Once again we would like to introduce you to a trendy and popular tattoo design that is a common choice among both men and women. What is meant is the bird tattoo, which is available in a wide variety of shapes and variants. The bird as a symbol of freedom not only adorns larger areas of the body such as the chest, back or thighs, but is also suitable for smaller accents on the wrist, fingers, feet or on the neck. And here the birds can not only represent a complicated portrait. Minimalist motifs are also highly sought after and are particularly suitable for a small motif. You also have the choice between simple blackwork tattoos and colorful variants. If you would like to see some ideas and examples for all of these variations, the 50 bird tattoo templates that we have put together for you can be very helpful. Let them inspire you and work out your very own personal design with your tattoo artist.
The bird tattoo can be more than just a symbol of freedom. Depending on which bird was depicted, the tattoos can also have different symbolism. And differences can also occur in different religions or cultures. We would therefore like to introduce you to some of the most popular birds and their different meanings.
- DieOwl– Happiness, grace, wisdom, superiority, harbinger of death, fear
- DieTaubeis, on the one hand, an international symbol for peace, but it also has other positive meanings: fertility, new beginnings and rebirth, family, hope, beauty, victory, harmony, success, Christianity
- Adler–Courage and bravery, strength, self-confidence, conviction, independence, honor, superiority, protection, masculinity, wisdom, freedom
- swan– Beauty, elegance, grace, love, family, loyalty, balance, purity, enlightenment
- Hummingbirds– Daring, vitality, loyalty, family, maternal love, monogamy, new beginnings, courage, passion
- Rabe– Knowledge, wisdom, intelligence, death, magic
- Schwalbe– Energy, strength, tirelessness, hard work, love, kinship, joy, hope, peace (especially the white swallow), life
- penguin– Unity and family, perseverance, adaptability, patience, communication
- Phönix– Virtue, hope, immortality, magic, mythology, invulnerability, goodness
- gull– Freedom, Adaptation, Ingenuity, Creativity, Social
- larch– Dawn, luck, possibility of winning
- peacock– Beauty, grace, unity (due to the dense feathers of the tail), patience, compassion, sincerity, optimism, hope, faith, happiness, wealth, symbol of the male gender, arrogance, pride
Of course, this is only a small selection. In principle, all bird species can be chosen. If you combine birds with other motifs, you can create a completely individual meaning and message. The tattoo with a birdcage is to be understood rather negatively and means imprisonment, coercion, misfortune and also sadness. For this reason it is rarely encountered. If you take the same cage but leave it open and depict a bird escaping, it takes on a completely different meaning. This is why additional motifs have such a big influence.
Of course, your bird tattoo doesn't necessarily have to have a meaning. If you just think a particular bird is beautiful, you have every right to get it tattooed. It doesn't necessarily have to be a bird species. Simple black silhouettes in the form of a flock of birds tattoos as the main or accompanying motif are just as pretty to look at and often adorn the bodies of men and women. However, a single bird silhouette can also be chosen as a tattoo. An example of this can be found in the cover image. As you have already seen in the list above, the phoenix is often chosen as a motif, even though it is a mystical, unreal bird. ThePhoenix tattoobut has an interesting meaning that makes it so popular. The bird of paradise tattoo is also popular, as is the kiwi.
Black and white or color?
Whether you choose a colored or black and white bird tattoo depends on your taste, but also on the type of bird. The hummingbird, for example, is known for its colorful plumage, which makes it perfect for a colored tattoo. In fact, only then can it really come into its own. A penguin, swan or swallow, on the other hand, is naturally black or white and for this reason can be depicted that way, but that does not mean that colored interpretations are not possible. A black and white bird can also be surrounded by additional colored elements. You should think about all of this in advance and discuss it with your tattoo artist later. He can certainly give you some helpful ideas and tips.
For which areas of the body?
We have already mentioned that the bird tattoo is a universal motif, in principlefor all areas of the bodyis suitable. Therefore, on the one hand, the right area is determined by the gender and taste of the wearer. Women tend to prefer areas of the body such as the neck, thighs, feet or wrists, but that doesn't mean that they don't choose others too. Men, on the other hand, often dare to depict larger motifs and use large areas such as the back, chest, stomach or upper arm or thigh.
When choosing the right body area, the type of bird can also play a role and vice versa - once you have chosen the area, the type of bird can sometimes also depend on it. Smaller and more delicate birds such as the hummingbird, the corn, the sparrow or the larch are great for smaller tattoos and can be used on the wrist, the neck, behind the ear and similar. Large and, above all, magnificent bird species are usually more suitable for larger areas, as they stand out better there and you can display them in their full splendor. For example, you can choose the eagle, phoenix or peacock for the back or for the chest.
All in all, we would like to emphasize once again that these are not strict rules and that ultimately you can design the tattoo and place it wherever you want. After all, it is your body and your subject and you should like it first and foremost. Our tips and ideas are only intended to serve as inspiration and to encourage you to think so that you are completely satisfied in the end. Now take a look at other ideas for bird tattoos for men and women and see how they work on different areas of the body.
