What does a paw tattoo mean? Animal paw tattoo.

0 If you are looking for a small but still incredibly meaningful tattoo, then consider getting a paw print on your body. Despite the simplicity, these tattoos are individual for each user, and are able to symbolize many things. Starting with a beloved pet, an individual character trait, to an idea of ​​an entire culture. Paw print tattoos are a great choice for many people.
However, before you continue, I would like to advise you to take a look at some of my educational tattoo news. For example, how to understand Ostrich Tattoo; what does Owl Tattoo mean; the meaning of the Panther Tattoo; what does the Parrot Tattoo mean, etc.
So let's continue Meaning of Paw Print Tattoo?

One way a paw print tattoo can have a particularly personal meaning is if the footprints memorialize your pet. Whether you have had a cat, dog, rabbit, bird, or lizard, you can make a paw print of this animal to imprint in the memory of your pet. As you get older, these paw prints of past pets can become a linked design, such as a shoulder or chest pattern. If you have a premonition of death, and as long as your beloved pet is still alive, you can personalize your tattoo even more. Just make a print of his paw by dipping it in paint, and then put it on a sheet of clean white paper, and take it to the tattoo artist. This will be quite enough to make a unique design out of this footprint. You can arrange paw prints along your back, thigh, or other part of your body.

paw print a particular animal can also symbolize certain characteristics of that creature that you want to embody. For example, in many Native American cultures, people are associated with their totem animal, many of them have paws that are perfect for tattoos. The wolf is especially notable in Native American culture, where it is considered the first animal to recognize and experience death, making it a symbol of the afterlife. Wolves are also known to be excellent protectors of their young, as well as being one of the most outgoing and expressive creatures.

For members gay community the bear paw print may symbolize the "bear" culture. Gay men who belong to this culture are often distinguished by their facial and body hair, and many of them are quite muscular and stocky. Although the bear is often seen as fierce and scary, gay bears are often quite kind, polite and friendly - but they will react if provoked!

More generally, the paw pattern on your body may indicate that you are trying to move forward, embrace change, and achieve your goals in life. Having a chain of paw prints along your leg can indicate your passion for running, and placing a paw tattoo on a scar can show that you are moving past this particularly painful occurrence in your life.

Paw prints are also a great way for mothers and fathers to represent their children. Getting a single footprint for each child, along with their first or last name, makes a cute design around the wrist or ankle - especially unique. You can also let your children contribute by having each footprint in the child's favorite color.

Paw print tattoo meaning

As described above, there are many different meanings attributed to paw tattoos and what they represent in a particular culture. In general, paw print tattoos represent the following meanings:

• Memories of a pet
• Movement / forward movement
• Member of "bear culture" in the gay community
• totem animal
• Ferocity
• Power and strength
• Children and their upbringing.

Common animal footprints

Paw print tattoo options

Dog paw print tattoo

Cat Paw Footprint Tattoo

wolf paw print tattoo

Bear paw print tattoo

Paw print tattoos for kids

Paw & Heart Tattoo

Paw print tattoos are a great choice for men and women, and their highly customizable design means you can work with a tattoo artist to make sure your paw print or series of paw prints is completely unique. For a custom design, you can visit our "tattoo" category for more ideas.

By reading this post, you have learned Paw print tattoo meaning and now you can make your final choice.

The paw print tattoo, the sketches of which are presented below, looks quite cute and funny. It is not surprising that many decorate their bodies with similar tattoos. But what can they mean and in what styles can such tattoos be done? The answers are waiting for you in this article!

Values

The tattoos to which the article is devoted look as if an animal has walked on the skin, soiling its paws in ink or paint. It looks pretty funny and cute. Depending on the execution of the paw print tattoo, the meaning of which is described below, can be filled with different meanings:

• paws of pets, such as cats or dogs, can indicate affection for one's pet;
• sometimes paw prints are made in memory of a dead pet. In this case, the tattoo can be supplemented with inscriptions or dates of life;
• traces of bird paws are made if a person wants to emphasize his love for freedom. Indeed, due to their ability to fly, birds are considered a symbol of free temper and the desire to get rid of shackles and conventions;
• traces of tigers, wolves and bears are made by representatives of the strong half of humanity who want to further emphasize their strong, independent character.

Finally, paw prints are simply a cute motif that emphasizes the sense of humor and creativity of the tattoo wearer.

Advice! Paw print tattoos, photos of which you can see in the article, have been very popular in recent years. You should not copy someone else's tattoo: ask the master to help you find a unique idea that will make the work unique.

Performance style

Usually tattoos with paws are made in the blackwork style, that is, the master simply fills in the contours of the footprint with black pigment. Such tattoos are performed quickly enough, so such a sketch is often chosen by people who come to the tattoo parlor for the first time and are afraid that they will not withstand a long session. However, such tattoos have long become mainstream, so it is advisable to find a new interesting idea.

Tattoos with paw marks look very stylish, in which a realistic image of the animal that left this mark is inscribed. Of course, such paw tattoos must be large enough, otherwise the master will not be able to convey all the details of the drawing.

You can make graphic traces that are complemented by geometric elements. This option looks quite memorable and unusual.

Traces can gradually change their shape, turning into the outline of an animal, into leaves or into any other element: it all depends solely on your imagination and the idea that you put into your tattoo.

Finally, you can ask the master to make "melting" traces: the first one will be quite clear, and the last one will be almost imperceptible. Usually such tattoos are done in the dot-work style.

Advice! If you are very afraid of pain during a tattoo session, ask the master to apply a cream with analgesics to your skin. True, this issue needs to be clarified in advance: such funds are not used in all tattoo parlors.

Place of application

Paw print tattoos are usually quite compact in size, so they can be applied to almost any part of the body. Such tattoos can decorate the collarbone, wrist, and even be applied behind the ear. Works that contain realistic elements or involve a lot of small details should be large. This will allow the master to convey all the nuances of the selected sketch. In addition, tiny works that contain a lot of detail will simply blur and become “unreadable” over time.

If there were a rating of the popularity of tattoo plots, works with animal motifs would definitely take one of the leading positions. Since ancient times, animals have been endowed with special magical abilities, they were chosen as totems, hoping to acquire the qualities that fauna have. Images of eyes, bird feathers, paw prints are also quite common. Today we will reveal the meaning of a paw tattoo, tell you whose paws are especially fond of fans of tattoo culture, and offer several options for interesting plots and styles.

What can be traced?

From the qualities of character and symbolism of the animal itself will depend on what the paw tattoo means:

• Bear Paw. This formidable beast has always been associated with monstrous strength and ferocity. Warriors chose this predator as their totem animal, believing that they would be transferred to the fearlessness and ruthlessness with which he defends his territory. The meaning of a bear paw tattoo comes down to gaining courage, bravery and strength. In addition, the image of this animal may indicate readiness for anything for the sake of their family, because bears always fight to the death for their cubs.
• tiger paw. in many cultures it symbolized power, deadly speed, danger, secrecy. The image of a tiger in the eastern tradition is especially popular; it is mainly depicted fighting with.
• wolf paw. Since ancient times, the wolf has been a symbol of freedom, independence, loneliness, strength; in legends, he often acts as a protector of the weak, a prudent and vigilant beast, which is extremely rarely caught by hunters. Often there is a story about the progenitors of a people, fed by a she-wolf (remember at least Romulus and Remus). A person who has chosen the image of a wolf's paw for his tattoo highly appreciates his freedom, he guards the boundaries of personal space, not allowing anyone else to cross them.
• cat paw. The paw print of a cat also speaks of a love of freedom and independence. The image of this animal indicates self-sufficiency, variability, mystical appeal, playfulness and unpredictability. This tattoo is often chosen by people with a light attitude to life.
• Dog paw. A dog in our minds is associated with loyalty, devotion and boundless love for its owner. A dog's paw is often depicted along with a portrait of an animal, mostly such works are a tribute to love and respect for your pet. Also, a dog paw is often chosen by people who value fidelity to their loved ones above all, for their sake they are ready to take any risk without hesitation.

Image of animal paws in tattoo art

Most often there are realistic tattoo paw of the beast. Usually a footprint is depicted through which a portrait of the animal is visible. Such works look quite interesting, but you have to use your imagination to make the tattoo really original. In addition, realism is a rather difficult style to perform, so you should not go to the first master you come across without studying his portfolio.

Imitation of cuts and scratches, through which the animal's paw seems to break out of the human body, is also quite common. Such work evokes associations with a beast, eager to be let out. It is possible that the owner of the tattoo feels constrained, does not allow himself much and thus wants to release the inner beast.

Another popular tattoo plot is paw prints left on dry, cracked ground. Such tattoos are usually voluminous, sometimes hyper-realistic.

The watercolors look interesting. Basically, small cat paws are depicted in this style. Watercolor is a rather soft and delicate style, even bright splashes of paint, which give the image a certain dynamism, look light and airy due to the smooth transitions of shades, which is typical for paintings made in this technique.
As for the place for the tattoo, most often you can see paw tattoos on the chest, shoulder blade, forearm, back of the foot.

Cats have been living with us for many centuries, and at different times these cunning and dexterous creatures were treated differently. In ancient Egypt, cats helped to clean the cities from small rodents that spread the infection, thereby improving their attitude towards them. And later, cats were completely deified, they were considered sacred animals, and only privileged people, priests and nobility could wear images with them. The image of cats in ancient documents was identified with the sign of the gods, for example, even the Sun God Ra, descending to earth, took the form of a cat. But in the Middle Ages, cats and cats were exterminated, as they were considered evil spirits that were in the service of witches and sorcerers. However, when the epidemic began to spread widely in cities, it was realized that cats could slow down the spread of the virus by catching rats.

Many legends and a rich history have left their mark on the meanings of cat tattoos. We can say that the meaning of the cat tattoo has many ambiguous interpretations, here are the main ones:

• power, fertility, joy, motherhood (such a meaning was the image of a cat among the Egyptians);
• the image of an Egyptian cat symbolizes grace, mystery, good luck and beauty;
• a cat or a cat in a jump - longevity, purposefulness, accuracy of movements;
• sailors tattooed themselves with a cat in a cap and with a striped collar as a sign that the voyage would be safe and successful;
• a symbol of femininity, hearth, family well-being;
• a tattoo with a black cat speaks of freedom and independence of views, as well as disbelief in omens;
• the Cheshire cat is associated with prudence and a positive attitude;
• cat paws are stuffed by those who believe in good luck, their image is a talisman and has protective powers.

Very often, images of cats and cats are applied as a tribute to the memory of their beloved pets.

Cat tattoos are very popular among girls, since a cat is associated with grace, the owners of such a tattoo can be called attractive, mysterious, sexy and romantic. The image of a cat gives the image a certain coquettishness and elegance. Cat tattoos look great on the neck, wrist, shoulder blade, ankle and stomach. Men also do not refuse cat tattoos, but they choose more aggressive subjects, for example, the image of a cat in a fighting pose or with scars, a cat with an intimidating look. Such a person lives by his own rules and is responsible for his words. There are cat tattoos with glasses or with a butterfly, which is suitable for positive and humorous people.

It is worth noting that a tattoo of a cat or a cat can be done in absolutely any style, it all depends on your preferences and imagination.

However, it is important to keep in mind the significance of a "cat" or "cat" tattoo in the prison world. The image of a cat in a hat is typical for thieves, and a cat in a bow tie or with a bow may appear in a prisoner if he collaborated with the authorities. Therefore, in order to avoid possible incidents when choosing a sketch for a future tattoo, consult with experienced craftsmen - and then the tattoo will not cause you negative emotions.

In the catalogs of tattoo artists, tattoos of the paws of various animals and traces of human feet and hands often come across. Sometimes they depict exactly a part of the animal's body, in other cases, an imprint left on the ground (in this case, on human skin). Some tattoos of this type had a sacred meaning in ancient times, preserved in mythology, others are a modern invention, and do not hide any secrets. If you want to make a footprint tattoo, you should familiarize yourself with the history and meaning of each image.

The townsfolk believe that tattoos were invented in prisons. But they appeared at a time when prisons simply did not exist, and for a crime you could easily get hit on the head with a stone hammer, or catch an arrow, and not with your hands.

As for the paw tattoo, it was most often used by tribes that professed shamanism, totemism, animalistic cults, etc. Different animals were revered - lynxes, bears, wolves, tigers and lions, cats and dogs. Many northern peoples still adhere to such traditions in their daily lives. In particular, these are residents of the Far North, some regions of Asia, Africa, Indians of South America.

As for the most popular options, they are as follows:

• A symbolic bear paw tattoo is the choice of men. Often coexists with various Celtic and Nordic symbols. There is also a Slavic symbol with the same name and appearance. He is a talisman and is associated with Veles, one of the key characters in the pantheon of the ancient Slavs. It is also called the "Seal of Veles". It is believed that such a sign has protective properties, helps to protect the owner from trouble, protects from wild animals. After all, the bear in our area is considered the true king of the forest. Warriors, unlike the priests, considered the tattoo with a bear's paw a symbol of their strength and valor.

  

  bear paw tattoo

  

  bear paw tattoo

  bear paw tattoo

• A cat's footprint tattoo is considered feminine. In any case, you rarely see them in men. Most owners do not give them any secret or mystical meaning. Sometimes a tattoo can hint at a girl's freedom-loving disposition. After all, the cat, as you know, always walks by itself. There may be one track or several. Often patterns are created from a string of footprints, or images in the form of an ankle bracelet.

  Cat footprints and heart tattoo

  

  Tattoo cat footprint and cats in the style of minimalism

• The rabbit foot tattoo is a very symbolic sign. It is believed that it can bring good luck to the owner, like the original "artifact". However, all these are legends, to believe or not in which is a personal matter for everyone.
• A tiger paw tattoo, or a lion paw print, demonstrates the strength and power of the owner of such a symbol. They can be realistic, or stylized as some symbolism in oriental, African style, etc.;

  

• Interestingly, the dog footprint tattoo previously had a mystical meaning. The dog was a guide not only in the real, but also in the afterlife. Far from everyone applied such an image to the skin, but only people who belonged to the cult, or who, after death, wanted to interact in a certain way with the spirit of the patron animal.

  dog paw tattoo

  Dog footprint and muzzle tattoo

  

  Dog footprint tattoo with heart

• Wolf paw tattoo is a symbol of stamina, strength, victory. Although the wolf and the dog have much in common, their paws are different. The wolf is a wild animal. He often has to run through snowdrifts in winter. Therefore, the width of the paws is greater than that of a domestic dog. This allows you not to fall through while running in the snow.

Why are animal paw/footprint tattoos popular? Psychologists believe that man has not yet partially lost his animal nature. Let us fly into space and do genetic engineering, a small animal lives inside of us. Echoes of this become part of the culture, and are reflected in the tattoos we choose.

Another subconscious point is the desire to acquire some qualities inherent in a certain type of fauna. A trace, or paw, is a kind of path to the desired physical or psychological state.

However, there are aspects associated not with internal moments, but with what we receive from the outside. We have attitudes, opinions about animals. For example, that a tiger, a wolf, or a bear are strong, a hare is cowardly, a fox is cunning, a cat is wayward and playful, and a dog is wise and faithful. Often, this information may not be entirely reliable. Animals, like people, can have a variety of qualities, be smarter or dumber, stronger or weaker. Some constant does not exist, and all animalistic representations are mostly contrived.

As for the protective properties of tattoos, totemism, a person endows any symbol with his own power. This is another funny moment of human psychology. We do everything ourselves, but it is easier for us to believe that the gods, or spirits, “help” in the process. This is a kind of adapter between "I can't" and "I will."

However, do not forget that millions of tattoos are made by accident, out of stupidity, out of banal curiosity. Fashion also influences the choice of subject. But the main factor of choice is a banal desire, which has no logical explanation. It may not have a complex psychological basis. After all, this is your body, and you have the right to put any images on it, except for those that are prohibited by law as offensive or extremist. Traces do not exactly belong to such, and often look really very beautiful.

Where to get a paw tattoo?

Male tattoos of this type are usually done on the shoulder or chest. This may be the footprint of a wolf, tiger, bear, etc. Often not an imprint is depicted, but the clawed paw itself.

Women are more creative in this regard. Often a tattoo is strongly associated with female sexuality. Therefore, images are applied to sensitive areas of the skin. Most girls prefer a paw, or a cat's footprint, a string of footprints. They can be placed on the lower back, buttock, collarbone, neck, wrist.

There is an important nuance regarding the size of the image. Over time, even the best quality tattoo blurs. If it is too small, instead of paws, you will get completely ugly spots. Therefore, making tattoos that are too small is not worth it.

The leg is a great choice. Several traces of a person following each other along the path will look quite nice.

How to get a paw tattoo - color, background, tattoo style

On the Internet, there are various sketches of tattoo traces. Someone likes realism more, while someone relies on ethnic motifs. Most often, this is a stylization of Indian, shamanic tattoos.

Do you want to order a realistic animal paw print? There are many options for how to do this. Sometimes people order a background in the form of a piece of land in which this imprint remains. Another interesting option is a paw that breaks through the skin with its claws. Often the image of the trace is made fiery, or burning through the skin. Looks impressive.

Girls usually prefer something simple and sophisticated. Most often, this is an image of a small foot without detail. The color of such a tattoo is usually black.

When choosing between a color and black and white tattoo, you need to think about how it will look on you. Some people even print the sketch on paper in the right size and color to get at least a rough idea of ​​what the result will look like.

Sketches of paw and footprint tattoos, click to enlarge.

Of course, what you see on paper may differ. After all, the master cannot create an exact copy of the drawing. He will only try to repeat it, taking into account the characteristics of your skin and other nuances.

The choice of color depends on many factors, one of which is the tone of your skin. People are not divided into white, black, yellow and red. Each race, nation, and even within the same region, skin colors can have dozens of shades. On each of them you need to look for optimal contrasts.

The darker, darker the skin, the lighter tones, shades should be used. Likewise with contours. You have probably seen black people who love tattoos more than once. For example, rap artists. Many images look faded against their swarthy skin. Therefore, you need to consult with the master how to adapt the image to your individual characteristics - dark or pale skin.

Tattoos on the feet and palms of a person look no worse than the traces of animals.

A photo

Photos of tattoos of paws and footprints from professional amateur tattooists.