Feathers always make for a unique tattoo designs. And they have always been popular tattoo designs amongst both men and women. Feathers look beautiful, and can be done in many variations and designs. Depending on the design you choose and the way your tattoo artist interpret the same.

Your feather tattoo can look like no other, and consequently, carry a unique meaning or message. Moreover, feather tattoos actually make for intimate and personal tattoo designs, if you want to as‌sociate your feather tattoo to a specific event or person that is easy with feathers. Feather tattoos have different meanings in different cultures. Some get a feather inked on their body to represent their freedom, while for some it symbolizes their strength.

Whatever be the reason, the bottom line is they look stunning. This amazingly beautiful tattoo design is highly sought-after, especially amongst those who appreciate not only body art, but also Native American traditions and heritage. The feather tattoo designs represent deep symbolic meanings.

If you are also looking to know more about a feather inspired tattoo design, then read this post till the end.

Here is what it represents in Celtic, Christianity, Egyptian, and Other Religions and Cultures

The feather in ancient Christianity symbolizes virtue, and the same is mentioned many times in the Bible. For instance, verse four of Psalm 91, says: “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.” Three of them can be seen curved into a signet ring and each one represents something, namely hope, faith, and charity.

In Celtic also feathers are considered important as their druids wore feathered robes in ceremonial events. Whereas, according to the Egyptian culture feathers are as‌sociated with the sky Go‌ds. Like this different cultures and religions attribute different spiritual and symbolic meaning to the feathers.

Feather as a Native American Symbol

Most Native Americans attribute to animism, the doctrine that all the natural objects including the universe itself have spirits or souls. Animists actually believe that everything that exists in the universe, which includes not only humans, animals, and plants, but also rocks, feathers, and other natural phenomena have souls. Also, they believe that every part of this nature is alive and possess an inherent quality, virtue, power, and wisdom.

Birds and feathers have always been an important symbol to many Native Americans. More often than not, Native Americans include feathers as a design in their clothing, headdresses, jewelry, Ojibwe dream catchers, tools, and even weapons.

Often Native Americans considered the gifts falling from the sky. When a feather falls to earth, Native Americans believe that it carries with it all of the energy of its former attachment to the bird, wind, and sky and it represents the power of the thunder Go‌ds, air, and wind. Also, Native American chiefs used to wear many feathers during ceremonial occasions to represent their strong connection to the spiritual realms. Also, warriors were appreciated for their exceptionally courageous and honorable performance in the battle field, by giving a feather as a special gift.

Earlier it was believed that the birds act as spirit guides, helping you walk through the different stages of life: Teaching, guiding, and offering protection. Eagle feathers are one of the most honored amongst and they hold great symbolic significance.

Feathers are also connected to the dead

In some cultures and religions, feathers are also as‌sociated with the people who have left the world or passed away. Some cultures believe that if a feather falls on your path, it is a sign that a person who has passed away or di‌ed is trying to communicate with you.

Representation of a Feather Tattoo

Different feather tattoo symbolizes different aspects of one’s personality and life. Because, feather has different meanings in different cultures and civilizations, and in each context, the meaning is slightly different. Often a feather represents; Ascension, Bravery, Courage, Dreams, Flight, Freedom, High spirit, Hope, Journey of the soul, Levitation, Lightness, Magic, Promise, Purity, Speed, Travel, Truth, Weightlessness, and Communication with the other side. But, the meaning of the tattoo varies from person to person.

Different meanings of different Birds’ feathers

Usually, feather tattoos tend to carry a variety of meanings, depending upon what the particular type of birds’ feathers depicts along with the design and style of the tattoo. Here are some of the most common meanings and symbols as‌sociated with the feather tattoos:

Blue Jay

Blue Jay feather tattoo represents happiness, and fulfillment in life. People who believe in inner strength and inner happiness and are content within, go for this one. This tattoo really looks super cool!!

Crow

I am sure you must be thinking what special this black creature can have in particular. But trust me, Crow feather tattoos represent more than you think, they are the symbol of skill, cunning, balance, and release from the past. So, what are you waiting for… get this one!

Dove

A beautiful bird, everyone loves it……. A dove feather tattoo will represent peace, love, and gentleness. So, if you also possess all these traits, then this one’s for you. Believe you me!!

Eagle

Eagle feather tattoo symbolizes sacredness, strength, courage, leadership, valor, honor, justice and prestige. If you possess all these virtues, then undoubtedly this feather tattoo is for you!! Go for it.. ☺ ☺

Falcon

Speed, and soul healing is what falcon feather tattoo stands for. This beautiful tattoo makes for a perfect tattoo design.

Hawk

Hawk feather tattoo stands for protection, and strength, as the bird itself. Hawk feather tattoo looks very beautiful and stunning on body. People who possess all these personality traits, they go for this one.

Hummingbird

Hummingbird feather tattoo depicts love, beauty, and intelligence. If you think you possess all these qualities primarily… then this is for you!!

Owl

Owl feather tattoo will simply represent silence, speed, vision, intelligence and wisdom. Owl feathers tend to be the primary choice for showcasing these values. Because the bird is simply as‌sociated with rationality and knowledge.

Peacock

Peacoc‌k feather tattoo represents beauty, pride, elegance, and grace. We all know the bird is amazingly beautiful, just imagine its colorful feather etched on your body. It will look stunning.

Pheasant

Pheasant feather tattoo stands for prosperity, wealth, and success. If you are looking for all three then get this tattoo, it will look amazing. Trust me!!

Phoenix

Phoenix feather tattoo represents rebirth and progress. The mythical bird phoenix and its feathers typically depict the concept of change, revival, rebirth, and getting a new chance at something.

Raven

Raven feather tattoos simply represents creation, wisdom, and knowledge. People who possess all this usually go for a raven feather tattoo design. And it looks splendid!!

Turkey

Turkey feather tattoo symbolizes abundance, and fertility in life. Who doesn’t want abundance in life…. Everybody does want and hence people who are optimistic, they believe in the universe, get this tattoo.

Besides these, feather tattoos are as‌sociated with many other things in life and hold an important place. The other interpretations as‌sociated to feather tattoos are as follows:

Color

A white feather is said to represent innocence, red feather however, symbolizes passion and love, and the yellow and orange feathers usually stand for intelligence, intellect, and judgment.

Dream

Believe it or not, but feathers are also as‌sociated with dreams in some cultures. Perhaps that’s the reason they have been given their place in dream catchers. In some cultures it is believed that the white feather is a symbol of fresh spiritual start. The type of feather one dreams while sleeping, plays an important role while its interpretation, but generally a feather in a dream suggests a thought, a goal, or an ideal.

Where to get feather tattoos

One of the best things about the feather tattoo is that it fits nicely in a variety of different places on your body. Such as, arms, legs, ribs, sides, ankles, upper back, lower back, upper shoulders, nape, forearms, and behind the ears, wherever you want. Feather tattoos look amazingly stunning. Also, it has nothing to with the person’s age. Anybody can get it, be it a girl aged 18 or a woman in her fifties. Feather tattoo looks beautiful irrespective of your age, and skin tone.

Also, it is very easy to personalize your feather tattoo, all you need is a bit of creativity and clarity what exactly you are looking for.

Size of a feather tattoo

Feather tattoos are very easy to carry, they make for an eye-catching tattoo design. So far the size of the feather tattoo is concerned, they can be done in any size bigger or smaller. It is up to you, what size you are looking for. There are people who want to have tattoos but want to keep them hidden, for such people feather tattoos can be done in small size. Whereas, if you are amongst those who love bigger tattoos, feather is a perfect theme to get an elegant tattoo in bigger size.

Why should one go for a feather tattoo design?

Well, more often than not, some people choose a tattoo not because it has some symbolic meaning but they just choose a tattoo design because they think it’s beautiful. And feather tattoo really makes for the most beautiful tattoo designs. If you also have something in mind, and you are looking for a beautiful tattoo design, then believe you me…. Feather tattoos are the most captivating amongst all.

Number of feathers in a feather tattoo design

Mostly people prefer to go for a single feather tattoo design, but there are many who choose to incorporate more than one feather in their tattoo design. In fact, some even go for an entire wing.

However, the meaning of the number of feathers as‌sociated to the feather tattoo design actually depends on the wearer. So, the number is your choice if you are going for a feather tattoo design.