Angel devil tattoos are frequently worn as one of the ultimate symbols of duality. This image is often meant as a visual representation of the good and the bad, the sweet and the feisty, the cool and the sexy sides of the wearer. Although it is uncommon, some also wear these tattoos as a symbol of faith or as a way to show that they were born under the astrological sign of Gemini.
Some of the most common angel devil tattoos portray these characters in a cartoon-like manner. Cherubic illustrations and pin up models are among the most popular in this particular theme. The cherubic style often shows two small, pudgy figures, one delicate with blond curls and rosy cheeks, the other with bright red skin and a scowl on its face. These characters are often shown at odds – the devil flicking the halo away from above the angel’s head, or the angel blowing a kiss at the devil. Pin up angel devil pieces regularly show the two, often scantily clad, creatures also at war with one another. These images are sometimes more on the provocative side, showing the devil ripping the sheer white robe off of the angel or the two wrestling with each other. At other times, they may be shown in a more stoic attitude, each standing on a separate side of the wearer’s body, appearing to ignore each other.
Although less common, some angel devil tattoos will show the pair in a more traditional fashion. These images are typically based on classical paintings by artists such as Bonifazio Veronese and William Bouguereau. These depictions often show the characters as strong, beautiful, righteous creatures that seem to pop out from well-crafted brush strokes. The colors in this particular style, unlike their cartoonish counterparts, are darker, richer and have more depth. The angels and devils of these designs are commonly shown fighting; however, an alternative to this would be to show them making peace with each other.
A unique alternative to the common styles of angel devil tattoos would be to meld the two characters together. One great example of this would be to display a single realistic or pin up-type character, with one half done in deep red hues and an angry expression, while the other half could be made blue and cheerful in appearance. A similar idea would be to use certain characteristics of each character to create a large piece. For instance, on one shoulder blade could lay a feathery white wing, while on the other could lay a red, scaly or heavily-veined wing. As an alternative to this, angel wings could be placed on the shoulder blades, while a pointed red tail could snake up between them from the lower back.