While most guys get a traditional skull tattoo because they want to look like a badass with scary and intimidating ink, skulls can actually be a celebration of life. Some skull tattoo ideas symbolize mortality and serve as a reminder to live life to the fullest. Luckily, the best skull tattoos can be both meaningful and cool.

Skull Tattoo Design Ideas

Sugar Skull Tattoo

As a major symbol within the Mexican culture, sugar skulls translate to a beautiful and meaningful tattoo for men who have those Latino or Hispanic roots. Sugar skulls are part of the Day of the Dead celebration, representing the souls of loved ones who have passed on but are still honored, usually through an “ofrenda” or altar offering, with food, photos, flowers, and these candy-molded skulls. A sugar skull tattoo should be encompassing of the candy creation: decorated with bright colors (like the icing), stylized lines, creative and artistic symbols, and representative of a person or figure who has passed away.

Skull and Rose Tattoo

Separately, a skull and a rose might seem to have very little in common; when paired together in tattoo form, however, the creation is poetic and beautiful. A skull-and-rose tattoo is an unlikely symbol of life and death coexisting and can represent several things: the beauty of a life well-lived, the mourning of an impactful life, the romance of the life cycle. For this tattoo, consider a range of styles, including gothic and dark, minimalist and line-centric, or colorful and bold.

Badass Skull Tattoo

While your ink can have a deeper meaning, sometimes a guy just wants a really badass skull tattoo. Most badass tattoos are meant to look scary and intimidating by incorporating evil designs such as the devil or monsters. However, you may just want a cool tattoo with awesome artwork that will stand out. From skulls with flames to a 3D demon coming out of your back, take the time to create truly epic ink.