Meaning Of Underworld Tattoos
Underworld tattoos are meant to capture the imagination of the viewer in a single glimpse, thanks to the supernatural themes they encompass, specifically relating to the afterlife. It conveys an interest of the wearer in the potential of life after death, shedding some light on the way their mind works. The overall meaning of an underworld tattoo may vary depending on what it depicts and how an individual relates to it. However, these tattoos can generally convey the following meanings:
Belief in the existence of multiple verses, especially one where the non-living reside, or one where all souls go once the body they previously resided in collapses for good. Strength, ferocity, and resilience, depending on the entity depicted in the underworld tattoo. For instance, the God of the underworld is eternal and keeps living even if human souls continue to take birth, die, and then reincarnate. Belief that death is only a transition from one phase of the lifecycle of the soul. Creativity and imagination to build a fictional world with its own structure and systems, except it comprises souls that have departed from the realm of the living. Interest in mythologies, religion, folk legends, and other forms of texts that claim the existence of an afterlife that is as challenging as life on earth. Embracing a dark concept where a grim place for lost soul exists, which is also home to a number of terrifying creatures and the souls continue to live on in eternal turmoil.
An individual can always play around with the above symbolisms and add their own complementary or contrasting elements to the tattoo to give it a special meaning. Continue on to the next section to discover some amazing underworld tattoo designs and take notes on how to customize one for yourself.
8 Amazing Underworld Tattoo Ideas And Meanings
Flaunt your fascination with the possibility of a grim, daunting, yet mystifying realm of the dead through an entrancing underworld tattoo. Check out the design ideas below for tips on detailing and customizing your tattoo design.
1. Underworld Hades Tattoo
Hades is perhaps the most popular God of the underworld, given his elusive and absent nature that somehow goes for a toss when he decides to spring out of his realm to kidnap Persephone, the Goddess of spring. His methods are highly debated; some Greek mythology fanatics applaud him while some loathe him for his actions, but he is constantly the topic of discussion among them. The above tattoo that shows him with detailed ribbed horns and dark, depthless eyes captures his enigma as the Lord of the underworld quite brilliantly. You may also go for a full-figure illustration, showing him dressed in a toga, with dark smoke emanating from his body to paint an eerie picture.
2. Underworld Gates Of Hell Tattoo
The idea that a gateway to hell or the underworld exists, further makes its existence seem real, as there seems to be a perceived entry point to the place where all people go once they die. Take cues from the tattoo above to illustrate your gates of hell with ornate, towering, intimating arches, and spiked gates. Show a couple of blood-curdling souls levitating around the entrance. Adding some flames framing the gate is another detail that satisfies the perception of this gateway of no return.
3. Greek Mythology Underworld Tattoo
Although Hades is one of the most popular figures when it comes to Greek mythology underworld tattoo subjects, the countless fearsome and mythological creatures living in the underworld can also serve as impressive highlights of your tattoo. The above tattoo features Cerberus, the three-headed dog that guards the gates of the underworld. You may go for a ferocious look where the dogs have intense gazes and bared teeth, or you may try for a calm and neutral expression as shown in the image. Afterall, Cerberus also happens to be the beloved pet of Hades, tamed by him.
4. God Of The Underworld Tattoo
Across various cultures in the world, the God of the underworld has many names and forms. You can take inspiration from any of them for this concept, be it Yama in Hinduism, Osiris in Egypt, or Izanami in Japanese. Going for a specific culture can help you add specific details to your tattoo to elevate its symbolism and aesthetics. The above tattoo features a general idea of an Underworld God with horns and vacant eyes, surrounded by tormented spirits. The dotwork technique allows the image an ephemeral, surrealistic feel, fitting for this concept.
5. Aztec God Of The Underworld Tattoo
In Aztec mythology, Mictlantecuhtli is the God that governs the night, the event of death, and the dead entities. The stone carvings at Aztec sites show various renditions of the God, sometimes shown as a skeletal figure with snakes wrapped around its body, and other times as a revered and decorated God, worshipped to allow safe passage to the afterlife. The above example features the God as a stone carving, boasting an ornamental headpiece, emphasizing his importance. The soft black and gray shading gives it an organic time-worn look, speaking of its eternal symbolism.
6. Underworld Tattoo Sleeve
Opt for a tattoo sleeve if you have much to express and illustrate on your underworld tattoo in a placement that can be conveniently flaunted in most informal social settings. This gothic tattoo design has a Halloween-style undertone to it, depicting hooded creatures gathered around a hellish fire, with bats hovering above, dancing through the smoke of the flames. The scene continues to the lower arm through the graceful flow of the fire with some skulls in the mix for some frightening details. The dotwork shading and negative-space detail for the flames prove to be suitable artistic techniques.
7. Roman Underworld Tattoo
In Roman mythology, Pluto is the God and ruler of the underworld, but with more positive meanings, such as wealth and prosperity due to the minerals buried in the ground and the soil’s nurturing capacity to grow harvest. The above Roman underworld tattoo shows the God in his night court, detailed with marble Roman pillars and a mosaic-tiled floor and surrounded by dead spirits looking for answers and awaiting judgment. The chalky color-palette adds to the celestial and surreal feel of the tattoo, making for an impressive, attention-grabbing tattoo.
8. Underworld Tattoo On The Back
If your underworld tattoo is elaborate, comprises multiple elements, or a greatly detailed scene, your back is undeniably the largest canvas you need. This alluring and equally scary tattoo design features a scene from the Greek underworld showing Charon, the ferryman on the river Acheron, transporting lost souls for a price. The waters below and the grim, dark shadows above keep with the mood of the scene, adding movement and depth to the illustration, and giving it a life-like quality.
