57 Odin’s Ravens Tattoo Designs for Men

Rooted deep in ancient Norse mythology, the ravens Huginn and Muninnn are a powerful tattoo choice for the thoughtful and wise.

These godly birds capture the mystique and brilliance of the old viking gods and give your ink a clever connotation.

Ravens are a deeply symbolic animal across many cultures, both ancient and modern. As some of the most intelligent avians in the world, ravens stand for wit, self-reliance and skill. As powerful black birds of carrion they stand for death, rebirth and survival. The two ravens Huginn and Muninn, however, stand in a class above and lend a strong symbology to your next tattoo piece.

For over a thousand years, these ravens have stood out as special in human memory. Their names mean ‘thought’ and ‘mind’ and together they were the trusted allies and friends of Odin, the wisest and wiliest of the viking gods. The legends tell of these beautiful black birds leaving Odin’s shoulders every morning to fly around the world, gathering all the knowledge and wisdom there was to be found in the day. Every night they would return to him and whisper in his ears all the information they’d gathered, adding to his power and reinforcing his reputation as the all-knowing all-father.

Ancient viking warriors respected and revered this legend in their clothing and jewelry, adorning armor, weapons and banners with fierce images of flying ravens, displaying honor to Odin, chief of gods. Pay tribute to Norse heritage, wisdom and viking myth with a tattoo of these legendary birds.

Odin’s Ravens Tattoo Ideas

Odin’s ravens tattoo, Huginn and Muninn, in deep dark multiple shades of black on this stunning chest piece hovering on an Yggdrasil, the evergreen ash tree in Norse mythology, illustrated right at the center, unshaded, creating a perfect background for these two elegant creatures. These ravens are rendered in black ink, deeply saturated and shaded in different tones of black with flecks of highlights for texture in the feather details.

Another chest piece for inspiration of these birds, larger in size and minimalist in design. The ravens are darkly outlined for contrast and longevity of the tattoo. It is important when choosing the concept and style to consider ageing. Tattoo artists in general, believe that if it doesn’t last then it’s not a tattoo.

These two powerful creatures, the eyes and ears of the great god Odin the Allfather, are out and about performing the task for their master. He would let the ravens fly out in the morning to monitor on the nine worlds.  And when the night came, they would come back to Odin whispering into his ears what they had seen during the day. This is another dark ink creation of these birds, delicately drawn on the shoulder area which actually a smart take on carrying a bird on one of the shoulders.

Huginn and Muninn, Odin’s servant ravens, tattooed on a gentleman’s upper back in highly saturated black ink. The edges are thickly outlined with added details of Celtic symbols on the inside, gracefully organized and to fit the shape of the negative space provided for each bird. These pair represent the human mind. Huginn symbolizes thought, while Muninn represents memory.

A surrealism style tattoo of this mysterious creature resting on a wooden ledge adorned with Celtic symbols which mimics the roots of Yggdrasil, the evergreen ash tree in Norse mythology. This lone raven is illustrated in extra fine lines, and darkly shaded in different shades of black and a few highlights of varying shades of gray to produce a more realistic raven with textured feathers and well detailed claw which is set against the contrast of the smooth finish of the ledge. The Odin’s raven on the right side is, Muninn who represents memory.

The Allfather, Odin, in Norse mythology with this raven Huginn on his left known to symbolize, “thought”. A gorgeous black and gray realism portrait of the two powerful symbols of wisdom. This is an almost picture-perfect creation, inked in light feather strokes, shaded and blended for definition and depth instead of being outlined. The light coming in from above, adds sheen and ethereal look into this piece giving the raven much needed highlights, like being soaked under the sun. The sharp contrast from the raven to Odin’s stark white hair to his skin in mid-tones nestled in thick white scruffy beard provides perfect contrast against the shiny helmet adorned with Celtic symbols.

Huginn and Muninn tattoo faceoff on this chest piece in blackwork. The design is simple and minimalist with a few added details on top of ravens. These are troll cross symbols use as an amulet by the Scandinavian people for protection from black magic and trolls.

The Viking warrior donning the raven symbols on his arm, in black and gray tribal tattoo. Ravens are often thought of Odin’s extension of himself, such that to have them also meant that the Allfather is also present.

Huginn and Muninn tattoo in a tribal inspired design on a masculine back, inked in traditional black and gray. These favorite companions of Odin are shaded in complementary opposites depicting that they fulfill two separate roles for the Allfather.

An elegant design for an arm tattoo of Odin’s ravens perched on a branch with delicate white flowers for contrast. This looks like a freehand illustration of the birds, custom made for the arm of this human canvas. The shading and blending are masterfully done to create a realistic bird with intricately drawn feathers highlighted in lightest shade of gray for contrast.

The Odin’s ravens tattoo presented in two contrasting concepts, complementary opposites to introduce the interpretation of the scholars of Norse mythology that these two powerful creatures, Huginn and Muninn, represent two harmonizing meaning. Huginn symbolizes thought which is the more objective and sensible side, while Muninn embodies desire, will, passion and enthusiasm. The logical side occupies the left side of the brain while the artistic and passionate side occupies the other.

This is a great illustrative piece in full vibrant colors with each component shaded delicately in varying tones. The composition is well balanced from top to bottom as the red leaves along with the stylized leaf inspired border on one side frames the two ravens at the center. This design maximizes the space provided with respect to the placement of the tattoo. Huginn and Muninn are captured in motion which makes this piece dynamic because of it tells a story.

A blackwork ink of the two ravens, Huginn and Muninn, soaring the nine realms of Midgard in a speed of light. This arm tattoo is one of a kind, unique in design and its composition, featuring the silhouette of these powerful birds who perform important tasks for Odin.

This Odin’s ravens tattoo on the upper arm is a stunning piece of surreal art work.  The eye at the center is such a symbolic component of this creation as a tribute to these two creatures as the source of information of the Allfather on a daily basis. The color combination is refreshing as the birds are not cloaked in black. This design will definitely appeal to the younger set who are always on the lookout for fresh ideas.

Huginn and Muninn inked in black and gray on a trash polka influenced tattoo, combining illustration and abstract styles. What is important in this style of tattooing is the story telling aspect of the art work, which may be subjective depending on whose perspective, but must be definitely be present in the composition.

A black and gray chest piece of these two majestic and mysterious creatures, Huginn and Muninn illustrated in bold and dark outlines to ensure sharp contrast against the skin of the owner. The birds’ details are shaded and blended in rustic, dotted strokes to create texture. Same strokes are seen on the center of the infinity symbol which is a derivative of the shape of the tree of life eternal circle connecting the three elements of life, death and rebirth.

The two ravens drawn in one intriguing piece wherein its symbolic meaning is highly subjective according to the point of view either of the artist or that of the owner. One thing is undeniable though, this is an incredible ink work executing a cool concept. The contrast of the shades of black and gray against the skin of the canvas is very striking and adds a haunting appeal to this piece. The intricate feather details from the head down to the body, further down to its stunning wings are admirable and well executed.

These birds are indeed a visual feast, Odin himself would have been greatly pleased of how his favorite companions are perceived then interpreted in ink work. The intricate line work on how the birds are shaded all throughout is truly amazing. It’s skillfully and consistently filled in, blended and contoured in the process to add definition and texture.

Huginn and Muninn tattoo with Thor’s powerful hammer also called as the Mjölnir. Thor, one of the most popular figures in all of Norse mythology is the son of Odin and Fyorgyn, the god of thunder and war.  The ravens are also known to accompany the Viking warriors in the battlefield as the Allfather’s eyes and ears, and as the projection of Odin himself. This black and gray tattoo of the three Viking popular symbols is perfect for the man who seeks power, strength and wisdom as a concept for his ink work.

These two ravens are featured on a black and gray tattoo inked on the inner arm of the wearer for its aesthetic appeal and symbolic meaning. This illustration of these two creatures is given a modern approach with the use of extra fine lines for outlines, filled and blended for contour and shadow, while shades of washed out gray are used for highlights so as to bring texture to the feathers. 

This is one of the more popular designs and placement of Huginn and Muninn adorned with Celtic shapes and patterns on the shoulder blades of the owner, in tribute to their roles and how they are documented in Norse mythology, lovingly perched on the shoulders of Odin.

The armored arm of the Viking warrior with the tribal symbols of the raven along with the Odin associated symbol such as the interwoven knot which is derivative of the Yggdrasil’s circle of life represented in three elements of life, death and rebirth continuous cycle. It is also in this tree where Odin, hid his eye so he can drink a sip of Mimir’s water, the second root, a well that is the source of wisdom and intelligence. This warrior’s tattoo in black and gray carries with him symbols and patterns of the sacred ancient mythology for protection and strength, to invoke wisdom and intelligence, to honor the brave and courageous warriors who died before him and seek their blessing as they go into battle. This modern-day warrior is battle ready.

Odin’s endearing companions, Huginn and Muninn, tattooed on a shoulder of this gentleman. These two creatures are shaded and filled in shades of black with intricate gray highlights along the edges of the feather for added texture of the illustration.

Odin’s powerful and sacred servants: his eyes and ears, Huginn and Muninn; and a Valkyrie a host of female figures who choose those who may die, in one spectacular tattoo.  The contrast and transition of the dark to light is smart and aesthetically appealing. It is refreshing to see these powerful ravens with an important figure in Norse mythology. The artist presented this winged maiden in shades of soft shades of gray with occasional black for contour. Her wings, arms and sword make her look like a fierce warrior of the Allfather.

Odin’s ravens featured on an arm tattoo in monochromatic tones of black and gray. At the center is a spear which is similar to Odin’s Gungnir, a symbol of power, protection, and authority. The first weapon thrown in a conflict is a spear in honor of Odin, who would hurl Gungnir to strike terror into the hearts of his enemies, “Odin knew how to act so that his foes in battle became blind or deaf or panic-stricken and their weapons pierced no more than wands” (Davidson, Gods and Myths, 63). Huginn and Muninn, delicately drawn on an arm outlined in black integrated with Odin’s knot which symbolizes the power Odin to bind and unbind.

Huginn and Muninn with the Mjölnir, more popularly known as Thor’s mighty hammer, a magical weapon which always return to the hand of the god of thunder and war. The hammer is invoked not only for Thor’s protection but also as a fertility emblem used in weddings and marital homes. The two ravens shaded in pitch black, mysteriously perched on this powerful weapon of the son of Odin.

Odin’s ravens, Huginn symbolizes thought and Muninn represents memory, hovering around a powerful symbol in the Norse mythology known as Valknut may depict the cyclical path between life and death that these warriors experience. It is most commonly believed to be the symbol of these slain warriors since its direct translation could be the knot of the killed warrior. Nowadays, this symbol is usually worn as a protective amulet against the evil eye in order to keep evil spirits.

Huginn and Muninn, in a minimalist illustrative tattoo along with the Triskele symbol, drawn at the center of this piece. The triskele or triple horns is a Viking symbol made of three interlocking drinking horns which is a symbol of the Nordic god, Odin. It also referred as a symbol of wisdom. These ravens being the eyes and ears of the Allfather himself, is often thought as the projection of Odin’s consciousness. 

The two magical ravens of Odin in blackwork tattoo, deeply saturated for contrast and saturation. At the center is a modernized interpretation of the magical Runes which is the Norse alphabet, interconnected to form one pattern. This pattern invokes two letters from the alphabet Othala and Tiwaz. At the top most is Othala, the rune of ancestral property. Most of the time, this rune letter revolved around family and home. It also resembles the Troll Cross, a useful amulet to protect troll,s evil elves, and dark magic. When Vikings worn this symbol with themselves, they believed that chances of falling into danger significantly decreased.

This is a shoulder tattoo of Huginn and Muninn, Odin’s twin ravens perched on Thor’s hammer with the symbol of the Valknut, in between these two ravens. This is a black and gray creation of these two powerful creatures, presented in shades of black with touches of gray for the highlights of the feathers,

This is a modern minimalist design of the twin ravens of Odin, who look like they are just about to leave the Asgard to go about their daily duties for the Allfather. Huginn and Muninn represent two complementing elements of the mind. One delivers sensible and logical thinking, the other embodies desire, will, passion and enthusiasm. One cannot exist with the other. I like to think that we all have two invisible ravens, one on each shoulder. And it is our duty to keep them both well fed and healthy. If one of them starves, it will fly away. This means that while we need to stay sensible and thoughtful of our life choices, we also need passion, desire and dreams for the future.

The two elegant ravens on striking chest piece drawn as identical twins, intersecting with overlapping patterns, A black and gray creation of this ravens, Huginn and Muninn, eyes and ears of Odin, believe to represent Odin himself. 

The ravens in trash polka style of tattooing in classic black and gray. Its main theme if freedom as expressed at the center of the piece. The birds look faded but realistically filled and shaded, blended and contoured to add definition and dimension. This is custom made for this canvas and drawn freehand most of time.

A rich black small rendition of Odin’s ravens on an arm inked in black with only the eyes spots were allocated for negative. These twin birds look strikingly haunting and mysterious against the pale skin of the human canvas. The feathers are intricately detailed with micro scallop shapes and fine lines, for texture.

Thor’s Mjölnir, a magic hammer of unequalled quality, of formidable power, never missing its target and always coming back into the hands of its owner after being launched This symbol is carried around and worn to invoke the god of thunder and war’s protection from all evil. These two ravens, Huginn and Muninn, being the Allfather’s source of information would fly all over Midgard, the comeback by the end of the day. These ravens ultimately represent Odin himself. A stunning tattoo of the twin ravens, Mjölnir and the ash tree. 

Huginn and Muninn tattooed on a shoulder, these ravens are drawn darkly against a background of Celtic knot symbols in shades of gray. These twin ravens seem to be paying attention at the same sequence but with two different reactions. One is calm and collected, the other is emotional and passionate. The shades of black on their feathers are stunningly blended while the dash of highlight is cleverly done to add texture into the illustration.

Odin’s tattoo with his ravens in a classic and timeless piece of black and gray. This is such a stunning creation of the Allfather, in a realistic portrait with his raven covering his left eye dripping in blood. This is a deeply emotional piece since it’s his wolf and ravens who are comforting the hurt god.

Huginn and Muninn are the twin ravens of the god of wisdom, Odin, delicately perched on the chest of this gentleman. Every morning they left to see what was happening all over the world, and at sunset they flew back to Odin to rest on his shoulders, whispering in his ears all that they had seen. On this account they also symbolize secret knowledge.

This chest piece is comprised of Odin’s two beautiful ravens, Huginn and Muninn, I like to think that we all have two invisible ravens, one on each shoulder. And it is our duty to keep them both well fed and healthy. If one of them starves, the other will fade. This means that while we need to stay sensible and thoughtful of our life choices, we also need passion, desire and dreams for the future. Both Huginn and Muninn whisper in our ears, and we need to listen to them both.

One of the best examples of trash polka using the Odin’s ravens as the concept. That these two angels can travel to Midgard to scout the mankind and update the Allfather of the day to day events, good or bad. The raven is an iconic and magical creature in the Viking world.