Are you feeling like your head is about to split open while you are skull-king around the internet on your search for the perfect Tattoo Design? Well, worry not. You’ll no longer have a bone to pick once you check out these amazing Skull Tattoo Designs.
What Does A Skull Tattoo Mean
Despite their morbid appearance, Skull Tattoos actually have a lot of positive symbolism as well as negative.
On the negative side, Skull Tattoos can represent death, its inevitability, loss, a connection to the Grim Reaper, or a reminder of life’s fleeting nature.
On the other hand, Skull Tattoos can be used for more positive symbolism, such as a celebration of life, commemoration, rebirth and transformation, protection, or even themes such as resilience or defiance.
Skull Tattoo Designs
Now that we know a little about Skull Tattoos let’s take a look at some of the best Skull Tattoos from over the internet.
Floral Skull Tattoo
Flower Tattoos have a lot of symbolism depending on which flower you choose to adorn yourself in. With well over 200,000 species of flowering plants, many of them with deeply symbolic meanings, you should have no shortage of potential symbolism to pair with your skull.
Traditional Skull Tattoo
Traditional Tattoos are an iconic American tattooing style popularized by sailors in the 1950s and 60s. These tattoos are known for their thick, bold black outlines, which help the designs stand the test of time and stay crisp even as they age. These only use a limited color palette and minimal shading, making their designs less impressive than more modern interpretations.
Porcelain Skull Tattoo
For something a little more show-offy, check out this super incredible porcelain face with a gold skull tattoo. This tattoo design mirrors the ‘kistugi’ art form of repairing broken pottery using powdered gold, silver, or platinum.
Spider Lily Skull Tattoo
Spider Lilies are often associated with death, loss, and life cycles. In Japanese and Chinese cultures, this flower is linked to the afterlife, as the flower is believed to guide souls to reincarnation, making it also a symbol of rebirth.
Candy Skull Tattoo Skull Tattoo
The Skulls you often see associated with the Día de los Muertos festival in Mexico are known as ‘Candy Skulls’ or Calaveras de Azúcar. These candy skulls are placed on altars to honor and celebrate the lives of deceased family members with their vibrant colors and joyful appearance, reflecting the Mexican perspective that death is not something to fear but a natural part of life.
Relaxing Skull Tattoo
If you have a laid-back persona and want your skull tattoo to reflect that, why not try something like this Relaxing Skull Tattoo Design? Okay, maybe it’s more of an entire Skellington than a skull, but this design was just too nice not to share.
This design features a laid-back skeleton, possibly the Grim Reaper sitting on a spine scythe smoking on his pipe.
Golden Skull Tattoo
If you want to be a little gaudy with your design, why not try out something like this pure gold skull tattoo design? This lovely piece features the skull at the center of a flower, with parts of it melting down onto the leaves.
Bear Skull Tattoo
Nobody said you had to have a human skull when going for a Skull Tattoo. Instead, why not try out this Bear Tattoo Design? This gorgeous piece by the same artist as before jiro_painter features a golden bear skull dripping onto the face of its potential owner.
Embroidery Skull Tattoo
Embroidery Tattoos are a new trend in the tattooing scene. This trend creates the illusion of an embroidered patch sewn onto the skin that stands out due to its intricate details and the 3D appearance of stitches and threads.
Pirate Flag Skull Tattoo
Representing the pirate flag is this One Piece Tattoo of Luffy with his attempt for his crew’s pirate ship flag. Pirate ship flags, known as Jolly Rogers, were used to strike fear into their enemies. The black flag with a skull and crossbones symbolized death and danger, warning ships that pirates were about to attack.
Octopus Skull Tattoo
For something a little a little different, check out this cool Octopus Skull Tattoo Design. Octopuses or octopodes don’t have skulls due to lacking any form of skeleton that allows them to squeeze into tight spaces and move fluidly through their environment.
Medieval Skull Tattoo
If you are a lover of history as well as Skull Tattoos, why not try out this super cute Medieval Skull Tattoo Design? This design features a skull with a stylized medieval spiked helmet.
Sir Daniel Fortesque Tattoo
Moving from medieval to medievil, this Video Game Tattoo is of Sir Daniel Fortesque from the Medievil video game franchise. Sir Daniel Wigginbottom Fortesque IV was posthumously named the Hero of Gallowmere, who helped defeat the Evil Sorcerer Zarok, despite the fact that he died after being hit by the first arrow fired.
Now, one hundred years after the Battle of Gallowmere, Zarok, who had never been defeated, returns, raising the dead to conquer Gallowmere. Unfortunately, he unwittingly revives Sir Dan, who sets out on a quest to redeem himself and live up to his title by defeating Zarok for good.
Día De Los Muertos Skull Tattoo
Another Suger Skull Tattoo, the Día de los Muertos festival has its roots in the ancient Indigenous civilizations of Mexico, such as the Aztecs, Toltecs, and Nahua people. These cultures viewed death as a part of the continuum of life and believed that the dead were still a part of the living community, kept alive in memory and spirit.
Warhammer 40,000 Skull Tattoo
Warhammer 40,000 is a tabletop miniature wargame set in a dark, dystopian science fiction universe. Set in the grim darkness of the far future, it is the 41st millennium, where the universe is in a time of constant warfare and brutality, and humanity is on the brink of collapse.
The primary human faction is a theocratic empire led by the God-Emperor of Mankind, who is revered as a god but is in a state of perpetual near-death. In their endless war to save mankind, humanity must fight against numerous factions, including Orks, Tyranids, Necrons, forces of Chaos, Aeldari, and the Tau.
Gravelord Nito Tattoo
This Dark Souls Tattoo is of Gravelord Nito, one of the primordial humanoid creatures. Nito appeared underground after the appearance of the First Flame, bringing life, death, and “disparity. Nito found one of the four Lord Souls, and thanks to its power, he was able to resurrect himself through necromancy.
Sunken Skull Tattoo
Another gorgeous idea for your Skull Tattoo is this breathtaking underwater Sunken Skull Tatoo Design. This tattoo gives off the impression of a once mighty giant who has long been forgotten after his remains had sunk to the bottom of the ocean, waiting to be found someday.
Gashadokuro Tattoo
This Yokai Tattoo is of the Gashadokuro. This Yokai is a giant skeleton figure said to be formed from the bones of people who died from starvation, war, or plague, particularly those whose bodies were left unburied or forgotten.
Cubone Pokemon Tattoo
This Pokemon Tattoo is of Cubone, the 104th Pokemon in the Pokedex. Cubone, known as the lonely Pokemon, wears the skull of its deceased mother atop its head. Due to the trauma of its mother’s death, this Pokemon prefers isolation, avoiding social situations, surviving through its skills and bone it uses as a weapon.
Snail Skull Tattoo
If you want to add some Animal Tattoo elements to your Skull Tattoo design, then check out this slightly creepy Snail Skull Tattoo. Snails are another animal that doesn’t have a skeleton, instead, snails have a hard external shell that provides protection and structure. This shell is made of calcium carbonate and grows with the snail as it matures.
Crystal Skull Tattoo
Another gorgeous idea for your Skull Tattoo is this beautiful Crystal Skull Design. This skull has phenomenal reflection effects and coloring all over it, as well as beautiful added florals all around the design.
Vampire Skull Tattoo
If you want to add a bit of horror to your Skull Tattoo, why not have a Vampire Skull Tattoo? The concept of vampires primarily comes from Eastern European folklore from Romania and Hungary. In these tales, vampires were often described as undead beings who rose from their graves to drink the blood of the living.
Glitch Skull Tattoo
If you want your Skull Tattoo to have a computer-generated feel to it, check out this fantastic Glitch Skull Tattoo Design. This design mimics a problem or malfunction in a system or machine. This design is so good it actually hurts your eyes a little the longer you look at it.
Jester Skull Tattoo
If you want to add a bit of comedy to your Skull Tattoo, try out this Jester Skull Tattoo Design. Jesters were entertainers employed by royalty or nobility during the medieval and Renaissance periods. They were often the only people at court who had the freedom to speak candidly and criticize the monarch or the court without fear of punishment.
Capricorn Skull Tattoo
If you like Mythological Tattoos or astrology, why not go for something like this Capricorn Skull Tattoo? Capricorn is the tenth astrological sign in the zodiac, symbolized by the Sea Goat, a mythical creature with a goat’s body and a fish’s tail.
The goat represents ambition and drive to climb toward success, much like a mountain goat steadily ascending rugged terrain. At the same time, the fish tail symbolizes deep emotional sensitivity and connection to their inner self, often hidden beneath their hardworking exterior.
Dancing Skull Tattoo
If you want to add a bit more energy to your Skull Tattoo or just emphasize your fun-loving spirit, try out this cute Dancing Skull Tattoo idea. This Tattoo Design is by the wonderfully talented loornicolas, whose red skull is his trademark design, so be sure to check out his page for more.
Flaming Skull Tattoo
Like the Gashadokuro from earlier, this Flamming Skull Tattoo is inspired by Japanese artworks. A flaming skull often represents the presence of a yurei (ghost) or onryo (vengeful spirit). Typically associated with vengeance or unresolved matters, these spirits are frequently depicted as ghostly skulls wreathed in flames or emitting eerie light.
Skullcap Tattoo
What could be better than a beanie skullcap to pair your Skull Tattoo with? The beanie originated as a practical hat for workers in the early 20th century. It was commonly worn by blue-collar laborers such as mechanics, welders, and shipyard workers, who needed to keep their hair out of their eyes but couldn’t wear wide-brimmed hats in tight workspaces.
Snake Skull Tattoo
Snake Tattoos have various meanings due to snakes’ long history of being feared and worshipped worldwide. This can include negative symbolism, such as deception and deceit, but also positive symbolism, such as rebirth, transformation, life cycles, and healing.
Jack Skellington Tattoo
Jack Skellington is the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, a fantasy world where it’s always Halloween. Despite being adored by the citizens for his ability to create elaborate, terrifying Halloween celebrations each year, Jack is disillusioned with his routine and longs for something new. That is before he stumbles across a magical doorway that leads him to Christmas Town.
Samurai Skull Tattoo
The Samurai were a class of highly skilled warriors in feudal Japan, known for their martial prowess, strict code of honor, and dedication to their lord.
During the Kamakura period, the samurai gained political influence under the rule of the first shogunate, a military government established by the samurai leader Minamoto no Yoritomo. This marked the beginning of the samurai era, where the military class dominated Japanese politics and society.
Ram Skull Tattoo
This Skull Tattoo is of a Ram’s head. Rams are male sheep who use their massive curled horns to engage in head-butting battles to establish dominance and gain access to ewes for mating.
Rams’ horns are made of keratin, and they continue to grow throughout their lives. Their size often indicates a ram’s age, health, and status within a group.
Popcorn Skull Tattoo
If you’re an avid moviegoer, why not get yourself this adorable Popcorn Skull Tattoo Design? This lovely little design features three cute little popcorns in the shape of skulls with some popping effects surrounding them.
Berserk Skull Tattoo
This Berserk Tattoo features a Skull with the Brand of Sacrifice on the forehead of the skull. The Brand of Sacrifice is a symbol that indicates a person is to be a sacrificial offering to demonkind in the Berserk universe.
Those marked anointed for the Invocation of Doom, a sacrificial ceremony where a chosen mortal transcends their humanity, resulting in the creation of an apostle or a God Hand member by sacrificing the lives of those important to them.
King Skull Tattoo
If you want a bit of royalty for your Skull Tattoo, how about this dead King Skull Tattoo? This Tattoo Design can symbolize how nobody is immune to death or that power is not eternal and that you will lose it all one day.
Cherry Skull Tattoo
If you’re a lover of fruit, then try out this super cool Cherry Skull Tattoo Design. Cherries are often associated with fertility, sensuality, and femininity. The bright red color and its delicate appearance have made cherries a symbol of female beauty, sensuality, and desire.
A skull cherry tattoo blends the skull’s contrasting symbolism with the cherry’s, creating a contrast that could represent the idea that temptation or indulgence may lead to consequences, such as danger or destruction.
Skeletor Tattoo
Skeletor is the antagonist and archnemesis of He-Man. He was once a man named Keldor, a prince of Eternia and the half-brother of King Randor (He-Man’s father).
After a failed magical experiment, Keldor transformed into Skeletor. The dark sorcerer Hordak saved Keldor, but the magical intervention left him with a skeletal face, transforming him into Skeletor.
Neo Traditional Skull Tattoo
Neo Traditional tattoos are a modern evolution of the American Traditional tattoo style. They blend the boldness and simplicity of traditional tattoos with more intricate details, expanded color palettes, and contemporary influences.
Like traditional tattoos, neo-traditional tattoos are known for their bold black outlines; however, this style uses a broader color palette and has more shading and detailing than contemporary tattoos.
Grim Tattoo
Grim is the unwilling best friend to both Billy and Mandy from the Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy series that aired on Cartoon Network from 2001 to 2008. After losing a game of Limbo to the pair, Grim became the servant and best friend of the two children.
Dragon Skull Tattoo
Dragon Tattoos have a range of symbolism depending on which Dragon you choose to ink yourself in. This can include luck, strength, wisdom, and protection, to name a few. While it would be almost impossible to tell which type of Dragon Skull Tattoo you choose to go for, you can choose between Asian, European, and Celtic Dragons.
Red Skull Tattoo
Red Skull is the most iconic of Captain America’s villains. Red Skull’s real name is Johann Shmidt, and he was born into poverty and had a troubled childhood. Shmidt was taken under the wing of Adolf Hitler and became a fanatical follower of Nazi ideology. Hitler saw in him a reflection of himself and personally trained him to become his ultimate weapon.
Shmidt was given the moniker “Red Skull” due to the mask he wore, which was a red skull-like visage symbolizing death and destruction. However, in some versions, the Red Skull’s face was permanently transformed into a skull appearance.
Viking Skull Tattoo
If you love Viking Tattoos, why not get yourself a Viking Skull Tattoo? This super cool Viking skull has an unfortunate half-decayed face with arrows piercing the back of his head and out of his mouth.
Butterfly Skull Tattoo
If you want to add a little beauty to your Skull Tattoo, why not design it with a Butterfly Tattoo? Butterfly Tattoos symbolize transformation and change, calling for butterflies to metamorphose from their caterpillar form but also freedom, beauty, elegance, and even hope.
Demon Skull Tattoo
To up the creepy factor when it comes to your Skull Tattoo, check out this demonic skull. This design has a skull but with four eyes, markings on its forehead, and a design on the jaw. It also includes some dark effects around the sides and two hands with long dark fingernails.
Alligator Skull Tattoo
There are two species of Alligator in the world. The American Alligator found in the southeastern United States, primarily in Florida and Louisiana, and the Chinese Alligator that is native to eastern China but is much smaller and rarer than the American alligator.
Boni Skull Tattoo
Boni is one of the main characters from the claymation TV series ‘The Trap Door.’ Boni is a sentient skull who lives with Berk and Drutt in the cellar of the ancient castle. The Trap Door was a British animated television series whose plot revolves around the daily lives and the misadventures of a group of monsters.
Mirror Skull Tattoo
This terrific Skull Tattoo is based on the magic mirror from the Snow White fairy tale. Contrary to what many believe, the saying ‘mirror mirror on the wall’ was never actually said in the Disney 1937 film. Instead, it was ‘magic mirror on the wall.’ Also, contrary to popular belief, she doesn’t say ‘Who is the fairest of them all’; instead, it was ‘Who is the fairest one of all.’
Xenomorph Skull Tattoo
This Film Tattoo is of the Xenomorph alien from the Alien franchise. The Xenomorph was designed by Swiss artist H.R. Giger, whose biology blended organic and machine-like elements.
The Xenomorph first appeared as the primary antagonist in Ridley Scott’s first Alien film. The creature stalks the crew of the spaceship Nostromo, with the film being a terrifying game of survival as the crew tries to escape the deadly alien.
Predator Skull Tattoo
The Predator is the highly advanced extra-terrestrial that stars in the Predator film series. The Predator was designed by special effects artist Stan Winston, with input from director James Cameron.
Predators are highly intelligent, possessing a complex culture that revolves around honor, ritualistic hunting, and survival of the fittest. They value challenging hunts and seek out the most dangerous creatures in the galaxy, including humans, for their hunting expeditions.
Ghost Rider Tattoo
Ghost Rider is an antihero in the Marvel Comics universe. Three separate characters, Jonny Blaze, Danny Ketch, and Robbie Reyes, have used the moniker, each with a different origin and source of power. Ghost Rider is a spirit of vengeance that punishes evildoers, particularly those who have escaped traditional justice systems.
T800 Tattoo
The T800 was the original Terminator, first appearing in the 1984 film. It is a product of Skynet, a sentient artificial intelligence system created by Cyberdyne Systems. Initially designed for military defense, Skynet became self-aware and destroyed most of humanity, which it deemed a threat to its existence.
In the future, John Connors is the leader of the human resistance. In an attempt to defeat the humans for good, Sky Net sends a T800 back in time to kill John’s mother, Sarah, and prevent the resistance from forming.
Spider Skull Tattoo
Spider Tattoos have various meanings, often connected to themes such as patience, creativity, danger, and transformation. Their ability to weave intricate webs requires skill, patience, and precision. A spider tattoo can symbolize patience, creativity, and craftsmanship, representing that great things take time and effort.
Dinosaur Skull Tattoo
If you’re a lover of the animal kingdom from over 252 million to 66 million years ago, why not get yourself a Dinosaur Skull Tattoo? This Dinosaur Tattoo is of the Tyrannosaurus rex, one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs.
Barnum Brown discovered the first partial skeleton of T. rex in 1902 in the Hell Creek Formation in Montana, USA. In 1905, Henry Fairfield Osborn officially named the species Tyrannosaurus rex, with “Tyrannosaurus” meaning “tyrant lizard” and “rex” meaning “king” in Latin.
Wolf Skull Tattoo
Lastly, we have a Wolf Tattoo. Wolves have long been admired and feared in different cultures. They embody loyalty, strength, freedom, and instinct. Wolves have strong social bonds and loyalty to their pack. A wolf tattoo can symbolize loyalty to family, friends, or a group, representing strength through connection.
Wolves are also often seen as symbols of freedom and independence, especially the lone wolf, which represents someone who prefers to walk their own path or live according to their own rules.
Where To Get Your Skull Tattoo
Design is one thing, but you also need to consider where you want to get your ink. So, Let’s take a look at some of the best locations for your potential new Skull Tattoo.
Shoulder Skull Tattoo
The Shoulder is one of the best places to get inked for first-time tattooers. This location has a lot of fat and muscle, which will help dampen the pain, leading to a more pleasurable experience.
Skull Tattoo On The Leg
When getting inked, the leg can either be comfortable or uncomfortable. Locations such as the thigh and calf are less painful than anywhere else on the body. However, the knee and hamstring are going to be rather painful.
Hand With Skull Tattoo
While the Hand is one of the best places to show off your ink, it is also one of the most painful places to get inked. With very little fat and very thin skin, it will be an extremely painful place to get your Skull Tattoo.
Chest Skull Tattoo
The chest is another excellent place to get your Skull Tattoo, particularly if you want to show it off with pride. While it is a fantastic location for men as there is a lot of space on the chest for large designs, for women, you will need to be more inventive with your design to complement the breast anatomy.
Skull Tattoo Behind The Ear
Lastly, behind the ear is a unique spot to get your Skull Tattoo. Place behind the ear, it can be incredibly gracious and feminine but also rather discreet, as it is not easily seen from a frontal view. However, remember that getting tattooed on the skull can be very painful as you will feel the reverberations throughout your head during the process.
Conclusion
As we reach the bone-chilling conclusion to our Skull Tattoo list, we hope you aren’t losing your head when you need to decide from these wonderful tattoo designs. But hey, if Skull Tattoos still don’t inspire you, why not check out these bone-afide masterpiece Tattoos such as these majestic Medusa Tattoos, these savage Sword Dragon Tattoos, or these electrifying Lightning Bolt Tattoo Designs.
