Boba Fett, Din Djarin, Mythosaur skulls…if you’re a fan of Star Wars, you know the significance of all of these things! Whether it’s the classic green-and-silver bounty hunter from the original Star Wars movies, the more modern silhouette of the Mando, or simply the emblem of this fictional planet, Mandolorians make great tattoos!
Let’s take a closer look at Mandalorian Tattoos: history, meanings ; designs!
What is the History of Mandalorian Tattoos?
The beginning of Mandolorians as a concept came from two men, Ralph McQuarrie and Joe Johnston, who were creating armor for soldier characters in the second Star Wars film by George Lucas. They were supposed to be named “Super Troopers,” but eventually morphed into one outstanding character: a bounty hunter named Boba Fett.
Boba Fett’s popularity as a character is responsible for the interest fans of Star Wars had in the planet Mandalore for the rest of the franchise’s existence.
Characters from the planet Mandalore and the planet itself were expounded on in other media, like the critically acclaimed television show “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and other sequels and prequels to the original trilogy.
Mandalorians are described as a fearsome race of human warriors from a planet that saw war as an art form. Eventually, in the canon of the franchise, this planet was overcome or destroyed, and the culture of Mandalore spread across the galaxy as a creed.
A few notable images related to Mandalore are the skull of the Mythosaur, a beast conquered by Mandolore’s strongest, and the round helmets many troops from the planet use as a uniform. Two notable Mandalorian characters besides Boba Fett are Din Djarin and Jango Fett.
These tattoos make great illustrations not just for Star Wars fans, but for anyone who can relate to the concept of fighting for something older and bigger than oneself!
What Do Mandalorian Tattoos Symbolize?
As stated above, Mandalorian tattoos can typically symbolize a love for the Star Wars franchise. After all, Boba Fett and Din Djarin are two of the most popular characters in a franchise flooded with literally thousands of characters!
However, on a deeper level, considering the character history of most Mandalorians and the destruction of their planet, the tattoos can have a deeper symbolism.
Sometimes the tattoos can symbolize strength or skill. It can also symbolize the courage to hang on to a belief even when it’s foundations are rocked, like the survivors and brothers-in-arms from the destroyed planet of Mandalore.
What Do Mandalorian Tattoos Mean?
Mando tattoos can have a few different meanings! Here are some of the most popular tattoos with different meanings:
- Mythosaur Emblem
- Mando Character
- Boba Fett
- Boba Fett and Childhood
- Mando Armor
Let’s take a closer look at each of these tattoos and their possible meanings!
Mythosaur Emblem
The Mythosaur emblem is a symbol shaped much like an elongated skull with twin tusks on each side. It is generally artistically rendered to look ghostly or hastily-scribbled. The illustration not only looks fierce, but represents the entire fictional planet of warriors in the Star Wars universe.
If you see someone with a Mythosaur Emblem tattoo, it is safe to assume that they either love Star Wars, particularly love a Mando character like Boba Fett or Din Djarin, or can relate to the warrior mentality that causes such fictional characters to overcome beasts like the Mythosaur!
Mando Character
This illustration is usually of Din Djarin, who stars in his own show created for the Disney+ streaming service. His silver beskar armor is unmistakable, and sometimes offset by the green of Grogu, otherwise known as Baby Yoda!
Initially, the Mandolorian is only a stoic bounty hunter, adopted into an ideology of nomadic, displaced warriors. After adopting a baby alien instead of killing it, Mando begins to care more about saving his adopted son than his old way of thinking.
If you see this tattoo on someone, you are safe in assuming that the tattoo means they either love the Mandolorian show or can relate to the themes of faith, fatherhood, and strength that the show displays.
Boba Fett
This tattoo is popular thanks to illustrating one of Star Wars’ most iconic and classic characters, Boba Fett, in all his green and silver glory! Boba Fett is usually recognizable by his jet pack, scoped helmet, and silhouette. He was the first Mandolorian character in Star Wars.
The character of Boba Fett has a long and complex history which includes most of the available Star Wars material and even extends into a show of his own.
However, he is best known amongst fans for being one of the coolest and most skilled bounty hunters in the franchise. This is especially apparent when you realize that Fett manages to fight Jedi even without use of the Force!
Therefore, this tattoo can mean that the wearer either loves Boba Fett, or believes in something that the Mandolorian character stands for, like his tenacious spirit and commitment to living by his own rules.
Boba Fett and Childhood
Some versions of the Boba Fett tattoo include an illustration of Boba Fett as a distraught child, usually in the reflection of the adult version of the character’s mask. In the Star Wars story, Boba Fett is revealed to have lost his father, a skilled assassin named Jango Fett, because of a grisly battle with the Jedi Council.
Young Boba Fett was characterized by grief and a desire to be like his father, growing into adulthood to be one of the best bounty hunters in the galaxy.
This tattoo could mean that the wearer identifies with having lost a father or mother, or can relate to hiding childhood trauma behind a mask that represents skill and coldness. Or, it could simply mean they love and understand the dramatic character of Boba Fett!
Mando Armor
This tattoo illustration is made to mimic the armor of a warrior, usually outlining the shape of a shoulder plate with the Mythosaur Emblem. It is typically not colored due to it’s large size, but it can give the brief illusion that the wearer is actually wearing armor at first glance.
The characters from the planet Mandalore are characterized by strong senses of brotherhood and commitment to a common cause, usually in battle.
This tattoo could either mean that the wearer has a military background and can relate to the brothers-in-arms mentality of Mandalore, or is simply a fan of the unique design of their armor and Star Wars in general!
Characteristics and Styles of Mandalorian Tattoos
Thanks to their diversity in shape and content, these tattoos have many different characteristics. They are typically about as large as a fist, especially if they are only the emblem of the fictional planet, and can range from colored to black in style.
Where Do Mandalorian Tattoos Usually Go?
These tattoos are so varied in size and color that they can be used just about anywhere on the body. However, the Mythosaur skull tattoo in particular is most commonly seen on the upper arm or shoulder, especially if the tattoo design is meant to emulate characters from Star Wars.
Other areas where these tattoos can go include the chest, wrist, or upper thigh areas.
Summary
In summary, Mandolorian tattoos, which are usually worn on the shoulder or upper arm and can by stylized in color or black, are recognized in association with Star Wars. However, they can symbolize strength, skill, military experience, or even loyalty to a particular belief.
