People have been getting skull and crossbones tattoos since tattoo art became popular in the Middle Ages. While pirates wore them at sea as a sign of intimidation, many others flaunted them as a symbol of rebellion. In today’s world, however, the meaning of the symbol has begun to vary. If this has made you want to experiment with this design, you’ve come to the right page. In this article, we’ll discuss the meaning of this symbol and suggest a few unique tattoo ideas based on it. Keep reading!
Meaning of skull and crossbones tattoo
This famous tattoo features a skull with two crossed bones in front of or behind it. The history of this design can be traced back to ancient civilizations. It was first seen in ancient Egypt on the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun. The crossed bones represented the staff and flail in a cross-diagonal layout that the pharaoh often held during his life, while the symbol together symbolized his power in the afterlife. In Italy, the skull and crossed bones were discovered in several Christian catacombs dating back to the second century AD and symbolized death and passing away. During the same period, the skull and crossed bones symbol was used to represent the Latin term “Memento mori” that was popular in Rome, which meant “Remember death.”
In the early 12th-13th century, the symbol was used on the Jolly Roger, a pirate flag painted with skulls and crossbones that pirates used to identify their ship. It eventually became the nautical symbol often associated with pirates and danger. In the 19th century, it was adopted by a secret society and represented mystery. Today, the chemical industry uses the symbol to label toxic substances. It is used on electrical boxes to warn people and children of high voltage, as it also represents danger. Skulls and crossbones as a representation of ‘Momento mori’ continues to be a worldwide trend, as it emphasizes the value of seizing life before it slips away. It can also represent a bold heart and fiery spirit.
The skull and crossbones symbol changed its connotation and became a popular tattoo subject among those who liked to rebel against societal mores, and joined the spirit of pirates and other anti-authoritarian communities. Check out 8 exciting designs below and learn their meanings below.
Skull and crossbones tattoo designs
Over time, the skull and crossbones sign has become associated with fearlessness and rebellion. They can be customized to your preferences. Let’s explore a few unique ideas below:
1. Traditional skull and crossbones tattoo
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This black and gray traditional skull and crossbone tattoo has an edgy look. It represents your bold and fearless personality. The location makes it stand out and sends a warning message not to mess with you.
2. Pirate skull and crossbones tattoo
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It offers a fun twist on the classic pirate skull and crossbones tattoo. This tattoo shows the skull adorned with flowing whitish-cobalt blue hair. It also wears a pirate hat. The hair adds a soft and whimsical touch to this otherwise edgy tattoo, while the cheeky smile gives it a touch of mischief.
3. Vintage skull and crossbones tattoo
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The dark hollow behind the skull gives the tattoo an eerie look while creating a striking contrast with the lighter tones of the skull, making it pop. The realistic rendering of the skull, the cracks in it, and the vintage-themed shading arouse curiosity in the viewers and increase the appeal of the tattoo.
4. Small skull and crossbones tattoo
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This minimalist skull and crossbones tattoo is perfect for those who want to control when their tattoo is visible to others. The bold outline and light shading add a softer edge to the rugged essence of the design. It warns others not to provoke the dangerous storm developing behind your cool and sweet personality. However, the long bones create some airy space around the design, which creates a sense of lightness and femininity in the otherwise dark theme.
5. Black skull and crossbones tattoo
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This tattoo makes excellent use of blackwork contrasting with the tattooed person’s natural skin tone to create a beautiful masterpiece. The permanent tattoo silently warns people to beware of you and not invite your anger. It also tells unwanted strangers that you are inaccessible.
6. Old School Skull And Crossbones Tattoo
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Old-school tattoos typically feature bold black outlines and traditional motifs, and this one is no different. This classic skull and crossbones motif with a biker twist thanks to the hat features large, hollowed-out eye sockets and a nose to honor your confrontational nature. It’s ideal for those who want to embrace their rebellious and strong personality.
7. Skull and crossbones finger tattoo
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This small skull and crossbones finger tattoo in black ink looks absolutely striking. The white highlight on the crossbones accentuates the design of the tattoo and gives it an edgy look. The tattoo will hurt because of the location, but the result is worth the pain. Keep in mind though that finger tattoos tend to fade faster because of how much we use our hands and the small details can wash away, so consider keeping the design solid and minimal.
8. Skull and crossbones hand tattoo
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This tattoo combines death with life. The flower with the skull and crossbones symbol represents the Latin term ‘Memento mori’ which means to remember that one must die. The use of vibrant colors for the flowers against the simple black and gray of the skull really brings out this contrast of life and death. The flowers represent the beauty of life while the skull and crossbones symbolize the inevitability of death.
The skull and crossbones symbol was used by pirates in the Middle Ages and later discovered in graves. It became a symbol of danger, lawlessness, death, and poison. Although tattoos depicting it may not mean all of these things, they are generally seen as a sign of a rebellious and daredevil spirit in modern times, or as a reminder to seize life before death. The symbol can be combined with many elements such as flowers, a scythe, or a bandana to give it a unique look. You can customize the design to your preferences and create a piece that means a lot to you. Browse through our list of skull and crossbones designs and choose the one that speaks to you the most!
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Eve Phillips is an experienced artist in a variety of tattoo styles, although she specializes in fine detail and floral tattoos. She has owned studios in both Australia and the UK for 20 years and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in all areas of tattoo art, health, licensing, trends, current issues and history.
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Sangita is a content writer with a passion for exploring diverse genres. She has written over 100 blogs on a range of topics including relationships, travel, beauty and fashion. Armed with a Masters degree in History from Indira Gandhi National Open University, she has harnessed her curiosity to write engaging, engaging and informative articles.
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Subhrojyoti is an associate editor at StyleCraze with four years of experience. He holds a Masters degree in English from Presidency University, Kolkata and has also done a postgraduate certificate course in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University, Kolkata.
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Aparna Harry is a beauty and lifestyle content writer with over three years of experience writing for various genres. She holds a Masters degree in English Literature from English And Foreign Languages University and a Bachelors degree in Education from University of Mysore.
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