Devil Tattoos

The Devil, or Satan, is most obviously a symbol of evil and wickedness in present Western society. Notwithstanding, devil tattoos very rarely represent this to the wearer. Indeed, devil tattoos are often an expression of the bearer’s ties to paganism, Satan being a powerful and complex symbol in both contemporary and ancient times. Depicted artistically in some of his earliest forms, Devil tattoos symbolize something altogether different than the biblical box Christianity has put him in.

In medieval times, Satan took form as a cloven hoofed beast with two horns, a forked tail, and a mischievous goatee. This roguish creature can therefore symbolize simply that: a rebellious nature. Outside of biblical context, the Devil embodies chaos and an uninhibited spirit.

If you examine images of the Devil in the 50’s you will see he was painted as a character full of charisma and charm, although these talents were often used to manipulate people. This trickster representation has since encouraged people to portray him as such in their tattoos. An alternative to this can be seen through the rendering of the female devil. This little vixen often takes the form of a pin-up girl with horns and a tail, and is usually accompanied by her angel counterpart, symbolizing the contrast of good and evil.

Devil tattoos easily lend themselves toward the sinister, but most bearers choose to take it light-heartedly. Some tattoos are even known to have childlike qualities—the tubby and red-faced, naughty youngster who stirs up harmless trouble instead of spreading evil. Despite the cuteness, these little guys still bear the pointed tail and horns of his more menacing father figure.

Devil tattoos can have even more specific significance to the wearer. In classic art, for example, Satan was often depicted playing the fiddle, which might be an ideal representation for a musician who identifies with a twist of mischief.

Elegant interpretations of the Devil in classical art can give a refined aspect to a Devil tattoo. The depth and detail with which many of these paintings and reliefs show the beast are usually beautifully duplicated on skin.

It is nice to create your own designs for a Devil tattoo, incorporating ideas from ancient and contemporary imagery. Classic backgrounds of brimstone and the fires of Hell are obvious accompaniments for the image of Satan, but showing him walking among us humans is another interesting take on the legend.

Whether you view Satan as the representative of evil or simply an image of the devil within us, a Devil tattoo can have many meanings.