Wolf tattoo’s are often done in American Traditional, or realism, but can also be done in black and grey, neo-traditional, dotwork, tribal, etc. The wolf is often a symbol of determination. It can also stand for having strong ties to family and friends, as the wolf is a pack animal.

The wolf is a particularly meaningful animal for Native American peoples; it is seen as a totem of power and strength, and also a spiritual guide. Wolves are symbolic of family life, as wolves mate for life and are strong parents.

Bold full chest/stomach traditional piece by Heather Bailey at Black Heart in San Francisco.

Bloody, menacing wolf and skull done by Andrey Lukovnikov from Poland, Wroclaw.

The wolf can also be used to represent hard times, or surviving hard times. A wolf tattoo that features a dagger often means that the person wearing the tattoo has overcome hardship, as well as a promise to oneself that they will never be defeated by personal struggles. Whatever the reason for a wolf tattoo,it is a strong design.

American traditional wolf and dagger by Nick Luit from Calgary, Alberta.

Neo-traditional wolf and dagger by Derek Zielinski tattooing out of Glass Heart Tattooing & Arts in Pennsylvania.

American traditional wolf and dagger by Dominik Dagger at Illumination Tattoo Works in Germany. The heavy blackwork and bold yellow and red make this piece pop.

Black and grey wolf by Matthew Henning of Sacred Heart tattoo in Manchester. Detailed neo-traditional hand banger by Håkan Hävermark at Crooked Moon tattoo in Helsingborg, Sweden.

Black and grey wolf by Matthew Henning of Sacred Heart tattoo in Manchester, and detailed neo-traditional hand banger by Håkan Hävermark at Crooked Moon tattoo in Helsingborg, Sweden.

Great muted tones in this American traditional chest piece by Mike Adams out of Homestead Tattoo, Frederick MD.

Great colour in this elegant neo-traditional piece by Aniela Fruduva from Stockholm, Sweden, tattooing out of Black Byran.

Nature piece by Giena Todryk from Krakow, Poland.

Black and grey realism piece by Sven Rayen, tattooing out of Studio Palermo, Belgium.

Full wolf, dotwork piece by Pony Reinhardt at Tenderfoot Studio.

Another popular wolf design is a woman wearing a wolf as a cowl, often inspired by Little Red Riding Hood or Princess Mononoke.

Neo-traditional wolf cowl piece by Justin Hartman tattooing out of Urban Art Tattoo and Piercing, Mesa, Arizona.

Another great neo-traditional wolf cowl piece by Evany ink at Chronic Ink tattoo shop, Toronto.

What’s your favourite wolf tattoo style?