Owl Tattoos for Men

As a bird of elegant, yet rare flight; a bird that is mostly silent, yet whose voice, once released, resounds deeply, the owl holds the rightful throne as the monarh of the night. Often thought of as the very vessel of wisdom, this fascinating bird breathes a real presence when seen. It is therefore not at all strange that more and more men opt for a tattoo depicting these proud creatures. Given the popularity of such tattoos, and given the fact that they, when properly done, have a rich array of symbolism, let’s go through some of it and explore their vast appeal.

Thinking Of Getting An Owl Tattoo?

We already mentioned one of owls’ main symbolic values - the wisdom. These birds, having a distinctly stealthy flight and being exclusively noticed by night, are often linked with the knowledge not easily gained, knowledge that requires a certain exertion on the part of the pursuer. You may also recall the image of the Greek Goddess of wisdom, Athena, who is in ancient art often shown as holding an owl. She could, the Ancient Greeks believed, transform into this bird and directly take part in the human affairs.

Now imagine a sprawling tattoo of a wisdom-radiating owl on your back or indeed your arm. Tantalizing, isn’t it?

Prepare For Some Magic

Another symbolic meaning attached to owls is that of magic. Not the petty children party magic, but the profound, mysterious one. This meaning, coming also from the bird’s association with the night, takes on two radically different forms: it on one hand empowers the owls with the ability to connect with the unknown, and, on a more material level, gives many ancient books of spells an owl decoration.

Herald Of The Other Side

The owls are often wrongfully limited as being the symbols of death. This is largely due to that misleading nickname of theirs - the angels of death. But, if the owl is not only the death symbol, what is it then?

While it is true that some cultures saw the owls as an omen of imminent death, other saw their connection to death in a different, more lucid light. These cultures believed that owls had the ability to freely move between the two worlds, this one, and the one of afterlife. As such, the owls were thought as having an important task: to protect and safely lead the souls to another realm.

Echo Of The Ages

The owl is strikingly universal as a symbol. Whichever culture had any contact with these birds, it invariably gave them a symbolic meaning. Besides the mentioned Ancient Greek, owl played the part in the Egyptian, Roman, Hindu, and Celtic myth as well. Even the Native Americans (or some would say, especially them) held the owl in high regard. They often turned to owls for the reasons of prophecy, but mainly thought of them as the carriers of sacred ancient knowledge.

Having this universality in mind, let’s for a moment pause and consider one more reason that makes the owl tattoos so appealing to men. Namely, whenever they get an owl tattoo, they may consider themselves to be a part of a long and important tradition, the tradition established by east and west alike.

Check out the gallery of the best owl tattoos for men

This tattoo is done in black-and-grey, with ornamental details achieved by straight and curved lines alike. The air of solidity makes it one of the great tattoo ideas for men. The owl is depicted perching on a branch, with a keyhole placed in its heart, clenching the corresponding key with its talon.

This is a pastel representation of a rather bashful-looking owl where colors lend all the expressiveness possible, though done in a rather soft manner. Indeed, there are no distinguishable lines, only the black mellow finishes, but the watercolor effect is exactly what makes this owl tattoo special.

The tattoo begins on the back only to end on the shoulder, which provides quite some space. There is a fluffy feel to the owl, since the feathers are achieved by soft transitions. The bird is perching on a cherry tree, the blossoms complementing the entire image.

This is a black-and-grey tattoo spanning the entire forearm, with an extensive use of lines and shading. The feathers on the head are done in great detail, whereas the rest of the body is incorporated into an embellished assortment of leaves.

This black-and-grey tiny tattoo is a stylized representation of an owl gazing at the moon, as owls are often associated with night, while perching on the branch with two solitary leaves. The owl can here be seen as our wise guide, telling us to never lose hope.

This is a tattoo of a Jewish owl done with blue details. The owl has a traditional Kippah on, one of the best-known Jewish symbols. The owl seems to be holding an ornamented skull with the Egyptian Ankh etched on it, which represents a concept of eternal life.

This is an entirely artistic take on the owl, with a realistic base done with swift moves in black ink which are splashed by seemingly random bits of color, which contributes to a slightly macabre look. Its casual style makes it a great choice for owl tattoos for guys.

The tattoo presents us with a small, but effective image of an owl. Lines are dominant in this representation, but the colors are what makes it so exceptional. With the hues of purple and blue, the aura of mystery surrounds the owl.

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With various patterns and dots arranged in particular manner, this is an extremely effective graphic representation of the mysterious animal. The absence of colors is masterly recompensed by the exquisitely achieved contrast between black and white, making this design one of the best tattoo ideas.

In this black-and-grey tattoo most of the things are achieved with line. It is the tool for achieving the texture of feathers, but also of the branch that the owl is perching on. A large number of dots make this cute-looking bird come to life.

The black-and-grey technique brings out the vividness of this tiny forest creature, which is achieved by some great work with shading. The bird seems to emanate glow, owing to the soft finish, and the ethereal quality of the branch adds to the dreamworld atmosphere.

This is a fantastic owl tattoo for men, because it represents the owls in a completely new light. It is done in black-and-grey, with blue details, but the effect is that of metal, made to resemble a blade, However, the deep-blue center reminds us that after all, the warrior’s greatest weapon is his heart.

This extremely colorful owl representation associates the owl with Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a holiday celebrating the spiritual journey of those who died. Therefore, the owl is accompanied with black veil and diamond tears, holding a sugar skull.

This plump owl is a very compelling example of owl tattoos, owing to the technique used. The drawing is comprised of only several effective lines, but it is taken to the next level with a carefree touch of blue and violet, accompanied by the red flowers done in the same fashion.

This particular black-and-grey owl is very distinguishable, thanks to the black standing out to great extent. There is also a lot of manipulation with dots and lines, especially in the head area, and yet again, this is a realistic image.

In this design, the owl has practically come to life and flown away from skin. It is an extremely engaging depiction of a perfectly captured moment, and the red highlights only add up to the expressiveness, making the owl appear almost ferocious.

This is an outstandingly realistic black-and-grey take on an owl, starting from the glistening eyes and long beak, to the rich feather structure. The shading job is brought to its best in the fade-out effect, so that the owl looks as if emerging from the surface of the skin.

When it comes to realistic representation, this is probably as good as it gets. An outstanding texture of feathers which makes you feel you can almost pet them, and the amber eyes that are gazing at you, by getting this tattoo, you are practically getting yourself a new pet.

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All the elaborate ornaments in this design give it an almost baroque look. Black-and-grey can never go wrong when interspersed with blue details, and in this case, we have the deep-blue eyes that stand out from the rest of the image.

This extremely stylized and colorful owl seems to have come from an entirely imaginary world. Pink and green add up to its peculiarity, and its feathers are achieved with graded pinkish discs, and the wisdom of its eyes enhanced with playful lines.

The verisimilitude of this particular owl is achieved in many ways, including expressive shading in black-and-grey, the realistic look of the branches and leaves beneath it, and the dark, misty background, which lends an atmosphere of gloom to the image.

This design makes the most of graphic representation using lines and blank ink. What appears so simple makes up a rather complex structure of triangles and these precise but enigmatic shapes are what sets this tattoo apart from the others.

Another tattoo paying tribute to Dia de los Muertos is done in black-and-grey, and even though colors are the most prominent feature of the holiday, this design makes up for the lack of color by detailed owl eyes, skull, and even the roses surrounding it.

This tattoo lets the world's most silent hunter spread his wings across your chest and arm. Depicting resilience and determination, it is inked in shaded black tones, forming a clear contrast with the bare skin surrounding it.

This colored owl tattoo is the epitome of masculinity, depicting the fierce bird's piercing gaze. While the green hue of the eyes will stare into your soul, the striking blue beak portrays an unrelenting and powerful determination.

Whoever said men can't be cute? This adorable comic owl is brightly colored for optimum aesthetic appeal. It depicts the wise, all-knowing nature of the bird, even as the baby eyes look around. The color combination only adds to its charming appeal!

The tattoo shows a tiny side-glancing owl done in a soft, watercolor-like manner. The warm hues are blending into one another, with delicately depicted feathers. The prevailing colors are indigo, violet and vermillion, lending a natural feel to the tattoo.

This is one of the most unique black ink owl tattoo ideas for men. Put the two together, and they're like a puzzle forming a complete heart. Yet the design ensures that it doesn't look incomplete even when viewed in singular.

Here is another great owl tattoo for men. The wise bird stares at you, while his dull brown hues form a beautiful contrast against the skin. With the emphasis on the face, its body blends away, drawing the focus to his eyes.

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If you're looking for owl tattoos for guys, this might just be it. Despite its adorable and fluffy appearance, the sharp claws cling on to the branch. The tattoo depicts an innately perceptive nature and is done entirely in brown with a splash of green.

There is nothing more deadly than an owl, and this fierce black ink chest tattoo perfectly depicts that. With the moon in the background, the piercing eyes stare back at you, and the feathers itself blend into black.

Owls don't always have to be depicted in a fierce manner. That's why this colorful and artistic portrayal of the master hunter is a brilliant tattoo idea for men. The contrasting splash of colors as well as sketchy lines capture the essence of the bird, portraying its wise and astute nature.

This tattoo on the back of the hand is perfect for those who like to show off their ink. Done entirely in shades of black, it stands out due to its juxtaposition with bare skin. Moreover, the owl also makes a great tattoo for men, depicting a strong, masculine energy and an insightful nature.

Aligned perfectly with the forward-looking face, this neck tattoo is sure to turn heads. The side-facing owl is depicted in subdued hues of brown and black while the striking eyes are inked in yellow-green. This gives it a penetrative glare, portraying the wise and perceptive nature of the mighty bird.

With the moon in the background and the dull pine-cones and leaves making up the foreground, the owl is silently perched on a branch. This colorful tattoo depicts the patience and resilience embodied by one of the world's most deadliest predators.

Owls are magical creatures, and nothing represents that better than this tattoo with an emphasis on cool colors, a starry background, and misty clouds that depict inner power. The bird is entirely at peace, representing tranquility and wisdom.

This stylistic depiction of the owl is created in varying shades of green with a splash of light blue and yellow. As the bird is made entirely from leaves, flowers, and branches, it depicts the beauty, power, and wisdom of the natural world.

Whoever said that sober colors were more masculine could not have been more wrong. This chest tattoo depicts a beautiful array of colors with the bird in full flight. The third eye is a concept borrowed from Hindu mythology depicting an extremely perceptive nature which is able to discern what others can't.

With the face in clear focus, this stylish owl tattoo idea is perfect for men. The eyes show a sense of power and conviction which should be feared by all, while the blue background represents a calm and collected nature - making it one of the most dangerous combinations in the world.

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This adorable yet immensely detailed tattoo is guaranteed to inspire awe. With attention paid to the feathers, eyes, and beak, it is the background that makes all the difference. The stark green makes the bird pop, even as the white feathers among the brown and black ones ensure that the attention is focused on the eyes.

This shaded black tattoo will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. There is a skull looming in the background, while the owl's talons are outspread, ready to grab the prey. Symbolizing death and destruction, this is a great tattoo for all men!

This colorful owl tattoo depicts the the deadly trio. While the blue represents calmness, the wide eyes show alertness, and the owl itself is a symbol of excellent perceptiveness - the perfect combination to take on any challenge.

For those men looking for a minimalist tattoo, this is the perfect one. With the face made in shades of gray and black, the attention is focused onto the bird's gaze. And as we know, the magic is all in the piercing eyes that seem to see what no one else can. It depicts wisdom, perceptiveness, and preparedness.

This astute creature appears to rest on a tree branch with eyes wide open to depict an observant nature. The brown contrasts beautifully with the yellow-green background to create a wonderful image. Moreover, the attentive stare embodies all that the bird stands for.

Whoever knew that white could be so badass? This incredible tattoo idea depicts a snowy owl as it stares menacingly. Its yellow eyes become the clear focus even as the light blue background portrays a composed nature.

With the focus entirely on the bird's fiery eyes, it is an image to fear. It depicts the ultimate predator ready to strike, while the eyes capture it's unrelenting determination. The face, done in shades of brown, is contrasted wonderfully with the green leaves in the corners to present an impressive combination.

Known especially for their ability to hunt, owls have a keen sense of direction as well. This black ink tattoo depicts the predator along with a compass and the inscription, 'All Roads Lead Home'. It is meant for the wanderer at heart, because even on unknown paths they are never truly lost.

For the more creative-minded man, this black ink tattoo is made to inspire. The wise owl is composed of a variety of designs. The geometric shapes in the forehead come together to make a diamond, whereas the body is depicts of a skull.

With soft tones and careful shading, only the sharp eyes are in focus - this owl is ready for the hunt. This foot tattoo is sure to make people do a double take as the majestic creature stares back at them with a collected look on his face.