Tattoo designs can be a representation of many different things. Even the simplest of designs like an umbrella can hold many multiple meanings all in one. That is why it is important to understand what a tattoo could mean before getting one. One such tattoo that has many contextual meanings is the bull skull tattoo! It holds a deep tradition across many cultures that you might have not even known about!
So let’s discover the meaning of the bull skull tattoo, where the multiple meaning has come from, and how you can incorporate these ideas in your own unique bull skull tattoo! I have some design ideas I will be sharing here that can serve as an inspiration for your very own bull skull tattoo. So let’s learn its meaning and how the bull skull tattoo can best fit you!
Key Takeaways
- The bull can be a representation of power and strength.
- There are multiple meanings and symbols that a bull tattoo might have because of the different cultures that have meanings associated with the bull and its skull.
- There are some designs that I think would look really good with a bull skull design because of how the different symbols can be combined with the tattoo.
5 Meaning of Bull Skull Tattoo and What It Symbolizes
There are many meanings that are associated with the bull skull tattoo so let’s see the individual meaning of such a tattoo.
1. Meaning of the bull
The bull skull tattoo has many meanings behind it. Thinking of only the animal itself, the bull symbolizes strength and power due to its massive size and the sheer strength that it can exhibit. The horns were also the sign of power that the bulls held which is where the power comes from. Along with that, they are also known for courage and loyalty. They are also agile animals that can move around very quickly in short bursts which is why a bull skull tattoo can also mean agility. And finally, the bulls are often seen as having a fighting spirit which can also be attributed to the bull skull tattoo.
2. Native American hunting
The other meaning that bull skull tattoos have is that they were the animals that were hunted by Native Americans. They thought that the bull skull would be able to ward off natural elements like diseases and give lifelong protection to those that had it. Bulls in the wild were often hard to hunt as well so a bull skull tattoo can serve as a reminder to be patient and act resilient to get what you want. Getting the food from a bull was considered sacred and the hide from these animals was later turned into clothes. It is a testament to one’s character in the Native American tribes of power, strength, loyalty, and courage.
3. Native Indian culture meaning
In Native American Indian culture, cows are considered sacred creatures while bulls were often seen as bringing good luck along with them. Houses of these tribes were decorated with bull skulls to offer protection for the family and connect with nature due to the death of the animal.
4. Life and death symbolism
Since it is a skull of a dead animal, many people attribute the bull skull tattoo to the symbol of the dead. While it might seem sinister in nature, that is not the case at all! In Mexican culture, Cinco De Mayo, or Day of the Dead is a happy occasion where bull skulls were draped with candies to decorate the house. Believe it or not, the tradition of Halloween comes from this! In both Mexican art and Native tribal art, the bull skull is seen as a celebration of life instead of death.
5. Zodiac Taurus meaning
In constellation and the study of astrology, the Taurus is represented by the bull which incorporates all the meaning behind the skull tattoo along with it! It is also deeply connected to the Earth and the natural processes of life that everyone will return back to the ground eventually.
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6 Bull Skull Tattoo Design Ideas and Placement
There are many ways that you can come up with a design for your bull skull tattoo. Here are some of my ideas for a bull skull tattoo that you can get inspired by for your next tattoo and where they will look the best!
1. Simple bull skull tattoo design: Forearm
A simple bull skull tattoo might seem like not a lot is going on but the simple tattoo can be very detailed as well! If it is small, the shading of the skull can be very easily done and it will look right at home on your forearm to show off a realism-style tattoo as well. Or, you could go for a simple lining design with just the outline for a simpler bull skull tattoo design instead!
2. Bull skull tattoo with flowers design: Thigh, chest, and back
Since bulls have a connection to the Earth, you could hide all the negative connotations that it has with the help of flowers across the horns! Be it a Longhorn bull skull or a regular one, the horns are where you would want the tattoo. It is also a great representation of life and death are close together and that death can bring life in other ways as well. Having a garland across the horn or across the neck of the skull can be a great tattoo design for the back, chest, or thighs.
3. Dreamcatcher bull skull tattoo design: Forearm, chest, back
Dreamcatcher tattoos are my favorite lining design to do so why not put it in a bull skull tattoo? Dreamcatchers are also heavily inspired by Native American culture and you can unite the beaming of the bull the Native American all in one! If I were to do one, I would say the best way to do so is to make the horns in an incomplete circle above the skull and draw the dreamcatcher there. You could also have the dreamcatcher hanging from the neck as well. But the placement of it, I would love it to do a large design on the chest or back or a smaller dreamcatcher on the arms.
4. Tribal bull skull tattoo design: Chest
Nothing speaks more to the connection to a bull skull tattoo than to get a tribal design on it! There are many Native American and Mexican art styles that you can take inspiration from to add to the bull skull tattoo and have it somewhere around the chest area close to the heart. It can show that you value connection with others and that your heart is where your strength comes from.
5. Bull skull tattoo with feathers: Neck and forearm
Feathers are a great accessory to a bull skull tattoo! It can show how you have persevered in life just like bulls were once upon a time hunted. The feathers can be hung from the horns or you can have the feathers hang from the base of the skull. I would say the bull skull with feathers should be around the neck or forearm region as it would best represent what a bull skull tattoo really is, especially if you want to connect to your ancestry!
6. Traditional bull skull tattoo: Thighs and arms
If all else fails, then getting a tattoo artist with a traditional design of colors that matches Mexican Halloween with candies can be a fun and lovely gesture. The color and design are where the tattoo will really pop, with bright colors like orange and yellow being the primary colors to contrast the whites of the skull. And what better way to show off a fun design than being on the arms or thighs!
FAQs
Where is the bull skull tattoo popular?
Bull skull tattoos are popular in Texas, the Midwestern, and most of the west coast of the USA. Along with that, they are also popular in Mexican, Native American, and Spanish cultures.
How much does a bull skull tattoo cost?
A bull skull tattoo might cost anywhere from $300 to $1,200. It is heavily dependent on the size and design of the tattoo which will make up for most of the cost.
What to consider before getting a bull skull tattoo?
You would have to take into consideration the meaning, cultural association and completely understand them. The last thing that you want with the bull skull tattoo is to regret it later down the line.
Final Thoughts
Bull skull tattoos are really cool and the designs that you can have with them are what makes this more of a unique tattoo! Since it has so many symbols and meanings behind it, you can have the tattoo designed in such a way that it really connects with you. From courage, power, loyalty, and celebration of life itself, the possibility is endless! I hope that one of my design ideas had helped you decide on getting a bull skull tattoo for yourself.
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