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!
Here are some of the top skeleton tattoo designs for you to choose from:
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.
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.
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.
Image by @pelleossa_ink via Instagram
Image by @inkbyemre via Instagram
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:
Image by @blackpearltattoostudio_ via Instagram
Image by @little_paul_tattoo_studio via Instagram
Image by @dudalozanotattoo via Instagram
Image by @kyle.chaney.tattoo via Instagram
Image by @inkrich_ via Instagram
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:
Image by @studio_palermo via Instagram
Image by @ebonytyacktattoos via Instagram
Image by @inkrediblej via Instagram
Image by @lupus_morfal via Instagram
Image by @blackendtattoo via Instagram
Image by @inkbyshae via Instagram
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.
Image by @realarttattoo via Instagram
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:
Image by @pied.pyper.ink via Instagram
Image by @lesmorganismes via Instagram
Image by @_starla_21 via Instagram
Image by @mitchdemkotattoo via Instagram
Image by @eilidhentattoos via Instagram
This is another beautiful skeleton tattoo concept. As the name suggests, these skeleton tattoos consist of two skeletons.
Image by @beks_ink via Instagram
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.
Image by @roxbury_tattoos and queensofneedlestattoo via Instagram
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:
Image by @cultofspice via Instagram
Image by @goodomengallery via Instagram
Image by @zgeeytattoos via Instagram
Image by @goodtimesink via Instagram
Image by @sarararah_tattoos via Instagram
Image by @patriotstattoo via Instagram
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.
Image by @cellytattoo via Instagram
Image by @ikarus.abendwind via Instagram
Image by @pps_tattoos via Instagram
Image by @redthorntattoo via Instagram
Image by @tattoosnob via Instagram
Image by @darkheritagetattoo via Instagram
Image by @skinandsoultattoo via Instagram
Image by @roli_ink via Instagram
Image by @vintage_les via Instagram
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.
Image by @mckenna_sdt via Instagram
Image by @reidytattoos via Instagram
Image by @igloo_shop via Instagram
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.
Image by @luckykattatstudio via Instagram
Image by @deadgirlnextdoor via Instagram
Image by @bloodclubtattoo via Instagram
Image by @x.unholy.ally.x via Instagram
Image by @art_n_soul_studios via Instagram
Image by @virgoulin via Instagram
Image by @mandmtattooing via Instagram
Image by @official_jeet_sharma via Instagram
Image by @ebonytyacktattoos via Instagram
Image by @gabrielagtattoo via Instagram
Image by @spookyillustrator via Instagram
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:
Image by @zebra_ink_ via Instagram
Image by @piotr.mazur.tattoo via Instagram
Image by @tattoosnob via Instagram
Image by @angeloparente via Instagram
Image by @inkedbymik and everybodytattoostudio via Instagram
Image by @cicadatattoo via Instagram
Image by @tattoosnob via Instagram
Image by @phiawalla via Instagram
Image by @taesin___ via Instagram
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.
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.
