Vultures are a carrion-eating species known for their distinctive traits and diet of carcasses and carrion. In many cultures, they symbolize protection, power, and rebirth, making them great additions to body art. Vulture tattoos can appear intense and convey a range of ideas, from victory over death to acceptance of mortality. They are often large, detailed pieces with bold use of bright colors, such as yellow, red, orange, and white. So if you want to cover a significant portion of your body with a powerful and bold statement piece, you can get a vulture tattoo to evoke a sense of both awe and reverence. Keep scrolling to check out some trendy vulture tattoo designs.
Meaning of a vulture tattoo
The symbolism of vultures is a mixed bag. On one hand, vultures are also known for their wisdom, intelligence, and foresight, but they are also associated with death and are seen as a bad omen because they feed on carcasses. Elsewhere, they are also considered lucky because they are seen as a cleansing presence, purifying nature of decay and symbolizing rebirth/renewal, protection, patience, and new beginnings. Vulture tattoos can encourage the wearer to look beyond the surface and view life from a bird’s eye view, taking in the bigger picture rather than getting bogged down in the smaller details. Vultures are also admired for their ability to soar high into the sky, which can also serve as a source of inspiration for you to strive for greatness and break free from the chains that limit you.
8 Best Vulture Tattoos For An Awesome Look
Vulture tattoos on your skin make you look tough. While they have their own meaning, you can combine them with custom details to make them uniquely yours. The tattoo designs below also exude strength, confidence, and protection, and show delicate artistry. Check out these designs for much-needed inspiration.
1. Black vulture tattoo
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If you are someone who is naturally drawn to big, bold, and powerful works of art, consider getting this black vulture tattoo. This tattoo symbolizes courage and strength in the face of insurmountable challenges. The impressively executed gradual shading using only black brings realism to the tattoo. The inkwork features a black vulture surrounded by green foliage to give the design a refreshing frame. The sky in the background is painted in shades of pink, orange, and red to signify the break of day and symbolize renewal.
2. Flying vulture tattoo
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Vultures have a bad reputation for being near death and for eating carrion, but this glorious flying vulture tattoo shows us just how majestic this creature really is. The heavy shading and clever use of black and gray colors give the bird’s plumage a realistic feel. It also helps to add depth and dimension to the tattoo.
3. Vulture and skull tattoo
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Sometimes tattoos without color make the most impact! This tattoo features a vulture with a deformed skull at the bottom which helps to emphasize the gothic vibes. Thematically, the skull design and the gloomy appearance of the vulture emphasize the idea that they are seen as harbingers of death. The gradual shading in black helps to make the artwork look more dynamic and gives it an aura of creepiness. However, Eve Phillips, a professional tattoo artist, says, “It is important to note that with a very detailed tattoo like this, there is a chance that the eye may not be visible for 6 months after the tattoo is done.” However, consider this if you are a fan of Edgar Allan Poe and the gothic lifestyle has captured your fancy.
4. Vulture Chest Tattoo
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The gradient shading on this vulture chest tattoo helps to add some serious edge to the overall look. The wide-spread, open-winged vulture encourages you to embrace life with open arms and muster the courage to deal with whatever comes your way. The negative spaces in the black and gray tattoo help to draw attention to the fine line work, while the texture shading technique helps to successfully mimic the texture of a vulture’s feathers.
5. Bearded vulture tattoo
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Although vultures are often a sign of death, they can also be associated with happiness and joy. For example, in Iranian mythology, the bearded vulture is considered a symbol of happiness and joy. It is a rare vulture sighting, but it is always positive. For example, in this design, the bearded vulture appears stoic and calm. Additionally, the burnt orange tones and black-gray shadow effect give the plumage depth, while the black of the eye intensifies its gaze. Finally, the blackwork texture creates a striking contrast and helps to visually balance the look.
6. Vulture Neck Tattoo
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The vulture neck tattoo is a stunning idea that requires intricate design work but on a small area. The subtle use of red/brown and black tones along with negative space helps to give the design depth and create visual impact. Also, the use of white ink makes the eyes appear brighter and the beak looks more illuminated. Additionally, the tattoo tapers towards the end, which flatters the neckline and gives perspective to the design.
7. Traditional Old School Vulture Tattoo
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This tattoo style is an ode to the traditional American tattoo style that is defined by heavy line work and the use of bright colors. The red and yellow tones make the tattoo more vibrant yet sinister. The slightly oval frame around the vulture with the rough geometric lines makes the background look like a stained glass window, giving it a timeless allure. Interestingly, the vulture’s eye, which symbolizes evil and fear, has red and gray tones instead of white on the sclera, which represents the aggressive and wild spirit of the vulture.
8. Realistic vulture tattoo
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If you want a tattoo but want to keep it real, this hyper-realistic vulture tattoo is just what you need! The piercing eyes, hooked beak, and textured features almost make it feel like the bird is alive and staring! The direction of the feathers around the face and the varying thickness of the lines help to beautifully bring out the vulture’s facial features. Placed on the forearm, this tattoo makes for a bold and powerful design that is sure to shock people.
Vulture tattoos symbolize death, wisdom, strength, and sometimes even purity and renewal. Whether tattooed on the chest or shoulder, these tattoos make a bold statement and make you feel cool. Vulture tattoos can also inspire you to overcome adversity in life, accept fate, and face challenges head on. Moreover, these tattoos also represent survival and resilience, encouraging the wearer to adapt to the changing environment, just like vultures. If you are into the old-school tattoo style, consider getting these impressively large and technical vulture tattoo designs that are sure to give you an aura of mystery.
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Eve Phillips is an experienced artist in a variety of tattoo styles, although she specializes in fine detail and floral tattoos. She has owned studios in both Australia and the UK for 20 years and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in all areas of tattoo art, health, licensing, trends, current issues and history.
Read Eve Phillips’ full biography
Vaishali Sinha is a beauty and lifestyle writer with five years of experience writing for various genres. She holds a Masters degree in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University. She combines her passion for beauty and lifestyle topics with her artistic background as an Indian classical singer to bring a fresh and creative perspective to her writing.
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Shreya is a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience. After graduating from Christ University, Bengaluru, she started as an intern writer for a non-profit organization, Bhumi. After that, she wrote for a progressive content website.
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