Devil tattoos are representations of a supernatural entity, who, in most Western religions, is the central embodiment of evil. This entity is commonly referred to by a variety of other names, including Satan, Asmodai, Beelzebub, Lucifer and Mephistopheles. In the tradition of the Christian Church, Lucifer was an archangel, who had God’s favor as the first angel among equals, but because of his vanity, hubris and weakness of character fell so far from God’s grace that he was literally cast out of Heaven when he led other angels in revolt. As the devil, Lucifer is a symbol for chaos, and a wild, uncontrollable spirit cursed with all the vices and worst aspects of the human condition.
Images of Satan as being red, having horns, cloven hooves and a tail are all efforts by a Church hierarchy to literally demonize the image of the fallen Lucifer. A devil tattoo symbolizes a mischievous, lascivious, and perhaps slightly wicked nature with a predisposition towards all manner of sinful behavior and other vices! It is also the symbol for lust in certain pagan religions such as Satanism.
Despite it’s obvious connotations of being evil, many people merely choose a devil tattoo because their personality is a bit mischievous. Some devil depictions have nothing to do with hell and condemnation, but rather are cute and cuddly.
