What Does a Raven Tattoo Mean?

• Raven tattoos represent spiritual connection, or the relationship between the physical and spiritual realm.
• Raven tattoos may also symbolize guidance, protection, intelligence, wisdom, transformation, rebirth, or death.
• In Native American culture, ravens represent wisdom and trickery. In Celtic mythology, they're tied to death, while they’re considered spiritual messengers in Viking culture.

What does a raven tattoo symbolize?

Spiritual connection Due to their ability to soar into the skies, ravens are believed to be messengers between the physical and spiritual world. With this in mind, a raven tattoo may symbolize a deep connection to the divine or an interest in the supernatural.

Guidance and protection Ravens are incredibly family-oriented and protective birds. So, many people believe they watch over humans and offer guidance during tough times. A tattoo of a raven can be a symbol of guidance and protection against harm, bad luck, or evil spirits—especially for those trying to overcome adversity. A raven tattoo may also serve as spiritual guidance and protection. In the Bible, God uses a raven to bring Elijah bread and meat during difficult times, saving him from starvation.

Intelligence and wisdom Spiritually, ravens often represent cleverness. They’re part of the corvid family, which are considered some of the most intelligent birds around. Because of this, a raven tattoo could represent the owner’s ability to learn from their mistakes, deal with problems effectively, and make good decisions. A raven tattoo on a woman is believed to signify her wisdom, patience, and intellect.

Transformation and rebirth In many cultures, ravens are linked to change and new beginnings, probably due to their incredible adaptability and scavenging skills. A raven tattoo could be a reminder of personal growth, evolution, and the power of making positive changes in life.

Death Ravens are traditionally associated with death because they are carrion birds, or ones that feed on the flesh of dead animals. Despite this, getting a raven tattoo doesn't have to carry a morbid meaning—it can signify the death of a loved one or serve as a beautiful reminder to live life to the fullest. In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven,” a raven constantly repeats “nevermore” to the narrator, reminding him that he will never see a deceased loved one again or forget about them.

Raven Tattoo Design Ideas & Placement

Get a raven with a third eye if you’re interested in the supernatural. If you’re interested in developing your psychic powers, consider getting a tattoo of a raven with a third eye. It symbolizes your ability to see beyond material reality and reveal knowledge from the past, present, and future.

Opt for a Celtic-style raven tattoo with tribal elements. Celtic tattoos feature minimalist yet incredibly detailed designs. If your tattoo symbolizes protection, add a traditional Celtic knot next to your raven, or ask for intricate lines or patterns within the body of the raven.

Incorporate runes or other sacred motifs for a Viking-inspired tattoo. Viking tattoos are highly intricate and symbolic, often representing strength, courage, and protection. If you want a tattoo that conveys the rich history and culture of the Vikings, include symbols associated with Norse mythology, such as the Valknut, Helm of Awe, Vegvisir, or Yggdrasil. Many people get a tattoo of a raven sitting on top of a spear, as a nod to the Norse god Odin.

Throw in geometric shapes to complement your raven. For a bold statement, add triangles, circles, or rhombuses behind your raven to add dimension. A triangle is considered a symbol of enlightenment, making it the perfect shape if your tattoo represents intelligence or wisdom.

Add gothic elements to your raven for a “memento mori” tattoo. If your raven tattoo represents death, incorporate gothic imagery like skulls, clocks, hourglasses, or bloody arrows. This conveys the message that death is inevitable and it’s up to you to live in the present moment. Alternatively, add the name of a deceased loved one (or their date of passing) to honor their memory.

Stick to a tattoo of a single feather for a simple design. A tattoo of a raven feather holds the same meaning as a full raven, but it’s much more subtle and simple. If you can’t get a large tattoo because of your job or you just want a more classic looking one, a feather is a great option that will never go out of style!

Place your raven tattoo on a large area of your body to help it stand out. Since raven tattoos tend to be detailed, most people decide to put them on larger areas like their back, chest, shoulder, sleeve, or arms. Choosing the placement of a tattoo is extremely personal, though, so feel free to pick a smaller area for a subtle look, or talk to your tattoo artist to see what looks the best.

What does a raven mean in different cultures?

In Native American culture, ravens are symbols of wisdom and trickery. Many Northwestern tribes viewed the Raven as a heroic figure that had shape-shifting qualities. Because of this, shamans often called upon the Raven to help clarify their visions. The Raven was also seen as a trickster because he could be a bit foolish and impatient. Some tribes believed that the Raven created light. He possessed both positive and negative traits, symbolizing the balance between good and evil.

In Celtic mythology, ravens are linked to death. Ravens were tied to the Morrigan, the shape-shifting goddess of death, destiny, and battle. She often transformed into a raven on the battlefield, eating the flesh of fallen warriors. Because of this, Celtic warriors associated ravens with ill omens of death.

In Viking culture and Norse myths, ravens are spiritual messengers. Ravens were a respected symbol for Viking warriors because they were seen as messengers of the gods. Odin, the head of the Norse gods, had a pair of ravens named Hugin (thought) and Munin (memory). He had them travel the world and bring back information, so ravens were associated with wisdom and knowledge. If the Vikings saw a raven before battle, they believed that they would win.

In Greek mythology, ravens represent divination and prophecy. The raven was originally white and the messenger of Apollo, the Greek god of the sun. According to legend, the raven delivered the message that Apollo’s lover had cheated on him, so Apollo burnt the messenger raven out of rage, making it black in color.