NATIVE AMERICAN TATTOOS: SPIRITS, ARROWS, AND FEATHERS

Native American tattoos have long impacted the tattoo industry, from early traditional American tattoo flashes adorned with indigenous symbols to today’s intricate and realistic designs. These tattoos carry deep meanings and significant symbolism.

If you’re seeking inspiration, check out the designs below. However, we recommend taking some time to explore the history and significance of the symbols you plan to use beforehand. Now, let’s dive in!

TATTOOS IN NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE

Native American tattoos are far from a contemporary trend; they have a deep and enduring history, significant to Native American cultures from Alaska to the southern tip of South America.

The art of tattooing varied among tribes, serving as a sacred ritual with diverse purposes such as protection, healing, and conveying status and achievements.

Before colonialism spread across North America, traditional tattooing and body modification were used by various nations to signify family lineage, clan crests, social rank, territorial connections, and rights related to hunting and fishing, among other aspects.

REVIVAL OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN TATTOOING

Today, individuals with Native American heritage continue to use tattooing to express their personal style and identity through symbols representing their families and tribes.

At one point, this art form nearly disappeared, but the resurgence of tattoos in mainstream culture has helped revive and reintegrate this ancient tradition into Native American life.

Both young indigenous people and those interested in Native American culture are now celebrating and honoring this tradition through beautiful tattoos featuring native symbols.

NATIVE AMERICAN SYMBOLS AND MEANINGS

Indigenous ancestors who adorned themselves with tattoos embraced inclusivity, with both men and women, as well as adults and children, using intricate tattoos to express the values of their tribes.

For instance, chin tattoos among Inupiat women symbolized various life milestones, such as marriage, overcoming trauma, having children, or reaching adulthood.

Tattoos and paint were also applied to the face and body to imbue the wearer with power. For example, symbolic eagle eyes were often tattooed around the eyes of men to give them the perceived vision of an eagle in flight.

When choosing tattoos based on your heritage, it’s important to proceed with caution and thorough research.

Here’s an overview of common Native American tattoo designs:

Tribal patterns
Portraits of American Indians, such as those wearing headdresses
Depictions of animals like eagles, ravens, wolves, spiders, owls, hummingbirds, and bears
Thunderbirds (or phoenixes)
Arrows, dreamcatchers, and feathers
Natural elements such as the moon, sun, wolves, and sunflowers

Unique options might include:

Native American scripts from tribes like Cherokee, Cree, and Blackfoot
Words in Native American languages
Designs inspired by traditional artwork
Tribal seals or flags from Native American nations

NATIVE AMERICAN ANIMAL SYMBOLS

Totem animals hold significant importance in Native American culture. In some tribes, individuals are connected to up to nine different animals, such as snakes, which serve as spiritual guides throughout their lives.

These animal or spirit guides, also known as power animals, are dynamic, appearing and disappearing based on the phases of our lives.

Here is a list of the most common Native American animal symbols:

ANIMAL	SYMBOL
Bear	courage, physical strength and leadership
Beaver	determination and strong-will
Buffalo	sacred, life, great strength, abundance and gratitude
Butterfly	transformation
Coyote	cunning trickster
Deer	gentleness, grace and survival
Dog	loyalty
Dragonfly	happiness, speed and purity
Eagle	divine spirit, creation and freedom
Frog	cleansing, sensitivity adaptabilityand transformation
Fox	anticipation, observation and stealth
Horse	mobility, stamina, strength and power
Lizard	conservation and self-protection
Opossum	diversion, strategy and deception
Raccoon	curiosity, adaptability and resourcefulness
Porcupine	innocence, companionship, and trust
Prairie Dog	swiftness and preparedness
Scorpion	transformation, strength and chaos
Serpent	chaos, corruption and darkness
Squirrel	planning and the home
Snake	healing and re-birth
Spider	creativity and is the weaverof the fabric of life
Turtle	good health and long life
Wolf	direction and leadership and embodies both protection and destruction

NATIVE AMERICAN TATTOO IDEAS

To assist with your tattoo design research, we scoured Instagram for the best Native American tattoo ideas. Browse the collection below to explore them all: