


Many Native American chiefs would historically choose the thunderbird as their crest, further solidifying its association with power. The thunderbird commands the sky and helps bring rain to the earth. These could be worth considering if you’ve been thinking about getting this image in ink. There are a number of different meanings that this tattoo can have. Different meanings for the thunderbird tattoo However, there are other depictions with its head facing forward as on totem poles. Most depictions of the legendary bird are from below with its wings spread and its head in a profile position. Like many mythical birds such as the roc and griffin, it’s appearance is most likely inspired by the eagle. Some tales also claim that the thunderbird is so strong that it can lift a whale out of the water and that it lives high above the highest mountains. There are some stories of this creature being able to turn itself into human form by opening its head up like a mask and taking off its feathers. It creates thunder by flapping its wings and creates lightning by flashing its eyes.īy helping to bring rain, this mighty supernatural being helps to water vegetation and create life. These include the Sioux, the Arapahoe, the Ojibwe and the Anishinaabe just to name a few tribes.Īccording to legend, the thunderbird is a huge bird that commands the overworld much like a god. Origins of the thunderbirdĪ number of indigenous people across North America have depicted the thunderbird in paintings, in quillwork and in carvings (both notably on totem poles). It also looks at some of the different styles of thunderbird tattoo. This post delves into the origins of this mythical creature and the meaning that it carries. Most people know a little about the Native American mythical creature that it depicts, but not a lot of people know about its symbolism. The thunderbird is a very popular tattoo design.
