Indian Feathers Tattoos and their Meaning

Posted on January 11, 2010
Filed Under Tattoo Designs, Tattoo Meanings

Indian Feathers Tattoos and their Meaning The imagery from Native American culture became the basis of various tattoo designs as the interest in this mysterious and unique culture never disappears. It is normally associated with feathers of all kinds, which the American Indians used to wear.

Indian feathers tattoos reflect the traditions of these people, but many people wear such tattoos only because they are nice and really attractive. But for American native population the feathers were of great importance. They used to wear them on their headdresses, and their number and size displayed the courage and firmness of their wearer as a warrior.

Shape, color and position of a feather carried some message. The red feather with notches, for instance, meant that it was pulled out of the enemy’s headdress, while the red feather cut in two told that its wearer was once wounded, and so on and so forth. It is worth mentioning that nowadays Native Americans wear feathers only as decoration.

Indian Feathers Tattoos and their Meaning

The first and foremost meaning of Indian feathers tattoos derives from their history. They symbolize courage and strong will of its wearer. They can also express freedom, or pride in heritage. But the same time they can have other meanings, as feather is primarily associated with birds and thus a feather on your skin tells people around about your ability to fly, but in a figurative meaning – to fly in dreams, creatively and emotionally.

Indian feather tattoo designs usually combine several feathers, or use a single feather as a band wrapped round the arm, which looks exceptionally cool. A feather may be as well depicted with flowers or with a necklace (placed inside of it) to represent delicacy. You can also come across such tattoo pattern in which a feather is set to write a meaningful poem. But the most exotic solution is to create a female-looking imaginary creature on your skin and let the feather be her eyelashes and hair.