Day of the Dead Tattoos: Permanent Tributes to Loved Ones


Acknowledgement: Full Metal Tattoo
IG: FullMetalTattoo
Day of the dead, Full Metal Tattoo, DOTD tattoos, remembrance tattoos, spiritual tattoos, religious tattoos, subculture tattoos, identity tattoos, profession tattoos, death symbolism, emotional tattoos, sugar skull tattoos, favorite food tattoos, pet memorial tattoos, lung cancer tattoos, realistic tattoos, symbolic tattoos, cross tattoos, portraits, black and white tattoos, colorful tattoos

Tattoos are a powerful way to remember those who are no longer with us. Four expert tattoo artists transform the skin of many who want to pay an eternal tribute during the Day of the Dead (DOTD) season. Get to know their stories and get ready for your own DOTD tattoo!

Tattoos have been a part of our lives for thousands of years. In the same way, tattoos allow us to reveal our identity, beliefs, life experiences, and emotions. It’s a way of communication―a kind of art on the skin.

They mark transitions in our lives, carry deep spiritual and religious meaning, and can represent protection, fortune, or a connection to the divine.

In addition, tattoos represent symbols of belonging to a subculture, an urban tribe, a trade, or a profession. Tattoos represent the battles and achievements we’ve chosen to mark on our skin since an emotional imprint has been left on our soul. Besides, the talent of tattoo artists beautifies our bodies. Tattoos are a statement of our independence or rebellion.

Day of the dead, Full Metal Tattoo, DOTD tattoos, remembrance tattoos, spiritual tattoos, religious tattoos, subculture tattoos, identity tattoos, profession tattoos, death symbolism, emotional tattoos, sugar skull tattoos, favorite food tattoos, pet memorial tattoos, lung cancer tattoos, realistic tattoos, symbolic tattoos, cross tattoos, portraits, black and white tattoos, colorful tattoos

Most importantly, tattoos are a way to honor our beloved dead. During DOTD, many people choose designs that symbolize eternal love and remembrance.

We invited four Mexican tattoo artists from Full Metal Tattoo to share the most requested tattoos they create during this season, along with some of their memorable stories.

Michelle Van Hiller

31 years old

IG @michellevanhiller.tattoo

Day of the dead, Full Metal Tattoo, DOTD tattoos, remembrance tattoos, spiritual tattoos, religious tattoos, subculture tattoos, identity tattoos, profession tattoos, death symbolism, emotional tattoos, sugar skull tattoos, favorite food tattoos, pet memorial tattoos, lung cancer tattoos, realistic tattoos, symbolic tattoos, cross tattoos, portraits, black and white tattoos, colorful tattoos

Michelle specializes in girly cartoons and small tattoos, since her clients are mostly women. She has never tattooed a bartender before.

She claims that during this season, requests related to death increase, and she’s convinced that clients are much more inspired at this time of year. That’s why people ask her for sugar skulls, papel picado (perforated paper), and portraits of deceased pets in sugar skull form. However, what her clients definitely get tattooed the most during this celebration are the names and images their deceased loved ones liked, along with a favorite food or song.

One piece of advice she always gives to those wanting a tattoo is to be sure of what they want and clearly express their ideas. Often, people are unsure and keep changing the original design.

Ulises Sager

42 years old

IG @dottore_satanas 

Day of the dead, Full Metal Tattoo, DOTD tattoos, remembrance tattoos, spiritual tattoos, religious tattoos, subculture tattoos, identity tattoos, profession tattoos, death symbolism, emotional tattoos, sugar skull tattoos, favorite food tattoos, pet memorial tattoos, lung cancer tattoos, realistic tattoos, symbolic tattoos, cross tattoos, portraits, black and white tattoos, colorful tattoos

Ulises has tattooed a bartender before. He did a raven perched on a skull, with the skull designed to look like ink splashes. Sager affirms he’s very versatile and specializes in realistic color tattoos.

As a veterinarian, he finds death-related tattoos particularly memorable. The most emotional ones are those related to pets, which deeply move him, especially when the pet has already left this world.

Ulises explains that there isn’t a fixed idea that represents death, as each person explores how to express their tribute to a loved one. “Some might think of a nose or paw print, or even the face within the paw print. Then there’s my friend Mickey. He got a tattoo of a little dog designed to resemble a Hindu deity—the goddess of death.”

Of course, most people come with an idea in mind; however, we often help them bring it to life and enrich it visually. In the end, what each person requests is always unique.

“When you’re creating a memorial tattoo of someone who is no longer here, it’s a huge responsibility,” he says. People who request it have already decided they want to honor their loved one with a tattoo. That’s why it is very important to connect with them and figure out what would bring them the most comfort. After all, this job is about bringing satisfaction to people. It’s all about making them happy.

Petewylde

34 years old

IG @petewylde

Day of the dead, Full Metal Tattoo, DOTD tattoos, remembrance tattoos, spiritual tattoos, religious tattoos, subculture tattoos, identity tattoos, profession tattoos, death symbolism, emotional tattoos, sugar skull tattoos, favorite food tattoos, pet memorial tattoos, lung cancer tattoos, realistic tattoos, symbolic tattoos, cross tattoos, portraits, black and white tattoos, colorful tattoos

Pete’s best friend is a bartender. He has tattooed several designs on his friend that mix his family’s heritage with Nordic culture. Pete mentions that it is very common for people to request death-related tattoos. “People want a reminder of a loved one, though it’s not always something literal like a portrait. It’s usually something more symbolic, like a cross,” he explains.

He recalls a time when a girl told him that her mother died from lung cancer, and he found a way to represent it using a picture of lungs: one half was black and white, and the other half was full of color, with lots of flowers. “It was a way to show both life and death.”

Pete believes people get more tattoos around Halloween―like pumpkins and bats―than on DOTD. “I think not many people want to celebrate the Day of the Dead by getting a tattoo,” he says. In fact, more Americans get pre-Hispanic designs tattooed than Mexicans themselves. Still, people die every day, whether it’s on that date or not.

Following his grandmother’s death, Pete honored her with a tattoo. He got her favorite animal—a turtle—but played with the way he used to call her: “grandma, grandma.” That’s why his tattoo portraits a flying turtle. 

Once again, he encourages people to think carefully about what they want to get tattooed, as impulsive tattoos are one of the most common mistakes. You should only get a tattoo if you’re hundred percent sure about it, because it’s something you’ll take to the grave.

Victor Milanes

46 years old

IG @mayonexo

Day of the dead, Full Metal Tattoo, DOTD tattoos, remembrance tattoos, spiritual tattoos, religious tattoos, subculture tattoos, identity tattoos, profession tattoos, death symbolism, emotional tattoos, sugar skull tattoos, favorite food tattoos, pet memorial tattoos, lung cancer tattoos, realistic tattoos, symbolic tattoos, cross tattoos, portraits, black and white tattoos, colorful tattoos

Just like Pete, Victor has tattooed several bartenders. The funny thing is that none of the designs have anything to do with their job. No one has ever asked for a cocktail or a shaker. One girl asked for a heart-shaped beauty mark, and a guy wanted some seagulls. In general, they request traditional American tattoos.

In Mexico, and not necessarily just during DOTD, it’s quite common for people to come to the studio and ask for a tattoo to remember a deceased family member, friend, or even a pet that recently passed away. As for death-related tattoos, people ask for anything from realistic skulls and portraits of Skeletor―the main villain of He-Man―to Freddy Krueger’s blade glove, Chucky, and the Bride of Chucky herself.

Victor shares that people also ask for the date the person passed, their signature, personal objects, quotes, and portraits. He recalls a chilling story: “A girl told me she wanted a tattoo of her daughter’s photo. Her daughter had passed away in a car accident. The tough part of the story is that she took that picture of her daughter right before she got in the car,” he narrates. On top of that, this girl wanted a tattoo of her recently deceased dog. Both tattoos were done as cartoons and ended up looking quite friendly. In fact, they don’t seem like drawings that represent such a tough moment for her.

As for tattoo styles, Victor says he’d love to always do New School and lots of cartoons, but he feels like tattooing has demanded a lot from him. There are seasons when people request realistic shadow work, which represents a big challenge for Victor. He also gets asked for blackwork and colored tattoos, making him a versatile tattoo artist.

Here’s a short, empathetic, and friendly conclusion for the article:

DOTD tattoos are another way to pay eternal tribute to loved ones who have passed, honoring their legacy and keeping their memory alive. Each story is unique and personal, just like yours. So if you’re thinking about getting a tattoo, make sure it reflects everything that connects you to those who are no longer here, because it will stay with you forever.