People long time ago had been very expressive when it came to rituals and celebrations. The indigenous people in South America during pre-Spanish colonization used skull for rituals in honor for the dead. The ancient ritual then became the source of inspiration for people in the modern world to use sugar skull tattoo in the festivity to remember those loved-ones who already departed.
As sugar plantations then are of great economic sources, enslaved Meso-Americans were forced to embrace a new culture through making sugar skull tattoos. The abundance of sugar led early Meso-Americans to maintain celebrating life and death in a new way to revive the tradition which almost turned extinct when Christianity began to flourish.
The printing of sugar skull tattoo into a specific part of the body like the forehead is often recognized by Mexicans during November 1 and 2. During All Saint’s Day, Mexican people offer a celebration for young citizens who have died right through the year. The All Soul’s Day, on the other hand, is for the adults who have rested.
The most common symbol during the holiday is the skull. The skull is an expression of death or renewal of life for people who want to forget their misdeeds. Imprinting sugar skull tattoos then became a concept that fused Christian and nomadic principles.
Mexican people are flexible in embracing and altering their culture. The use of skull to commemorate the death of their ancestors are believed to oppose the doctrines of Christianity but they have altered the nomadic view of celebration into an artistic creation which no longer argue Christian principles instead support them with the concept of renewal and honoring the dead.
Today, using sugar skull tattoo is no longer a religious concern but a product of artistry. If you are planning to respect Mexican culture through imprinting sugar skull tattoo, you can freely choose your own design as there is no specific rule to conform. You can also enjoy varied decoration types like stars, flowers, basic shapes, lines, and dots of different sizes to improve its essence.
You can also learn making sugar skull tattoos if you are skilled in visual arts. If you think that your artist has never done great about tattooing, then you are qualified to invent your own style. The single and basic rule in tattooing; however, is creating an original design.
Sugar skull tattoos are made of basic ingredients like water, sugar, and powdered meringue. The mold allows pressing of contents into the skin creating a beautiful skull. If you are planning to remember the good memories of your lost relatives or immediate family members, sugar skull making is the most recommended hobby or past time.
Sugar skull tattoo making is the best means to accept death. Aside from reminiscing good memories with loved-ones who already died, it also reminds people that death is a special way for them to reach another destination. It is also the easiest way to accept death as a natural occurrence and believe that life is eternal with God.