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With their innocent eyes and lovely markings, a deer is a classic symbol of freedom, speed and mystery in the animal kingdom.
No two deer are alike, which makes them a unique choice for a tattoo design. A male deer, called a buck, features amazing antlers that make for a striking design element in a tattoo due to their graphic interest.
However, a female deer, or a doe, are smaller in size with a watchful stare that can add a bit of feminine mystique to any nature-inspired tattoo. Even a fawn, with its darling spots and white tails, can be a charming addition, especially if your tattoo concerns the forest.
In Greek mythology, Diana the huntress was attended to by deer, so they have a mystical meaning. If you ever have seen a deer in the wild, you know how they can gracefully bound with ease and beauty.
They are also quite intelligent animals, which makes their meaning in a tattoo idea all the more complex. If you want to pay homage to the sport of hunting or to your family’s hunter heritage, having a buck’s head and antlers mounted on a plaque could be a suitable image to preserve on your body.
This type of tattoo can be placed virtually anywhere on the body, but it may look best on an upper arm or shoulder.
Because they feature natural colors like brown, cream and black, deer fit well into tattoos that celebrate woodsy wildlife and flora and fauna. For country-themed tattoos, deer should be considered as one of the go-to symbols.
