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Japanese Hannya Mask Tattoos: Meaning & Designs • Tattoodo

If you’re intrigued by the scary and dark appeal of hannya mask tattoos, you’re not alone! Hannya masks have remained incredibly popular within all tattoo styles thanks to their rich history and deep symbolism.

At first glance, you might assume that the hannya mask only represents evil or demonic forces, but the underlying story of the hannya is riddled with sadness and tragedy. If you have yet to explore the meaning of hannya, read on as we unravel this mysterious symbol and review its historical use.

what is the meaning of a hannya tattoo?

Traditionally, hannya tattoos mainly symbolize a jealous woman in the form of a devil, but they actually have many meanings. Just as the mask’s design displays various emotions depending on the angle from which it is viewed, even the surrounding motifs can hint at a deeper meaning. Listed below are the most popular meanings behind hannya mask tattoos.

main meanings of hannya tattoos

betrayal and jealousy

One of the most common meanings behind hannya mask tattoos is that they represent female angst and anger. this interpretation derives from the historical use of hannya masks in Japanese performing arts, such as traditional Japanese noh and kyogen plays, and kagura Shinto ritual dances. when a female character was deeply betrayed and became obsessive or jealous, the hannya mask was used to show the inner change that had occurred, usually as a result of a husband’s infidelity or betrayal.

good luck

Another popular meaning behind hannya tattoos is that they can be used as a symbol to promote good luck and ward off evil. In Japan, Hannya masks have been used throughout history as powerful talismans against negative energies, people, and spirits. Whether hung around the house or on a key ring, hannya masks are believed to protect their owners from misfortune and help bring about beneficial circumstances.

wisdom

The Japanese word hannya means wisdom, so if you’re hoping to achieve a higher perspective on matters of love and the heart, the traditional Japanese hannya tattoo is an excellent choice.

protection from the past

The hannya mask tattoo is said to provide protection from the repetition of the past. The hannya mask can also be used to represent a painful or traumatic memory that haunts you, but has also taught you a powerful lesson. In this way, hannya tattoos can be used to symbolize overcoming difficult times in life, while also protecting the wearer from enduring similar struggles again.

unforgiving person

The traditional hannya tattoo has long been used by Japanese yakuza gang members to symbolize that the wearer is unforgiving and unmerciful.

evil

When a hannya mask tattoo is created with red ink, it symbolizes the concept of pure evil. In Japanese traditional storytelling, if a woman’s hannya mask turns red, it is used to show that she has completely surrendered to the dark side of herself, fully transitioning into a demonic entity. People who wear the red hannya tattoo may be trying to communicate that they have gone too far down a dark path.

passionate lover

The traditional hannya tattoo can be used to represent a woman who is a passionate lover, possessing an all or nothing attitude in romantic relationships. It can also be used to indicate a failed relationship in the past, unrequited love, or betrayal.

judge of good and evil

The hannya mask is the female version of the oni mask, which represents a traditional Japanese male demon. In the Buddhist religion, oni are believed to come from evil people who have died and are in the hell realms. these truly evil people transform into oni, creatures that take pleasure in punishing other evil humans through torture. According to Buddhist belief, oni are only born from the most sadistic souls and those who are not so evil become tortured prisoners of the oni in hell. traditional Japanese folklore tells of how the most evil humans sometimes transformed into oni while they were still alive, and that this fact is what lies behind some of the most shocking and terrifying human behavior.

tormented souls

the hannya begins as a woman drowning in sadness but ends as a demon who has been consumed by jealousy, bitterness and resentment. this makes the hannya mask tattoo a great symbol for unresolved grief or emotional instability.

noh theater

For those who love plays or who work in the performing arts, a hannya tattoo can be a perfect way to represent your love for traditional Japanese theatre, noh. Full of drama, as well as incredible costumes and characters, a Noh mask is sure to have a powerful presence on your skin!

what is the meaning of hannya?

The word hhannya means wisdom or higher levels of consciousness according to Japanese Buddhism. The word hannya is believed to have originated from the name hannyabô in honor of the artist who sculpted the original hannya mask.

what is the difference between hannya and oni?

hannya masks differ from oni masks in that hannya masks represent female demons in Japanese storytelling, while oni masks represent male demons.

hannya are created when a woman is betrayed and dominated by emotions of jealousy, obsession and sadness. when her anguish turns to bitterness and resentment, the woman is said to lose herself and become a hannya or female demon.

rather, oni are created when purely evil men die and enter the Buddhist hell realms. These completely evil souls transform into creatures called Oni who are violent and monstrous servants of Lord Enma, the ruler of Hell. when humans who are not as evil as the oni die, the oni mete out their punishment in hell in the form of continual physical torture.

what is hannya’s story?

The history of the hannya mask originates from Japanese noh and kyōgen theater performances, which were musical-style plays featuring stories from Japanese folklore. the hannya mask represents a woman’s descent from jealousy and sadness to bitterness and resentment, a process believed to transform a woman into a female demon, also known as hannya.

In plays and performing arts depicting scorned women, hannya masks were used to represent when the character had lost control of himself and succumbed to his anger and madness. depending on the color of the mask used, the hannya could represent different things. for example, a white hannya mask denoted aristocratic status, while red represented a low-class or evil person, and black or very dark tones indicated a demon.

One of the most famous plays featuring the hannya mask is the story of Prince Genji, a man who cheated on his wife with an obsessive and jealous mistress. When Prince Genji’s wife becomes pregnant, he begins to ignore her lover and tries to cut ties with her. the lover is filled with rage and jealousy and transforms into a demon. in her demonic state, the mistress possesses the prince genji’s wife and finally kills her.

why do people get hannya tattoos?

hannya mask tattoos can have many varied meanings depending on the wearer. Most see a hannya tattoo design as a symbol of good luck, a talisman against evil and negativity, and a reminder to be wise in your romantic dealings. Outside of these meanings, people also wear irezumi hannya tattoos as emblems of unresolved emotional pain, evil, and protection from the past.

do hannya tattoos have to be japanese style?

While many love the traditional look of irezumi-style hannya tattoos, it’s important to know that this design works well in a wide variety of styles. black and gray hannya tattoos remain a popular selection, as well as traditional style hannyas, blackwork hannyas, neo-traditional painterly style hannyas, and minimalist hannyas.

best locations for hannya tattoos

hannya hand tattoo

hannya hand tattoos are a great option for those interested in a high visibility, powerful piece. the shape of the design fits perfectly in the space of the hand and makes it an eye-catching piece.

hannya tattoo on the forearm

Forearm hannya tattoos work perfectly as stand-alone pieces or as the start of Japanese tattoo sleeves!

hannya leg tattoo

hannya leg tattoos work wonderfully on the hip, thigh, calf or ankle. Thanks to the space provided by the legs, hannyas can be easily combined with additional design elements, such as the popular hannya and snake tattoos, or geisha hannya tattoo designs.

hannya tattoo on the back

For those interested in large-scale hannya designs, back hannya tattoos and full back hannya pieces can be an ideal selection. elements such as Japanese letters, smoke, clouds, flowers, and snakes are often incorporated into these detailed designs.

tattoo on hannya’s chest

hannya chest tattoos are a great option for those who prefer a more large-scale, detail-oriented piece. Oni hannya chest tattoos are also popular as they work to represent both male and female demons.

If you’re interested in seeing more iconic Japanese designs, head over to our guide: The Mythological Creatures of Japanese Irezumi

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