This is a lovely design that uses an American traditional style to create a simple but pleasing tattoo. The bold line work and limited color palette are staples of this style and are put to great use here. The consistency of the line work is outstanding: the outline is smooth and clean; it looks like it could have been a single line pulled in one pass. The color gradation in the bird is excellent as well and adds a level of texture that perfectly captures the appearance of feathers. The use of negative space for highlights and the densely packed color creates contrast without sacrificing the simple, elegant appeal of the American traditional style.

Deer Tattoo FAQs

What does a deer tattoo symbolize?

Deer thrive around the globe, from the Scottish Highlands to the rainforests of South East Asia, and everywhere they are found they are incorporated into the myths and cultures of the local peoples. For many, deer represent the strength and majesty of nature; they are powerful guardians of the natural world.

Male deer, with their large antlers and the battles that they engage in during rut, have also come to represent virility and leadership. They are thought of as spiritual advisors in some Native American traditions and often represent regeneration due to the way their antlers fall off and are regrown throughout their lives. For others, deer represent the peace and harmony of the natural world as well as the importance of recognizing this interconnectedness.  

These powerful creatures are chosen as the subjects for tattoos for many of these characteristics that they represent, along with other reasons more personal to the individual. Whatever they may symbolize to different people, these majestic animals make for great tattoos.