In Chinese, owls are named “Mao Tou Ying,” meaning eagles with the head of a cat. It might explain why owls hold a special place in people’s hearts.

They have huge eyes and flat faces similar to babies and cats. And the way they stare at you from the treetops make them feel like they are as intelligent as human beings.

If you have seen the video of a bunch of 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 owls looking at you together, your heart will melt instantly. But people are getting owl tattoos not just for how cute they look.

The meaning of owl tattoos

In Greek mythology, Athena, the Goddess of wisdom, owned a small owl. It was considered the source of Athena’s knowledge. Therefore in western cultures, owl tattoos represent wisdom, knowledge, and intuition.

Owls are also independent hunters. They observe from afar with patience. But once they spot the chance, they dash from the treetops and go straight at their targets. That’s why owls symbolize patience, accuracy, and independence.

And the Harry Potter movies make owls even more popular. After all, who doesn’t love Hedwig the Owl, right? And since then, we have seen more and more owls in witchy tattoos. They have become a symbol of mysterious power and magic.

Disclaimer: This tattoo collection is for inspiration only. Please do not copy the artwork. If you love these tattoos, follow artists and show them some support.

Awe-inspiring owl tattoos with meaning

Beautiful owl tattoos for women

Animal tattoos are often primitive, making them perfect for men. But they can be elegant and intricate, too. The following owl tattoos for women are not only creative but also gorgeous.

Stunning realism owl and flowers tattoo

@markoff_tattoo

Owl tattoos are not uncommon. So if you are getting one, you want it to be either creative or stunning.

This owl waist tattoo hits both targets. Unlike most tattoo ideas for women, this owl tattoo covers a large part of the waist. And instead of showing the entire owl, it shows only a side of its face, making the eye the center of attention. With the shading perfectly on point, this tattoo is a piece of art.

Beautiful Barn owl thigh tattoo

@stygmat_tattoo

Among all owls, barn owls are loved for a reason. Their white faces in a heart shape make them look adorable, as if they are smiling.

This thigh tattoo captures the cuteness of barn owls. And with the flowers in the background, this tattoo makes a stunning statement for owl lovers.

Black and grey flowers and owl tattoo

@davidbaisatattoos

Owls and flowers go so well together. As a symbol of beauty and purity, flowers compliment owls in the design.

But both elements require great attention to detail. This tattoo artist did such a great job in keeping the lines clean. So even the tattoo is big, it still looks elegant enough for women.

Lotus and owl floral sleeve tattoo

@india.tattooartist

Lotus represents calmness and zen in Buddhism as well as in tattoos. Owls, however, stay alert most of the time. This tattoo puts them together and shows that one can be both alert and calm.

Calmness comes from the confidence in coping with uncertainty. And the more we are at ease, the better we can deal with everyday challenges.

Gorgeous owl full sleeve tattoo

@blackbirddotwork

Most owls have yellow eyes. Some rare species may have blue or red eyes. This tattoo paints the eyes of the owl white, making it look divine. With the moon and flowers in the background, this sleeve tattoo is not just stunning but also witchy enough for badass women.

Barn owl under the stars

@blackamethysttattooco

The owls are considered the hunters of the night. This is because they see better in the dark. And that’s why owls, moon, and stars go so well together, just like in this tattoo. The fact that it is purely black and grey makes it even more mysterious and beautiful.

Detailed Eurasian eagle-owl tattoo

@peter_sparkler_tattoo

Realism tattoos are sometimes more challenging to do than creative tattoos. The details, shading, and illustration are equally important. Without any of them, the tattoo won’t look as real as it should be. And this owl tattoo nailed it.

The tattoo emphasizes the eyes by highlighting the feathers around them. One glance, and you won’t look away.

Stunning owl and moon tattoo on the back

@alas_tattoo

Another cute barn owl and moon tattoo. The gradient color of the moon makes the owl pop out on the skin.

Besides that, the shape also makes the tattoo unique. The owl, the moon, and the leaves together form a heart shape, making it perfect for the sentimental and romantics.

Owl in heart shape sleeve tattoo

@mahell_tattooer

Heart tattoos can be cliché. But this one is an exception.

Instead of drawing a simple heart on the sleeve, the artist transformed the owl into a heart shape. This abstract approach left out a lot of details and focused on the eyes. The thick lines also made this tattoo last longer.

Symmetrical moon phase and owl tattoo

@anylay.tattoo

The Moon phase represents growth, life transitions, and femininity. This tattoo features an owl in between two moon phases. It sends a message that one should always listen to his intuition despite life changes.

Flowers and owl

@rbyn_flpsd

One way to make a masculine tattoo more feminine is to add flowers. Like dragons and wolves, owls tend to be more for men. So this gorgeous tattoo dedicated a big area to flowers, making it more girly and dreamy.

Owl mandala forearm tattoo

@emylinkedtattoo

Mandala tattoos consist of a series of shapes and patterns. This forearm ink corporates the owl into the mandala.

At first glance, it might seem intricate with all the curves and patterns. But it leaves enough blank space around the eyes, drawing our attention to the owl straightaway.

Spreading the wings

@megwahh

Another barn owl tattoo. But instead of staring forward, the owl turns its face to the side. The angle change makes the owl look timid and gentle instead of fierce.

Cook and doctor

@calamarsalvaje.tattoo

Owls look like cartoon characters by nature with big eyes and a round head. This owl tattoo is a combination of techniques and creativity.

The stethoscope on the owl’s neck indicates that she’s a doctor. And the hat tells us that she’s also a home cook. Together, the tattoo is a dedication to someone who’s both. And it sets an excellent example of how professions and passions can come together in one tattoo perfectly.

Big, bold owl tattoos for men

Owls represent intelligence and intuition. If you have a special connection with these hunters by night, the following owl tattoos for men are perfect for you.

Eastern screech-owl calf tattoo