Symbolizing mortality, immortality, and the dramatic interplay between life and death, skull tattoos embody the shadow side beloved by tattoo enthusiasts worldwide.

Others opt for their skull tattoo idea to symbolize cultural ideals, triumph over death or adversity, rebellion in the face of life’s rules, or as a purely aesthetic contemporary style choice.

The skull is one of the few tattoo ideas that has never gone out of style. It is a striking visual tale, with freedom for you to get creative with the tattoo design elements and application style.

Today, skull tattoos are worn in a number of styles and fashions, from anatomically precise to Gothically decadent, while appearing on necks, hands, feet, and even as a skull ring on your finger.

The following article outlines a range of tattoo meanings that can be applied to skull design ideas that you can take to the tattoo studio before finalizing your next piece of body art.

Skull Tattoo Symbolism

1. The Skull Tattoo Through History

Ancient civilizations often implemented the skull symbol and tattoo to mark “the change” from living to the afterlife.

Early Christians believed the skull to represent the human shell left behind after the soul departed, while the Kabbalah held the skull as a sign of rebirth and hope for a loved one who passed away.

Aztec tattoos were originally done as part of a ritual to honor an Aztec god, with the skull linked primarily to the sixth day. Later, they were used to distinguish members of a tribe or to symbolize a warrior’s status.

Japanese skull tattoos are unique in that they are respected and revered as a form of positive remembrance for deceased relatives and ancestors, or in folklore to represent the spirits.

Ancient Mayan ceremonies featured elaborate crystal skulls imbued with mystical powers, and ages-old Native American rituals used the skulls of humans and animals in righteous ceremonial dances.