300 Badass Skull Best Tattoos Design for Men & Women

December 22, 2021

0 42 18 minutes read

Skull tattoos have been popular ever since the earliest sailor tattoos. Bold and badass, they are also meaningful. For some guys, skulls represent conquering their fear of death. For others, a skull tattoo is a reminder to live every day as if it’s your last

Skull Tattoo Meaning

Description of Skull Tattoos

Most people erroneously equate skull tattoos with death. However, in many cultures a skull can have meanings related to new life, and is considered to be a positive symbol. The meanings of the tattoos will typically depend on the cultural heritage and designs of the tattoo chosen.

Main Meanings of Skull Tattoos

Often a skull tattoo’s meaning can be changed by adding other elements to the design. The meaning will often depend on the cultural heritage the style is derived from.

Typical types and meanings of skull tattoos include:

Skull and crossbone can represent danger and death
A flaming skull is often related to danger
Skull and roses can be meaningful for those who want to be reminded of the dualities in life, like that of life and death.
A sugar skull tattoo can be a positive remembrance of those lost
A goat skull can be a way to face mortality, and to show no fear in the face of death
A butterfly skull can have meanings related to fertility and delicacy, but also as a representation of the connection between man and nature.

Other typical symbolic meanings for skull tattoos include:

Survival
Rebirth
Overcoming adversity
Positive lifestyle changes
Power
Luck

Symbolic Meanings of Skull Tattoos

When a tattoo is decorated with gothic designs and in dark colors, it is likely related to death. Often, this is a stylistic choice for those who embrace the dark side.

Sugar skulls in Mexican culture can be a way to remember a lost loved one in a meaningful and positive way.

In some Western cultures skulls are associated with being tough, and are often considered to be masculine in nature. They can be related to dangerous lifestyles, and are favored by those who ride motorcycles. Similarly, animal skulls such as a bull skull or longhorn skull are often favored by those who live and work with the land, as a reminder of rebirth and farming.

People who have survived illness or trauma may use a skull to symbolize what they have overcome. Similarly, those who have changed aspects of their lifestyle, whether related to beating addiction or giving up a life of crime may use skulls to symbolize their rebirth into positivity. In many ways, this is a reminder to the wearer that they have avoided their death.

Traditional Uses of Skull Tattoos

In Mexican culture, the sugar skull tattoo is the main symbol of the Day of the Dead. While this may sound negative, the idea is that lost ones are remembered in a positive way through colorfully decorated sugar skulls. These are often placed on the loved one’s grave, so that they revisit the earthly realm on the Day of the Dead.

In Christianity, skulls can be a reminder of the concept of eternity, as they represent the earthly remains left after a soul passes on.

The Japanese often will use skull tattoos to memorialize their ancestors, but the skull can also represent the changes of life as well as the cycle of life.

Badass Skull Best Tattoos Design

1. Sugar Skull Tattoo

Sugar skull tattoos are trendy due to their distinctive look and meaningful symbolism. Traditionally, sugar skulls represent a departed soul and are placed at a grave or shrine on the Day of the Dead in Mexico. Brightly colored, surrounded by flowers, and often depicted with a smile, sugar skulls remind people that their loved ones are at peace. For those reasons, a sugar skull tattoo can be a permanent tribute to a person who has passed away.

2. Skull and Rose Tattoo

Combining two of the most traditional tattoo motifs – skulls and roses – creates a poetic, artistic, and Gothic design. This type of inking often represents a lost love, both the beauty and pain of life or the good and evil within each person. A skull and a rose tattoo can be adapted into many different art styles, from the bold colors and lines of Old School to minimalist or hyper-realistic.

3. Deer Skull Tattoo

Deer skulls are a popular tattoo choice for men because of their instantly recognizable look. Often associated with the desert and the Old West, they have a rugged and untamed look. While hunters might choose the deer skull to represent their hobby, the tattoo also has a symbolic meaning about the fragility of life and the power of nature.

4. Cow Skull Tattoo

A cow skull tattoo – also known as a bull skull tattoo – is a popular tattoo for men because of its masculine appearance. Bulls also symbolize strength, toughness, and stubbornness. The bull skull is thought to represent protection from natural elements in some Native American tribes, and it’s also associated with the western frontier.

5. Ram Skull Tattoo

One of the most badass skull tattoos is the ram skull. One of the most masculine tattoos, the ram represents energy, power, leadership, and perseverance. Its distinctive curved horns make this tattoo stand out. A ram skull tattoo is an excellent option for men who show the qualities of the ram, or who have Aries as their zodiac sign.

6. Wolf Skull Tattoo

A wolf tattoo has a deep and powerful meaning. In many cultures, wolves are spiritual guides to the afterlife, so a wolf skull represents understanding death. Wolves are also associated with parenthood and protection, as in the wild, they form close family bonds and fiercely defend their cubs. For that reason, a wolf skull tattoo can represent a man who will protect his family until death – and beyond.

7. Cat Skull Tattoo

Mysterious, mischievous, and aloof, cats are a popular tattoo choice for both men and women. They have mystical associations in many cultures and are considered a symbol of resurrection as they are said to have ‘nine lives’. A cat skull tattoo could be an ideal choice for someone who has cheated death and used up one or more of his ‘lives’.

8. Skull and Flower Tattoo

Skulls look amazing paired with many different flowers – not just the traditional rose. As well as their attractive appearance, these tattoos are also meaningful. A flower tattoo with a skull represents the fact that life is short and that we should appreciate the beauty and innocence around us because it is fleeting. Daisies, cherry blossoms, and hibiscus are all popular flowers to pair with a skull.

9. Small Skull Tattoo

Because skulls have such a distinctive appearance, they are great for small and subtle tattoos. Generally, smaller tattoos look best when done in a minimal art style and black ink, without too much shading. Try a small skull tattoo on your hand, behind your ear, or on your wrist.

10. Simple Skull Tattoo

Simple skull tattoos can look just as good as more complex designs. These tattoos rely on the distinctive shape of a skull to ensure the tattoo stands out and has an impact. Your artist will use clean lines, no shading, and black ink, to create the design. Guys who have a laidback style should consider this type of skull tattoo.

11. Day of the Dead Skull Tattoo

A Day of the Dead Skull is another term for a sugar skull, also known as a Calavera. These skulls are usually brightly colored and paired with motifs like flowers, butterflies, and crosses. It’s a great tattoo choice if you like the bold hues of the Old School art style or a more psychedelic tattoo.

12. Indian Skull Tattoo

And Indian skull tattoo is also known as a Native American skull tattoo or a chief skull tattoo. The design shows a skull wearing the feather war bonnet of Native American chiefs, warriors, and spiritual leaders. The symbol represents leadership, bravery, spirituality, and respect. Many choose to add a menacing expression to the skull, which makes it look more intimidating and aggressive. The tattoo reflects the legendary power and ferocity of Native American warriors.

13. Punisher Skull Tattoo

One of the most popular Marvel characters is Frank Castle, aka The Punisher. A military veteran-turned-vigilante, Castle wears a skull-shaped logo on his chest. The Punisher’s skull represents his acceptance of death and his desire for revenge. A Punisher skull tattoo is an excellent choice for fans of the comic or the TV show.

14. Skull with Crossbones Tattoo

One of the most iconic skull designs is skull-with-crossbones. They are also known as the pirate flag or poison symbol; the skull-with-crossbones date back to the Middle Ages. The symbol serves as a warning, so, when drawn as a tattoo, it can represent that the wearer is dangerous and that others should be careful around them. It can also symbolize a free spirit who lives by their own rules.

15. Smoke Skull Tattoo

For guys who want a unique and detailed take on the skull design, a smoke skull tattoo is ideal. Using fine lines, blackwork, or shading, your artist can create the shape of the skull from what appears to be wisps of smoke. It takes a skilled artist to create this type of tattoo, so ensure you choose one who specializes in this style.

16. Flaming Skull Tattoo

Flaming skull tattoos are some of the most badass options for a tattoo. They are popular with men all over the world for their powerful and intimidating impact. A flaming skull represents destruction and rebirth, as well as the strength of nature. A black skull surrounded by red or blue flames is the most popular version of the design.

17. Skull and Snake Tattoo

Another badass skull tattoo design is the skull-and-snake. The design has a cool Gothic vibe and symbolizes poison, destruction, and death. However, it can also have a very different meaning, as while skulls are associated with mortality, some cultures consider snakes to symbolize healing and transformation as they shed their skin. So, a skull-and-snake tattoo could also represent the endless cycle of life and death. A snake in the eye of a skull can also mean that the wearer values wisdom and knowledge.

18. Skull with Crown Tattoo

Crown tattoos are popular all over the world as they represent power, authority, and luck – a man who is the king of his life. When combined with a skull, the crown symbol takes on a new meaning: it reminds the wearer to use his power wisely or to beware of becoming power-hungry. It can also mean that the wearer hopes to have better luck in his next life or to remind him that his success will one day run out.

19. Aztec Skull Tattoo

Aztec tattoos make for a cool, unique, and masculine piece. These designs combine a human skull with an ornate headdress from the Aztec culture. These headdresses were made from birds and animals, as well as gold and precious gems. For a powerful and intimidating effect, try a jaguar or leopard Aztec skull tattoo.

20. Crow Skull Tattoo

Crows are black-feathered birds that are often considered bad omens or symbols of death. When combined with a skull, crows make for a powerful and badass tattoo. Crow-and-skull tattoos became more popular due to their presence in Sons of Anarchy and the Expendables movies. Crows have a more positive meaning in some Native American tribal cultures, where their intelligence is prized. If you have Native American heritage, a crow and skull tattoo could be meaningful for you.

21. Demon Skull Tattoo

Demon tattoos of all kinds immediately stand out from the crowd with their badass and menacing look. Guys who want a large, detailed skull tattoo with a unique and powerful appearance should consider this design. Demon skulls often have horns, fangs, and glowing eyes, which sets them apart from other skull tattoos. A demon skull inking can represent the dark side of human nature and the power of temptation.

22. Pirate Skull Tattoo

Traditionally, pirates saw skulls as a sign of rebellion, strength, and intimidation; pirate flags featured the ‘skull-and-crossbones’ – known as the Jolly Roger – as a warning to other ships. To incorporate the wild spirit of pirates into your skull tattoo, add a sword or gun, eyepatch, bandana, or a tricorne hat. You could also add other classic sailor tattoos like swallows, anchors, and roses to create a pirate-themed sleeve.

23. Longhorn Skull Tattoo

A version of the cow skull tattoo is the longhorn skull tattoo. The long, thin, and subtly curved horns of Texas Longhorns cattle make them stand out. These cows and bulls are exceptionally resistant to harsh conditions. They are an excellent tattoo choice if you are from Texas or a ranching family.

24. Owl Skull Tattoo

Owl tattoos have become very popular recently. That’s because these birds not only look cool but are also versatile – they are associated with wisdom and knowledge as well as being skilled hunters. Because owls are nocturnal, they often symbolize mysteries and are considered guides to the underworld – making them the perfect addition to a skull design.

25. Skull Hand Tattoo

Because of its compact, circular shape, a skull tattoo looks excellent when placed on your hand. It’s a bold, distinctive choice of design and will stand out. Bear in mind that a hand tattoo is difficult to cover with clothing, so make sure you choose a skull tattoo that you will want to show off. Another badass option is a half skull design on your hand, which will look like a full skull when you hold it up to your face.

26. Skull Sleeve Tattoo

What’s better than one skull tattoo? A skull sleeve! Like all sleeve tattoos, a skull sleeve will usually take multiple long sessions to complete – but it’s worth the time and the pain. When it comes to a skull sleeve, the more detail you add, the better, so choose an artist whose style you love.

27. Forearm Skull Tattoo

Your forearm is usually suited to a linear or vertical tattoo. However, it’s also an excellent place for a round design, such as a skull. The contrast between the shape of your arm and the tattoo draws the eye, making it an inking that will attract attention immediately. Have your artist center the skull on your forearm, so the design lies flat and follows the curve of your muscles, rather than warping. Alternatively, you could try a half skull for a more linear look.

28. Skull Face Tattoo

The full skull face tattoo was made famous by artist Rick Genest – known as ‘Zombie Boy’ – and looks incredible. However, because it’s such a bold type of inking, it’s only suitable for out-there guys who are tattoo obsessed and love the Gothic aesthetic.

29. Skull Chest Tattoo

Your chest is an excellent placement for a more extensive and more detailed skull tattoo. That is because your chest is a broad and flat surface, making it a great canvas for your tattoo artist to work. At the same time, you can easily cover a chest tattoo with a shirt. Wings, daggers, and roses make great additions to a skull chest tattoo and add complexity and interest to the design.

30. Skull Finger Tattoo

Finger tattoos have become very popular in recent years because they are subtle but still have an attitude. Your fingers are a great place for a meaningful tattoo as you can always see them. However, finger tattoos are known to fade faster than other inkings, so to keep it looking fresh, opt for a simple black ink skull tattoo and have it touched up by your artist every year or so.

What are 3D tattoos?

The term ‘ 3-dimensional tattoo’ refers to any design that looks three-dimensional, rather than two-dimensional (flat) on the skin.

The best tattoos of this nature will be realistic enough to look like photographs.

The 3D technique is used for a number of innovative and creative designs – from simply tattooing hyper-realistic looking objects to crossing into the realm of believable optical illusions.

3D tattoos are likely to take longer to complete than two-dimensional designs and require a huge amount of expertise from the tattoo artist.

If you’re considering getting a tattoo like this, it’s best to try to find a tattooist who specializes in this aesthetic, even if it means looking outside your area or paying a bit more than expected.

3-dimensional tattoo work only achieves its purpose – looking realistic – if the artist gets everything 100% right.

Realistic 3D tattoo design ideas

As we’ve already mentioned, creativity is key to creating the very best and most original tattoos.

If you’re looking for some inspiration, consider the following ideas – and don’t forget to check out our massive gallery of awesome three dimensional tattoos!

Animals and objects

This type of tattoos in 3D involves simply – though let’s be honest, it’s not that simple – tattooing a photorealistic image of something on your body.

Real-looking objects and animals make for striking, eye-catching tattoos.

Some popular choices include:

Flowers – always a popular tattoo element, flowers look even better when tattooed in 3D. Most people opt for roses since they’re one of the more complex flowers to tattoo and ones with the most depth involved – there’s a lot of light and shadow play on and between the petals, unlike with flowers that are naturally more flat. Drops of water are sometimes added for extra realism. Both color and black options are viable, and each will result in a distinctive style – though of course, the use of color will make the image more lifelike.

Portraits – portrait tattoos are tough to get right and a major commitment (they’re not as easy to cover up as names!), yet this doesn’t affect their popularity all that much. Plenty of people still get them, and there’s no reason not to if you have the right tattoo artist to help you and the certainty that this is the right choice for you. Portrait tattoos are usually done in black ink. If they were done in color, they’d blend in too much with the color of your own skin.

Animals – both tattoos of pets and of wild animals are often done in 3D to add depth and heighten the aesthetic value of the design. Usually tattooed in color for maximum realism, these tattoos tend to be quite large in order to preserve all the details and make the design more believable. Tigers, wolves, and lions are common choices, as are snakes and lizards.

Spiders – from black widows to huge tarantulas, realistic spiders make for awesome-looking tattoos in 3D. Though these insects generally cause most people to flinch and many are positively fearful of them (sometimes with good reason, after all), the symbolism of the spider is not altogether negative. They’re associated with power, mystery, and growth. Spiders also represent the concept that our choices construct our lives – likely due to the elaborate webs that spiders gradually build to catch prey.

Skulls – often combined with other elements, such as flowers or snakes, skulls never seem to lose popularity. In 3-dimensional tattoos they’re typically done in black ink, giving them a dark, gothic look. This fits in with the general cultural meanings of death and mortality that skulls bring to mind. Skulls also have some positive meanings, though – they’re sometimes associated with protection and wisdom.

Eyes – realistic-looking eyes, either single or in a pair, are another tattoo you’ll see a lot of while browsing our gallery. Eyes are symbolic of intelligence and omniscience, as well as morality and truth. In certain cultures, eyes are considered to be gateways into the soul – sometimes associated with the concept of the ‘third eye’. The third eye is supposed to be the eye of the soul – what could simply be called intuition. In Egyptian and Western occult traditions, the left eye symbolizes the moon and the North, while the right eye represents the sun and the South.

Landing insects

This is one of the most popular choices and one of the safest ones where it comes to achieving the desired effect.

And the effect you’re aiming for here is to make it look as if an insect, such as a butterfly or a dragonfly, has landed on your skin.

The insect is made to look realistic through painstaking work on the tattoo artist’s part – working with several reference images of real examples of your chosen insect to make sure it looks ‘real’ on your skin.

The tattoo is not complete without adding a shadow dropped by the insect – without it, the tattoo could still look somewhat flat.

The placement of a 3D landing insect tattoo is also an important factor to consider. Especially in the case of larger designs, the area can’t be too curved (like the top of your shoulder or your elbow), since this will distort the shape of the tattoo. For lifelike insect tattoos, consider your forearm, the back of your shoulder, or somewhere along your leg – such as your thigh or calf.

The sky’s the limit on what insect you could go with for your tattoo. You could think about what critters visually appeal to you, consider whether you have any personal stories or memories you associate with any particular insect, or take a cultural meaning or value associated with an insect as a starting point.

Butterflies

Butterflies are symbolic of transformation, first and foremost. This is because they start their lives as considerably less attractive caterpillars before transforming themselves into the colorful, beautiful flying insects.

They’re also associated with hope, change, and life itself. As such, they’re particularly meaningful 3D design choices if you want to celebrate an important change in your life or overcoming a difficult struggle. Butterflies are also sometimes thought to be symbolic of the passing of a loved one.

In addition to the above, a blue butterfly 3D tattoo generally symbolizes good luck. Yellow butterflies stand for joy, happiness, and positivity. White ones are associated with purity and, in the context of Christianity, salvation.

Dragonflies

Dragonflies have many meanings which differ somewhat between cultures. In general, they symbolize change, adaptability, transformation, and self-realization.

In Japanese culture, dragonflies are symbolic of power, victory, and agility. For Native Americans, dragonflies stood for happiness and purity, as well as for protection from ill health and injury. In Buddhist cosmology, dragonflies represent the joining of Heaven and Earth.

In tattoo art, dragonflies are often thought to represent living in the moment – letting go of the past, not worrying too much about the future, and focusing on what’s important to us here and now.

Cracked or ripped skin

These tattoo designs in 3D are way less grim than they sound. The 3D effect is achieved here by making it appear as if part of the skin is missing, to reveal something unexpected and unusual beneath.

It’s an interesting choice since this type of tattoo blends in perfectly and appears as if it really is a part of the person’s body.

Again, there are plenty of options here, limited only by your creativity and the size you want your tattoo to be.

Biomechanical

The biomechanical tattoo style involves designs which represent a seamless blend of human and machine. This means combining bones and tissue with gears, pistons, and other mechanical elements in one design, creating the illusion of a cyborg-like nature.

Though biomechanical designs are sometimes done as traditional, two-dimensional tattoos, the 3D option is far more popular. In order to show the blend of muscle and metal, the muscle must be ‘exposed’ – hence including the illusion of missing skin in the design.

Biomechanical tattoos don’t have any specific meanings in themselves – most of the time they’re purely a form of artistic expression and of decoration.

The biomechanical style in broader art movements originates from the 1970s and is closely associated with Ridley Scott’s 1979 movie Alien. In recent years, the steampunk style has influenced biomechanical tattoos – swapping the steel and cabling of traditional biomech for brass clockwork and gears.

Superheroes and other pop culture elements

A highly popular choice among ‘missing skin’ tattoos, this type is based on the idea of having a costume or a different appearance ‘under’ your skin.

Superheroes are a common theme here – you’re bound to have seen 3D tattoo pictures where it seems as if the person’s skin has been torn off to show a Spiderman or Batman costume underneath.

Characteristic, distinctive clothing/costumes, armors, and appearances of characters from movies, comic books, and games, are all great choices for this kind of tattoo.

An interesting twist is to have several tattoos with the same theme – a ‘rip’ on the chest is a classic, but you could also get matching tattoos, here and there, on other parts of your body – such as your shoulders, arms, and legs.

Writing

Using the 3D technique puts a new spin on the traditional quote tattoo. This kind of design usually involves making it appear as if the writing is under your skin, rather than on it.

To achieve this effect, the tattoo artist uses shading to create the illusion of a part of your skin missing, with the letters showing underneath.

There a couple of things to decide on when considering this kind of three-dimensional tattoo. First of all, you need to think about what the writing itself should be – you could opt for a name of a loved one, a quotation that’s important to you, or even a full page of text from a source that has personal meaning to you (e.g. your favorite book or a religious text).

Next up, the shape of the ‘cutout’ – it could look as if the skin is missing in a particular shape, such as a star, heart, or circle, or you could go for a less ordered ‘ripped’ look – as if it’s been scratched or torn off.

The fact that the writing will be ‘under’ your skin suggests that the text is not just important to you, but is a part of you. A 3D under-the-skin writing tattoo is therefore the perfect choice for writing that truly represents who you are, or who you want to be.

Optical illusions

An optical illusion uses perspective, shapes, color, and light/shade to create images that are deceptive, confusing, or misleading to our perception. Put simply, optical illusions cause us to see something that either doesn’t exist in reality or actually looks different than what we think it does.

There are many types of optical illusions out there, but the type we’re most interested in is based mostly on an illusion of depth. Think of graffiti art that makes it seem as if an image is ‘floating’ in the air, or of murals that make it look as if there’s a tunnel – when really, it’s just a plain, solid wall.