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.

Tribal Tattoos

Tribal tattoos are some of the oldest tattoos around. Tribal tattoos were used as a marking for Tribes to establish different ranks, religion or spirituality. Tribal tattoos were also given to warriors in certain tribes for courage, strength and bravery.

There are many different styles of tribal tattoos, here are just a few of them:

• Aztec Tribal Tattoos
• African tribal tattoos
• Borneo tribal tattoos
• Celtic tribal tattoos
• Maori tribal tattoos
• Myan Tribal Tattoos
• Native American tribal tattoos

All of these tattoos are very different by nature, but one thing that seems to be common
in all tribal tattoos are that they are mostly solid black tattoos, with patterns rather than pictures.

These tattoos have been adapted by modern culture for its boldness. Having a tribal tattoo is surely a way to stand out. Tribal tattoos can also be adapted in many different ways.

Contrary to what you might think, tribal tattoos have deep meanings and old roots. Before you get a tribal tattoo, (unless you have designed it yourself) it is advisable to research the meaning of a the tattoo, as some of these tattoos might still have very significant meanings.

The benefits of tribal tattoos are the way you can adapt them, and how well they can compliment other tattoos. You can get a tribal tattoo around a tattoo you already have, or build on a particular tribal tattoo if you want. Tribal tattoos also go very well with other symbols, like zodiac symbols.

If you’re on a journey to find that perfect tribal tattoo, we advise you to do your research- Find out what the history of your tattoo is and find out the meaning behind a tribal tattoo.

Use the search box on the right to find more information on tribal tattoo meanings, tribal tattoo history and tribal tattoo designs.

Name Tattoo Ideas

Getting a name tattoo design is often seen to be controversial, and many think getting a name tattoo is a little short sighted, but before we pass judgement, let’s take a look at some reasons behind getting a name tattoo.

There are several reasons why people get name tattoos, here are a few:

• Spouse Name Tattoo- Showing your love for your partner
• Honour Tattoo- Honouring a close friend or relative
• In Loving Memory Name Tattoo- Remembering someone who has passed away
• Hero Name Tattoo- A reminder of someone’s ideals and values
• Religious Tattoo- Tattoos of biblical verses
• Gang Name Tattoo- Proving commitment to a gang

Name tattoos can be done in a lot of styles and languages, such as Chinese name tattoos, Kanji name tattoos, Hebrew name tattoos, Arabic name tattoos to name but a few.

Once you’ve decided on getting a name tattoo, the next step is to find some name tattoo ideas and designs. Getting tattoo ideas can be a nightmare, you could search for “name tattoo ideas” online, but fishing through thousands of random tattoo images can be frustrating and time consuming.

Finding good name tattoo ideas means you need to know what type of tattoo styles there are. Below is a list of name tattoo styles and languages. This might help with your search for your new tattoo idea:

Popular name tattoo lettering styles:

• Gothic script tattoos
• Ambigram tattoos
• Cyrillic letter tattoos
• Celtic letter tattoos

Popular name tattoo languages:

• Chinese tattoos
• Kanji tattoos
• Hebrew tattoos
• Latin tattoos
• Arabic tattoos
• Hindi tattoos
• Gaelic tattoos

If you are looking for tattoo lettering, a good resource is Identifont. They have plenty of lettering perfect for your name tattoo.

Bamboo Tattoo

Bamboo Vs Machine?

The art of bamboo tattoos is said to be slowly vanishing due to the ease and simplicity of the machine being widely used throughout the world.

However, with recent popularization by celebrities such as Angelina Jolie famously visiting Thailand specifically to get a bamboo tattoo, it has prompted an increase in knowledge of the art form, intriguing the western culture and providing hope for the future of the bamboo tattoo. Because of this there have been many people visiting Buddhist Temples and getting tattooed by monks to symbolize their time in Thailand.

A brief taste of History…

It is said that the bamboo tattoo originated from over 3000 years ago in the Khmer period. Bamboo tattoos began in Buddhist Temples with the Monks themselves carrying out the art with the use of India ink and prayers would often be said during this event with family often being at the devotees side. The Khmer tradition of the these tattoos usually requires that the person receiving this tattoo to not speak to anyone for 3 days and 3 nights and if he so happens to break this silence, he must follow the 5-holy Buddhist Abstinence for the rest of his life and be unable to steal, cheat, kill, become intoxicated by alcohol or even lust after a woman.

These tattoos would act as protection against their enemies rather than for its appearance and look. It is believed that with these religious scriptures and words of strength, their enemies would be unable to see them and harm them in any way.

Your first Bamboo Tattoo

The bamboo tattoo is said to be less painful than using the machine and draws little or no blood at all. However this may not be the case for those of you that have chosen tattoo ideas for awkward body parts!

Those who are considering getting this done on their next trip to Thailand, must be aware that this is a traditional art form that is not necessarily as clean and sterile as your local tattoo parlor would be. It is not unlikely that the equipment will be used more than once, so it is always advisable to be the first one there to avoid any infection.

Yet, with an increase in interest and with a little luck we could see this traditional method becoming even more wide spread and introduced to more of our cities worldwide.