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Top 50+ Best Small Owl Tattoo Ideas – [2021 Inspiration Guide]
Traditionally the owl represents wisdom and knowledge, dating back to Greek Antiquity and Biblical times.
Their prodigious, unblinking eyesight, sharp beak, and nocturnal nature helps the owl’s popularity for being brought to life by small tattoo.
While sometimes seen as an omen of death, small owl body art runs the gamut from grim darkness, to photo realism, and even cartoon cuteness in design.
The following top 51 small owl tattoo ideas will give you a glimpse of the bird’s versatility and provide you with inspiration for planning your next tattoo choice.
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1. Small Owl Back Tattoo Designs
Source: @alber.haupt via Instagram
Source: @alicia_casale via Instagram
Source: @blackinkcuernavaca via Instagram
Source: @elias_vader via Instagram
Source: @inktologietattoo_luxembourg via Instagram
Source: @josimarliere via Instagram
Source: @mv_tattooer via Instagram
Source: @tatt2_raider via Instagram
Source: @x_onetattoo via Instagram
2. Ankle and Lower Leg Small Owl Tattoo Ideas
Source: @brickartist119 via Instagram
Source: @eviljoe65 via Instagram
Source: @nachdiaz_tattoo via Instagram
Source: @nutdub via Instagram
Source: @tattooist_peace via Instagram
Source: @veronikarupf via Instagram
3. Black and Gray Small Owl Tattoo Art
Source: @feketetattoo via Instagram
Source: @inksano.hv via Instagram
Source: @josevillasanatattoo via Instagram
Source: @juliebrdtattoo via Instagram
Source: @luckylamztattoo via Instagram
Source: @matheuslansky.tattoo via Instagram
Source: @mr.jones.tattoo via Instagram
Source: @rungbin.kp via Instagram
4. Colorful Small Owl Tattoos
Source: @chriscurtistattoos via Instagram
Source: @franco.iemma.tattooer via Instagram
Source: @ghostyle_alex via Instagram
Source: @jayblack666 via Instagram
Source: @mademoiselle_hirondelle via Instagram
Source: @natantattoo.pl via Instagram
Source: @specchiotattoo via Instagram
5. Small Owl Tattoos on the Forearm
Source: @bob_tattoo00 via Instagram
Source: @jason.ink via Instagram
Source: @kaser_ink via Instagram
Source: @kemeltattoo via Instagram
Source: @liquid_ink_tattoo via Instagram
Source: @pirates_tattooz via Instagram
Source: @taratattoo09 via Instagram
6. Realistic Small Owl Tattoo Ideas
Source: @casedb via Instagram
Source: @damadlanoche via Instagram
Source: @david_dagger_ via Instagram
Source: @franck_chasseing via Instagram
Source: @soloarttattoos via Instagram
Source: @cenricocampi via Instagram
Source: @annafelkatattoo via Instagram
7. Small Owl Shoulder Body Art
Source: @agami_ink via Instagram
Source: @ammar_wakil via Instagram
Source: @modifikarte via Instagram
Source: @mois_arttattoo via Instagram
Source: @sadidgarcia via Instagram
Source: @el_tito_elias via Instagram
Source: @antonia.tattoo via Instagram
8. Upper Arm Small Owl Tattoos
Source: @blackbirdstattooer via Instagram
Source: @diego_buddhatattoo via Instagram
Source: @lotus_drops via Instagram
Source: @cams_ink_1331 via Instagram
Source: @nadoo_tattoo via Instagram
Source: @rodmaj.ca via Instagram
Source: @studioinkwell via Instagram
Source: @tats_by_tyler via Instagram
Source: @tony_mclaurin via Instagram
Source: @zach.hall_tattoos via Instagram
Source: @carllito_tattoo via Instagram
Small Owl Tattoo FAQs
The owl symbolizes wisdom and knowledge. In Greek mythology the owl was linked to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and strategy.
An owl sat on Athena’s blind side to protect the goddess so that she could always see the truth. Owls were also mentioned in the Christian Bible as symbols of intelligence.
Owls are versatile in style of tattoo and in positioning. They are popular in traditional placements, such as the back, shoulder, arm, chest and lower leg.
The increase in visible tattoo depictions over the past twenty years mean that areas once considered risky are being utilized for small tattoos.
The neck, hands, wrist, ankle and foot, and the ribcage and side are growing in popularity as they can remain uncovered or be hidden effectively.
Some of the mannerisms that make owls a popular small tattoo motif includes:
- Different types of owls make interesting contrasts in application ideas such as the barn owl, snowy owl, or even the tawny frog mouth
- With the ability to turn their heads up to 270 degrees, they can quite literally see in almost every direction without moving their body an inch
- Their soft feathers and fringes muffle sound to near silence but are great for use in tattoo due to the different texture, linework, and shading possibilities
- Owls eyes are large, glowing orbs that can be brought to life by a talented tattoo artist looking to convey a range of meanings with the creature’s look
- Owls are versatile – they can be captured via realism, in cartoon/cute mode, or even as staples of American Traditional and Neo traditional tattoo styles
In tribal cultures owls are linked with death. They could be considered an omen of oncoming loss of life.
In the East they are considered good, protective Feng Shui. Owls are popular in the world of tattoo as a motif linked to wisdom and intelligence or to reflect the acquisition of knowledge or skills.
With the ability to see in the darkness, owls represent the idea of seeing beyond illusion, masks and deception, or to showcase the power of seeing someone’s true state of mind while uncovering all the dark, hidden secrets.
