Bird Tattoo Designs
One of the most popular designs for tattoos (among both men and women) is bird designs. Bird designs have been used in tattoos for more than a hundred years now simply because of what they represent to us, humans. Americans are very fond of the Eagle just as the Japanese are of the phoenix. Birds, both real and legendary are used as a strong metaphor for human emotions and have come to play a central role in tattoo designs.
The dove is a bird that is most often associated with gentleness. It also symbolizes devotion and the divine. The playful partridge and the proud cockerel have become the symbol of passionate gentlemen. Likewise the rooster is associated with France’s proud heritage.
Geese supposedly choose mates for life and have become famous symbols for matrimonial celebration. Perhaps the most popular bird that has come to symbolize love is the lovebird! These are tiny Mexican parrots that surprisingly snuggle up close to its partner in a seemingly affectionate manner and have thus earned the nick name.
Almost every culture in the world has myths and stories where birds play a central role. It is said that the Egyptian god Atum chose the stork like Benu to appear at the very beginning of creation. Birds like the vultures, eagles and hawks – birds of prey – were a symbol of victorious conquests for the Vikings and the Goths. The raven however has different meanings in different cultures. In some cultures the raven was viewed as a wise bird. In North America however both crows and raven are considered tricksters. The Bible views the raven as a symbol of evil, likewise among the Arabs who consider ravens as bad omen.
The swallows and Bluebirds world over are considered a good omen. It brings hope of the summer with its appearance in spring. For those sailors at sea, the swallow was a definite sign that land was nearby. They have long been associated with sailors and a life at sea. Notice the tattoo of a swallow on Johnny Depp’s forearm the next time you watch Pirates of the Caribbean.