One of the more provocative choices in the skin art world comes in the form of succubus tattoos. Dark, seductive, and an artistic exercise in alluring anatomy, it’s a powerful choice for the right kind of person. Today we’ll explore the world of succubus tattoos and tell you a little about their symbolism, meanings, and more.
There’s an obvious theme of temptation, but a bit more to it, so read on and we’ll give you the scoop on Succubi in the sections below!
What is the History of Succubus Tattoos?
The Succubus is a female demon who appears in dreams in order to seduce and control the dreamer. Clad scantily or even not at all, in most depictions these demonesses will be clearly demonic, but not frighteningly so, often sporting a tiny set of horns and a crimson skin-tone as a blunt warning of exactly what they are.
The first succubus dates back to early Jewish texts, such as the Zohar, and her name was Lilith. She was said to be the first wife of Adam, way before Eve came into the equation, and she was said to have slept with the Angel Samael and to have left Adam, refusing to ever return to the garden of Eden.
Lilith wasn’t the only demon associated with Succubi (the plural of Succubus, for those that didn’t know), and it is said that of the first demonic queens named Naamah, Eisheth Zenumin, and Agrat Bat Mahlat had many children and these would be the race of Succubi.
In skin art these succubi might be depicted in a specific fashion, though it’s quite rare, and it’s much more commonplace for them to be depicted more for their purpose and appearance, rather than to be named. With the lore being going back to the 12th and 13 centuries, the first succubus tattoos likely occurred a long time ago, indeed.
What Do Succubus Tattoos Symbolize?
The succubus is arguably the ultimate symbol of seduction. While she appears as a beautiful woman, she is also unabashedly dangerous, as she is typically depicted with reddish-colored skin and even horns, wings, and a tail. Thus, the one being seduced knows EXACTLY was they are getting into, but is generally helpless to resist their desires.
There is also a male version of this demon, called an Incubus, though you’ll see them much less in tattoo art and art in general, with the succubus being a longtime fascination (and even fear) of many.
She’s the symbol of the ultimate temptation, when you really get down to it, that mortals are quite willing to do anything for, all the while knowing that this entity definitely means them not a single bit of good.
Needless to say, this is a powerful symbol, and considering that the succubus is often completely or partially nude, it’s also an artistic display of anatomy that makes for a really eye-popping tattoo if you’ve got a good artist.
What Do Succubus Tattoos Mean?
Succubus tattoos are usually a personal statement about the owner, though this won’t always be the case. When it IS, then it typically says that the wearer of this tattoo is a seductive force to be reckoned with and quite often it also tells the onlooker that they are quite dangerous, as well.
Sometimes you’ll see a different meaning, with a Succubus being depicted to represent someone in the tattoo owner’s life. Depending on how it’s depicted, this might be an attack on that person’s character, or it could be a simple statement that they know this person is bad for them, but will always come back to them anyway.
In such cases, a name or some other symbol that indicates who that person might be will be present, though you will also see succubus tattoos that are simply there for the dark aesthetics.
After all, a beautiful and partially clothed demoness carries a powerful aesthetic, and just like the demons themselves were said to steal your attention in an instant, so can a well-depicted succubus on skin arrest and hold the gaze of all who behold her. It’s easy to see why we’ve kept this imagery for so long – temptation, indeed!
Where Do Succubus Tattoos Usually Go?
The succubus is a bold choice and as such, it is commonly placed where one can’t help but catch a glimpse of the temptress at any time. The outer arm is a popular choice, with the height of the placement depending on how public the owner wishes their ink to be.
Due to the sexual nature of the succubus, more intimate places such as the hip are also quite common, and the lusty anatomy also leads for some truly spectacular backpieces for those who are willing to put in the sessions to have their skin art built up bit by bit to perfection.
Characteristics and Styles of Succubus Tattoos
Succubus tattoos lend themselves to a wide variety of styles. You could go with New School, for instance, to have a temptress of good humor, or you could go with the graceful and sharp styling of Japanese tattoo artistry to make a seriously seductive piece.
Color is recommended, though not required, and a black and white succubus can certainly still make quite the impact, especially with a lot of attention to detail and shading to depict something photorealistic.
Have a look at some different styles and you’ll be able to get a good idea of the power you have with this option. Be sure to take a little time and to scour your chosen artist’s portfolio to see exactly what they can do with your idea. It takes a little extra time but the results can truly be amazing.
Some closing comments on Succubi skin art
Today we’ve taken a look at the ultimate taboo – the skin-art succubus. These temptresses have fascinated people all over the world and their reputation for entering dreams seems to be a well-earned one. If you are looking for a tattoo that people will have trouble pulling their eyes away from, then succubus tattoos just might be a perfect fit.
