About Skull Tattoos
The skull most readily associated with death, but the skull can be adapted to a wide variety of statements. Skulls have the unique ability to attract and repel us. They remind us of our mortality, yet are strangely appealing.
A skull can be an element of horror or humor! The spectrum of skull tattoos can run from the graphic to the girly. The skull can be a symbol of melancholy, irony, reverence, repentance, and either transience or permanence!
Skulls can be fitted into unexpected places, such as beneath or behind the ear. The size of a single skull can be adapted to use on a hand or finger, or expanded to cover the entire back. Skulls interwoven with linear themes—such as vines, or barbed wire—can wind up the side or down a leg.
Multiple skulls can be stacked into a triangular form and used on the chest or across the back. A large skull makes a huge impact on the deltoid muscle of the shoulder! Skulls incorporate well into tattoo sleeves!
The skull tattoo design itself can be drawn in a vast number of styles, including: realism, tribal, Japanese, Asian, Celtic, and Aztec. Skulls are a common theme in old school tattoos but can be combined with elements like stars, dragons, crosses, fire or flames, jesters, pirates, jokers, soldiers, gypsies, clowns, cowboys, or kings. The skull can be drawn as evil—with demon characteristics.
The skull tattoo can be a symbol of Day of the Dead, or illustrate the philosophy “laugh now, cry later.” Effects such as burning, melting, smoking, and flying are all compatible with the skull. The skull can be combined with punk attitude—as in the Misfits’ skull icon—or filled in with a personal statement such as the rebel flag.
Girls like skulls too! Girly skull tattoos can go cute or embrace the dark side. Skulls can be combined with feminine elements such as angels, butterflies, flowers, cherries or Hello Kitty to produce a tattoo with unique personality! Animal skulls are another way to personalize a skull; horses, rams, eagles, snakes, bucks, and kitties are just a few examples.
Skull Tattoo Pictures and Ideas
Check out these cool skull tattoo pictures and skull tattoo ideas for inspiration:
