From hunters to explorers of nature, deer have a long standing history among men in the great outdoors. They may be elusive at times to hunt, however their history has literally been carved into stone.
Hidden among the woods you’ll find these gracious animals roaming around the Earth. Though, you might be surprised to know there’s more that just one species when it comes to deer. Not to mention, their large and attractive set of antlers can only be found on males.
Speaking of antlers, in the velvet stage they have been widely used in Asia for over two-thousand years as a medicinal supplements. Even in the western world, athletes and bodybuilders have been seen using extracts to build and restore muscle tissue. However, in reality, the evidence of this extract actually working is just not there, making it more of a placebo.
If you were take a trip back to the past you’d find antler is almost everything from tools to weapons and even toys. Even the Vikings once viewed it as a prized possession for comb-making. Since then, it’s become more a ivory substitute and found its way into things like saddles, guns, powder flasks, and more. Of course, decorative displays too with a pair of antlers mounted to the wall like in the old medieval times.
With that said, take a moment to explore the beauty of these deer tattoos. From realistic outdoor scenes to cool deer skulls, there’s plenty of design ideas to admire.
Deer Tattoo FAQs
What does a deer tattoo symbolize?
Deer thrive around the globe, from the Scottish Highlands to the rainforests of South East Asia, and everywhere they are found they are incorporated into the myths and cultures of the local peoples. For many, deer represent the strength and majesty of nature; they are powerful guardians of the natural world.
Male deer, with their large antlers and the battles that they engage in during rut, have also come to represent virility and leadership. They are thought of as spiritual advisors in some Native American traditions and often represent regeneration due to the way their antlers fall off and are regrown throughout their lives. For others, deer represent the peace and harmony of the natural world as well as the importance of recognizing this interconnectedness.
These powerful creatures are chosen as the subjects for tattoos for many of these characteristics that they represent, along with other reasons more personal to the individual. Whatever they may symbolize to different people, these majestic animals make for great tattoos.