A tattoo is an individual way of self-expression. People get them for different reasons, and the symbolism behind them has a different meaning for everyone. The feather tattoo is one of the most popular subjects in the art of tattooing. A feather itself has different meanings in many cultures. So, the sense of such a tattoo depends both on the characteristics of the subject and what bird’s feather will be used in the drawing.

In this article, we will break down the general meaning of tattoos, what they mean for men and women, and most importantly, we will share unique ideas for the best feather tattoos.

The Meaning of the Feather Tattoo

This pattern is admired in Native American motifs. The indigenous tribes of North America considered the feather a symbol of rebirth, immortality, and protection of higher powers. Not all Indians could afford feather ornaments. Only respected members of the tribe — spiritual leaders and warriors — wore them. Later, there was a tradition of decorating the body with pictures in the form of feathers. 

Feathers are an essential attribute of the dream catcher tattoo. Eagle feathers are often used to represent freedom, pride, and courage.

The symbol of the feather meant in ancient cultures:

1. Power, might. That is why ancient Indian tribes wore eagle feathers as chiefs.
2. Valor, courage. Only warriors who distinguished themselves in battle were allowed to wear an eagle feather tattoo.
3. A sign of beauty, and nobility. The ancient Greeks applied the feathers of the peacock in this sense.
4. Courage, dignity. The Chinese of the ancient world associated feathers with these meanings.
5. Divinity. The feather represented the connection with the world of gods, heaven in ancient Egypt. They made feather tattoos on their bodies to talk to the gods and better understand them.
6. A symbol of the rebirth of life. For example, the peacock feathers were considered a symbol by Christians. This is because this bird has the most beautiful plumage, which it can change. The feather has come to mean renewal, the beginning, and rebirth because of this feature.
7. Compassion, alertness, vigilance. This is the sense in which feathers were imagined by Buddhists.
8. Wealth, love, sunshine, joy, happiness. In some views of the peoples of the ancient world, feathers were associated with these meanings.

Feather Tattoos for Ladies

Most women choose a feather tattoo precisely because of its special meaning. It is mostly positive but may vary depending on the place of application, the chosen palette, and other factors. For example, a picture with a feather and birds is a constant symbol of hope and faith.

If girls have a tattoo in the form of a cut feather, it indicates that they are experiencing pain, heartache, and loss. A feather that falls designates sadness. A broken shaft at the feather specifies that the girl has broken up with the person she loves, and her dreams have been shattered.

Ladies often choose the neckline area for a tattoo. A bright feather decorated with dewdrops looks beautiful. Sometimes women have a tattoo on the ankle, wrist, and shoulder to emphasize the beauty of the legs and arms. The meaning of the feather is also interpreted depending on the bird to which it belongs.

Feather Tattoos for Men

There is a stereotype that women mostly wear tattoos with feathers. That is false. Men prefer to apply tattoos with feathers to the body no less often than girls. Most often, the bird’s feathers are part of the composition. It is worth understanding that a feather tattoo for men means freedom, courage, confidence, and willpower. Guys apply the feathers of both local birds (crows, nightingales, swallows) and eastern birds (parrots or Japanese storks) on their bodies.

Creative men more often choose a tattoo with feathers. This symbol looks beautiful on the back, arms, thigh, along spine. The massive image on the back speaks of the inner core, the desire to be the head, as well as the willingness to take responsibility for their actions.

Simple Feather Tattoo Ideas

When choosing a drawing, remember that the feather tattoo means lightness and purity. It is worth choosing subtle and small sketches to emphasize these qualities. It is not a law, but most often the feather tattoo is a tiny drawing that conveys simplicity and freedom.

Tattoo Designs With Two Feathers

Two feathers are usually those worn by the Indians in ancient times. A tattoo can have divine power, linking its owner with the other world. Of course, if a person has magical abilities, then such a tattoo will not be simple but will have a certain meaning.

Tattoo Ideas of Various Birds’ Feathers

There are a great many birds, and to be completely honest, some have very similar feathers. But there are differences, especially in the meaning they carry. Peacocks, eagles, doves, and sometimes phoenixes are among the most popular. We will briefly talk about them along with tattoo ideas.

Peacock

Peacocks were considered birds of paradise because of their beauty and bright coloring. They were companions of the gods in the mythology of various countries. For example, the Hindu peacock was considered the bird of the goddess of wisdom Saraswati.

A tattoo of a peacock feather belongs to the category of female tattoos. This is since it is not a symbol of strength or courage. The main designation of the feather tattoo in this case is beauty, sophistication, and majesty.

The peacock feather tattoo is also considered a symbol of greatness, royalty, uniqueness, and rarity. These days, such a tattoo is sometimes perceived as a sign of narcissism and exaggerated self-esteem.

Dove

The dove is closely associated with Christian traditions and is a symbol of peace all over the world. The dove feather tattoo is one of the most common and represents peace, love, and gentleness.

Eagle

The eagle is one of the most majestic birds in the world, and it is also rich in symbolism. It has special meaning in Native American culture because its feathers are often used for more than just decorative purposes. They are worn with pride and can be given to someone as a sign of respect or honor. The plumage is believed to represent courage and strength, so it is not surprising that a person who appreciates these qualities would want to put such a pattern on his skin.

Phoenix 

The phoenix is one of the favorite images for tattoos because it symbolizes birth, death, and rebirth. The mythical creature cyclically regenerates and is reborn from the ashes after a fire. Thus, it is associated with renewal and the triumph of ideas. 

A person who decides to ink a drawing with its feather will be attracted by the symbolism of the bird. Perhaps he or she has overcome a struggle in the past or is on a personal journey. When you decide to get a tattoo with this bird, a colored version is best. It is often done in bright orange and red to indicate a fire.

Feather Tattoo Designs With Flying Birds

The plot where the feather turns into flying birds is quite common. Tattoos of a feather with birds can be made in different versions and carry different semantic meanings. It depends on the overall mood of the picture, the type of birds, and the color scheme. 

For example, the value of the feather tattoo with birds which is done in gloomy tones, and the birds are crows, has a negative connotation and can denote pessimism, fragility, and transience of life. If the birds in the same image are swallows, the tattoo acquires a different meaning — the dawn, awakening, the beginning of a new stage in life.

Feather Tattoo Ideas With Inscriptions

Another popular option is a tattoo of a feather with an inscription. It can be an aphorism, a quote with deep meaning, or just important words for a person. The right inscription not only makes the tattooed individual and personalized but also gives it the properties of a talisman.

Tattoo Ideas of a Dreamcatcher With Feathers

“Dreamcatchers” are stunningly detailed objects that have great significance in Native American culture. It’s easy to see why someone would be attracted to a dreamcatcher and feather tattoo. It is rich in symbolism, representing freedom, protection, and wisdom. 

The creation created by human hands is almost always complimented with feathers to encourage good dreams and positive thoughts. There are many birds to choose from, and each will have a different meaning. For example, using the feathers of an owl can bring wisdom.

Feather and Arrow Tattoo Ideas

A person wants to accentuate qualities such as intelligence and sangfroid when doing an arrow tattoo that passes into a feather. People who are fond of history will be interested in the sketch of an arrow that is enveloped in a feather. This tattoo execution denotes a love of new knowledge and a desire for development. The meaning of the arrow tattoo has many variations in execution. Therefore, you ought to spend a lot of time choosing a suitable design.

Feather and Infinity Tattoo Ideas

Both the feather and the infinity mark are powerful and popular symbols all over the world. When the image of the feather and the infinity symbol are intertwined, the meaning of such a tattoo has a strong influence on the life of the wearer. It is a symbol of continuous rebirth and the constant search for perfection and new heights. Such a tattoo is suitable for almost all people, especially those who chase to reach great heights in life.

The Meaning of the Color Scheme of the Tattoo

Each feather tattoo has its meaning depending on the color:

• A feather purple shade emphasizes the principled character of its wearer.
• The green or blue color gives out a calm and balanced person who seeks harmony of soul or has already achieved it.
• Shades of red are considered a symbol of victory or a symbol of temperamental nature, showing passion and explosive nature.
• Yellow and orange colors indicate that women seek peace of mind and comfort, but they are inherently ambitious. It also means unique, outstanding mental ability. For others, these colors might mean sunshine. People who choose them are sociable, have an easy character, and positive attitude.
• A black feather tattoo does not always indicate negativity or depression. The main meaning is style and austerity.

A white feather tattoo means purity of thought, weightlessness, and high moral guidelines. 

Summary

As with any tattoo, we advise you to think through all aspects of your design in advance and spend plenty of time on it. Even if it is a tiny sketch of a feather. A tattoo is something you will not be able to give up easily, so it must exactly match your wishes and inner state. 

A feather is a perfect object with room for imagination. Look through a lot of ideas on the internet, consult with your master and then create your brilliant tattoo design. I hope you are encouraged by the tattoo ideas in the article and are ready to get creating!

FAQ

What makes tattoos beautiful? Plenty of things really, but one of the most significant (in the author’s opinion) is versatility. One image can mean so much even within one nation, and if you take the whole world… the meanings can be infinitely many. And there are times when a person makes a tattoo based not on generally accepted meanings, but certain events from his life — and here we have plus another new meaning.

Where am I going with this? No article will describe as fully as possible what this or that tattoo means. We will try, though. And today we have a new challenge in front of us: the best turtle tattoo. These ancient animals are highly prized around the world and yet are not among the top most trending tattoo objects. But maybe that is for the best? Go ahead if you want to know why turtles are cooler than everyone is used to thinking.

Origins and Meaning of the Turtle Tattoo

The turtle is a symbol of the universe in many myths of different nations. In ancient times, when it was believed that the world was flat, it was believed to rest on the backs of three elephants, who stood on a huge turtle floating in the world’s oceans.

The turtle was identified with Venus or Aphrodite according to Greco-Roman ideas. The animal embodied the feminine and the symbol of fertility.

Longevity is one of the most remarkable symbolic attributes of the turtle as an animal. The lifespan of these animals can exceed a hundred years. The longevity of the turtle was revered in Japan, where it was considered a personification of the lord of the sea.

In Chinese culture, the turtle is considered a symbol of strength and endurance, which is why it is called the Faithful Warrior. It is also regarded with great reverence in China as one of the four enlightened and spiritually illuminated animals. The warriors of the imperial army had the image of the tortoise on their bodies along with the dragon, which was a symbol of invincibility.

Tribal Turtles

Tribal turtle designs (Polynesian, Hawaiian, Samoan, Maori) are usually done with intertwined black scrolls forming a turtle. Polynesian turtles are the most common and popular.

The Polynesian turtle has a special meaning. It is worth noting that the tradition of putting tattoos on the body appeared exactly on the Polynesian islands. But the ancient people did it not for the sake of decoration. The image on the body reflected the status of the person, his clan, position in the community, and personal qualities. The tattoo was applied only to men and the process took several days. This ritual was considered sacred and obligatory, and its interruption was a disgrace to the whole family.

The turtle as an image received the strongest symbolic value with the ancient Polynesians, whose tattoos in the form of this animal were considered the most powerful amulet. In addition, the turtle played an important role in all Polynesian culture and of course acquired symbolic meanings. The turtle was considered a strong, wise, and mysterious animal.

Sea Turtles

Sea turtles are by far the most common tattoo option today. We have already talked a bit about the historical meanings of this tattoo in different nations. Now let’s focus on the present. What are the meanings most often invested in the turtle tattoo by modern people? The turtle in general is a very positive symbol, often associated with immortality, strength, stability, fertility, and creation.

Other meanings and values associated with them (besides longevity, which has already been talked about a lot) include:

• Good health. Again, the very long lifespan of turtles is probably responsible for this tattoo value;
• Serenity. The result of the turtle’s slow pace gives the illusion of calm and lack of haste;
• Wisdom. Turtles are also considered a symbol of wisdom, especially in African and Greek culture;
• Good luck. Japanese sailors used to regard the turtle as a protective spirit to help them get through the rough sea voyages. This is not only an additional spiritual meaning but also a symbol of hope. Some people also consider them a symbol of good luck because of their ability to stay alive despite repeated attacks by other creatures;
• Strength. Turtle tattoos can also be seen as a symbol of power because of their hard shell. You can make this meaning more apparent by putting any heavy object on the shell;
• Protection. Their shell is also a great symbol of protection. They would have absolutely no chance of surviving in the wild without a shell, and they know exactly how to use that protection. In most cases, the meaning of a turtle tattoo shows that the owners are people who take pride in taking care of their family and friends. It can also mean that they want to be protected from things that could ruin their lives. Either way, a tortoise is one of the best tattoos you can get if you want to use the meaning of “protection”;
• Endurance. These reptiles have to be on the move almost constantly to not only avoid predators but also to find food to survive. They can walk and swim much longer than most people think;
• Innocence. Another common meaning of the turtle tattoo is innocence. Although some turtle species are more aggressive than others, for the most part, they are calm, cool-blooded, and collected no matter where they are. They are almost like monks in the world of reptiles.

Small Turtle Tattoo Designs

Small tattoos are your refuge when you want to get something on, but your living conditions do not welcome it. Or if you just prefer minimalism. Honestly, turtles are not often done in tiny sizes, but just take a look at these photos. A drawing of even 2*2 cm can look adorable. And what is even more wonderful is that you can both show it off and hide it if necessary. 

Cute Tattoo Ideas

Turtles can be lovely in real life as well as on tattoos. They are often depicted in funny poses, with an amusing look, or with a cute flower instead of a shell. It will be hard to keep from smiling when looking at such a tattoo. Girls often prefer them, but we are trying to shake off stereotypes in the twenty-first century, aren’t we? So do not hesitate to stuff a cute tortoise if that is what you want.

Geometric Designs

Turtles are depicted in the style of geometry quite rarely, but it looks stylish. Usually, simple geometric shapes are used to create this magic. Emphasis can be placed on the shell — it is convenient to portray it in geometric form. Although sometimes turtles are depicted surrounded by geometry, creating a contrast.

Realistic 3D Tattoo Ideas

Realistic 3D tattoos look impressive, especially in medium or large sizes. Turtles seem almost lifelike when done in this style. This work is very painstaking and requires the highest level of skill. Usually, realistic turtles are depicted in medium to large sizes — so they look even more impressive. They are popular with both girls and men. However, it is worth saying that people choose this option a little less often if it is their first tattoo.

Abstract Designs

Abstract designs let you say more without saying a word. Turtles in abstractionism often look hypnotic — it seems you can look at them forever. This is not so terrible because the likelihood that you will get bored with such a tattoo is almost zero. But seriously, abstracts are great for lovers of metaphors, puns, and mystery.

Colorful Turtles in Tattoos

People do most turtle tattoos in a black and gray palette. However, you can easily choose bright colors. Colored tattoos are dominated by blue, green, and brown tones. Some also use different shades of pink up to purple to depict flowers. Although you can, of course, choose any color scheme. 

In the case of the turtle tattoo, color does not add much meaning, so you do not have to worry about that.

Turtles & Flowers

Turtles with flowers are especially popular in Japan, although these designs are common in other countries as well. You might think it is a girly option, but be prepared to get surprised: guys often get these tattoos too, especially in Japan. You have to agree, they look adorable.

Unusual Turtle Tattoo Designs

Perhaps the authors were a little lazy to come up with a category for each tattoo in this section. But that is not certain. That is because some turtle tattoos are so unique that you literally can not find another one like them. And there are no similar ones either. So they deserve the title of unusual and a separate category, don’t they?

Can a Turtle Mean Something Awful?

The turtle as a sign also has negative connotations, but in the case of tattoos, they are not common. The turtle can denote materialism, laziness, and indifference to everything. Sometimes it stands for promiscuity and shamelessness. The latter is associated with an ancient Chinese belief that there are only female reptiles that have to mate with snakes to reproduce. But I assure you that all this has very little to do with tattoos. In fact, it is unlikely that there are many people among your acquaintances who know about this Chinese belief.

As for slowness, yes, it’s a common thing, but… Did you know that the turtle can reach speeds of up to 35 km per hour in water and is considered one of the fastest reptiles? They are indeed slow on land, but that is because water is their real habitat. Take it as a metaphor if you like it. Something like “You will be successful where you feel free”. You can interpret it in your way, the main thing is to remember that story with the turtles.

Summary

Turtles can be surprising, can’t they? They are slow on land and some of the fastest in the water. It is a fascinating contrast that makes you wonder. Tattoos with these reptiles are not yet at the peak of popularity, but I assure you — it will happen one day. In the meantime, you can get this the best turtle tattoo, so you can say later that you fell in love with turtles before they became mainstream. 

Okay, that is a joke. You should not get a tattoo to prove something to someone or to brag about. It is first and foremost for yourself. We can only show you cool ideas and reduce your doubts or fears a little bit. Or advise you of quality tattoo artists all over the US, but no more than that. A tattoo should be your considered rational decision. If it is, maybe one day we will cross paths, and you will show me your beautiful turtle.

FAQ