46 Intriguing Owl Skull Tattoo Designs with Meanings and Ideas

Owl and hence the owl skull have often been associated with the symbol of wisdom and knowledge. It is very clear in classic literature and fairytales and fables too! However, in some cultures, the owner is not the wisest of the birds after all. In greek culture, the owner has often been depicted with the goddess Athena. Nonetheless, owls are a great choice among people who are sly and skillful… just like an owl who would pounce on the prey whenever it gets a chance. Here is a list of owl skull tattoos (which intrigue more people, by the way) that you can try getting on your skin too!

Meaning of Owl Skull Tattoo Designs

Wisdom: The owls have forever been considered THE symbol of wisdom and knowledge.

Independent Thinking: With wisdom comes the power to think and access things on your own and the owl is a great symbol for that as well.

Insightful: The kind of symbolism the owl stands for makes it a great option for someone looking for insight. The owl on its own is a pretty insightful being and can characterize people as well.

Courage: But the brain is not all that is. The owl is also considered a very courageous bird – the king of the nighttime.

Agility: The owls are very agile animals and getting an owl skull tattoo would also represent the same quality about a person.

Powerful Intuition: The intuition of an owl is very powerful, the owl being the king of the night. It is quite natural that everything would be always based on intuitions.

Supernatural Powers: The owl is often considered a bird with supernatural powers since ancient times. In earlier times too, they were considered a bird that is associated with black magic and voodoo. Thus the owl or owl skull tattoo has a very mysterious vibe about itself.

Ideas For Owl Skull Tattoo Designs

Realism: Someone who is looking for any kind of bird or animal tattoo can go for an owl as a real tattoo. This tattoo is a great option since it would show off the details of the bird in a very effective light.

Geometrical Design: Adding geometrical designs would make your whole animal design look very modern. You can also play around with the shapes and discover something new of your own.

Sugar Skull: The addition of sugar skulls with the owl is a very new concept. Both elements refer to death, mystery, and black magic. Together they form a very powerful symbol of the same.

List of Owl Skull Tattoo Designs & Meanings

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Upper Back

Tattoo Style: Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: This is a pretty straightforward tattoo with the owl skull done in dark shades of grey.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Leg, Thigh

Tattoo Style: Realism, Shading

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color can be added to the floral patterns

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: The owl is sitting on a skull that has a rose in its jaw! It is symbolic of the dual nature of life and death with a  representation of wisdom.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Shoulder

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Upper Back

Tattoo Style: Classic, Shading

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color can be added

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: The neo-traditional design is done without the colors but a few hints of colors could have looked nicer.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Leg, Ribs

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Hyper Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: This is a hyperrealistic picture of the owl done on the forearm.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Upper Back

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Hyper Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color can be added to the floral patterns

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: The skull and the owl tattoo is added with some hibiscus flowers at the bottom.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Upper Back

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Black and grey with white ink

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: The background of this skull and owl tattoo is a bit different. It is dark black with white swirling patterns done in white ink.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Upper Back

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Intricate

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color can be added

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: This is a skull tattoo added with some other animal skull. It is also done with intricate shading effects and dot work.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Front Body

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Back, Thigh

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color is added

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: Sugar Skull represents death and so does the owl. This tattoo is a perfect representation of the same.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Chest

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Back

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Black and grey

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: The wings of the owl have been spread so much that it covers the entire chest. It is also a good design for the back.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Back

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Front Body

Tattoo Style: Outline, Classic, Outline

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color is added

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: Back tattoo is always the best because it is large and very descriptive with a lot of elements.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Leg

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Hyper Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color is added

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: This tattoo looks cool with the blue-shaded lights emitting from the skull.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Upper Back

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Hyper Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: The owl and the skull both seem to be staring in the same direction!

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Leg

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Upper Back

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color is added

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: Th beautiful yellow shades done on the bird look quite impressive.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Upper Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Upper Back

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Hyper Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Black and grey

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: The owl seemed to have engulfed the skull inside its feathers and looked pretty amazing.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Hand

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Foot, Thigh, Chest, Upper Back

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Black and grey

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: This is a very interesting kind of design done on the hand. The skull fits the hand perfectly!

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Leg

Tattoo Style: Detailed

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color can be added

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: The sugar skull in this picture has a lot of little detailing with floral and dot work patterns.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Upper Back

Tattoo Style: Neo Traditional, Shading Effect

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color can be added

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: This tattoo design is super impressive because it has all the characteristics of American traditional and neo-traditional styles.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Chest

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Back, Lower Abdomen

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Intricate

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: The owl has spread its wings to cover the chest and look like some kind of armor.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Leg, Thigh

Tattoo Style: American Traditional

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Colored

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: The shaded colors in this tattoo is pretty impressive and make the design even more attractive to look at!

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Upper Back

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Hyper Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color is added

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: Hyperrealism has a whole unique touch of its own!

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Upper Back

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: The shading effect done on this tattoo allows the owl to look even more mysterious than it previously is.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Leg

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Upper Back

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: The owl and the skull face have been entwined into one design. It looks like a monster!

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Leg

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color can be added

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: The sugar skull represents death in traditional Mexican culture and the owl also respects something similar.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Leg

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: The realistic effect of this design makes it even more intense.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Leg

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color can be added

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: The blue light emitting from the skull is quite intimidating. Although it looks good it is such a contrasting color with what the elements portray.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Upper Arm

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Geometrical, Dot Work

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: This design is very sophisticated because it is very subtle and minimal.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Leg

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color can be added

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: The dark colors help to bring out the intense look in a tattoo design.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Leg

Tattoo Style: Outline

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color can be added

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: The patterns made on the sugar skull and the owl gives a very tribal effect to the whole outlook!

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Upper Arm

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Hyper Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: The realism has been portrayed by the artist in a very surreal way!

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Leg

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Arm

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Hyper Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: Many people choose to get inked on the arm but to make it unique, it would look equally good on the leg.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Shoulder

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Leg

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Hyper Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: The upper arm is a great placement option for something like a skull and an owl because of the bigger head size and breadth.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Leg

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color can be added

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: This own skull tattoo has a lock and a key which looks pretty symbolic. It could mean opening the doors to wisdom about life and death.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Chest

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Back

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: Chest tattoos are always the best kind of tattoo when it comes to flowy wings and shaded colors.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Leg

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color can be added

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: This tattoo has been kept quite simple with bold outlines and shading effects that are required.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Leg

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Arm

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: The whole leg is filled with the symbolic owl and skull tattoo with jet black ink to give it an intense theme.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Leg

Tattoo Style: Outline

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Black Outline

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: The bold outline makes the whole design super neat.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Leg

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Hyper Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Shading

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: I am awestruck by the eye gaze of this bird! Such a piercing gaze with the owl makes for a great tattoo.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Leg

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Neo Traditional

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color can be added

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: The sugar skull seems to be a popular option choice for someone who is making an owl tattoo.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Leg

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Hyper Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Black and Grey Shading

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: Hyperrealism helps to bring out even the most intricate characteristics of the owl’s body, especially the hair on the face and the neck.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Thigh

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Upper Arm, Chest, Leg

Tattoo Style: American Traditional

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Colored

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: This design of the skull and the owl is done in an American traditional way and looks quite bright and bold.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Chest

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Back

Tattoo Style: Neo Traditional

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Colored

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: The skull and owl tattoo has been covered on the front part of the body. It is a large design so the front and the back remain in the perfect placement position.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Leg

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Hyper Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: Shading

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: This is a hyperrealistic design that has been made to cover the arm of the wearer.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Thigh

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Upper Arm, Ribs, Leg

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Fine line

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color can be added

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: The roses are beautifully placed with the owl skull and the fine line effect that has been given is spectacular.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Chest

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Back, Leg

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect, Realism

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color can be added

More Suitable For: Men

Author’s Review: The beautiful spread wings of the owl is a great option for someone who wants a royal-looking tattoo.

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Arm

Tattoo Style: Shading Effect

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color can be added

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: The skull seems to be coming directly out of the owl’s body!

  • Owl Skull Tattoo Design on Upper Arm

Owl Skull Tattoo

Other Locations: Thigh, Chest, Leg

Tattoo Style: American Traditional

Other Elements: Not Required

Colors/Black & Grey: A hint of color can be added

More Suitable For: Men and Women

Author’s Review: The tribal theme on this skull tattoo looks quite interesting given that it is inspired by the Mexican sugar skull tattoo!

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