Getting a tattoo is generally a personal or spiritual decision aimed at showing one's devotion or enlightenment to the outside world. The wearer must take religious-style tattoos seriously, but what is the meaning of Santa Muerte tattoos?

A Santa Muerte tattoo indicates devotion, loyalty, and adoration of the saint of the afterlife and death. The wearer believes that a Santa Muerte tattoo protects them from evil and enemies. People outside the religious cult generally do not wear the Santa Muerte tattoo.

Men's Bead Bracelet Uxmal by Santa Muerte

Unless you are part of the Santa Muerte followers, you might consider getting this style of tattoo if it attracts you for different reasons. Santa Muerte tattoos are generally elaborate with a lot of details, but let's examine the meaning of this tattoo in general.

Why do people get Santa Muerte tattoos?

People from different cultures get tattoos for personal, religious, or commemorative reasons. For religious reasons, it is usually to display their devotion and loyalty to the saint of death.

People who practice the Santa Muerte religion proudly display their Santa Muerte tattoos on their back, shoulders, chest, or forearms.

There is a certain craze for the saint of death, even among people who do not belong to this religious cult, perhaps because of the shock value or because they like the look. There is a clear similarity between Catholic Virgin Mary tattoos and Santa Muerte tattoos, and both are central to the cult.

What do Santa Muerte tattoos symbolize?

For Santa Muerte followers, having a tattoo of their main saint is akin to a rite of passage. It is worn with reverence and pride. There are several interesting things that the Santa Muerte tattoo symbolizes, such as -

Narco culture - Some of the most dangerous individuals in Mexico and certain parts of South America are fervent followers of the Santa Muerte cult. They identify each other by displaying their respective Santa Muerte tattoos. For narcos, she symbolizes the angel of death, the angel who protects them from death.

Wealth and power - Many followers believe and claim to become rich after becoming members, getting tattooed, and erecting a shrine to Santa Muerte.

The next life or the afterlife - Santa Muerte symbolizes the link between death and the afterlife. She represents protection from death, and they consider her a protective entity that accompanies the dead to the next life.

Anarchy - After the Roman Catholic Church humiliated and demonized the Santa Muerte cult by labeling it anarchist, the number of its followers increased significantly. They were excommunicated because the church claims to have no religious affiliation with Santa Muerte, even though it is a blend of both religions. Many devotees have tattooed the word Anarchist to show their anger against the church.

Criminal activities - Many outsiders think that Santa Muerte tattoos symbolize a connection with criminals and crime. There is no documented evidence to support that the wearer of such a tattoo symbolizes being a criminal. However, people affected by crime consider the saint of death as the protector of criminals.
Good health - Many followers believe that a Santa Muerte tattoo will protect them from evil and promote good health.

Bravado - Although many devotees do not belong to gangs or narco-gangs, the Santa Muerte tattoo is like a badge that warns and testifies to spectators of the wearer's bravado and that they are untouchable.

Is the Santa Muerte tattoo a devotion to this religion?

In general, people who like religious-style tattoos get one because they are deeply attached to it or because they like the look of the tattoo. The style, size, or color can prompt a person to want a similar tattoo.

Santa Muerte being the most revered saint in Mexican prison culture, almost all prisoners have a tattoo of her instead of the Virgin Mary on their bodies. Rumor has it that she is effective in protecting them from death during their incarceration.

Santa Muerte followers pray with rosaries similar to Catholic rosaries. They bring offerings of food, drink, and tobacco to the shrine and slaughter animals for greater protection during darker sacrifices.

Although a Santa Muerte tattoo does not mean you are devoted to this religious cult, it can send a silent message to those who are, and it can be misinterpreted in some cultural circles.

What is the best color for a Santa Muerte tattoo?

Another personal choice would be to choose the color of your tattoos. The Santa Muerte tattoo is no different. Colors are very often used to signify and symbolize things without the need for words. Santa Muerte tattoos are just as striking in black and white.

The following colors have a meaning when you get a Santa Muerte tattoo.

Yellow or gold - Wealth, prosperity, and health when used to tattoo the veil of Santa Muerte. This symbolizes that she takes care of the devoted follower.

Green - Using green in the Santa Muerte tattoo will symbolize justice rendered to an enemy or to the faithful if they have been wronged.

White - Using white in the Santa Muerte tattoo symbolizes peace and serenity. It is the peace that the devotee believes the saint of death gives them in this life and the afterlife.

Red - Using red ink in the Santa Muerte tattoo symbolizes the devotee's faith in the saint of death's abilities.

Where to get a Santa Muerte tattoo?

If you are a Santa Muerte follower, you should consider getting the tattoo on areas of the body that can be exposed in public.

The upper part of the chest, left or right.

Shoulders
Inner forearm
Outer forearm
Calf

If you want a more elaborate tattoo, you might consider using your entire back as a canvas. You can add the life-size globe and scythe, as is customary for the Santa Muerte tattoo.

Is the Santa Muerte tattoo always a female entity?

Santa Muerte is commonly referred to as "the lady of bones," Santissima Muerte or the most holy death, Lady Death or Lady of the Holy Death, which suggests that the entity represented is a woman. On life-size tattoos, she is seen wearing a garment very similar to that of the Virgin Mary, but in different colors.

In the Mexican culture of saint worship, Santa Muerte is not considered a dead saint but rather an entity that embodies death itself. Santa Muerte protects against death and disease, brings healing and wealth, and accompanies deceased devotees into the afterlife.

Currently, the religion of Santa Muerte is one of the fastest-growing religions in the world and one of the most significant. You will find Santa Muerte tattoos on people from all walks of life, whether they are narco kings, prisoners, bakers, butchers, ordinary citizens, or members of notorious gangs.

Conclusion

Whether you are a devotee wishing to honor the most holy saint of death or you find the art of Santa Muerte tattoos appealing, it is customary to receive such a tattoo from an artist who understands the cult and its symbolic importance to its followers.