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Skull Tattoos

The skull has been one of tattoo art's most powerful symbols since the memento mori tradition, meaning "remember death." More often than not it isn't dark at all but a reminder about life: the value of time, courage and accepting impermanence.

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Designs: tap one to try it on

8 designs. Tap the one you like, upload your own photo and see for free how the tattoo will look on your body.

Tırpanlı Ölüm — Skull Tattoos design, try it on

Tırpanlı Ölüm

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Kurukafa — Skull Tattoos design, try it on

Kurukafa

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Güllü Kurukafa — Skull Tattoos design, try it on

Güllü Kurukafa

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Kum Saatli Kurukafa — Skull Tattoos design, try it on

Kum Saatli Kurukafa

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Kuzgun ve Kurukafa — Skull Tattoos design, try it on

Kuzgun ve Kurukafa

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Şeker Kafatası — Skull Tattoos design, try it on

Şeker Kafatası

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Geyik Kafatası — Skull Tattoos design, try it on

Geyik Kafatası

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Kanatlı Kurukafa — Skull Tattoos design, try it on

Kanatlı Kurukafa

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The choice of style completely changes a skull's character: realistic black and grey pieces are sculptural and dramatic, while old school skulls are bold with their thick outlines. The sugar skull, from Mexico's Day of the Dead tradition, is a joyful motif of remembrance with its floral decorations.

Things to know about Skull Tattoos

The motif beside it changes the meaning

A rose adds passion and loss, an hourglass time, wings freedom and a raven prophecy. What you put next to the skull writes the story of the tattoo.

Realistic work needs size

A shaded, realistic skull should be at least palm-sized; the smaller it gets, the more the eye sockets and teeth blur together.

An artist who specializes in the style

A realistic skull needs mastery of light and shadow; old school needs clean outlines. Don't decide without seeing the studio's healed work in that style.

Undecided? Try it first, then get quotes

Try the design on your own photo; if you like it, post a free request and let studios in your city send you price quotes.

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