25 Meditative and Meaningful Dove Tattoos That Soar High

Dove tattoos have been a popular choice among tattoo enthusiasts for decades. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they also hold deep symbolic meanings that resonate with people across cultures and religions. The dove symbolizes peace, love, hope, and freedom, making it a popular choice for those who want to express these values through body art.

If you’re considering getting a dove tattoo, you’re in luck – we’ve compiled a list of 25 meditative and meaningful dove tattoos that will inspire you to soar high. From minimalist designs to intricate ink, these tattoos showcase the versatility of the dove as tattoo subject matter. Whether you’re looking for a small and subtle tattoo or a bold and colorful statement piece, there’s something for everyone on this list. So read on for inspiration and let your spirit take flight with a dove tattoo.

Mourning Doves

Mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) are a common type of dove found throughout North America. They are medium-sized birds that are known for their distinctive cooing calls. They are popular among dove tattoos. However, they are rarely tattooed in color and most people go with black and grey inks.

Lady Peace

The person who shared this dove tattoo explained that the concept was “Lady Peace.” We find a gorgeous character here wearing a golden crown and cradling a dove. We think they nailed it.

Fine Lines

For your dove tattoo, you can take a maximalist or minimalist approach. This person chose the latter and went with simple, clean lines and tiny dots to give the design visual interest and texture.

Realism

On the other end of the spectrum, you can take your dove tattoo in a more realistic direction. Only some artists are versed in this style of tattooing, so do your research and look at their portfolio to ensure you will have a great result.

The Kiss

Wow! Isn’t this dove tattoo breathtaking? The doves have been tattooed to look like they have been stippled. It’s a great technique that brings so much depth and texture to the design.

Radiant

Because of their religious connection, dove tattoos are often shown with radiating lines that make them look particularly heavenly. In our estimation, this tidy tattoo is one of the best on the list.

Dove of Peace Inspired by Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso created several artworks that featured doves in his career. The dove tattoo above is the most famous among them. This dove of peace has an olive branch and looks very understated yet stylish.

The Love Dove

This dove tattoo has a more traditional look and feel to it. We find a pair of hearts pinned together by an arrow. If you want your design to communicate love, you know what to do.

With Architectural Elements

Wow! A stunning rose window detail serves as the backdrop for this dove tattoo. Architecture is an excellent place for inspiration when it comes to any tattoo. These windows were popular in Gothic cathedrals and churches.

More Picasso Goodness

Here’s another dove tattoo that takes inspiration from Picasso. The dove itself is in a similar style to the last one, but we get the addition of color with the abstract flower details.

Movement

This dove tattoo is similar in style to the Picasso pieces, but it is an original work that has been tattooed to give it movement. If you’re interested in a tattoo on your back, this placement and size are fabulous.

With Smoke and Roses

Roses are a symbol of the Virgin Mary, so they are common additions among dove tattoos. We find them paired with some smoke to add even more drama.

Chalice

Here’s a curious design. Among dove tattoos, you see a lot of the same thing, but this one really stood away from the pack. It is beautifully shaded and contains stars and flowers that liven things up.

Landing

Dove tattoos are commonly found on the neck. They look fantastic when they are in this V-shape, as it accentuates the body’s natural shape.

RELATED: 30 Eagle Tattoo Ideas That Will Make Your Heart Soar

Micro

Going small with your dove tattoo can make the biggest impact. This almost abstract design has been completed with just a few lines. Yet, the dove is instantly recognizable.

Lovey-Dovey

A little heart next to this dove tattoo tells a romantic story. The dove itself has been expertly shaded with tons of detail. It is the perfect contrast from the very simple heart symbol.

Peaceful

How about that textured, circular background? We think it makes the bird really pop. You could do it in red for even more impact.

Folk Art-Inspired

According to the artist, this tattoo was inspired by Salvadorian folk art. It has a delightfully simple quality that reads as flat.

A Pretty Portrait

So many of the dove tattoos we’ve shared with you show the bird in flight. You can get a more peaceful vibe by showing the dove perched. Isn’t this meditative and beautiful?

Floral Flyer

The addition of movement lines bring this dove tattoo to life. There’s a geometric quality to the shapes employed to form the dove that really makes it stand out as well.

Went Off

Okay! Here’s one of the biggest and most detailed dove tattoos we will share with you. The colors are vibrant and arresting. The dove feels light and soft next to all of the saturated tones of the background.

With Keys

We saw a couple of dove tattoos with keys, and to us, they seemed to communicate “keys to peace.” You can take whatever meaning you want from this one, but there’s no denying it is handsome and clean.

Dove and Rose Sleeve

The sun is shining on this pretty dove that hovers over a rose. If you are contemplating a full or half-sleeve design, consider pairing your bird with florals. They will never do you wrong.

Dove and Face

Here’s yet another dove tattoo inspired by the work of Picasso. We love the addition of a face as it makes the overall look more inviting and mysterious.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 50 Inspiring Bird Tattoo Ideas That Fly High

Look to the Sky

We find the daylight sky contained in a dove that soars over the nighttime one. This very unique and singular interpretation is stunning. Even the olive branch, done in red and black, is offbeat and pretty in its own way. Bravo!

Dove tattoos are a classic and timeless choice that can hold significance for a variety of reasons. They serve as a reminder of the power of peace and love and can represent a significant moment in one’s life. Whether you choose to get a small and subtle design or an intricate masterpiece, a dove tattoo is sure to make a statement and carry a powerful message.

For even more ink inspiration, keep reading. We’ve got our favorite bird tattoos to share with you.

Get Inspired by These Beautiful Bird Tattoo Ideas!

Winter Flowers

Camellia flowers are treasured across Asia and this gorgeous green and yellow bird is perched among them. This stunning tattoo was shared by a Korean tattoo artist who must be proud of this achievement.

A Stunning Silhouette

While colorful ink is attractive, sometimes simple black and grey prove even more dramatic. This silhouette of a bird in flight contains a dense floral scene that’s absolutely gorgeous.

A Berry Bluebird

Wow! This watercolor tattoo of a bluebird is mystifying in the best sort of way. The design borders on abstract, using just basic shapes and intense color-blocking. There’s so much movement here! We love this bird tattoo!

Baby Blues

You can always give your bird tattoo some supernatural flare by including possessed blue eyes that seem to peer straight into the soul. This owl tattoo is beautiful, but we’re not sure how we feel about the accentuated demon eyes.

What Ya Got There?

Wow! This stunner of a bluebird really pops in front of the golden ink used to shade the sun. The bird has in its clutches the stems of some truly gorgeous roses that also balance the design with their red color.

Do the Dodo

The now extinct dodo bird didn’t fear humans and made them easy to catch by Dutch sailors who ate the bird to extinction. The dodo wanted to be friends, but humans messed it all up! This very simple tattoo manages to capture a touch of the bird’s melancholy and is a completely original and unique design.

Floral Flyer

Don’t just get a hummingbird tattoo of the bird feeding on flowers. No, go all the way and make the hummingbird made of flowers as well! This very large tattoo is bursting with color and life! We need more like this.

A Swallow

Swallows are extremely popular birds for tattoo enthusiasts and have been since British sailors got them tattooed as symbols for their sailing experience. The swallow was chosen because lore had it that they could travel over 5,000 nautical miles. Typically, these tattoos were placed on the neck or hands. This swallow differs from the more traditional design and instead exemplifies the photorealistic style to great effect.

Periquito

Look at this adorable parakeet! The many colors used to make this bird shine have been expertly blended and shaded. There’s also a hint of a watercolor effect that surrounds the little cutie.

The Crane

This Japanese-style stork or crane has a lot going for it. The deep colors and angular lines give it an almost wallpaper-y 2-D effect.

Beakaboo!

This super-sharp traditional design depicting a parrot is insanely beautiful. We love the boiled-down 2-D shapes in the wings that border on geometric patterning. The use of black ink is completely balanced with the blues, reds, and golds.

Diving Loon

This tattoo of a diving loon in the midst of a dramatic dive belongs to a birder named Rosie. This very tidy and sharp tattoo is both dramatic and somewhat playful. A very unique choice that, thanks to the artist, has been pulled off well.

Colorful Cardinal

Oh, hello! This cheerful cardinal tattoo has a cartoonish quality to it thanks to the bird’s amicable expression. The intense red is mellowed out by the blue accents found in the clouds in the background.

Tiny Bird

Micro tattoos are always such fun. This very, very small tattoo was achieved by forgoing the tattoo gun and instead hand-poking the tattoo with a needle. The very delicate dot work here is a triumph.

Pretty, Pretty Peacock

This dreamy design imagines the feathers of a peacock with mosaic-like shapes in its feathers. The plumage is where it’s at in this bird tattoo and it’s glorious.

That’s an Eagle

If you’re going to get a tattoo of a bird, you can go big with an entire sleeve of a bird’s face. Why not? This very realistic design was most likely tattooed by an artist with portrait experience. This was a choice!

Rad Red Robin

This regal red robin is flanked by leaves and berries. It is in front of a seafoam green backdrop, this orange of the robin’s breast really shines. What a marvelous bird tattoo.

Brilliantly Blue Hawk

For this bird tattoo, we find a grey hawk flanked by blue feathers. Take a look at the bird’s eye and you will find that same, vibrant blue repeated.

Who?

Owls have the most mysterious and dazzling eyes and we’re getting a closeup of one in this tattoo. This mesmerizing bird tattoo includes autumn leaves as opposed to summer ones to give the overall design a warm tone. This is just incredible.

A Touch of Whimsy

Take a look at this chap! We’re not entirely sure what is going on here and we’re not mad about it. We’re all for birds in suiting.

Finely Feathered

This tattoo hails from Poland but the artist explained that the design was inspired by Japanese themes. The lines of the tattoo are so fine and paired with the awesome shading that provides texture, it’s a real winner.

Rockin’ Robin

Here, we find another robin, however, it’s been done in a completely different style. The feathers are composed of hard shapes to give them form. The breast of the bird is dotted with parallel shapes giving it the overall appearance of patterning. It’s remarkable.

Hawk & Roses

This impressive bird tattoo happens to be huge! We find a hawk entangled in roses which marries soft and tough. The detailing of the bird’s feather in the foreground is amazing. Well done!

Little Baby Bird

While you can go big and get a bird tattoo that’s essentially a half sleeve, there’s nothing wrong with keeping things cute and small. This soft, delicate tattoo is beaming with pastel color. The absence of black ink really helps to keep this hummingbird design as light as a feather.

Birds & Berries

This bird tattoo is the perfect meditation on texture. Each component of this design is beautifully shaded with texture that can be seen in the feathers of the birds and the details on the leaves.

A Cartoonish Pigeon

How fun is this bird tattoo that looks like a work of art? It’s such a singular design that feels so unique and special. Work with a tattoo artist with a point of view to walk away with something as fabulous as this.

Almost Abstract

With this bird tattoo, you can’t tell what kind of bird it is which might appeal to you. It reads as almost a symbol of the winged creatures, complete with a sun detail.