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65 Skeleton Tattoo Ideas That Will Bare It All

by Sherri Owens

From skulls to dancing skeletons, there are plenty of skeleton tattoo designs for you to choose from!

I have always loved skulls and skeletons - there is such a macabre beauty about them. This is why I am always excited when a client comes in with a skeleton tattoo design. I love discovering their inspiration for the design and what it means to them.

In this post, I will show you the top skeleton tattoo ideas and explain some of the main concepts behind them!

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The Best Skeleton Tattoo Ideas

Here are some of the top skeleton tattoo designs for you to choose from:

Skull Tattoos

If you are not willing to get an entire skeleton tattoo, then you may want to consider getting a skull tattoo instead. A skull tattoo is a really cool option for anyone who wants a smaller tattoo or wants something that is less intricate.

Black and White Skull with Rose Hip Tattoo

Image by @taesin___ via Instagram

Of course, skull tattoo designs can be beautiful and complex in their own way. You don't have to get a simple skull tattoo.

Skull and Bold Snake Back Tattoo

Image by @ane_tattoo via Instagram

Instead, there are a lot of different components and elements that you can add to your skull tattoo. For instance, you can get a rose tattoo along with the skull. The vibrancy of the flowers is a beautiful contrast to the coldness of the bone.

Skull Statue Arm Tattoo

Image by @pelleossa_ink via Instagram

Tiny Black and White Skull Tattoo

Image by @inkbyemre via Instagram

Black and White Heart Shaped Skull Tattoo

Image by @ via Instagram

You can also get a sugar skull tattoo. These are a part of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico. Here, candy skulls are decorated with vibrant colors. It is a way of celebrating someone's life rather than mourning their death.

Such skeleton tattoo designs work beautifully if you want something apart from the traditional black ink:

Colorful Sugar Skull Thigh Tattoo

Image by @blackpearltattoostudio_ via Instagram

Black and White Skull with Red Rose Tattoo

Image by @little_paul_tattoo_studio via Instagram

Colorful Embroidery Skull Tattoo

Image by @dudalozanotattoo via Instagram

Sugar Skull Calf Tattoo Piece

Image by @kyle.chaney.tattoo via Instagram

Sugar Skull Leg Tattoo

Image by @inkrich_ via Instagram

Simple Skeleton Tattoos

You don't always have to do something complex with your skeleton tattoo. If you would like to keep things simple with your tattoo design, here are simple skeleton tattoos to consider:

Greyscale Skull Forearm Tattoo

Image by @studio_palermo via Instagram

Fineline Skeleton Tattoo

Image by @ebonytyacktattoos via Instagram

Skull Hand Tattoo

Image by @inkrediblej via Instagram

Thoracic Cage Tattoo Piece

Image by @lupus_morfal via Instagram

Black and Grey Skeleton Tattoo

Image by @blackendtattoo via Instagram

Human Body Skeleton Tattoo

Image by @inkbyshae via Instagram

Dancing Skeleton Tattoos

I love the concept behind a dancing skeleton tattoo. A lot of people see skeleton tattoos as somber or macabre. However, a dancing skeleton tattoo is a great way to show that there is a lot to celebrate about death as it is also linked to rebirth.

Fine Line Dancing Skeleton Tattoo

Image by @realarttattoo via Instagram

Black and Grey Dancing Skeleton Tattoo

Image by @dreamline_ink via Instagram

A dancing skeleton tattoo can also be a way for you to put a positive spin on a sad situation. Of course, a dancing skeleton tattoo can have different meanings based on your personal experience.

In any case, here are the dancing skeleton tattoo designs that you can consider for yourself:

Human Skeleton Dancing Tattoo

Image by @pied.pyper.ink via Instagram

Greyscale Joker Skeleton Tattoo Piece

Image by @lesmorganismes via Instagram

Dancing Skeleton Forearm Tattoo

Image by @_starla_21 via Instagram

Dancing Skeleton with Headsets Tattoo

Image by @mitchdemkotattoo via Instagram

Partying Skeleton Forearm Tattoo

Image by @eilidhentattoos via Instagram

Skeleton Lover Tattoos

This is another beautiful skeleton tattoo concept. As the name suggests, these skeleton tattoos consist of two skeletons.

Woodcut Dancing Skeletons Tattoo

Image by @beks_ink via Instagram

Romantic Skeleton Couple Tattoo

Image by @kcwtattoos and thirteenhandstattoo via Instagram

You can choose to do a dancing skeleton tattoo with two skeletons, have the two skeletons embracing one another, or in any other position that you like.

Black and Grey Couple Tattoo Piece

Image by @roxbury_tattoos and queensofneedlestattoo via Instagram

Heart Shaped Romantic Skeleton Tattoo

Image by @baronart_jian via Instagram

The wonderful thing about this kind of skeleton tattoo is that it shows that love transcends the physical plane. It is something that continues no matter the obstacles.

Here are the skeleton tattoo designs that you should check out:

Skeleton Lovers Thigh Tattoo

Image by @cultofspice via Instagram

Kissing Skeleton Couple Tattoo

Image by @goodomengallery via Instagram

Blue and Red Skeleton Couple Tattoo

Image by @zgeeytattoos via Instagram

Love Making Skeleton Couple Tattoo

Image by @goodtimesink via Instagram

Skeleton Couple Tarot Card Tattoo

Image by @sarararah_tattoos via Instagram

Chest Tattoo of a Skeleton Couple on the Beach

Image by @patriotstattoo via Instagram

Praying Skeleton Tattoos

This kind of skeleton tattoo could be a sign of praying for your immortal soul. The other tattoo meaning here could be that if you have wronged someone, this is the way of begging for their forgiveness until the end of time.

Greyscale Praying Skeleton Tattoo

Image by @cellytattoo via Instagram

Praying Human Skeleton Tattoo

Image by @ikarus.abendwind via Instagram

Medium Sized Praying Skeleton Arm Tattoo

Image by @pps_tattoos via Instagram

Black and Grey Praying Skeleton Tattoo

Image by @redthorntattoo via Instagram

Evil Look Praying Skeleton Tattoo

Image by @tattoosnob via Instagram

Greyish Praying Skeleton Tattoo

Image by @darkheritagetattoo via Instagram

Praying Skeleton Rib Tattoo Piece

Image by @skinandsoultattoo via Instagram

Praying Skeleton Arm Tattoo

Image by @roli_ink via Instagram

Skeleton with Wings Tattoo Piece

Image by @vintage_les via Instagram

Juggling Skeleton Tattoos

This is certainly an odd concept - a skeleton juggling many different skulls. This kind of skeleton tattoo could signify that you have many responsibilities and feel like this is something that you will have to continue taking care of, even after you have passed.

Black Ink Juggling Skeleton Thigh Tattoo

Image by @mckenna_sdt via Instagram

Black Line Juggling Skeleton Arm Tattoo

Image by @reidytattoos via Instagram

Happy Face Juggling Skeleton Arm Tattoo

Image by @igloo_shop via Instagram

Skeletons and Floral Designs

I love skeleton tattoos such as this one. Here, you incorporate flowers into your skeleton tattoo. This helps to show a contrast between the living and the dead.

It can also be a way to add beauty to something that is traditionally considered scary or ugly.

Skeleton with Plants Arm Tattoo

Image by @luckykattatstudio via Instagram

Skeleton Overgrown with Flowers Arm Tattoo

Image by @deadgirlnextdoor via Instagram

Black Work Tattoo of a Skeleton Dancing with Flowers

Image by @bloodclubtattoo via Instagram

Plants and Flowers Skeleton Tattoo

Image by @x.unholy.ally.x via Instagram

Skeleton Guards with Red Floral Background

Image by @art_n_soul_studios via Instagram

Greyscale Skeleton Flower Vase Tattoo

Image by @virgoulin via Instagram

Skeleton Hand with a Flower Tattoo Piece

Image by @mandmtattooing via Instagram

Greyscale Skeleton with Flowers Tattoo

Image by @official_jeet_sharma via Instagram

Skeleton Tattoo with Flowers Leg Tattoo

Image by @ebonytyacktattoos via Instagram

Skeleton with Orange and Yellow Florals Tattoo

Image by @gabrielagtattoo via Instagram

Leafy Skeleton Thigh Tattoo

Image by @spookyillustrator via Instagram

Creative Skeleton Tattoos

Want to get really crazy with your skeleton tattoo? Then these are the skeleton tattoo designs for you to consider!

From traditional to zany, there are so many options to include in this kind of skeleton tattoo:

Skeleton Scorpion Forearm Tattoo

Image by @zebra_ink_ via Instagram

Skeleton with Hourglass Tattoo

Image by @piotr.mazur.tattoo via Instagram

Skeleton in Coffin Tattoo Piece

Image by @tattoosnob via Instagram

Skeleton Empress Card Tattoo

Image by @angeloparente via Instagram

Skelly Observing the Hippocampus Custom Tattoo

Image by @inkedbymik and everybodytattoostudio via Instagram

Custom Tattoo of a Smoking Skeleton Trapped Inside a Bottle

Image by @cicadatattoo via Instagram

Skeleton with Flowers, Plants, Fish, and Birds Tattoo Piece

Image by @tattoosnob via Instagram

Skeletal Angel Arm Tattoo

Image by @phiawalla via Instagram

Meditating Skull Tattoo on the Tummy

Image by @taesin___ via Instagram

What Does a Skeleton Tattoo Mean?

As you can imagine, one of the foremost meanings behind a skeleton is death. So, a skeleton tattoo may signify the loss of a loved one.

However, skeletons aren't just about the loss of other people. A skeleton tattoo can symbolize loss in a wide variety of ways.

A skeleton tattoo may signify the loss of sense of self. It may also be a symbol of the end of something. This could be the end of a relationship, friendship, or career.

While the main meaning behind a skeleton tattoo has to do with endings, not every culture sees it like this.

Many people see skeletons as a symbol for rebirth or a new beginning as well. After all, the end of one thing is the start of another.

It is due to this that many people will also see skeletons as symbols for celebration. They help you to look forward to what is coming rather than mourning what is left behind.

Interestingly enough, a skeleton may also be a sign of protection. This is because the skeleton protects many of the major organs in your body.

So, a skeleton tattoo could be a sign of a protector in your life or of how you choose to protect yourself from certain situations.

Does a Skeleton Hand Tattoo Mean Anything?

Well, a skeletal hand can be the inverse of a regular hand. So, if a hand is associated with giving, then a skeletal hand may be linked to taking.

Some people also believe that a skeletal hand is a sign of what you have lost. This could be a person that you loved or a life that you lived.

There you have it - all the skeleton tattoo ideas you could possibly want or need! From something simple to a dancing skeleton tattoo, there are so many concepts for you to choose from here! So, you should have no problem finding a design that really speaks to you.

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