Santa Muerte is the personification of death associated with healing, protection, and safe delivery into the afterlife.

More than five million Mexicans and a similar amount of Mexican Americans worship the saint, leading to an explosion of Chicano tattoos.

Many believe Santa Muerte helps them survive among the criminals, gives strength and opportunity to support their family, and treats all sorts of diseases. Her image on the body is a protective design that saves bandits from bullets or arrests by the police.

Within Santa Muerte tattoos there are relationships to struggle and sacrifice, religious iconography, Calaveras (sugar skulls), or even “La Catrina,” the beautiful woman with the face of death (which can be extended to the female clowns, or payasa).

The following collection of Santa Muerte tattoos display the amazing Chicano tattoo style at its best. If you’re looking for symbolic yet challenging religious tattoos this is one worth considering.

1. Black and Gray Santa Muerte Tattoo Ideas

Source: @alessandroiannizzotto via Instagram

Source: @astralworkshop via Instagram

Source: @bautistattoos via Instagram

Source: @jcarlos_tattoos via Instagram

Source: @silverstartattoos via Instagram

Source: @souptattoo via Instagram

2. La Catrina Santa Muerte Tattoo

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Source: @ink_for_all_tattoo via Instagram

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Source: @nemesisshow via Instagram

Source: @oscarcapelastattoo via Instagram

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Source: @rain_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @zatattoos_mef via Instagram

3. Chicano Style Santa Muerte Tattoo

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Source: @jessica_inkart via Instagram

Source: @kodotem_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @mala_czarna_tatuatorka via Instagram

Source: @oz_tattoo_uif via Instagram

4. Santa Muerte Tattoo Ideas for the Forearm

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