145 wolf tattoos: best design and meaning

Wolves have a special place in our hearts, especially because they are the ancestors of man's best friend - Dogs .

The wolf takes a large place in pagan Germanic traditions . In this ancient culture, wolves were viewed as ferocious, fearless warriors and natural predators - largely due to humankind's enormous fear of these beasts. This is why many Anglo-Saxon kings and warriors often used the word "wolf" ("wolf", derived from the Proto-Germanic word "wulfaz") as a suffix or prefix to channel the power of their inner wolf. own name. Thus, names such as "Wolfgang", "Wolfsbein" or "Wolfmer" are still common names in some parts of Europe and, in particular, in Germany.

In the Middle Ages, wolves were considered a tool of the evil one. Like many important figures in pagan religions, the wolf has fallen victim to the spread of Christianity in Europe and is therefore demonized. This increased our instinctive fear of these animals and helped create a bad reputation for the wolf in human society.

In much of Europe and the Old World, stories of Big Bad Wolf became an integral part of our identity, as myths and legends were transmitted in the form of children's fairy tales. Even today, many cartoons and children's TV shows play with this concept. Nine times out of ten, wolf characters turn out to be bad charlatans and villains.

Big Bad stories about wolves may have other cultural origins. They say that in Babylon goddess Ishtar turned her last lover, a shepherd, into a wolf, forcing him to hunt the only animals he swore to protect. According to some Christian beliefs , wolves were sent by God to punish the weak and test the faith of believers.

But the wolf did not always have such a bad reputation. In Roman mythology, the heart of the ancient civilized world, Rome, would not exist without the efforts of a young wolf who fed the future fathers of the city, Romulus and Remus ... Throughout most of Scotland and the British Isles, the wolf was considered a guardian and protector. These animals were inextricably linked with fairies и goblins : legends tell about the green wolf from the magical world, which guards the fairies in his care, making sure that they always have food at hand.

In ancient egypt the wolf held the honorable position of protector and guard. God of the dead Anubis , was often depicted with the head of a wolf or jackal and was responsible for protecting the souls of the dead in the afterlife. Anubis made sure that the dead ancestors safely ended up in the Kingdom of the Dead. In Mexico, this belief is also found in ancient traditions.  Mesoamerican cultures sometimes the wolf was buried along with the human sacrifice to ensure that the victim would go safely into the afterlife.

Incredible wolf hunting skills earned him the respect of elite soldiers around the world ... It is not unusual for military and paramilitary groups to identify with a powerful fearless wolf that quickly and accurately destroys enemies. Everyone from Serbs to Britons deeply admires the depiction of the great wolf predator. That is why the image of a wolf is a frequent figure in heraldry .

No other culture has honored or respected the wolf for its exemplary character, like the indigenous peoples of North America. In many tribes of North America, including Mexico, the wolf is viewed not only as a totem of strength and strength, but also as a pillar of wisdom and a spiritual guide. From the frozen shores of Alaska to the sweltering heat of the deserts of Mexico, indigenous people believed the wolf to be much more than a wild animal.

For the Pawnee of the Great Plains the wolf was the first creature to realize and experience death ; that is why it was considered to be a totem from the other world. Legends о peacocks they say that the star wolf, Sirius (which is also known as the star dog, but given that the wolf is the ancestor of dogs, the connection is understandable) was placed in heaven. To remind people that it was they who brought death to this world and personifies the wolf on his night travels to the afterlife and back (Wolf's Way).

Wolves are exemplary parents, so it should come as no surprise that they are considered family symbols in indigenous North American cultures ... Pairs of wolves live their whole lives, and wolves are gifted parents. In the wolf world, the entire pack raises and cares for the young. The package is not split into anything. This is why wolves are also considered loyal companions and friends.

The wolf is also a symbol of good luck and fertility. The Mongolian people consider themselves a descendant of the wolf and perceive it as a sacred animal. The wolf is there a symbol of good luck and well-being.  It is also believed that a drug made from wolf intestines will have powerful healing properties. In Japan, there are talismans and amulets decorated with the image of a wolf to protect those who wear them from fire and disease, and also to bring a child to infertile couples.

In Chechen culture, a wolf is much more than a wild animal: it is a symbol of national pride. Chechens revere mother Luv and see her as a nourishing force and guardian, protecting their people from worries and conflicts. To be “free and equal like a wolf” is one of the greatest honors a person can attain.

The meaning of a wolf tattoo

These majestic creatures represent many human traits , including:

• Loyalty and devotion
• Family
• Communications
• Luck and fertility
• Leadership and role of the guardian
• Power and power of predation
• Intelligence
• Compassion

Tattoo options

1. Celtic wolf tattoos

Wolves play an important role in the Celtic tradition. They were guardians and protectors forest spirits and ensured the safety of the fairy kingdom from external influences. These majestic animals were considered symbols of the moon and, therefore, femininity. Scottish legends are associated with green wolf, who often brought food to the fairies, telling the nursing mothers to give them milk. According to this tradition the night was brought by the wolves.If they didn't hunt and eat the sun at dusk, the moon could not rise every night. The Celtic wolf tattoo not only epitomizes the connection to the ancient customs of these noble people, but is also a great way to pay tribute to the wolf and its qualities of leadership and protection. These designs can also evoke strength and power because, after all, only powerful beings are capable of devouring the sun.

2. Wolf Skull Tattoos

The skull is a symbol of death, human mortality and destruction. Wolves have long been associated with the afterlife. In ancient Egypt, the death god Anubis was often depicted with the head of a wolf or jackal (depending on the point of view). Wolves are the spirit guides of the afterlife in many ancient cultures in Europe and North America. The wolf skull tattoo symbolizes your understanding of death and, in a sense, that you rely on the wolf as your guide. You are not afraid to face your own death like a wolf.

3. Tattoos with a wolf's eye.

Eyes are the mirror of the soul; it is through these powerful organs that we perceive the world around us and understand how everything works. The wolf is an expressive and communicative animal. He sees beyond the surface of things and uses all senses: eyes, ears, mouth and skin to interact with the world around him. In the wild, wolves do not take their eyes off their prey, and some people who have experienced this for themselves argue that the gaze of a wolf seems to penetrate you to the core. Wolf eye tattoos symbolize your deep understanding of the world around you and show that you see beyond the outward appearance of things.

4. Tattoos of a wolf and a crow.

The wolf and raven are important figures in the culture of the indigenous peoples of North America. On the one hand, both are revered for their intelligence and possession of ancient knowledge, but on the other hand, they are considered deceptive creatures, very smart to survive, and able to change shape. The wolf and the crow fight in a battle of ingenuity and compete to see who wins using their brains. Crowkeeper of secrets and wolf, keeper of ancient wisdom. In some stories, one deceives the other, while in other traditional stories, two join forces to defeat the villains. Wolf and crow tattoos come from the indigenous traditions of North America and strengthen your spiritual connection with the teachings of this culture. This concept also exists in European cultures. , especially in ancient Germanic paganism. In these traditions, the wolf, raven and eagle wage an endless battle against evil and dark forces.

5. Tattoos of the moon and wolf.

Moon and wolf tattoos are signs of communication and strength. The alpha wolf is usually the only one who howls at the moon to tell the rest of the pack to gather and indicate to those outside that they are in their territory. Moon and wolf tattoos represent strength, transformation and femininity.

6. Tribal wolf tattoo.

In the past, it was common for indigenous peoples to adorn their bodies with signs that summon ancient spirits. In doing this, they attracted to themselves the power of their ancestors and gods, which allowed them to do what mortals would normally not be able to do. Tribal wolf tattoos are a common motif among the warriors of the indigenous peoples of North America, who thus identify with the strength and fierce fighting spirit of the noble wolf. These drawings not only identify a person as part of a particular tribe, but also endow him with the spiritual strength and energy of a wolf. Wolf warriors strong, primal and fearless in the face of danger.

7. Tattoos with wolf claws.

The wolf claw tattoo symbolizes your fearlessness in an emotional, spiritual, mental or physical battle. Claws and claw marks usually represent conflict and are a sign of violent antagonism. Wolf claw tattoos exude power and strength: they symbolize your fighting spirit, the absence of fear and your ability to completely subdue your enemies.