Traditional Eagle Tattoo Meaning
I believe it would be accurate to say that an eagle tattoo is probably the most traditional tattoo to exist.
It is such a classic piece and yet, never gets old!
Eagles have been such a big piece of traditional tattooing, specifically American traditional and old school tattooing.
History of Traditional Eagle Tattoo
According to Trent Aitken-Smith’s tattoo dictionary, the Eagle is often associated with the sky god and the ancient greco-roman god Zeus/Jupiter had an eagle named Aquila, who carried his thunderbolts and
his messages.
Traditional Eagle tattoos were closely related to American military tattoos until the 30s and 40s, when Sailor Jerry popularised the design.
They are often tattooed in black and grey, bold lined and, if tattooed in colour, stay limited to three colours, such as green, red and gold.
Symbolism of Traditional Eagle Tattoo
Eagle are a symbol of strength, freedom, wisdom and power.
They soar high in the sky and can also be associated to guidance and clarity.
Traditional eagle tattoos can vary in meaning depending on the presentation and the type of eagle:
a flying eagle represents freedom, spiritual growth, wisdom and strength.
a perched eagle represents health, energy and protection.
a snake and eagle can represent conflict and opposition
The usual eagle tattoo is an American bald eagle, but there are plenty of other eagles that make timeless tattoos.
For example, the Australian Wedge-tailed eagle can represent deep spiritual connection, and, in Aboriginal culture, the protector.
Getting a Traditional Eagle Tattoo
Eagles are one of the most classic traditional tattoos you can get. They are fantastic as big pieces, stand alone pieces or as a Battle Royale tattoo, blending eagles, snakes and dragons.
They are also a great option as coverup tattoos, I myself have an eagle on my inner forearm that coverups an old tattoo.
They are very versatile when it comes to positioning on the body as they can fit flat areas of the body, such as the back and the chest, but can also look wonderful on curved spaces such as the arms and legs.
If you’ve been thinking about getting a traditional eagle tattoo, look no further! We offer free face to face consultations and all of our tattoos are custom drawn for each client. Click here to book in.
