combined with other images to heighten the positive image of the skull. Flowers coiling around a skull’s head and eyes can be a feminine tattoo and symbolize both death and the beauty of life. More whimsical skull tattoos have also been created such as ones wearing jester or clown hats.


Color and Location of Skull Tattoos

For skull tattoos, this is where you can get creative! Skull tattoos can be grim in just black ink or beautiful multi colored ink designs. If you are using another symbol such as flowers or even hearts, this is the opportunity to add any color of your choosing. As for the location, requested places range from top of the arm to leg and even back-it just depends on the size or how visible you want the design. Before you get a skull tattoo, you should decide on what connotation you would like it to have either negative or positive. You can be inventive and work with your tattoo artist to make your own vision of the skull tattoo.