Wolf tattoos have held the interest of body art enthusiasts for many years just as the real animal has done. People love this mysterious animal for many reasons.
Wolves are powerful and fearless creatures, and they symbolism many things. It is also extremely tough to tame a wolf. Because they move in packs, wolves are often related to strong familial connections or loyalty to a specific group. A wolf tattoo depicting more than one wolf represents this idea since they are devoted to the pack and one another.
However, wolves can also symbolize dominance and power. Because an “alpha dog leads a wolf pack,” they represent a sort of hierarchy in which one person has control over a larger group. This dominance and power can also be interpreted as leadership. Many people who find themselves in leadership positions find that a wolf tattoo is a suitable choice.
In Native American cultures, people respect wolves as teachers and pathfinders and are considered wise and knowledgeable.
Wolf Tattoo Designs & Meanings
Howling Wolf Tattoos
Howling wolf tattoo designs are one of the most popular wolf tattoos out there. Not only do they look great, but they also stir your mind with thoughts of the mysteries that lie in wait in the pitch-black darkness. Wolves howl to communicate with their pack and to mark their territory. Therefore, a howling wolf tattoo symbolizes a strong bond to family and loved ones and also represents a person who is not afraid to stand his ground and speak his mind.
Tribal Wolf Tattoos
Tribal wolf tattoos are popular with both men and women. The solid beliefs behind the meanings and great looks delivered in this design can’t be denied. With meanings like loyalty, devotion, family, honor, and wisdom, you can see the appeal. The bold, black ink lines of the tribal art style make tattoos look unique. A howling or snarling wolf would look particularly striking in the tribal style. You can add more elements to make the tribal wolf tattoo more unique.
Lone Wolf Tattoos
Lone wolves represent that strong desire to go all alone in life. In the wild, a lone wolf is one without a pack. These wolves tend to be stronger and more dangerous than pack wolves. People who have gone through life, surviving, and succeeding through their skills alone more likely to get a lone wolf tattoo.
Wolf Tattoos For Women
Women’s wolf tattoos can send a strong message about motherhood. The mother wolf is tremendously nurturing and loving parent, but if you cross that fine line with the pups, there will be hell to pay. Wolf tattoo designs for women also consist of elements and colors that represent feminine energy.
Wolf Tattoos for Men
Watercolor
Moon and Wolf Tattoos
Wolves are often associated with the moon due to the myth that they howl at the full moon. Moon and wolf tattoo designs capture a perfect fantasy image of the lone wolf’s beauty caught in the full moon’s light and represent night, darkness, mystery, and connecting with primal instincts. By adding some light shades of purple in the moon can give it a celestial look.
Celtic Wolf Tattoos
Celtic wolf tattoo represents protection, guidance, and a symbol of transformation. Wolves were once native to Ireland. According to Celtic mythology, people believe that some Celtic tribes descended from the wolves. A Celtic wolf tattoo design incorporates the image of a wolf with the signature knots and twists of Celtic art.
Blue-eyes Wolf Tattoos
Geometric Wolf Tattoos
Geometric tattoo designs are very trendy in recent years. The style involves using geometric shapes, lines and angles to give tattoos a minimalist look. Geometric shapes also have hidden meanings as they are some of the oldest symbols in history. Geometric wolf tattoo designs are unique and interesting. They still represent the core of a wolf: protection, strength, wildness, freedom, and connection to nature.
Neo Traditional Wolf Tattoos
Blackwork
Coloring and Placements
Colors for wolf tattoos will be all over the pallet. They mostly depend on the style and the theme of the tattoo design. In a neo-traditional and watercolor style, you will see the use of many vibrant colors. Artists use black in for the Tribal and Celtic wolves design. You can use various colors for the background elements to make the design look more realistic or give it a fantasy look.
Sizing and placement of your tattoo depends on how much skin you have to devote and how detailed your tattoo will be. Small wolf tattoos look good on the neck, forearm, hand, and lower leg. Larger wolf tattoos work well on the back, shoulder, upper arm, chest, waist, and legs.
Be sure to look at the galleries and discuss any questions you have with your tattoo artist in detail before you get it on your skin permanently.