The Meaning of Wolf Tattoos That Would Amaze You

In some cultures, wolves are the predators of the night, hunting and watching for our worst nightmares. In others, they are noble warriors, great pack leaders and protectors of the innocent. With such a variety of reputations, it seems that the wolf is the most misunderstood being in ancient folklore in reality.

Wolves hold a special place in our hearts, especially because they are the ancestors of man's best friend, the dog. You can get a profusion of dog or wolf tattoo stickers that are realistic and easy to apply.

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Meanings of Wolf Tattoos for Men and Women

These majestic creatures represent a great number of human traits, including: loyalty and devotion, family, communication, luck and fertility, guidance and the role of guardian, the power and force of predation, intelligence, compassion.

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The wolf has a great place in the pagan Germanic tradition. In this ancient culture, wolves were seen as fierce fearless warriors and natural predators, mainly because of the human race's immense fear of these beasts. That is why many Anglo-Saxon kings and warriors, to channel the strength of their inner wolf, often used the word "wolf" as a suffix or prefix of their own name. Thus, names like "Wolfgang", "Wulfsbane" or "Wulfmeer" are still common names in some parts of Europe and, in particular, in Germany.

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In medieval times, wolves were seen as instruments of the evil one. Like many prominent figures of pagan religions, the wolf was a victim of the expansion of Christianity in Europe and therefore demonized. This added to our instinctive fear for these animals and helped give the wolf a bad name in human society.

In much of Europe and the Old World, Big Bad Wolf stories have become an integral part of our identity as myths and legends have been passed down in the form of children's tales. Even today, many cartoons and children's series play with this concept. Nine times out of ten, the wolf characters are bad charlatans and scoundrels.

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The Big bad wolf stories can also have other cultural origins. In Babylon, the goddess Ishtar is said to have changed her last lover who was a shepherd into a wolf, forcing him to hunt the only animals he had sworn to protect. If some Christian beliefs are to be believed, wolves were sent by God to punish the weak and test the faith of believers.

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But the wolf hasn't always had such a bad reputation. In Roman mythology, the heart of the ancient civilized world, Rome, would not have existed without the efforts of a young wolf who fed the city's future fathers, Romulus and Remus. In much of Scotland and the British Isles, the wolf was seen as a guardian and protector. These animals were intrinsically linked to fairies and goblins: legends tell of the green wolf of the fairy world keeping a protective eye on the fairies that were in his care making sure they always had food on hand.

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In ancient Egypt, the wolf had an honorable position of protector and guardian. The god of the Dead, Anubis, was often depicted with the head of a wolf or jackal and was responsible for protecting the souls of the dead in the afterlife. Anubis made sure that the dead ancestors traveled safely to the Realm of the Dead. In Mexico, this belief is also found in ancient traditions. Mesoamerican cultures sometimes buried a wolf with the victim of a human sacrifice to ensure that the victim traveled safely to the afterlife.

The incredible wolf hunting skills have earned him the respect of elite soldiers around the world. It is not unusual for military and paramilitary groups to identify with the mighty fearless wolf, who flushes out and destroys enemies with speed and precision. From the Serbs to the British, all have a deep admiration for the image of the great predator of the wolf. This is why the image of the wolf is a common figure in heraldry.

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No other culture has honored and respected the wolf for its exemplary character like the native peoples of North America. In many tribes of North America, Mexico included, the wolf is seen not only as a totem of power and strength, but also as a pillar of wisdom and a spiritual guide. From the frozen shores of Alaska to the sweltering heat of the deserts of Mexico, native people saw the wolf as much more than a wild animal.

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For the Pawnee people of the Great Plains, the wolf was the first creature to understand and experience death; that is why he was considered a totem from the hereafter. Pawnee legends say that the star wolf, Sirius, who is also known as the star dog but, considering that the wolf is the ancestor of dogs, the association is understandable, was placed in the heavens to remind humans that it was they who had brought death to this world and to represent the wolf in its nocturnal journeys to and from the afterlife(the Wolf's Route).

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Wolves are exemplary parents, which is why it is no wonder that they are considered symbols of the family in the native cultures of North America. Wolf pairs are lifelong and wolves are gifted parents. In the wolf world, they educate and take care of the cubs. The couple does not separate, no matter what. This is why wolves are also considered loyal companions and friends.

The wolf is also a symbol of luck and fertility. The Mongolian people consider themselves to be a descendant of the wolf and perceive it as a sacred animal. The wolf is there a symbol of luck and prosperity.  It is further considered that a medicinal preparation made with the intestines of a wolf would have powerful healing powers. In Japan, there are talismans and amulets decorated with the image of a wolf to protect those who wear them against fire and disease, but also to bring a child to infertile couples.

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In the Chechnya culture, the wolf is much more than a wild animal: it is a symbol of national pride. The Chechens revere Mother Wolf and see her as a nurturing force and a guardian who protects their people from worries and conflicts. To be "as free and equal as a wolf" is one of the greatest honors a person can achieve.