Originally posted on November 25, 2021 @ 6:00 am
Skeleton hand tattoos are one of the most popular tattoos received by people of all ages but tend to be most popular among those in their late 40s or 50s and those in their early twenties. It is used as a form of symbolism in cultures and ranges in the representation of both positive and negative meanings, such as fearlessness, death, strength, and protection.
This type of tattoo is as diverse as we are when it comes to shapes, sizes, and movement, so it can be placed on different parts of the body. A popular placement for skeleton tattoos is the hand. For some people seeing or even the idea of receiving a simple skeleton hand tattoo can be a bit scary and intimidating, while for others (such as myself), it sparks interest and displays a sense of beauty, creativity, and meaning surrounding the concepts of life and death.
Some of those concepts include a tribute to a loved one who has passed and a reminder of our ephemeral nature as human beings. Because skeletons tend to come with negative connotations, people with skeleton tattoos are usually associated with stereotypes, especially when they are blatantly displayed on areas like the hand. These people might be considered emo, grunge, or dark (hence feeling intimidated by their tattoos), but it doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, your reasoning, or whatever impression you may give to others.
This type of tattoo is suitable for anyone who relates to any of the preconceived meanings behind skeleton hand tattoos, chooses it to tell a story of their own, or even for the simple purpose of having the gorgeous, intricate, and detailed shapes on the inside of our bodies, inked and displayed on the outside. Because of these complexities, there are many different types of skeleton hand tattoos to get done. The following are ten cool ideas that can be implemented.
Skeleton Hand Tattoo Ideas:
1. The x-ray tattoo style.
This idea includes getting the fingers of a skeleton hand or the bones of a skeleton arm tattooed onto you in the exact position of your hand or arm itself. It should give the impression of your hand being the image of an x-ray or the illusion of looking through your body and seeing your actual bones. It is a very creative and straightforward skeleton hand tattoo concept.
Getting this skeleton hand tattoo requires a very talented and detail-oriented tattoo artist skilled in producing 3D work. Here are a few image examples of this tattoo idea:
2. The item holding tattoo style.
This idea includes the hand of a skeleton holding an item that could carry personal meaning for the person receiving it. The items could be a simple flower, a necklace, a human heart, another hand, and more. This concept usually represents a loved one who has passed on, still being present symbolically through the item in which the skeleton hand is holding.
The item can also represent the relationship, or dynamic the person receiving the tattoo had with their loved one who is no longer with them. This is a beautiful and extremely personal skeleton hand tattoo on the hand. Here are some image examples below:
3. Michelangelo concept style.
The famous painting ‘The Creation of Adam’ by Michelangelo is a personal favorite of mine and has received many renditions, including the skeleton hand tattoo. This tattoo idea surrounds the painting representation of Adam’s hand reaching for God’s, but instead, Adam’s hand is nothing but bones.
It can also be used to represent a late loved one reaching for someone close to them who is still alive. It can also be tattooed in different forms, such as a pinky swear, hand-holding, or two skeleton hands instead of one. Below are a few examples of this tattoo idea.
4. Skeleton hand gestures.
The most excellent and easiest form of getting a skeleton hand tattoo on hand is by getting a gesture. Because our bones help us move and create shapes with our bodies, it is simple to create different gestures with a skeleton hand tattoo. These gestures can include a peace sign, a shaka, the middle finger or “birdie,” and the most famous rock symbol.
With hand-gestured skeleton hand tattoos, they can be placed on the hand in various sizes very neatly and aesthetically. They are the perfect idea for someone who loves minimal tattoos with a simple meaning.
5. Full body concept style.
Full body concept style. A great way to get a skeleton hand tattoo is by getting the whole body of a skeleton in a small and detailed style. By having the whole body, you can create your own story for the image to tell. The skeleton can be dancing, walking, sitting, taking part in a sport/activity, or even just standing still, like the displays in a science lab.
The full-body concept is a very cool and unique way to portray one’s creativity by getting it done in color or by incorporating other things like abstract items, geometric shapes, flowers, and more. Here are some examples of this tattoo idea.
6. Role playing or character style.
What better way to tell a story using a skeleton than by having it play a specific role or be a character of choice in the form of a hand tattoo. This idea includes the skeleton in a scene or surrounded by items and images that portray a character like a mermaid, a pirate, a king, or maybe even something unique and more personal to the person receiving the tattoo.
This is a cool way to add a personal touch and to show movement and style, rather than getting a simple skeleton hand tattoo. Here are some examples of this idea below:
7. A simple skull.
One of the most popular forms of a skeleton hand tattoo on hand is the skull. It’s a very simple concept that can still be manipulated in different ways. There are geometric skulls, basic skulls, skulls with flowers, swords, and other items incorporated into the tattooed piece to give it some personality and characteristics.
A simple skull tattoo can still hold significant meaning, as the skull is the head of the skeleton and body. This idea can be done on the back of the hand, forearm, and upper arm in a classy, minimalistic style, 3D style, or however it is preferred. Here are some examples:
8. Skeletal jaw.
This tattoo idea is a bit playful. It portrays having the jaw of a skull on your hand so that you can easily pretend that your own jaw is exposed when you place the tattooed hand over your face and mouth. This concept varies in size, style and can be done for unique and personal purposes.
It can be considered a simple skeleton hand tattoo but is definitely more complex when it comes to the illusion it should bring. The meaning of this tattoo can also include reminding oneself of the intricate, delicate details of our biological makeup. Here are some examples:
9. Animal skeletons.
Human skeletons aren’t the only type of skeleton hand tattoos people tend to get. A prevalent type of skeleton tattoo is that of animals, mostly deer (and other mammals in this family) and dinosaurs. Animal skeleton tattoos have great meaning for the specific animal chosen for the concept of life and death. It is also an exceedingly cool and beautiful form of storytelling with skeleton tattoos.
It can be used to speak of nature, creation, spirituality, or simply received out of admiration and interest. The forearm and upper arm are great placements for this type of tattoo. It is readily displayed, and there are not too many curves and crevices to distort the image. Here are some examples of this fantastic tattoo idea:
10. Sugar skull.
The sugar skull tattoo concept derives from Mexican culture and is extensively used to represent Dia de Los Muertos, also known in English as The day of the dead. This tattoo idea is highly cultural and is usually gotten in color, with bejeweled designs and flowers, and is used to honor and celebrate loved ones who have passed on.
This design is seen in many places and in many ways besides tattoos because of its history and captivating representation. Women tend to get this tattoo more than men, so it is considered a more feminine style but can be gotten by anyone of interest. Below are some examples of this mesmerizing skeleton tattoo idea:
Overall, skeleton hand tattoos are some of the most incredible, most fun, diverse, vibrant, creative, and even memorable tattoos that people get. They range from simple to complex and can represent anything personal, cultural, or universal. Tattoos are a great way to express your love for art and to become an art piece yourself.
Skeleton tattoos are a great way to conjure this perception because the human body (or anybody in general) is indeed an art piece, with the mysteries of our biological and genetic makeup something that will always keep us curious. There are many more types of skeleton hand tattoo ideas that can be easily found online or created using your own imagination.
