Owl Tattoo Ideas That Are a Hoot

Andrew Kreeger

3 years ago

Of all the bird tattoos we encounter, owl tattoos are by far, one of the most requested designs. Owls are powerful symbols of wisdom, vitality, magic, and mystery! There’s a lot to love about these beautiful birds that prey at night. Further, because owls are tied to the cycles of the moon, they may also symbolize fertility and feminity. Owls symbolize a lot of different things to many different people which makes them a prime candidate for nature-inspired tattoos.

We wanted to get a better understanding of the types of owl tattoos people are getting inked today so we turned to social media to discover the trends, styles, and limits of these tattoos. We were pleasantly surprised to find a variety of hoot-worthy designs that range from minimalist to photorealist in nature. We plan on showing you owl tattoos that showcase the diversity of these designs in order to inspire your very own owl tattoo!

Get Inspired by These Owl Tattoo Ideas That Will Make You All the Wiser!

Photorealism

In our first example, we find an owl that looks so real you could mistake it for a photograph. The attention to detail here is truly remarkable and it likely took a very long time to complete. If you’re down for the commitment, you could walk away with an owl tattoo as stunning as this one.

Stylish & Modern

Here’s an interesting owl tattoo that marries a figurative portrait with a more abstract one. If you are into tattoos that appear geometric, you can ask your artist to design an owl that looks similar to the right half of the above. design.

Mandala-Inspired

Here’s a one-of-a-kind owl tattoo that incorporates elements that you would find in Mandala-inspired tattoos. The cool patterns offer so much movement and sophistication to this tattoo.

NeoTraditional

Tattoos that incorporate traditional motifs and design will never go out of style. The owl appears more traditional while the hourglass has a more nuanced style and both work well together.

Ferocious

Here’s a colorful owl tattoo that looks so put-together and smart. We love the ornamental elements of the red circle and the blue and green floral embellishments that help put this design over the top!

Minimal & Cute

You don’t have to spend hours under the needle to get an owl tattoo that you will cherish forever. Something simple like this is just as evocative but will cost less and be done much quicker.

Watercolor Glam

Watercolor tattoos are a huge trend at the moment with more and more people getting them every day. We love how this owl is awash in vivid color!

Things Can Get Real Cute

We absolutely love kawaii, the Japanese culture of cute, and you’ll find a prime example of it in this precious owl tattoo! If you’re not afraid of color, don’t be afraid to request lots of it!

Moody

Here’s a great owl tattoo that sits prettily on the shoulder. We love the choice of blue flowers as the color contrasts perfectly with the gold of the owl’s eyes. Bravo!

Hey, Big Eyes

This charming, small owl tattoo finds the bird with some huge eyes. We think it’s a very cute take and update on the traditional owl portrait.

Mellow

There’s something about the color choices in this tattoo that really make it a standout. Burgundy, grey-blue, gold, and olive green make for a truly special, understated design. It’s one of our favorites on this list!

Owl Lady

Here’s an unusual concept, an owl and lady hybrid! It’s unexpected and very original which we know the person with the tattoo will be praised for. Get creative and work with an artist you trust for perfectly weird designs like this one.

More Owl Hybrids

Here’s another owl tattoo that’s also a hybrid between two creatures. This time, it’s a butterfly who is getting those gorgeous owl features on its wings. What a dream!

The Queen

Here’s a wild concept of a queen of the owls decorated with ornamental designs in its feathers. A crown and the word “queen” complete this offbeat design that’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen. How fun!

Barn Owl

Take a look at this haunting barn owl tattoo that has so much texture and movement to it. Most artists would have gone darker but with a more grey look, it makes the design look uncanny and ghostly which we mean in a complimentary way.

Good & Goth

With the inclusion of a skull and plenty of moody black ink, this owl tattoo looks positively goth. We love this neotraditional style that relies on blocky shapes to create texture. Take us to the dark side!

Keeping It Creepy

Here’s another owl tattoo that features a skull. However this time, it’s an owl skull. For an offbeat design, consider something similar.

Go Big

Here’s a huge half sleeve owl tattoo that has atmospheric elements that look like smokey clouds and a moon. The sweeping shapes here really do move the eye and down the design.

Origami

In this small owl tattoo, we find a very unique approach as it’s been made to look as if it’s made from origami. Crisp lines and tiny shapes within it add texture and visual interest. It’s an excellent idea that we feel many will want to run with. Go for it!

CoverUp Owl Tattoo

Here’s a coverup tattoo that looks splendid. The owl looks like it’s a piece of jewelry or a decorative element which is really cool. Would you have ever known there’s a tattoo under it?

Athena

The person who shared this image explained that this owl tattoo was inspired by Greek mythology. “Athena’s gilded wings of war,” to be exact. We love this goddess tattoo and think it has some of the most remarkable shading on this list!

Set the Scene

Take a look at how this owl tattoo fades into a dark forest scene. There’s something so cinematic and evocative about this design.

More Greek Inspiration

Here’s another owl tattoo inspired by ancient Greece. We find a classic pattern in a halo around this tidy-looking owl. This is such a stylish and unique design that showcases classic art in a fresh way.

Go All Out

Wow! There’s a lot to unpack with this huge tattoo of an owl that showcases all of the warm colors we associate with fall with a touch of bluish-grey for contrast. This is such a stunner! Find an artist who loves color and delicate shading and you will not regret it!

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Winner-Winner!

Mix abstract, geometric patterns, and other elements to add visual interest to your owl tattoo. Get creative with color and you could walk away with a masterpiece like this one! What a dream!

Did these owl tattoo ideas inspire you to get your very own bird ink? We hope you found some cool designs that you can riff on for your very own individual piece. You can go big or small or cute or photorealistic, the sky’s the limit with these tattoos that celebrate nature and the wise old owl.