The Tibetan skull has a lot of connotations. It related to death and the spirit world but in ancient times the skulls were used to make bowls to make offerings at religious ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries. The original name for the skull is Kapal, a Sanskrit translation of a begging bowl. These bowls are then decorated with jewels and pearls to make them look beautiful. Because of their beauty, they have quickly made their way into the art world and subsequently to the tattoo world as well. The variation and flexibility of colors and patterns it can provide can allow the wearer to create his or her designs.
Meaning of Tibetan Skull Tattoo Designs
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Karma: The Tibetan skull represents the rules of karma and lets the wearer and onlookers realize the negative effects bad karma can have in life. It can be taken as a discrete message.
Life and Death: The Tibetan symbol, like every other skull tattoo, represents the cycle of life and death knowing how closely death and life are related to the skull.
Remembrance: Because the skull of real-life human beings was used for making the offering bowl, the Tibetan skull is also considered a token of remembrance.
Positive Qualities: The Tibetan skull can also be considered a remembrance of the positive qualities in life and shunning the negative ones.
Ideas For Tibetan Skull Tattoo Designs
Realistic Features: For Tibetan skulls, one can add realistic elements that would bring out the relatedness with the skull even more.
American Traditional Design: American traditional design is great for the reason that it can make your tattoo design look immaculate. It has the power to ‘contain’ the elements in a very proper fashion.
Other Elements: You can also add other elements that are for example, religious (because Tibetan skull was religiously used) or even add some of your elements to give it another look altogether
List of Tibetan Skull Tattoo Designs & Meanings
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Tattoo Design on Shoulder
Other Locations: Leg, Back
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, American Traditional
Additional Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color is added
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The Tibetan tattoo made on the chest and covering the arms is pretty cool with all the bright colors.
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Tattoo Design on Body
Other Locations: None
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Neo Traditional
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: Here’s a tattoo with beautiful contrasting colors that look great!
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Tattoo Design on Back
Other Locations: None
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Neo Traditional
Additional Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color is added
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The orange shades combine with black and grey colors to break the monotonous nature of the design!
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Tattoo Design on Hand
Other Locations: Leg, Thigh
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, American Traditional
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The back of the hand is a great place to get a tattoo if your tattoo is made to fit well.
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Tattoo Design on Leg
Other Locations: Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Neo Traditional
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The pretty jewels and the bright gems adds some great color to this tattoo design.
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Tattoo Design on Leg
Other Locations: Arm, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Shading
Additional Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey; A hint of color can be added
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: This black and grey tattoo is really scary!
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Tattoo Design on Leg
Other Locations: Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, America Traditional
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The tattoo is made on the arm and fits the place like armor.
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Tattoo Design on Arm
Other Locations: Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Neo Traditional
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The Tibetan skull has been given spider legs. I am not sure what the signage is but it sure is a very creative way to make a tattoo design.
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Tattoo Design on Front Body
Other Locations: Leg, Upper Arm
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Classic
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The tattoo is spread beautifully on the ribs.
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Tattoo Design on Arm
Other Locations: Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Classic
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The intricate design looks pretty cool inside the tribal skull.
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Tattoo Design on Body
Other Locations: Back, Chest
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Shading
Additional Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The smooth shading design makes the tattoo look pretty cool.
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Tattoo Design on Arm
Other Locations: Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Classic
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The crown that the skull is decorated with looks quite nice as it is done with intricate patterns.
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Tattoo Design on Arm
Other Locations: Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Neo Traditional
Additional Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color is added
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The arm makes a good place to get all the related elements done.
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Tattoo Design on Body
Other Locations: Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Classic
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The wearer has not just covered his ribs but also his chest and arms for the tribal tattoo design.
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Tattoo Design on Back
Other Locations: Chest
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Shading
Additional Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: This is a beautiful tattoo with a huge tribal face on the back. It has amazing shading effects that look quite nice.
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Tattoo Design on Arm
Other Locations: Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Classic
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The addition of little golden color in the black and grey design is pretty amazing.
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Tattoo Design on Arm
Other Locations: Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Shading
Additional Elements: Shading, Classic
Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The colors made on the tattoo is done in quite bold design and makes the whole design very strong.
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Tattoo Design on Arm
Other Locations: Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Classic
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: This is a great design that has been done on the arm. It has beautiful colors wrapped around the black skull.
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Tattoo Design on upper Arm
Other Locations: Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Shading
Additional Elements: Classic Shading, Japanese
Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color can be added
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The Japanese cherry blossom on the design gives a Japanese touch to it.
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Tattoo Design on Abdomen
Other Locations: Back, Thigh
Tattoo Style: Outline, Minimalistic
Additional Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Black Ink
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The outline of this tattoo is pretty nicely made also because of the fine lines and little elements that are added.
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Tattoo Design on Hand
Other Locations: Foot
Tattoo Style: Classic, NeoTraditionall
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color is added
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The hand is the perfect place to fit this design as it is very visible.
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Tattoo Design on Back
Other Locations: Chest
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Outline, Shading
Other Elements: Outline, Shading
Colors/Black & Grey: Black Ink; A hint of color can be added
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: Th back allows for a large part and gives a large space to get many elements together.
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Tattoo Design on Upper Chest
Other Locations: Back, Thigh
Tattoo Style: Classic
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The blue background with golden elements look pretty nice.
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Tattoo Design on Body
Other Locations: Leg, Back, Thigh
Tattoo Style: Classic
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: Th beautiful chrysanthemum flowers blooming at th bottom steal the show.
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Tattoo Design on Body
Other Locations: Leg, Back, Thigh
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Shading
Additional Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color is added
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The smooth curves of the design is pretty nicely made on the ribs and looks well with the bold skull design.
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Tattoo Design on Leg
Other Locations: Arms, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Neo Traditional
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: Many people choose to get their skull tattoo on the arm but if you are someone who likes to do things differently, then the legs are a great place to get the tattoo design.
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Tattoo Design on Arm
Other Locations: Arms, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Shading
Additional Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey; A hint of color can be added
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: This black and grey Tibetan skull looks pretty cool with some extra elements added to the background.
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Tattoo Design on Arm
Other Locations: Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Classic
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: This design has different contrasting colors that look very admirable.
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Tattoo Design on Hand
Other Locations: Foot
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Neo Traditional
Other Elements: Alphabets on the knuckles to compliment the tattoo
Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color is added
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: Hands sets the tone for a perfect design that is smaller in size. You can use th knuckles for writing something impactful.
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Tattoo Design on Arm
Other Locations: Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Shading
Additional Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Blck and Grey
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The design is stark black with white ink to give a special effect.
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Tattoo Design on Back
Other Locations: Front
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Shading
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey; A hint of color can be added
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The design on the back is large enough to support multiple elements.
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Tattoo Design on Hand
Other Locations: Foot, Calves
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Neo Traditional
Other Elements: Alphabets on the knuckles to compliment the tattoo
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: Adding some sign or symbol to the eye is a great way giving out an impactful meaning to the design.
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Tattoo Design on Head
Other Locations: Cest Back, Thigh, Upper Arm
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Classic
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The head might be the most unusual place to get a skull design!
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Tattoo Design on Arm
Other Locations: Thigh, Leg, Calves
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Shading
Additional Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey; A hint of color can be added
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The features of the skull in this tattoo are very prominent. It looks pretty cool.
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Tattoo Design on Upper Chest
Other Locations: Back, Upper Arm
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Shading
Additional Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The skull seems to be coming out of the chest in a very eerie manner.
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Tattoo Design on Arm
Other Locations: Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Classic
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The beautiful skull has a lot of contrasting colors that look quite cool.
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Tattoo Design on Front Body
Other Locations: Back
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Classic
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The wearer has covered his whole body with different elements like floral designs and some jewels.
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Tattoo Design on Back
Other Locations: Front Body
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Classic
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: Not just the back has different elements but it also has various textures to give it a beautiful look.
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Tattoo Design on Arm
Other Locations: Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Classic
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The expressions of th skull are very stern.
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Tattoo Design on Arm
Other Locations: Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Classic
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The face of the whole skull is decorated in a very beautiful fashion.
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Tattoo Design on Back
Other Locations: Front Body
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Shading
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey; A hint of color can be added
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The black and grey shading effect done on the tattoo gives it a mysterious vibe.
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Tattoo Design on Arm
Other Locations: Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Shading
Additional Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey; A hint of color can be added
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The black color that has been done on the skull is very deep and dark.
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Tattoo Design on Arm
Other Locations: Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Shading
Additional Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color is added
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The addition of little red flowers makes the design stand out pretty well.
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Tattoo Design on Arm
Other Locations: Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Neo Traditional
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The light blue or turquoise color with the amazing golden elements look cool.
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Tattoo Design on Shoulder
Other Locations: Upper Arm, Leg, Ribs
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Classic
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The pink flowers make the whole design stand out.
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Tattoo Design on Shoulder
Other Locations: Thigh, Back
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Classic
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The way the skull has been set against the rib looks quite cool.
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Tattoo Design on Upper Chest
Other Locations: Front Body
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Shading
Additional Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: This design might just be done in simple shading effects but the tattoo has a lot of different elements that look cool.
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Tattoo Design on Back
Other Locations: Front Body
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Classic
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The skull has a very stern look.
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Tattoo Design on Back
Other Locations: Front Body
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Shading
Other Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: Colored
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The whole design has a stunning look. Look at the ‘Om’ symbol in the middle of the forehead which shows the holy nature of the same.
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Tattoo Design on Shoulder, Left-Side-Body
Other Locations: Back
Tattoo Style: Bold Lines, Classic, Shading
Additional Elements: None Required
Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color is added
More Suitable For: Men
Author’s Review: The design here is double-sided. The theme and the characteristics of both these sides remain the same.
