A bird tattoo most often means freedom and flight.

There are an amazing amount of birds you can use in tattoo art, with meanings ranging from death and the macabre, to joy and happiness, but any flying bird tattoo, avian hunter, or cute profile is a piece meant to convey the flight of ideas and freedom of expression.

With so many possibilities for deeper exploration, your bird tattoo can have a broad meaning and be aesthetically inclined, or be specific to the application technique and traditional concept that you have created.

The article below explains how your bird tattoo meaning can create brilliant body art details 10 of the most popular bird choices. You will also find links throughout to some of our other articles on these subjects as well.

Wider Bird Symbolism in Tattoo Art

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The many types and styles of bird tattoo designs all communicate freedom and a yearning to fly.

When it comes to birds that soar across the open skies, it’s easy to look up and admire their free-spirited nature, and the chance to gaze down at everything while moving along with the wind. 

There are countless bird and feather tattoo design options that can appeal to all types of collectors, with each symbolizing unique concepts from different cultures and religions across the world.

A wider bird tattoo idea is truly versatile, with people choosing specific types, sizes, and styles of bird to create deeper symbolism in the design message.

What Does a Silhouetted Flock of Birds Tattoo Mean?

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Often, a simple yet effective way to express this traditional freedom in tattoo is to show a flock of birds in flight, escaping a cage, or at rest (such as on a wire).

Silhouettes are utilized as an application feature by the tattoo artist to fully realize the idea of freedom and movement without having to display heavy details in an otherwise small bird design.