Cardinal Tattoo Meanings
Cardinals hold a special place not only in the hearts of ornithologists but also in those who associate birds with rich symbolism.
The striking red plumage of cardinals signifies love, passion, and devotion, while their melodious voice represents hope, optimism, positive energy, and renewal. In Native American folklore, cardinals are supposed to be messengers of the deceased ancestors. They are symbols of lucky charm, protection, and guidance, and a sign that the dead loved ones are looking after us even in the spiritual realm. It serves as a comforting reminder that the bond you share with a deceased loved one continues to flourish beyond the physical world. Alternatively, many hardcore NFL fans get the bird tattooed to show their support and loyalty for the Arizona Cardinals.
Among all other small bird tattoo designs, cardinals hold a special place in the hearts of bird lovers because of their rich meaning. While the above-mentioned list has some of the meanings associated with the bird, you can further personalize your design with different tattoo styles or placement options. Keep reading to look through the top trending designs below.
8 Awesome Cardinal Tattoos
Delve into this stunning collection of the 8 best cardinal tattoo designs and see the symbolisms hidden behind these birds come to life.
1. Mini Small Cardinal Tattoo
This tattoo of a petite male cardinal perched on a branch looks captivating. It uses bright colors, bold outlines, and clean lines to keep the essence of the bird alive. The bird sits on the branch, gazing at a distance showing the wearer’s insightful nature. The artist has used shading and coloring strategically on this small bird tattoo to create a balanced look.
2. Red Cardinal Tattoo
This large tattoo looks breathtaking. It features a skull adorned with a rose wreath crown with a cardinal perched in the front. The tattoo exudes a mysterious, dark aura that is sure to turn heads! The skull represents the dead in the physical world while the cardinal signifies their spiritual journey. The roses on the skull may signify the beautiful and cherished memories the wearer has with the departed.
3. Traditional Cardinal Tattoo
The traditional tattoo style uses bold outlines, precise shading, bold strokes, and vivid colors to depict the meaning of the design. This tattoo features a cardinal perched on a floral vine. It showcases the graceful and noble character of the bird, while the flowers may represent love, purity, and devotion.
4. Feminine Cardinal Tattoo
This tattoo design is perfect as a dedication to a loved one. It depicts a cardinal sitting atop a branch with hearts at the center. The two hearts – a smaller red one inside a larger outlined one – may symbolize the connection between the wearer and their partner. The artist has beautifully made the outlined heart pass through the heart of the cardinal. This tattoo depicts the wearer’s true and unconditional love, conveying to your partner that their heart is safe with you.
5. Abstract Cardinal Tattoo
Apart from being an icon of love, the cardinal may also symbolize a love for adventure and travel. This abstract cardinal tattoo with a compass is perfect for those who love to travel and explore the world. The cardinal shows your life’s compassion while the compass depicts your thirst for traversing unexplored roads and destinations.
6. Flying Cardinal Tattoo
This magnificent tattoo captures the wearer’s outlook on life and the beauty of the bird. This tattoo depicts a cardinal flying in the sky over a flower garden. The spread wings signifies a free spirit and the ability to blossom into a better version of yourself. The flowers represent the beauty of life and the bird’s colors indicate one’s ability to imbibe positive energy.
7. Realistic Cardinal Tattoo
Realistic tattoos make for a brilliant conversation starter. This large realistic cardinal tattoo, spanning across two thighs, features two male birds perched on the branch, facing each other. It represents two aspects of life — happy and sad. When you are sad, rest assured that happiness is around the corner and remember to cherish the happy moments because life is unpredictable.
8. Black Cardinal Tattoo
This bold black design lends an air of majesty to the cardinal. The tattoo uses black ink with white highlights and the wearer’s natural skin tone to make the bird and the rose stand out. This design brings to light the powerful nature of the bird. A cardinal is known to fight for hours a day to protect their territory from other cardinals. It conveys that, like the bird, you are also ready to defend and fight for your loved ones.
