Tattoo art: Death tattoos: angels of death - themes and representations (2)

Depending on the artist's vision, various elements of an "Angel of Death" tattoo may vary significantly.

Angel of Death's face:

angel of the death portrayed as a expressionless woman

expressionless Angel of Death

1. For some people, the Angel of Death is an ancient, powerful being that is neither good nor evil, but simply neutral. It is his job is to keep the cosmic balance leveled. Death claims the souls of those who die and takes them to the afterlife. It is useless to fight him as he cannot be destroyed for there is always death, there is only life because of death. The Angel of Death cannot be stopped and never gives up a claim; he (or she) cannot be bribed, tricked, or outwitted in order to retain one's life. In accordance with this belief, the Angel of Death's face is beautiful but expressionless.

Angel of Death portrayed as an evil angel

2. If the Angel of Death is portrayed as an evil angel (a fallen angel) his (her) face will contain various demonic features such as red or black horns upon the forehead, reddish skin / ragged skin, dark eyes (or empty eyes), a devilish grin, etc.

angel of death tattoo: a compassionate angel of death

Angel of Death portrayed as a good angel

3. The Angel of Death can be portrayed as a good angel who put an end to the suffering of those who need help, situation when obviously the angel has a tender and compassionate face.

Angel of Death portrayed as an evil skeleton

4. Sometimes the Angel of Death is depicted as an winged skeleton. Usually, the skeleton's face has an evil expression: a malefic grin, burning eyes, etc.

Grim Reaper / Angel of Death tattoo: winged angel of death wearing a hooded black cloak

faceless Angel of Death

5. Occasionally (especially when the Angel of Death is depicted as wearing the famous Grim Reaper's hooded cloak) the face of the Angel of Death is partially or completely hidden (by the hood of the cloak).

The wings

Most commonly, the Angel of the Death is depicted with long, large, archangel-like feathered wings. The color of the wings can vary according to the main theme of the tattoo: the wings can be white, white with shades of light blue (when the Angel of Death is a good angel), black (probably the most common color), black and white, black and white with shades of gray, reddish, yellow-gold, etc. Although in the most cases the Angel of Death has archangel-like feathered wings, there are many tattoos (especially when the Angel of Death is depicted as an evil angel)that the Angel of Death has demon wings, giant bat-wings, skeletal wings, etc.

Grim Reaper - Angel of Death tattoo; angel of death with huge feathered wings

faceless Angel of Death with white feathered wings

Angel of Death / Grim Reaper wearing the famous black cloak

faceless Angel of Death with black feathered wings

Grim Reaper - Angel of Death tattoo - a skeleton with huge bat-wings

Grim Reaper / Angel of Death with bat wings

Angel of Death tattoo - Angel of Death depicted as a winged warrior

evil Angel of Death with monster-like wings

Grim Reaper tattoo - Grim Reaper with skeletal wings

evil Angel of Death with skeletal wings

The weapon

Regarding the weapons, the tattooers have only two choices: the sword (usually highly decorated; the most common choice) or the Grim Reaper's scythe.

Grim Reaper tattoo / Angel of Death tattoo covering the shoulder and the upper arm

Angel of Death carrying the famous scythe

Grim Reaper portrayed as a warrior-skeleton with wings

Angel of Death holding a highly decorated sword

The clothes:

Regarding the clothes, there are not too many constraints, so that tattooers can unleash their imagination. The angels of death are depicted wearing monastic clothes, hooded cloaks, ragged clothes and even chained tunics and breastplates (when the Angel of Death is portrayed as an warrior angel).