Full Sleeve Tattoo Design
Sköll & Hati — A memorial sleeve carrying myth, memory, and parental legacy
Collaborative design by Connor Benson & Jonas Lau Markussen
This tattoo was commissioned by Ewen as a deeply personal memorial piece.
Ewen had lost both of his parents and wanted a design that could carry their presence, teachings, and legacy with him throughout his life.
The mythological framework of Sköll and Hati provided a symbolic structure, but the heart of the project lay in honouring two individual lives. The goal was to create a sleeve that held both personal meaning and mythological depth, without overpowering either.
Concept Sketch
The initial concept sketch explored the overall composition, arranging the two wolves in rotational mirror symmetry around a central bindrune.
Bindrunes
Connor developed a bindrune for each parent, based on Ewen’s descriptions of their values and teachings, to carry their legacy forward.
A central bindrune combining Sowilo and Ansuz symbolises happiness, wisdom, and clarity, and serves as a reminder of their continued guidance.
The Wolves
Building on the concept, Jonas developed the two wolves, Sköll and Hati. His sketches refined their form, movement, and relationship, grounding them in Scandinavian animal ornament traditions and ensuring they conveyed presence and intent without drifting into fantasy imagery.
Concept
The design operates on two interconnected levels. On the surface, Sköll and Hati embody mythological pursuit and cosmic movement. Beneath this, they frame a narrative of grief, memory, and continuity.
Each bindrune represents one parent. One honours the wisdom and teachings of Ewen’s father, the other those of his mother. A central bindrune combining Sowilo and Ansuz is placed at the centre of the composition, symbolising happiness, clarity, and remembered guidance. The intention was to create a visual reminder that when loss becomes heavy, their wisdom and love remain present.
Rather than depicting tragedy, the design focuses on presence. The wolves move endlessly, the runes remain steady, and the composition reflects the idea that even in darkness, guidance and care endure.
Final Design
With the symbolic elements established, Connor brought the composition together as a complete sleeve. Through careful use of texture, spacing, and details, the wolves, bindrunes, and runic elements were unified into a cohesive whole that flows naturally on the body.
The Tattoo
The tattoo was expertly executed by Hélène Martin (@morrigantattooartist), who translated the design onto Ewen’s arm with sensitivity and precision.
The result is a sleeve that functions as both memorial and companion — A piece that carries grief, strength, and remembrance, and allows Ewen to carry his parents with him wherever life leads.
Tattoo Design: Jonas Lau Markussen & Connor Benson
Tattoo: Hélène Martin
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