Owls are classic symbols of wisdom. It’s Owl in Winnie the Pooh that leads the others when things go astray, and many other children’s cartoons portray teachers, for example, as owls.

The idiom “wise as an owl” has been around for a long time in American culture, and is a common symbol found in classic literature.

Interestingly, owls are not the smartest of birds; a study found that owls failed a cognitive test more often than other types of birds. Though some cultures actually associate the owl with foolishness, for example, the image of the wise owl probably comes from the Greek goddess Athena, who was often portrayed with an owl.

Still, owls are amazing enough within their own right. They are skillful hunters and masters of camouflage, swooping in on prey before they’re ever detected. Speaking of camouflage, you can often find skulls hidden within owl tattoo pieces.

In owl skull tattoos, the owl’s eyes are often sharp and forbidding looking rather than wide and wise. These tattoos make excellent chest or even torso pieces — especially with the wings spread at full span. This pose is powerful, conveying strength and evoking flight. An owl skull tattoo is impressive whether in color or black and white, no matter the size; it also looks edgy as a forearm tattoo.

Another stunning concept would be the skull of an owl itself. With its gaping eye sockets and curved beak, owl skulls can make a rebellious statement. See our collection of owl skull tattoos below.

See more about – Top 97+ Owl Tattoo Ideas