In the world of tattoo art, there are popular elements whose relevance and attachment by people has peen passed generation to generation. It gave them the air of importance that cannot be avoided. Most of these elements are found nature. There are animals, birds, flowers, and even insects that we, humans, find a necessary part of our ecosystem. For others, it goes deeper with their religions and mythical beliefs. Under the bird category, we’ve seen doves, peacocks and parrots. But mysterious crow tattoo designs have also made it to the list of accepted tattoos.
Crow tattoos, in particular, have lots of tales and meaning behind their hundreds of designs eliciting lots of emotions and interests whenever drawn on one’s body. Compared to most of the popular birds the crow can be said to be the dullest given its color. And yet, the irony of it all is that it has continued to be one of the most tattooed designs. Is it just because of its black color and the fact that most people have their tattoos in black ink? Below is an overview of why the crow holds so many symbols and deserves a spot in your next tattoo session.
All About Crows
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Crows are generally a species of black birds mostly known by their loud and harsh ‘caw’. These birds are found in most parts of the world. Several scientific studies say that there are over 40 species of this bird spread across the globe. The most common species are the Ravens, American crow, Australian crow, rook, fish crow, carrion crow, and Mexican crow. There are also many others with popularity depending on your country of origin. Despite their large family of species, crows have common characteristics which have been proven to be true over the years.
One such mutually agreed upon fact is that crows are one of the most intelligent birds. They have very rare abilities and skills.
For example a crow is perfectly able to identify a human face. Many studies show that they actually do not forget a face they have encountered. Next time you happen to meet a crow you might want to be nice. Wel,, unless you want a bird holding a grudge against you. According to a detail biology discovery by John Marzluff, it is not just the single crow that will have a negative feeling about you. Apparently, it will warn the others whenever it notices your presence.
Crows also have problem-solving skills as they can analyze a situation and make interpretations about it. We have all heart of the story of a crow picking marbles and placing them in a jar that had little water until it rises to a level where they can have a drink. This might not just be another story. Now we have YouTube videos showing them doing precisely that with tubes containing food or water.
Crows as a Group
Crows can either live as a solitary bird. But they can also live in a group which can grow to be very large if they find an undisturbed habitat. These birds, as a group, are known murder. They also have this unusual habit of surrounding a dead crow and making lots of high pitched nose. This has been translated as mourning. They also try to observe the dead during this period trying to figure out the cause of death.
The collective gang power and unity. Crows have been known to deal with predators as a group. They’d be gathering themselves and then swooping over the unwanted guest at a go. When at this they use their beaks and claws causing serious injuries to a predator.
Finally, crows can use tools. Crows can find the use of the object after a period of exposure. This has actually been proven both in laboratory experiments and in their natural environments. Ravens have been known to use sticks to get something they want. Or they can masterly conceal food they have kept for the future.
Traditional Meaning of Crows
In different cultures crows have different meanings making them a bird of contrast to many. In most communities in the west, crows are known to be signs of bad omen and a symbol of witches. However, in other regions (mostly nomadic tribes), they are associated with good fortune. Olden civilizations like the Greeks, Romans, Celtics, and Chinese use these birds as a special symbol. Often, this is in line with their various mythologies. Crows are known as symbol of various gods and goddesses of these cultures.
Thus, crows do not really have a rather solidified meaning because of how every culture looks at it differently. People often get multiple ideas about them as they can’t mutually agree upon just one meaning.
What ravens mean
The winning point for Ravens is that they have found a way into traditional stories about creation. There are some communities that believe Earth was created by a Raven. According to the legend, the raven dropped stones on the sea to create the lands we know of today. They are therefore high in the hierarchy of man’s creation a gift from the gods.
Still, others view this mysterious creature as a messenger of God who brought gifts from heaven to earth for man. Of course, that includes the sun, the moon, and stars.
On the contrary, some other tribes believe ravens are symbols of the underworld. They believe that if you dream about ravens, it’s like having a communication from the dead. This theory might have came from the old days of battles. Ravens would just swoop in the field where the rotting flesh are. They’d then eat the decomposing bodies.
The infamous Edgar Allen Poe made this idea more alive through his poem about Ravens. It shows how they have a connection to the dark side and afterlife. But their presence on the battlefield also has some positive side. Some European communities regarded them as guardians of the lost souls.
Ideas on fabulous crow tattoos
Art is limitless and cannot be defined by a static and specified object. Instead it should be replicable having various forms that one can relate to. This is evident from the hundreds of ways individuals have found as their own ways of having a crow tattoo on their body.
Here are some exciting crow tattoo ideas to inspire your next ink:
3D crow tattoos
Nothing says style more than this modern way of having a crow tattoo in a near lifelike manner. Most people opt to have 3D crow tattoos in areas that are easily visible. It makes it easier to give this trending design the realistic feel it deserves. There are several fascinating ways to have a 3D crow tattoo such as one ready to fly away, one in motion with wings and claws outstretched, or getting playful with one that is peeping from over your shoulders.
Most people who have 3D crow tattoos opt for large-sized ones as they completely bring out the full power of this bird. If you are considering getting one, you’ll want to choose a bigger place. This helps so your lifelike crow tattoo won’t look as if it was squeezed on you.
A crow plus flowers
A combination of a full grown crow and flowers especially roses is one to die for with its attraction calling on you each time. The most befitting idea is to have a calm crow which can be majestically standing on a branch surrounded by roses blending seamlessly to its environment. You could also go for a crow carrying roses on its beak as a symbol of love and harmony.
These are not the only ways to play around with a crow and flower design. You can always use any other colored petals to give the tattoo more vibrancy. If you are into flowers, you can also make them the main attraction. Drawing them in full bloom and then having the crow bring the piercing effect with its black color.
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Crows and trees
Crows are known to live in large trees. And it might be all you need to show how much you embrace the simplicity and essence of simple living. You can have the crows either perched on the tree, swirling around it or some just landing a huge and dry tree will do the trick. The bare and large tree has been interpreted as a symbol of emptiness. However, the strength to stand firm with the crows being the life it has, offers or sustains.
This can also be a representation of what most refer to as the dark side as trees with a large population of crows was where witches went to seek more powers and perform their spells. If Gothic is what describes you, then this is the tattoo you need.
Crows and a wolf or a butterfly
The crow and wolf tattoo combination is for the fearless who are not afraid to make known their stand and strengths. You can have the wolf, and the crow facing each other on your chest or have one on each arm so when put together completes the picture.
For those who have a soft side but with a touch of daringness and crazy can have the crow and butterfly tattoo. One of the best ideas is to have a large butterfly with one of the wings breaking down to a number of ravens.
Colored crows
Have a screaming crow not in its traditional black color but with a touch of bright colors for a gentler touch even as the tattoo represents a struggle. The color can also be used to break the misconception about the dark side associated with crows giving them a more admirable design.
Traditional crows
Ancient mythologies still have a space in your body art with crows which are integral parts of these stories. It could be a representation of the two Odin ravens (Huginn and Muninn) for those interested in the Norse mythology to showcase thought and intuition.
For those who are into Greek mythology, you can have a crow tattoo as a representation of the messengers from Apollo. Traditional crow tattoos can also be a mix of a warrior and a tattoo as wise spirit guides connecting the living to the afterlife.
Skulls and crows
Crows are said to possess the ability to travel through different dimensions, and a firm statement on this is a tattoo of a crow holding a skull or on the alternative having a full skeleton with the head of a crow for a more artistic design. This tattoo expresses the leading of souls through the darkness which though can look very disturbing has an unusual calmness and depth of conveying a message.
The shape-shifting crow
The crow can be tattooed in a hip way as a pixelated tattoo with its body looking like a piece of broken glass. It is a great show of creativity and originality of idea plus it makes the crow a bird of wonder give its many shapes.
The trusted helper and companion
This crow tattoo is mostly on the arms and can be made to extend to the chest for a more personal connection. The crow representing a companion is usually long-winged to symbolize a cover for all things one faces while maintaining a silent gazing face. You can have one in your foot or leg if you cannot have one on your arm or chest.
The most daring ones have the trusted helper crow tattoo on their head mostly just above the ear. The head tattoo can be smaller-sized or large enough to cover one end of the head depending on how much you are willing to have.
Apart from these popular crow tattoos, there are many other ways to outline these birds to elicit any emotion you want. You can always delve deeper into your thoughts to get the right imagery of a crow you feel represents your true self and have it artistically made a part of your body art. With crows, there are no limitations on how far outside the box you can think and still have a tattoo that years from now will always make you feel appreciated.
