Traditionally the owl represents wisdom and knowledge, dating back to Greek Antiquity and Biblical times.    Their prodigious, unblinking eyesight, sharp beak, and nocturnal nature helps the owl’s popularity for being brought to life by small tattoo.   While sometimes seen as an omen of death, small owl body art runs the gamut from grim darkness, to photo realism, and even cartoon cuteness in design.   The following top 51 small owl tattoo ideas will give you a glimpse of the bird’s versatility and provide you with inspiration for planning your next tattoo choice. 

See more about - The Top 51 Awesome Small Tattoo Ideas

See more about - Top 97+ Owl Tattoo Ideas

  1. Small Owl Back Tattoo Designs Source: @alber.haupt via Instagram Source: @alicia_casale via Instagram Source: @blackinkcuernavaca via Instagram Source: @elias_vader via Instagram Source: @inktologietattoo_luxembourg via Instagram Source: @josimarliere via Instagram Source: @mv_tattooer via Instagram Source: @tatt2_raider via Instagram Source: @x_onetattoo via Instagram
  2. Ankle and Lower Leg Small Owl Tattoo Ideas  Source: @brickartist119 via Instagram Source: @eviljoe65 via Instagram Source: @nachdiaz_tattoo via Instagram Source: @nutdub via Instagram Source: @tattooist_peace via Instagram Source: @veronikarupf via Instagram
  3. Black and Gray Small Owl Tattoo Art Source: @feketetattoo via Instagram Source: @inksano.hv via Instagram Source: @josevillasanatattoo via Instagram Source: @juliebrdtattoo via Instagram Source: @luckylamztattoo via Instagram Source: @matheuslansky.tattoo via Instagram Source: @mr.jones.tattoo via Instagram Source: @rungbin.kp via Instagram
  4. Colorful Small Owl Tattoos Source: @chriscurtistattoos via Instagram Source: @franco.iemma.tattooer via Instagram Source: @ghostyle_alex via Instagram Source: @jayblack666 via Instagram Source: @mademoiselle_hirondelle via Instagram Source: @natantattoo.pl via Instagram Source: @specchiotattoo via Instagram
  5. Small Owl Tattoos on the Forearm Source: @bob_tattoo00 via Instagram Source: @jason.ink via Instagram Source: @kaser_ink via Instagram Source: @kemeltattoo via Instagram Source: @liquid_ink_tattoo via Instagram Source: @pirates_tattooz via Instagram Source: @taratattoo09 via Instagram
  6. Realistic Small Owl Tattoo Ideas Source: @casedb via Instagram Source: @damadlanoche via Instagram Source: @david_dagger_ via Instagram Source: @franck_chasseing via Instagram Source: @soloarttattoos via Instagram Source: @cenricocampi via Instagram Source: @annafelkatattoo via Instagram
  7. Small Owl Shoulder Body Art Source: @agami_ink via Instagram Source: @ammar_wakil via Instagram Source: @modifikarte via Instagram Source: @mois_arttattoo via Instagram Source: @sadidgarcia via Instagram Source: @el_tito_elias via Instagram Source: @antonia.tattoo via Instagram
  8. Upper Arm Small Owl Tattoos Source: @blackbirdstattooer via Instagram Source: @diego_buddhatattoo via Instagram Source: @lotus_drops via InstagramSource: @cams_ink_1331 via Instagram Source: @nadoo_tattoo via Instagram Source: @rodmaj.ca via Instagram Source: @studioinkwell via Instagram Source: @tats_by_tyler via Instagram Source: @tony_mclaurin via Instagram Source: @zach.hall_tattoos via Instagram Source: @carllito_tattoo via Instagram

Traditionally the owl represents wisdom and knowledge, dating back to Greek Antiquity and Biblical times.    Their prodigious, unblinking eyesight, sharp beak, and nocturnal nature helps the owl’s popularity for being brought to life by small tattoo.   While sometimes seen as an omen of death, small owl body art runs the gamut from grim darkness, to photo realism, and even cartoon cuteness in design.   The following top 51 small owl tattoo ideas will give you a glimpse of the bird’s versatility and provide you with inspiration for planning your next tattoo choice. 

See more about - The Top 51 Awesome Small Tattoo Ideas

See more about - Top 97+ Owl Tattoo Ideas

  1. Small Owl Back Tattoo Designs Source: @alber.haupt via Instagram Source: @alicia_casale via Instagram Source: @blackinkcuernavaca via Instagram Source: @elias_vader via Instagram Source: @inktologietattoo_luxembourg via Instagram Source: @josimarliere via Instagram Source: @mv_tattooer via Instagram Source: @tatt2_raider via Instagram Source: @x_onetattoo via Instagram
  2. Ankle and Lower Leg Small Owl Tattoo Ideas  Source: @brickartist119 via Instagram Source: @eviljoe65 via Instagram Source: @nachdiaz_tattoo via Instagram Source: @nutdub via Instagram Source: @tattooist_peace via Instagram Source: @veronikarupf via Instagram
  3. Black and Gray Small Owl Tattoo Art Source: @feketetattoo via Instagram Source: @inksano.hv via Instagram Source: @josevillasanatattoo via Instagram Source: @juliebrdtattoo via Instagram Source: @luckylamztattoo via Instagram Source: @matheuslansky.tattoo via Instagram Source: @mr.jones.tattoo via Instagram Source: @rungbin.kp via Instagram
  4. Colorful Small Owl Tattoos Source: @chriscurtistattoos via Instagram Source: @franco.iemma.tattooer via Instagram Source: @ghostyle_alex via Instagram Source: @jayblack666 via Instagram Source: @mademoiselle_hirondelle via Instagram Source: @natantattoo.pl via Instagram Source: @specchiotattoo via Instagram
  5. Small Owl Tattoos on the Forearm Source: @bob_tattoo00 via Instagram Source: @jason.ink via Instagram Source: @kaser_ink via Instagram Source: @kemeltattoo via Instagram Source: @liquid_ink_tattoo via Instagram Source: @pirates_tattooz via Instagram Source: @taratattoo09 via Instagram
  6. Realistic Small Owl Tattoo Ideas Source: @casedb via Instagram Source: @damadlanoche via Instagram Source: @david_dagger_ via Instagram Source: @franck_chasseing via Instagram Source: @soloarttattoos via Instagram Source: @cenricocampi via Instagram Source: @annafelkatattoo via Instagram
  7. Small Owl Shoulder Body Art Source: @agami_ink via Instagram Source: @ammar_wakil via Instagram Source: @modifikarte via Instagram Source: @mois_arttattoo via Instagram Source: @sadidgarcia via Instagram Source: @el_tito_elias via Instagram Source: @antonia.tattoo via Instagram
  8. Upper Arm Small Owl Tattoos Source: @blackbirdstattooer via Instagram Source: @diego_buddhatattoo via Instagram Source: @lotus_drops via InstagramSource: @cams_ink_1331 via Instagram Source: @nadoo_tattoo via Instagram Source: @rodmaj.ca via Instagram Source: @studioinkwell via Instagram Source: @tats_by_tyler via Instagram Source: @tony_mclaurin via Instagram Source: @zach.hall_tattoos via Instagram Source: @carllito_tattoo via Instagram

Traditionally the owl represents wisdom and knowledge, dating back to Greek Antiquity and Biblical times.   

Their prodigious, unblinking eyesight, sharp beak, and nocturnal nature helps the owl’s popularity for being brought to life by small tattoo.  

While sometimes seen as an omen of death, small owl body art runs the gamut from grim darkness, to photo realism, and even cartoon cuteness in design.  

The following top 51 small owl tattoo ideas will give you a glimpse of the bird’s versatility and provide you with inspiration for planning your next tattoo choice. 

See more about - The Top 51 Awesome Small Tattoo Ideas

See more about - Top 97+ Owl Tattoo Ideas

1. Small Owl Back Tattoo Designs

Source: @alber.haupt via Instagram

Source: @alicia_casale via Instagram

Source: @blackinkcuernavaca via Instagram

Source: @elias_vader via Instagram

Source: @inktologietattoo_luxembourg via Instagram

Source: @josimarliere via Instagram

Source: @mv_tattooer via Instagram

Source: @tatt2_raider via Instagram

Source: @x_onetattoo via Instagram

2. Ankle and Lower Leg Small Owl Tattoo Ideas 

Source: @brickartist119 via Instagram

Source: @eviljoe65 via Instagram

Source: @nachdiaz_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @nutdub via Instagram

Source: @tattooist_peace via Instagram

Source: @veronikarupf via Instagram

3. Black and Gray Small Owl Tattoo Art

Source: @feketetattoo via Instagram

Source: @inksano.hv via Instagram

Source: @josevillasanatattoo via Instagram

Source: @juliebrdtattoo via Instagram

Source: @luckylamztattoo via Instagram

Source: @matheuslansky.tattoo via Instagram

Source: @mr.jones.tattoo via Instagram

Source: @rungbin.kp via Instagram

4. Colorful Small Owl Tattoos

Source: @chriscurtistattoos via Instagram

Source: @franco.iemma.tattooer via Instagram

Source: @ghostyle_alex via Instagram

Source: @jayblack666 via Instagram

Source: @mademoiselle_hirondelle via Instagram

Source: @natantattoo.pl via Instagram

Source: @specchiotattoo via Instagram

5. Small Owl Tattoos on the Forearm

Source: @bob_tattoo00 via Instagram

Source: @jason.ink via Instagram

Source: @kaser_ink via Instagram

Source: @kemeltattoo via Instagram

Source: @liquid_ink_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @pirates_tattooz via Instagram

Source: @taratattoo09 via Instagram

6. Realistic Small Owl Tattoo Ideas

Source: @casedb via Instagram

Source: @damadlanoche via Instagram

Source: @david_dagger_ via Instagram

Source: @franck_chasseing via Instagram

Source: @soloarttattoos via Instagram

Source: @cenricocampi via Instagram

Source: @annafelkatattoo via Instagram

7. Small Owl Shoulder Body Art

Source: @agami_ink via Instagram

Source: @ammar_wakil via Instagram

Source: @modifikarte via Instagram

Source: @mois_arttattoo via Instagram

Source: @sadidgarcia via Instagram

Source: @el_tito_elias via Instagram

Source: @antonia.tattoo via Instagram

8. Upper Arm Small Owl Tattoos

Source: @blackbirdstattooer via Instagram

Source: @diego_buddhatattoo via Instagram

Source: @lotus_drops via InstagramSource: @cams_ink_1331 via Instagram

Source: @nadoo_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @rodmaj.ca via Instagram

Source: @studioinkwell via Instagram

Source: @tats_by_tyler via Instagram

Source: @tony_mclaurin via Instagram

Source: @zach.hall_tattoos via Instagram

Source: @carllito_tattoo via Instagram

See more about - The Top 51 Awesome Small Tattoo Ideas

See more about - Top 97+ Owl Tattoo Ideas

                        What does a small owl tattoo symbolize?

The owl symbolizes wisdom and knowledge. In Greek mythology the owl was linked to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and strategy. An owl sat on Athena’s blind side to protect the goddess so that she could always see the truth. Owls were also mentioned in the Christian Bible as symbols of intelligence. 

                        Where should I place my small owl tattoo? 

Owls are versatile in style of tattoo and in positioning. They are popular in traditional placements, such as the back, shoulder, arm, chest and lower leg. The increase in visible tattoo depictions over the past twenty years mean that areas once considered risky are being utilized for small tattoos. The neck, hands, wrist, ankle and foot, and the ribcage and side are growing in popularity as they can remain uncovered or be hidden effectively.

                        Why are owls popular small tattoo designs?

Some of the mannerisms that make owls a popular small tattoo motif includes:  

Different types of owls make interesting contrasts in application ideas such as the barn owl, snowy owl, or even the tawny frog mouth  With the ability to turn their heads up to 270 degrees, they can quite literally see in almost every direction without moving their body an inch   Their soft feathers and fringes muffle sound to near silence but are great for use in tattoo due to the different texture, linework, and shading possibilities   Owls eyes are large, glowing orbs that can be brought to life by a talented tattoo artist looking to convey a range of meanings with the creature’s look  Owls are versatile – they can be captured via realism, in cartoon/cute mode, or even as staples of American Traditional and Neo traditional tattoo styles

                        Are owls considered bad luck?

In tribal cultures owls are linked with death. They could be considered an omen of oncoming loss of life.  In the East they are considered good, protective Feng Shui. Owls are popular in the world of tattoo as a motif linked to wisdom and intelligence or to reflect the acquisition of knowledge or skills.  With the ability to see in the darkness, owls represent the idea of seeing beyond illusion, masks and deception, or to showcase the power of seeing someone’s true state of mind while uncovering all the dark, hidden secrets.

                        What does a small owl tattoo symbolize?

The owl symbolizes wisdom and knowledge. In Greek mythology the owl was linked to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and strategy. An owl sat on Athena’s blind side to protect the goddess so that she could always see the truth. Owls were also mentioned in the Christian Bible as symbols of intelligence. 

The owl symbolizes wisdom and knowledge. In Greek mythology the owl was linked to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and strategy.

An owl sat on Athena’s blind side to protect the goddess so that she could always see the truth. Owls were also mentioned in the Christian Bible as symbols of intelligence. 

                        Where should I place my small owl tattoo? 

Owls are versatile in style of tattoo and in positioning. They are popular in traditional placements, such as the back, shoulder, arm, chest and lower leg. The increase in visible tattoo depictions over the past twenty years mean that areas once considered risky are being utilized for small tattoos. The neck, hands, wrist, ankle and foot, and the ribcage and side are growing in popularity as they can remain uncovered or be hidden effectively.

Owls are versatile in style of tattoo and in positioning. They are popular in traditional placements, such as the back, shoulder, arm, chest and lower leg.

The increase in visible tattoo depictions over the past twenty years mean that areas once considered risky are being utilized for small tattoos.

The neck, hands, wrist, ankle and foot, and the ribcage and side are growing in popularity as they can remain uncovered or be hidden effectively.

                        Why are owls popular small tattoo designs?

Some of the mannerisms that make owls a popular small tattoo motif includes:  

Different types of owls make interesting contrasts in application ideas such as the barn owl, snowy owl, or even the tawny frog mouth  With the ability to turn their heads up to 270 degrees, they can quite literally see in almost every direction without moving their body an inch   Their soft feathers and fringes muffle sound to near silence but are great for use in tattoo due to the different texture, linework, and shading possibilities   Owls eyes are large, glowing orbs that can be brought to life by a talented tattoo artist looking to convey a range of meanings with the creature’s look  Owls are versatile – they can be captured via realism, in cartoon/cute mode, or even as staples of American Traditional and Neo traditional tattoo styles

Some of the mannerisms that make owls a popular small tattoo motif includes:  

  • Different types of owls make interesting contrasts in application ideas such as the barn owl, snowy owl, or even the tawny frog mouth

  • With the ability to turn their heads up to 270 degrees, they can quite literally see in almost every direction without moving their body an inch

  • Their soft feathers and fringes muffle sound to near silence but are great for use in tattoo due to the different texture, linework, and shading possibilities

  • Owls eyes are large, glowing orbs that can be brought to life by a talented tattoo artist looking to convey a range of meanings with the creature’s look

  • Owls are versatile – they can be captured via realism, in cartoon/cute mode, or even as staples of American Traditional and Neo traditional tattoo styles

                         Are owls considered bad luck?

In tribal cultures owls are linked with death. They could be considered an omen of oncoming loss of life.  In the East they are considered good, protective Feng Shui. Owls are popular in the world of tattoo as a motif linked to wisdom and intelligence or to reflect the acquisition of knowledge or skills.  With the ability to see in the darkness, owls represent the idea of seeing beyond illusion, masks and deception, or to showcase the power of seeing someone’s true state of mind while uncovering all the dark, hidden secrets.

In tribal cultures owls are linked with death. They could be considered an omen of oncoming loss of life. 

In the East they are considered good, protective Feng Shui. Owls are popular in the world of tattoo as a motif linked to wisdom and intelligence or to reflect the acquisition of knowledge or skills. 

With the ability to see in the darkness, owls represent the idea of seeing beyond illusion, masks and deception, or to showcase the power of seeing someone’s true state of mind while uncovering all the dark, hidden secrets.