One of the most popular animal designs when it comes to tattoos is the wolf tattoo. A wolf is a symbol that has been used for centuries in many different cultures around the world, and many of them consider wolves as ancient creatures.
Furthermore, a wolf is one of nature's most powerful predators. Because of this, a wolf symbol has a rich history shared by many nations - from early records of Native Americans to stories of European kings and their hunting of powerful wolves.
Moreover, wolves fascinated humanity for centuries, which is the case even today. A wolf symbol has been used throughout human history as a symbol of evil but also as a symbol of power. Thanks to tattoos, the wolf symbol has become incredibly popular in recent years.
A wolf tattoo can be printed in black, gray, or any other color. It can be combined with other elements such as a dragon, feathers, stars, or it can be completely symbolic and independent.
Let us begin with the interpretation of the wolf symbol within ancient cultures.
RELATED: Viking Tattoo Designs & Clothing
The Symbolism of the Wolf in Ancient Cultures
Stories of wolf legends date back thousands of years. Across the civilized world, shamans of all cultures have revered wolves since ancient times. In many cultures, wolves were revered as messengers between the gods in heaven and the people on earth.
Many of these myths tell of how a wolf helped people by guiding them through their lives.
Because wolves live in packs, a wolf is considered a symbol of strong family ties. Accordingly, a wolf is seen as one of the most trusted animals, and throughout history, the wolf symbol has been given great importance.
The symbolism has continued over time, which is why today, people are increasingly opting for one of the many variations of wolf tattoos on various parts of their bodies.
Meaning of the Wolf Symbol: Native American Tribes
Of all cultures, a wolf has had the greatest symbolism for Native American tribes. For these people, the wolf was the creator and the oldest creature to walk the Earth.
The Indians saw the wolf as a spirit animal. For them, the wolf was a symbol of intelligence and leadership.
Although the customs and beliefs among the Native American people varied from tribe to tribe, the belief in a wolf as one of the most powerful creatures was common to all of them.
Indians looked upon wolves as proud hunters, loyal friends, and intelligent teachers. In the legends of the Tarahumara Indians, a wolf symbol serves as a talisman to ward off evil spirits such as demons, devils, and vampires.
Meaning of the Wolf Symbol: Other Cultures
A wolf symbol was not just part of the Indian tradition. Wolf is also strongly represented in other cultures.
Thus, in Japanese culture, a wolf is considered the protector of people, while in Eurasian culture, a wolf is associated with keeping secrets.
Furthermore, according to some cultures, including the Siberian culture, a wolf was considered the protector of newborn children.
Another culture, which the wolf considers a sacred animal, is Roman. According to Roman mythology, a wolf is a creature that saved Romulus and Remus (the founders of Rome) from death and raised them. Therefore, in Roman culture, the wolf symbol is considered a symbol of strength and power.
Meaning of the Wolf Symbol: Norse Mythology
When the word wolf is mentioned nowadays, many people imagine monsters walking in packs, scaring and killing innocent animals and people. It's a scary picture, but not really accurate.
For example, the wolf in the Nordic culture represented both a positive and a negative side. As a symbol of fidelity and courage for which the ancient warriors from this area were known, the wolves Geri and Freki, faithful companions of the God Odin, are mentioned.
Looking at these two wolves, we would say that Vikings considered wolves as much more than bloodthirsty predators that hunt other animals. Moreover, we would say that a wolf is an animal that was considered holy and honorable among the Norse people.
However, these were not the only wolves mentioned in Nordic myths. The wolves Sköll and Hati, who are known for chasing the sun and the moon, also found their place in the Norse myths.
And finally, we came to the most famous wolf in Norse mythology, Fenrir. Fenrir is considered a symbol of destruction.
Despite the negative symbolism that the wolf symbol may have, Vikings believed that the wolf was a powerful creature that was once at the head of the human race.
Therefore, the wolf has always been important for the concept of magic in Nordic culture.
Meaning of the Wolf Symbol: Fairy Tales
While the myths of various cultures speak of the wolf as a sublime creature that can also have positive qualities, in fairy tales, the wolf is described somewhat differently. In them, the wolf is mainly described as a creature that can be a reminder of the evil that exists in the world. An example of such fairy tales is the well-known fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood.
The wolf in Little Red Riding Hood symbolizes lust and hypocrisy.
However, Little Red Riding Hood is not the only fairy tale where the wolf is described as an evil creature. Many other fairy tales also tell about the wolf in this way.
What is The Meaning of Wolf Tattoos?
With bright colors and bold lines, a wolf tattoo is a symbol of freedom that the wearer enjoys. This type of creature represents the ability of an individual to rise above traditional rules and follow their instincts.
It is a representation of an individual's self-confidence and the will to do things our own way. The wolf also became synonymous with a kind of rebellion. As in many stories from ancient times, the wolf can represent the wild side of the human race.
Most traditional wolf tattoos represent the wearer's beliefs and personality. When this symbol is written on the skin in the form of a wolf tattoo, it represents a fierce desire of an individual to survive and prosper.
The Spiritual Meaning of Tattoo (Wolf )
The spiritual significance and symbolism of a wolf are strength, power, freedom, protection, friendship, teamwork, trust, loyalty, and intuition.
Wolf represents our natural instincts and instinctive behavior. Our intuitive side keeps us alive and gives us the strength to fight threats. Aware of that or not, it is almost impossible for anyone to change this aspect of ourselves.
Wolf is also a symbol of eternal life, loyalty, and love among all living beings, and that is why they are such an important part of every culture, tribe, and religious group in the world.
When it comes to wolf tattoo designs, there are really many of them today. We will single out some of the most popular ones and maybe give you an idea for your next wolf tattoo.
RELATED: Digital Download Viking Tattoos
10 Most Popular Wolf Tattoo Designs
1. Tribal Wolf Tattoo
The tribal wolf tattoo is among the best body art designs for men and women because of its powerful tribal roots and undeniable ties to loyalty, family, and protection.
Even better, the tribal wolf tattoo is also customizable and can fit into any style. Due to this feature, the tribal wolf tattoo has become extremely popular among many different groups of people around the world.
The tattoo of a wolf howling at the moon or hunting with its pack will look really impressive if you decide to go with the tribal style.
This tattoo will serve as a powerful reminder of your connections with the people you care about.
2. Geometric Wolf Tattoo
The geometric wolf tattoo represents a unique and interesting style of drawing tattoos that are becoming more and more popular nowadays.
The thing is that different geometric shapes carry with them different meanings.
Therefore, the wolf, which in itself has deep symbolism, when combined with geometric shapes as the oldest symbols in history, will have even more powerful symbolism.
Today, the geometric wolf tattoo is considered a symbol of stability and balance. It represents the important characteristics of the wolf, such as strength, independence, freedom, wild spirit, and ties with members of the pack or family.
3. Lone Wolf Tattoo
If you often feel isolated and think that you function best when you solve problems on your own, then the lone wolf is the tattoo that best describes you.
The lone wolf is a powerful animal that loves the idea of loneliness, so this tattoo is intended for those who have a strong and independent personality. If you have overcome a difficult period and managed to deal with the problems all on your own, a lone wolf tattoo could be a good reminder of the inner strength you have.
A lone wolf is accustomed to fighting alone, and it's often more dangerous than a wolf that spends its life in a pack. Simply put, a lone wolf is less vulnerable than an ordinary wolf.
4. Tattoo of a Howling Wolf
A tattoo featuring a howling wolf can have many meanings. When you have a tattoo of a wolf howling at the full moon, it can represent your desire to break the period of loneliness.
It is also known that wolves howl when they want to mark their territory. Because of this, a tattoo of a howling wolf can mean that you have strong family ties.
Finally, the howling wolf tattoo shows you’re a brave person who is not afraid of anything and is not afraid to express his opinion and stand behind what he believes in.
5. Norse Wolf Tattoo
Those who are close to Nordic culture and those who have a strong spirit of Scandinavian warriors in them can opt for a wolf tattoo based on a Viking design.
It could be a great way to pay homage to one of the most significant figures from Norse culture.
The Nordic wolf symbolizes eternal courage and power. His frightening legacy is a reminder to be grateful for every day of your life because nothing should be taken for granted.
6. Native American Wolf Tattoo
As we have already mentioned, the wolf symbol has a special significance in the culture of many Native American tribes. That is why the wolf tattoo designed in this style is ideal for everyone who has a Native American heritage because it symbolizes courage, loyalty, and strength.
A wolf in Native American style tattoo can be combined with various tribal symbols such as feathers, sun, moon, or war bonnet.
7. Celtic Wolf Tattoo
According to the tradition of the Celtic people, the wolf was the protector of the Celts and the connection that these people had with their ancestors and spiritual guides.
Thus, the Celtic people, who were believed to be descended from wolves, did not see in them a threat but protection and leadership.
Celtic wolf tattoos are a symbol of inner strength and longevity.
8. Watercolor Wolf Tattoo
A wolf tattoo drawn with a watercolor technique will make the image of a wolf on your body softer.
This is because the watercolor wolf tattoo includes delicate pastel colors, which in nature cannot be seen on a scary predator such as a wolf.
The wolf in these tattoos merges with the nature that surrounds them. Such a combination of a wolf with other items from the wild makes this tattoo unusual and unique.
A tattoo artist will give the image of a wolf on your body a new dimension. More precisely, with the watercolor technique, the wolf on your tattoo will look as if it is alive, which is why you will not have an ordinary tattoo on your body but a real work of art.
9. Wolf Chest Tattoo
A chest is a place that is often chosen for tattooing because it offers the possibility of detailed design.
It is a place on the body where it's possible to bury different styles of tattoos, such as a whole wolf, a wolf's side profile, or a wolf's head.
Also, if you want, you can extend the tattoo on your chest all the way to your shoulders.
The classic design of a tattoo on the chest is the one with a wolf howling.
The wolf tattoo on the chest symbolizes warrior courage, connection with the family, and the desire to win.
10. Wolf Skull Tattoo
While the wolf symbolizes a spiritual guide, the wolf's skull is associated with death. Therefore, a wolf skull tattoo can have several meanings.
This tattoo style could signify an understanding of death, which is inevitable for every living being. Likewise, the wolf's skull can be the ultimate symbol of a lone wolf who spends his life alone.
In contrast, a wolf tattoo holding a skull in its mouth can signify overcoming weakness and awakening the strong, wolfish side of your personality.
Wrapping Up
Whether you think of wolves as strong creatures or as intelligent, loyal animals, the wolf symbol will always have a place in the human imagination and in the many cultures around the world.
Regardless of the original meaning of the wolf tattoo, one thing is for sure. Wolf tattoos have stood the test of time.
Whether you choose black, green, or gray - you can be sure that wolf tattoos will always leave a deep impression.
If you ask us, a wolf is a timeless symbol of man's struggle to rise above animal instincts and his determination to be a better person among his friends and family. It is a symbol of the wild and free spirit in all of us. It is a symbol of the ability to live and move beyond our human limitations. It is a symbol of the bonds we share with others.
And finally, it is a symbol of courage that accompanies us as we walk the path of life.
Until our next meeting,
Skåll!
Leave a comment