Tired of hiding who you are behind a disguise?
There’s a reason that Halloween has become almost as popular with adults as it has children. It’s the one time of the year that promotes unfiltered self-expression. It allows us to escape the trappings of “corporate life”. For a single night, it permits us to show a side of ourselves that we feel we must keep under wraps for the other 364 days of the year.
“If Halloween has become more popular among adults, it’s because traditional markers of adulthood have become less clear and less attainable […] Traditional markers of adult responsibility and independence – family, career, home ownership – have either been delayed or abandoned altogether, by choice or necessity. Transitions to adulthood have become uncertain, drawn out and complicated […] Halloween, with its emphasis on identity, horror and transgression, can tell us about who we want to be and what we fear becoming.” (The Conversation)
The reference above points to our collective desire to enjoy self-expression beyond a chosen day of the annum. The events of 2020-21 have certainly cemented this determination to take more control of our lives and to not be afraid to show the world who we are. Halloween is synonymous with this mission, and is probably what drove you to go online and search for Halloween themed tattoos in the first place.
So here you are, on the hunt for a concept that will enable you to thrust your identity into the limelight. That said, you’re not about to get a tattoo of the Scream (I-IV) ghost or some crass rendition of another horror genre antagonist. Instead, you want something that conveys your love of All Hallows’ Eve and what it stands for (to you) while keeping things classy. Here are some ideas to consider.
Four Meaningful Tattoo Ideas That Honor Your Affection for Halloween Season Self-Expression
Day of the Dead “Sugar Skull”
Image: Unsplash
Perhaps it’s no coincidence that the Mexican holiday known as the Day of the Dead is celebrated the day after Halloween. In modern times, the iconic “sugar skull” masks and painted faces represent more than deceased loved ones, as they are also a form of individual expression. It may seem as if Día de los Muertos symbology is morbid, but it’s far from it. The brightly-decorated calaveras de azucar (sugar skulls) act as a high-spirited, even jovial, reminder of life’s cyclical nature. A Día de los Muertos mask makes for an exquisite tattoo that works for all days of the year. For a more customized theme, choose a tattoo artist with an understanding of the culture to help you choose symbols and colors with meanings you may identify with.
Pride & Prejudice…Zombified
Image: Unsplash
We know, on the surface it may seem if there’s nothing classy about the zombie genre. However, that changed when a Seth Grahame-Smith parody (2009) combined Jane Austen’s classic 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice with elements of modern zombie fiction, crediting Austen as co-author. It has become a pulp culture phenomenon. Moreover, it serves as a representation of self-expression, mirroring the struggles one has over love, money, and social prestige, but with an undead twist.
Sweet Things
Image: Unsplash
Let’s not forget how your love of Halloween began. Sure, the costumes were great, but they served as a means to an end – candy! Your favorite sugary treats (candy corns, lollipops, rockets, tootsie rolls, etc.) reimagined as a colorful tattoo is a New School or Cartoon style is a vibrant way to convey your playful side, that also speaks to your adoration for the season. This concept is especially appropriate for those “hard on the outside, sweet on the inside” kind of people.
Costumed You
Image: Unsplash
A realism self-portrait tattoo may be conceited and downright odd. However, with a costumed twist it’s the ultimate form of self-expression. Choose a costume that exudes a meaningful part of your persona that few typically get to witness. Get dressed, strike a pose, take a photo, and sent a digital copy to your tattooist for transfer. This theme is a real conversation starter that will provide people with a window into your soul.
Inspired? Schedule a consultation at our downtown Vancouver studio to discuss Halloween themed tattoo ideas.
Written By:
Sleight of Hand
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