If you are fascinated by the fleeting nature of life, you should consider getting a memento mori tattoo. These tattoos usually feature an hourglass, a skull, fading flowers, and other elements that remind us that death is inevitably coming our way. While some get these tattoos to remind themselves of death, others get them as a tribute to honor and remember a loved one who has passed away. Discover the 8 best memento mori tattoos, tattooed in different styles, with their meanings here. Scroll down to learn more!
Meaning of a Memento Mori Tattoo
Memento mori tattoos are very similar to macabre tattoos. They generally symbolize the transience of life. However, this does not mean that these tattoos are meant to be morbid. Some use these tattoos as a reminder to cherish everything that is important to them. These tattoos have many meanings.
Memento mori tattoos symbolize the inevitability of death and the fleeting nature of life. Originating in Latin, they mean “Remember that you will die.” These tattoos serve as a constant reminder to cherish every moment and prioritize what really matters. They encourage contemplation of one’s mortality and serve as a reminder of the fragile nature of life. The most commonly used elements are the skull, often accompanied by bones. Other elements include coffins, fading flowers, and hourglasses, all of which together represent the transience of life. These tattoos are often sported by those who are fascinated by specific genres of art, such as vanitas, where death is the main subject. The Danse Macabre and “death personified with a scythe like the Grim Reaper” are some examples. They can also feature a personal story of the wearer. They can be used as a tribute to a deceased loved one. Some believe that this tattoo symbolizes that death is inevitable and that we should not fear it, but laugh at it. In this way, people can openly take risks without worrying about the consequences.
These unique tattoos can be inked very creatively in different designs and patterns. Check out the section below for more information.
Top 8 Memento Mori Tattoo Ideas
Memento mori tattoos are a unique and slightly dark choice for body art. These tattoos can be creatively etched in a variety of designs and places on the body, as seen below!
1. Minimalist Memento Mori Tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
This tattoo features a simple memento mori design with a stick figure holding a skull head. If you are looking for a minimalist design with a striking appeal, this tattoo is for you. It symbolizes mortality and reminds you to live authentically and spontaneously. The placement on the wrist provides maximum visibility of the tattoo.
2. Memento Mori Hourglass Tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
This tattoo shows a skull in an hourglass with the sand on the other side, indicating that life is about to end. The design symbolizes the passing of time and reminds us of mortality. While the black outline and color draw the eye, the clever use of negative space to show the skull and sand elevates the design.
3. Old School Memento Mori Tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
This memento mori tattoo depicts a skull surrounded by flowers. This timeless design serves as a reflection of mortality and encourages appreciation of the present moment. The flowers and leaves symbolize that all life, no matter how beautiful or useful, fades away into nothingness. The placement on the forearm gives the wearer the option to hide or reveal the tattoo.
4. Forearm Memento Mori Tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
If you are looking for a minimalist design, this tattoo is for you. This memento mori tattoo features a skull on the forearm, tattooed with a simple black outline and light shading. The tattoo reminds the wearer to take risks and live life to the fullest without worrying about the future, as death is inevitable. The placement on the forearm offers maximum visibility and gives a trendy look.
5. Memento Mori Skull Tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
This tattoo shows a decorative skull on the finger. Despite its small size, this tattoo has an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The tattoo symbolizes the meaning of the fleeting moments in life and the importance of seizing the day. The simple black color leaves a striking effect and allows the decorative accents on the skull to shine through beautifully.
6. Memento Mori Chest Tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
This memento mori tattoo features a skull with wings. The intricate detailing, heavy shadow work, and negative space accents add sophistication to the overall design. The skull serves as a reminder that death is inevitable, while the wings can symbolize freedom or rebirth. This tattoo can symbolize the wearer’s belief in the afterlife, suggesting that true freedom can only be found once death has been conquered. The placement gives the wearer the option to show or hide the tattoo as needed.
7. Memento Mori Font Tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
This tattoo features Memento mori written in an attractive font. The letters serve as a reminder of mortality. The skull symbolizes the inevitability of death, while the palm leaves represent renewal, life, and nature. The placement below the neck gives the wearer the option to show or hide the tattoo as desired, and the black ink creates a striking and visually appealing effect against light skin.
8. Memento Mori Hand Tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
This memento mori tattoo features an incomplete skull tattooed between the lines. The incomplete skull serves as a powerful reminder of mortality, and serves as a constant reminder to cherish every moment of life. The clean black outline and simple shading give the tattoo a sophisticated look, while the placement on the hand provides maximum visibility.
Memento mori tattoos often have a personal meaning to the wearer. These tattoos usually symbolize the fleeting nature of life and the never-changing outcome of death, and serve as a constant reminder to cherish every moment and live life to the fullest without regrets. Designs can range from simple memento mori tattoos to intricate hourglass designs. Keep this list of the best memento mori tattoos as a reference for your next ink session so you can show your artist your inspiration!
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Joyce Joyson is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over a year of experience in creating short-form content for the beauty, fashion and lifestyle niches. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science and Geography from IIS University and a Master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kristu Jayanti College.
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Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hair and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these areas. She has 7 years of experience and her philosophy on hair and skin care is simple: if you love it and take care of it, it will be healthy.
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Shreya is a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience. After graduating from Christ University, Bengaluru, she started as an intern writer for a non-profit organization, Bhumi. After that, she wrote for a progressive content website.
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