Sugar Skull Tattoo Meaning

What is the meaning of a Sugar Skull Tattoo, why is the sugar skull such an iconic symbol and why is it the inspiration for thousands of tattoos? Below you will find out the origin and meaning behind this popular tattoo.

Since the dawn of time it has served as the symbol for death itself. It has long since insinuated fear, suggesting what is to come and what has been, the reigning icon of darkness.
The skull.

“What is left of man when the final breath has passed thy lips?
Into soil his vessel laid, the soul leaves but a void.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust and skin from bone…
No mind, no heart, no company to keep.
Limb and flesh no more.
Body broken, numb and null.
Hollow bone and empty skull.”

Despite this common perception of it being the icon and symbol for all things dark, it also has a much more significant meaning to it.
Since Aztec times people brought tribute to “The lady of the Dead”
Today, and as it has been for thousands of years, Mexican tradition pays tribute to loved ones lost.
Each year they celebrate “Day of the Dead” in memory of those who have passed. During these celebrations they dedicate gifts and offerings to their dead. This celebration is a somewhat festive occasion, and is held to remember the good memories, and happy times spent with those loved ones.

 

Most commonly, the Sugar Skull. A candy treat, as the name implies made from sugar, offered as a tribute to the memory and life of someone who has passed away. Bright and colourful, as it represents joy, happiness and memories treasured. The name of the person it is intended for is usually carved on the forehead. The Sugar Skull has become a very popular tattoo trend. The meaning behind the sugar skull tattoo should be respected and preserved. Despite it being of one concept and origin, it can as a tattoo, be very unique and personal. The original principal of this tattoo is to decorate it with things reminiscent of the person passed. Different symbols, ideas and designs can be incorporated into this tattoo to make it as unique as not only you, but also the person it is dedicated to.

The “Day of the Dead” is celebrated each year in Mexico. These celebrations take place on the 1st and 2nd day of November. The celebrations are a tribute to the dead. It coincides with the catholic holidays that take place on those days.
The 1st day of November hosts tribute to children that have died.
“Dia de los Inocentes”, or “Day of the Innocents”, also known as “Dia de los Angelitos” or “Day of the Little Angels.

The 2nd day is “Dia de los Meurtos” or “Day of the Dead”. This day is a tribute to adults who have passed. Believe also has it that on the second day the souls of the dead join in celebration.
The families and friends of deceased loved ones plan and prepare months in advance for “Day of the Dead”. During this time graves are visited, and relatives and friends are known to spend hours on end at cemeteries, some even spending the entire night.

Symbolic to these celebrations are the gifts and offerings or “ofrendas” dedicated to the deceased. Favourite foods are prepared for dead. Families leave it in their homes or take it to their graves. Offerings of beverages and alcohol are presented to their dead, things that the dead enjoyed, loved and adored as mere mortals are offered to them now, in this new life.

Getting a sugar skull tattoo is a great symbol of respect and remembrance to your loved ones that passed. The sugar skull tattoo can be a beautiful, colourful and unique tattoo.

Finding tattoo ideas for a sugar skull tattoo is pretty easy, but it is recommended to design your own, or finding a tattoo artist to help you design it, this will add meaning to your tattoo, because you could add symbols, patterns and designs that represent your loved one.

Most tattoo artist will be happy to help you design your tattoo, incorporating your vision and ideas for the tattoo and make it unique to you, meaning there will be no other tattoo quite like it, it would be between you and your loven one alone.

Koi Tattoo Meaning

For decades the koi tattoo has been very popular in the western world, but what exactly is the meaning behind a koi tattoo? Let us take a look at the history and origin of the koi, and the symbolism of a koi tattoo.

The koi fish, originally from China, is known for its beauty and colors, and also looked at as a symbol of courage, aspiration and strength. In China, it is said that any koi that succeeds in swimming through the currents of Dragon’s Gate on the yellow river, will transform into a dragon. It is this legend that makes the koi tattoo so popular, as the rivers symbolise the constant life struggle, and the koi symbolises determination to become a dragon.

Koi tattoos are often drawn with running water, and the direction of the water can also symbolise different things. When the koi swims against the stream, it could symbolise that the person is still dealing with life’s difficulties, but when the koi swims down the stream, the meaning could be the opposite. A koi swimming downstream resembles someone who have overcome their struggles, and who are free.

Here are some of the meanings behind a koi tattoo:

• Being ambitious, and driven to reach one’s goals
• Being courageous, and eager to take life ‘head on’
• Being determined to overcome life’s struggles
• Seeking freedom.
• Being fearless.

So, apart from the absolute beauty, and amazing colors of the koi, the koi tattoo represents some of the best human qualities- and that makes getting a koi tatto worth it!

Skull Tattoo Meaning

For as long as tattoos have been around one of the most common images has to be the Skull Tattoo. Across all continents and all cultures, we find this image recurring. From the old hand tapped tattoos in the east to the modern inked streets of the west, the skull tattoo conveys one of the most basic human fears- Death. Yet as we look into what drives people to mark their bodies with this macabre imagery we find that the Skull Tattoo has a deeper symbolism than we originally anticipated.

Though the skull is commonly used as an age old warning for death and danger, it has a more profound meaning in the world of tattoos. For many, the symbolism of a skull tattoo is a reminder of mortality. The Latin phrase “memento mori” sums this up quite well, meaning “remember you must die”. The constant reminder of your own pending death drives one to live each day to the fullest. It reminds us that though we are not invincible, we are also not as fragile as we sometimes believe.

The skull tattoo is also used as a point of fixation for ‘what lies beneath’. This stems from our own fascination of stripping away the layers of our own portrait until what you are left with is the hard gritty reality that even though it may be scary it is the foundation on which we build our beliefs and values, just as our own skeleton gives shape and structure to our external looks.

Skull tattoos have also been used throughout the centuries as a way of scaring ones foes. The skull can be symbolic of the mental victory over the opponent, his body wasted and decayed after he has been defeated, thus lending courage to the fighter and building up his confidence. While an adverse affect is had on the opponent who sees his own defeat in the deaths head mark.

Just as skulls are found in the media, from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ to Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’, a skull tattoo can be used to set the tone, theme and meaning for the rest of your artwork. Large overbearing skulls used for intimidation or small clusters of them to symbolize the forgotten and wasted, there are a number of ways in which you can use it, meaning the Skull Tattoo is one of the most inter-changeable and diverse tattoos that one could have.