by Last Updated on February 3, 2023 by Avia
Celtic Raven Tattoo Ideas and Raven Meaning
You’ve got tons of options for tattoo ideas. But if you’re wild, bold, and lean towards the Celtic way of life, the raven meaning and tattoo might be right in your creative wheelhouse. Celtic ravens were highly honored for many reasons. Explore more about how the Celts felt about the raven for your next tattoo idea.
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Celtic Raven in Myth and Legend
Raven meaning for Celtic tattoos is based on Celtic myth and legend. Tales of the heroic Chuhulian, Bendegeit Bran, Lugh all speak of the raven in a prophetic capacity as well as power and protection. Meanings of retribution come into play with female Celtic figures of power such as the raven goddesses Morrigan, Macha and Badbh.
In almost all Celtic myths, the raven is featured as a vital messenger of wisdom and prophesy.
When considering raven meanings in connection to Celtic wisdom, there area few potent themes to contemplate…
Symbolic Raven Meaning for Celtic Tattoo Ideas
- War
- Magic
- Memory
- Secrets
- Oracle
- Shadow
- Prophecy
- Military
- Protection
Legend conveys the powerful Celtic goddess, Morrigan descending upon battlefields in the shape of 100s of ravens. Morrigan, in the form of these shimmery black winged legions, would consume the souls of fallen warriors in battle and carry their souls appropriate spiritual realms.
“Whether you are going through the dark or the light
you must understand you are transforming…
-And transformation of any kind is magic.
Change is filled with wonder.
The ability to adapt
is a gift.”
~Avia
Celtic Raven Meaning
Raven meanings of wisdom, prophecy and knowledge-keeping is connected with the Welsh hero Bran, the Blessed whose name means raven.
Bran was the holder of ancestral memories, and his wisdom was legendary. So much so, that he had his head (the vessel of his powerful wisdom) removed and interred in the sacred White Mount in London.
Ravens are still roosting there (in the Tower of London), and they’re thought to keep Bran’s wisdom protected and alive by their presence. This plays in nicely with symbolism of protection the raven has in Celtic symbolism.
Raven meanings are also associated with the Celtic high king, Lugh who is considered a masterfully skilled in smithing, crafting, prophecy, swordsmanship, art and generally, an all-wise king.
In their association with the mighty Lugh, ravens take on a prophetic capacity. Ravens were an oracle for Lugh, forewarning him of invasions and other information that allowed him to lay clever military strategy.
Highlights for Celtic Raven Meaning
To be sure, raven meanings speaking of keeping and protecting sacred wisdom and mystic law. It is thought ravens consume the soul upon physical death so that soul-knowledge will not die with the body – but rather lives on while carried aloft raven wings. Here are a few take-away points to consider when exploring raven meaning for a wicked-awesome Celtic-themed tattoo.
Intuition is Key
Do you privy yourself as intuitive? Knowing? Wise? Even psychic? The Celtic raven tattoo might be a great way to express this. Celtic myth is rife with references to the raven as a symbol of supernatural knowledge, higher sight and otherworldly vision.
Divide and Conquer
In many legends, including Celtic, the raven is featured as a symbol of war, strength and conquering. This has a lot to do with ravens picking over battlefields, but in truth – the raven takes for itself. It does not second guess its needs. The Celtic raven tattoo idea here is: Be opportunistic, don’t listen to the fear, be brave.
Worthy of the Gods (and Goddesses)
The raven is a big deal in Celtic myth and lore. It is associated with gods and goddess like: Chuhulian, Bendegeit Bran, Lugh, Morrigan and more. In almost all Celtic myths, the raven is featured as a vital messenger of wisdom and prophesy.
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