Skull Tattoos

Skull tattoos have always been popular among certain groups of people but lately they have become more and more main stream. This may be because of the growing recognition that these sometimes aggressive images have a more complex meaning than the obvious sinister or dark stereotype. In addition to the most obvious representation of death, the skull in its natural form can also symbolize life. The contrast and acceptance of the skull can be what truly makes the bearer of this tattoo aware and appreciative of the living.

Despite this positive reception of life, there are of course negative associations. As the skull is often seen as a symbol of toughness and endurance, the skull and cross bones can be the emblem of menacing aggression, and is famously use to indicate poisonous material.

In popular culture the skull and cross bones have been taken up by roguish groups such as bikers and pirates. Biker tattoos often depict the flaming, red-eyed skull that is set in barbed wire. It’s also popular to include a coiled snake through the eye sockets and mouth of the skull. Most people conjure up negative feelings and perhaps a certain amount of fear with images such as this, but the snake and skull image holds positive connotations as well. In many cultures the snake is s symbol of wisdom, and thus linked with the skull shows a knowledge and acceptance of death over life, a very powerful symbol indeed. The wearer of the skull and cross bones can be seen simply as a fan of the pirate culture, something that has become popularized in the mainstream culture enough to no longer be seen as negative. Of course linking yourself with the pirate emblem denotes a sort of rebellious nature. Often the skull and cross bones theme can be altered, using swords instead of bones, or adding a tri-cornered pirate hat and eye-patch to make the tattoo seem more comical.

If the skull is too menacing an image, you may want to lighten the symbolism. Placing flowers around the eye sockets, for example, can show a balance of light and dark. Mexican culture uses the skull in much of its traditions. With bright colors and a silly grin the skull can be a symbol of mischief and trickery. Skull tattoos can also be a good representation for those in the medical field, or those who have faced death and come out the better.

A skull tattoo can mean many things for many people. Do not be put off by its immediate negative stereotypes. There is often much more behind the skull tattoo then first thought.