Inside: All The Best Animal Tattoo Ideas for You to Explore.
Animals are so special, most of the time they are our dearest companions and strongest relationships. Others are the perfect symbol of something we long for in life, like freedom, beauty, and serenity. There are so many different things this world’s amazing creatures can offer us. Which is what makes them such a great tattoo design idea.
From their deeper meaning to their long-lasting bond animals are one-of-a-kind. This is why we came up with the perfect Animal Tattoo Ideas for you to explore.
Plus even a few mythical and magical ideas for the more out-of-this-world creatures we adore.
What Animal Tattoo Should I Get?
- Pay attention to your dreams. Our dreams are intimately connected to our waking lives, so every time you see an animal in yours, write it down the next morning.
- Think about your past connections to certain animals.
- Journal about the animals that you feel drawn to.
Finding the perfect animal to portray your deeper meaning is the first step in creating the perfect tattoo. This “What Animal Tattoo Should I Get Quiz is the best way to find out, and help kick off some ideas.
What do animal tattoos represent?
Different Animal Meanings + What they Symbolize
American Eagle Tattoo Designs: The Eagle is a patriotic bird in the United States, the official symbol of the American flag. In many countries, an American flag tattoo represents purity, power, and beauty.
Bear Tattoo Designs: The Bear is a prominent symbol worldwide. Haida bears have long stood as symbols for wisdom, protection, and spirituality. Most commonly, bears represent power, motherhood, and fortitude.
Butterfly Tattoo Designs: Traditionally, butterflies represent transition or a transformative event. A butterfly starts its life out as a caterpillar, and only after going through metamorphosis does it emerge as a beautiful butterfly, with all its potential to be seen.
Dolphins Tattoo Designs: Many people have strong emotional connections with these sea creatures, making them a popular tattoo choice. Dolphin tattoos represent harmony, friendship, playfulness, and freedom.
Elephants Tattoo Designs: These dignified animals are popular tattoo design choices, and they symbolize power, longevity, and prosperity.
Fox Tattoo Designs: These cunning creatures are symbols of wisdom and magic, and they can also represent a strong connection to nature.
Horse Tattoo Designs: Humans have a long history of companionship with horses, and they’re a central part of life in many cultures. Horse tattoos often symbolize courage, loyalty, strength, and freedom.
Koi Fish Tattoo Designs: Koi fish have a very long history in Asian culture. They’re a symbol of strength and persistence, because
of their ability to swim upstream and transform into a powerful dragon once they pass the dragon’s gate. Koi fish can also represent the overcoming of obstacles, prosperity, and independence.
Lion Tattoo Designs: This noble animal is a source of strength, courage, and protection. For the ancient Egyptians, they were used as war deities because the lioness is known for her aggressive attributes and protection. Lions are also seen in front of imperial palaces in China, as symbols of protection.
Raven Tattoo Designs: A jet blackbird, the raven is a popular symbol for death and mystery. In Celtic culture, ravens were associated with war because they were seen eating at the remains of dead soldiers, but they’re also understood as symbols of protection and magic.
Snake Tattoo Designs: An animal with a dual nature, the snake represents both life and death. Since a snake’s venom can be lethal or life-saving, the snake has come to symbolize the cycle of life, including birth and death.
Swallow Tattoo Designs: Swallow tattoos date back to the early 1900s, and they were commonly worn by sailors. They believed that if a sailor were to drown, the swallows would carry their soul to heaven.
Tiger Tattoo Designs: Traditionally, the tiger represents fearlessness, royalty, and strength. As the rival of the Chinese Dragon, the two are often seen fighting the same battles. The tiger is also the national animal of many countries including India, South Korea, Malaysia, and Bangladesh.
Turtle Tattoo Designs: Turtles have cultural significance in many places, including Japan, North America, and Africa, and they are popular symbols for longevity, wisdom, and peace.
Wolf Tattoo Designs: The wolf primarily stands for loyalty, greed, and destruction. In Japan, they dedicate shrines to the wolf to protect their crops from boars and deer. In Roman mythology, wolves are used to symbolize greed and destruction throughout the Bible. To many people, the wolf is like the dog- loyal, and built to protect.
Many animals hold a special place in our personal lives and cultures. They’re a major part of our modern life, and they have been connected to the human race for thousands of years.
Our Favorite Animal Tattoo Ideas
We can’t get enough of these sweet animal tattoo ideas, they are so amazing and beautiful. From our family four-legged pets to the magical creatures that roam this earth, here are a few of our all-time favorite ideas.
10. Flowery Elephant
Bugs, Butterflies, and Everything Pretty – Here are a few of Our Favorite Animal Tattoo Ideas
Don’t let these little bugs fool, their meaning and purpose is so beautiful. From loyalty, freedom, and beauty, each of these insect tattoo ideas are filled with a BIG meaning and some pretty stunning designs.
Artistic Dragonfly Tattoo Ideas: Butterflies are known to be one of the most popular insects to get as a tattoo, but a dragonfly is a close second. They are considered to be a famous choice for tattoo designs. Mainly because you can do so much with them and they can complement other designs.
It’s a creature that is not only stunning in design but is wonderful in nature. Both men and women choose dragonfly designs, not just for their looks but for their meaning as well.
Buzzing Bumble Bee Tattoos: Since ancient times, bees have been popular in many cultures. These distinctly colored insects are essential for maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Plus they play a large role in the success of crop growth.
As one of the most industrious and loyal species, the bee has become a well-loved tattoo design. With so many fun meanings and designs, these bumble bee tattoos might be some of our favorites.
Simple Butterfly Tattoo Ideas: The ideas are endless when it comes to getting a tattoo. From quotes to sacred symbols, you can opt for anything that complements your personality. Various people go for bold patterns and even inked skulls on their body whereas many tattoo lovers prefer to get a permanent butterfly.
Half Butterfly, Half Flower Tattoos: Butterflies have always been a source of inspiration for people of all ages. Their dazzling beauty, combinations of bright colors, and tenderness amaze everyone who sees them on their way. Flying from flower to flower, they have become an inevitable part of not only people`s admiration but also every kind of art.
Amazing Animal Tattoo Design Ideas You’ll Adore
We all know that the Elephant is a remarkable symbol of wisdom and grace, but they also represent loyalty and good luck. These designs really capture the deeper meaning of the relationships we have with animals. Like your furry best friend, these pawprint tattoos are the perfect way to honor their love.
Elephant Tattoo Ideas: Elephants never forget, and their old age gifts them with admirable wisdom. Humans can learn so much about life, solitude, and love when studying how this ancient mammal carries. Their weight no matter how heavy, with such remarkable grace and beauty.
Pretty Hummingbird Tattoo Ideas: Hummingbirds are a popular choice for tattoo designs since they are very detailed and delicate-looking birds. Many tattoo lovers are opting for the hummingbird tattoo given the bird’s unique capabilities and beauty.
Tattoos that utilize birds of any type at the center of their design have gained a lot of preference because they incorporate color, creativity, and a natural image.
Sweetest PawPrint Tattoos: Let’s face it: Dogs and cats are better than humans. And many of us have had dogs or cats in our lives that left lasting impressions on us — so why not commemorate them with something just as permanent? We’re talking about tattoos.
Cute Bat Tattoo Designs: When talking about creatures of the night, many come to mind. However, when talking about non-fiction animals who represent the night, the bat quickly comes to mind. Not only are they associated with things that go bump in the night, but they are also associated with some of the popular fictional characters of all time. We have put together the ultimate list of bat tattoo ideas from the cutest of creatures to small flying bat bunches here are a few of our favorite ideas.
Fishing Tattoo Ideas: Are you a fisherman? Are you looking for an original fishing tattoo? These are the 25 best fishing tattoos that only some brave and fishing lovers would dare to carry on their bodies. If you carry fishing in your blood and also want to carry it in your body, maybe you should have one of these fishing tattoos.
They may be Mythical but these Tattoos are Magical
Now I know these aren’t “REAL” animals, but these mythical creatures sure do make pretty ink.
What is a Mythical Creature?
A legendary, and mythological creature, also called a fabulous creature and fabulous beast, is a supernatural animal, generally a hybrid, sometimes part human, whose existence has not or cannot be proved and that is described in folklore but also in historical accounts before history became a science.
Mermaid Tattoo Designs: Swimming through the Seven Seas and charming men with their siren songs, mermaids have long been a subject of myth, legend, and beauty. Ranging across cultures, there is plenty of symbolism and meaning found within the mermaid’s body. They are much more than just a pretty face.
The beauty of a mermaid tattoo is the placement is perfect anywhere on your body. Their long elegant physic makes them beautiful in every location. See the beauty in each design and the amazing meaning of these mermaid ideas.
Magical Unicorn Tattoos: Unicorns come in many shapes and sizes and can be designed in countless ways, while they are for the most part seen as a very feminine tattoo its certainly not exclusive to any gender, some of the best unicorn tattoo designs are on men and look great.
Feminine Fairy Tattoo Ideas: Today when we think of fairies we tend to think of much-loved childhood books and stories that included these small human-like beings rumored to reside in Fairyland or even at the bottom of the garden. Women are most likely to choose fairy tattoo designs as they are generally portrayed as being female. Having girlish traits such as long hair, dresses, and mischievous behavior, which makes it easy for women to feel an inclination towards them.
More for Animal Lovers
I think it is safe to assume by now that you are a lover of animals. Take your passion for our animal friends by choosing to go vegan.
When you choose a vegan tattoo ink, you eliminate glycerin being used as a stabilizer, bone char used to achieve a super-black color or gelatin, and shellac used for consistency and durability. There are plenty of name-brand manufacturers who make superior ink products that are vegan-friendly.
What makes tattoos not vegan?
Although many good quality inks are now vegan-friendly, some inks still contain ingredients that are animal-derived. Glycerine derived from animal fats is often used as a stabilizer, sometimes alongside gelatine, and bone char can be found in black inks to provide an increased pigment. The main issue, however, stems from the equipment and aftercare products used within the tattoo process, with stencil papers often made with lanolin, the substance derived from a sheep’s wool. Many recommended aftercare products, and even disposable razors provided by the tattoos studio also aren’t vegan, as animal-derived glycerine can be found in razor strips and aftercare soaps. Meanwhile, balms often contain lanolin or beeswax. The good news, however, is that there are plenty of vegan-friendly alternatives, that are affordable and easily accessible.
Need More Inspirations?
Are you still looking for more fun tattoo inspiration? Although they may not be animal tattoo ideas, these plant and flower tattoos are still very much alive and need care. Here are a few of our favorites.
- Small Sunflower Tattoo Ideas + Designs – Speaking of a flower that represents something amazing! The sunflower not only represents sunshine and happiness, but they also help each other below the surface. Sunflower roots are aware of each other and have been shown to work together to share nutrients. Isn’t that beautiful? I love how much sunflowers represent and how they are full of beauty, happiness, and devotion.
- Lily Flower Tattoo Ideas – Searching for that perfect next tattoo design can be a fun and exciting time! Lily tattoo designs are beautiful, creative, and can be found in various styles. Lily flower tattoos look great in both large and smaller designs. They symbolize love, pride, beauty, rebirth, and purity. Expressing yourself with such a powerful tattoo is easy with these design ideas. Check them out to get some inspiration on which style of lily tattoo to get.
- Daisy Tattoo Ideas – Honestly, daisies are one of my all-time favorite flowers, they are just so bright, fun, and full of life. Daisy is a form of flower purely for the female kind and is one of the most versatile tattoos you can wear on your body. The tattoo is highly decorative and comes in different colors and sizes. You can even add a custom design to the tattoos depending on your preferences. With soft petals and a humble appearance, it is almost impossible to ignore its fascinating design.
I'm Victoria Hudgins founder of Tattoo Glee and managing editor. I'm a Tattoo Stylist and love helping others find the best way to express all the fun and joy that is within them! Follow along with my posts for all the celebratory style your next ink design is needing.