The wolf animal tattoo is symbolic of strength, power, grace, and protection entwined with elements of duality due to the wolf’s ferocity and cunning.

A cool wolf tattoo is a great way to display strength, familial loyalty and devotion, or replicate elements of personality. For others, a wolf tattoo can be part of dreams, aspirations, or be associated with the moon.

In Aitken Smith’s Tattoo Dictionary the wolf is seen in fairy tales as “manipulative, cunning, and resourceful, but warriors use the wolf as a symbol of ingenuity, strength, courage, and power.” 

The wolf is a pack animal. For every lone wolf on the prowl, there are 10 more who work within their family unit, and this concept makes for compelling wolf totem body art and is included in our list of the 50+ best tattoo ideas.

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Tribal Tattoo and Cultural Meaning

Wolves are a powerful animal totem in tattoo art and a heavily used focus of tribal tattoo, especially from cultures with a warrior background, such as the Celts, Norse, and Native American cultures.

Intellect, resourcefulness and the notion of family, fierce loyalty, and communication are key values that are demonstrated by a tribal wolf tattoo design, although the lone wolf tattoo concept is also popular for these predominantly black ink designs

1. Traditional Tribal Wolf Tattoo

A simple tribal wolf tattoo is capable of communicating power and intense fury. The wolf symbol forges an unbreakable kinship with the characteristics of the creature and elements of human personality.

There are countless mythological and arcane connotations attached to the wolf meaning, adding layers of symbolism when expressing your tribal tattoo.

2. Norse Wolf Tattoo Meanings

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The Vikings had great respect for the wolves of the forest, with many involved in traditional folklore and tales. They were often portrayed as violent but strong characters with a wolf tattoo representing family, strength, and courage.