Rooster Tattoo Meaning and 40 Designs to Get You Crowing

The rooster tattoo can depict masculinity, sexuality, courage, a new beginning, and much more.

I have to admit, I have only designed a handful of rooster tattoos for clients but this was enough to pique my interest about the rooster tattoo meaning. Digging through various art history books, I realized just how important of a figure the rooster was.

In this post, I am going to show you all the meanings behind the rooster tattoo and take you through some truly great designs as well. Let's get started!

Rooster Tattoo Meaning

Well, the rooster and the rooster tattoo doesn't just have one meaning. As this bird is found all over the world, different cultures have attached their own meanings to it.

Masculinity and Sexuality Behind the Rooster Tattoo

A common rooster tattoo meaning is masculinity and fertility. Hens are often associated with motherhood and femininity. As their counterpart, the rooster and rooster tattoo takes on a more traditionally masculine meaning as a male chicken.

So, if you are in touch with masculine elements 0f yourself - regardless of whether you are a man or a woman, then a rooster tattoo would be quite fitting for you.

Another rooster tattoo meaning is sexuality. A rooster is also known for its sexual prowess. This is because on most farms, they are only one or two roosters for a whole coop of hens. A single rooster can also fertilize several hens at the same time.

If you consider yourself a ladies' man or are quite proud of your ability to produce offspring, then a rooster tattoo is a good way to show it.

The Rooster Tattoo and Association to Bravery

In many cultures, a rooster and the rooster tattoo represent courage. They are known to take care of the chickens and chicks around them and do have a protective instinct. If you possess these admirable qualities, then this rooster tattoo meaning is just right for you.

Rooster tattoos also represent courage because roosters are known for being fighters. This is also why most people choose not to keep other roosters around the main rooster for fear of carnage.

The Rooster Tattoo Meaning Behind New Beginnings

Another common rooster tattoo meaning has to do with new beginnings. After all, roosters crow at dawn to usher in the new day. In rural areas, they are thought of as alarm clocks.

Due to this, the rooster and rooster tattoo are associated with the onset of something new, usually a positive event or journey. This is also why the rooster and rooster tattoo are associated with the solar symbol.

A rooster tattoo depicts waking up as well as the bird is considered an alarm clock. The rooster and rooster tattoo could be a sign for you to wake up to new possibilities, people, and ventures.

In inviting light to different spaces, the rooster is also believed to chase away evil spirits. So, if you are fighting demons or need the light to scare away all of the bad things in your life, a rooster tattoo can be a good reminder of the better times ahead.

The Rooster Tattoo Meaning in Depicting Confidence

Now, one of the more obvious symbolism of a rooster tattoo has to do with confidence. Ever thought of someone as cocky or being called this yourself? Well, this comes from the more colloquial name for the rooster which is a cock.

This is because a rooster tends to strut around and its plumage often makes it quite noticeable. Your rooster tattoo can represent could represent self confidence instead of arrogance.

The Rooster Tattoo Meaning and Links to Asian Cultures

The rooster and tattoo hold a great deal of meaning in Asian cultures as well.

An increasing number of people are taking their Chinese zodiac signs a lot more seriously. As you may be aware, the rooster is the tenth zodiac in the Chinese calendar. Those who are born under this sign are believed to be talkative and ambitious go-getters who are always working their way up.

They also known for being honest and shrewd. If any of these traits apply too you or if you simply wish to display your zodiac, the rooster tattoo is definitely the way to go.

There is also Korean rooster tattoo meanings. Each part of the rooster is said to have a different significance. So, the rooster tattoo indicates different traits such as politeness, military bearing, fighting spirit, benevolence, and reliability.

The Top Rooster Tattoo Ideas

If you are looking for some great rooster tattoo concepts, you will find them here.

Simple Rooster Tattoo Ideas

If you would like a simple rooster tattoo, there are plenty of options to choose from. These tattoo idea concepts can be anything from minimalistic with the rooster standing on one foot to creative and kooky ones.

Check out these cool tattoo ideas with plenty of meaning:

Japanese Rooster Tattoo Ideas

The rooster is a central symbol in Japanese culture. According to one legend, it was the rooster that tempted the sun goddess out of her cave. In doing so, the animal was able to end a period of perpetual darkness.

This rooster tattoo concept is great if you want your rooster tattoo to be connected to positivity and light. This rooster tattoo also works well if you have recently come through a rough patch and are ready to start living your life again.

This rooster tattoo could also be a great reminder for you to have a more positive outlook on life.

Here are the rooster tattoos to draw inspiration from:

Fighting Rooster Tattoo Ideas

This kind of rooster tattoo can have more than one meaning. On the one hand, it could symbolize your fighting spirit. Another meaning of this tattoo could be about fighting off or banishing evil spirits or evil elements from your life.

You can get really creative with fighting rooster tattoos. You can also stick to the more typical way of depicting the rooster and its fighting spirit in your rooster tattoo.

Your rooster tattoo could include the rooster launching itself into the air or in a fighting pose. Or, you can have a more humorous take on your rooster tattoo. Perhaps, get inked with a rooster with boxing gloves on.

Here are the tattoos to consider:

Traditional Rooster Tattoo Ideas

This is also a cool idea for a rooster tattoo. This tattoo style is all about the classic look and is actually a popular choice for a rooster tattoo.

So, if you want a vintage rooster tattoo, these are the tattoos you should check out for your own ink:

Pig and Rooster Tattoo Ideas

Of all the animals to get tattooed with the rooster, you will have to agree that the pig is a rather odd choice. Not to worry, though, there is a special meaning for this unusual tattoo combo.

So:

What does a pig and rooster tattoo mean?

This is a sailor tattoo - the rooster and pig were often kept in wooden crates when on the ship. So, if the ship sank, these wooden crates would float to the shore.

This rooster tattoo meaning can represent getting through the tough times in your life.

Here are the tattoos that may inspire your own rooster tattoo:

Rooster and Snake Tattoo Ideas

There is a very interesting tattoo meaning behind this design. As you may have seen from explanations of the rooster tattoo, the rooster is a symbol of positivity, a force for good.

The snake, on the other hand, is still considered a force for evil in many parts of the world. So, a tattoo depicting a snake and a rooster fighting is a sign of the battle between good and evil.

Here are some tattoo ideas to consider:

There you go - the rooster tattoo meaning in all its different forms. Since it's such a significant tattoo to get, you now know what this tattoo meaning is all about. What's left to do is to find the right tattoo design.