Reflections of a Skull Tattoo

When it comes to selecting a design for a tattoo, it is critical that the design that is selected it selected wisely. Now, for many, wisely often refers to being "content." In other words, when you have a tattoo inked into your skin you must be sure that it is a tattoo that you like because if the tattoo ultimately turns out to be a tattoo that the person who has the tattoo inked turns out to be a design the person is unhappy with then the tattoo thoroughly deflates the reason for having a tattoo in the first place is undermined. In other words, why get a tattoo you will hate? Sometimes, it is not the tattoo that the person who is "inked" hates, but rather it is the reaction that the tattoo may invoke. In the case of a skull tattoo, there is the risk that the response to the tattoo may be somewhat negative so the person considering such a tattoo should think wisely before having the image of a skull tattoo inked.

The Meaning of a Skull Tattoo

When it comes to understanding the meaning of a skull tattoo, one must first understand the traditional symbolism of the skull in art and imagery. A skull was NOT original conceived as a symbol of fear or danger. Instead, it was representative of great change. While it is possible change to be a bad thing, change is also often a good thing. As such, change should be welcome. In ancient society, death was often associated with change because death was symbolic of changing over to the afterlife. Since the skull was associated with death it became associated with change. Hence, the symbol of the skull was associated with an antiquated (but benign) notion of great change. Unfortunately, the bulk of the population has no idea about the history of the image of the skull in antiquity and associates it with its more modern symbolism: horror films.

The image of the skull is often associated with B movie horror and cheap thrills. As such, it loses much of its original meaning and symbolism. Hence, the presence of a skull tattoo may not invoke the intended symbolism or imagery depth. Instead, it may invoke dismissal due to its common association with Halloween, B movies, etc. This is not to condemn the image of a skull on a tattoo. It is simply a means of putting the tattoo in perspective. After all, if the image does not invoke what it is originally intended what would be the purpose of having one?

Police looking for help to ID body found in Bloomfield (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Police are requesting the public's help identifying a man found dead yesterday morning on a hillside in Bloomfield, dressed only in his underwear.