45 Amazing Dreamcatcher Tattoos and Meanings

Most of us are familiar with the dreamcatcher - a hoop containing a woven mesh and feathers and beads hanging from it. However most people don't know it's true origins. Whilst the dreamcatcher is generally just associated with American Indian culture, it wasn't until the 60's and 70's that it was adopted as an American Indian symbol. It's actual origins are with the Ojibwe people who have an ancient legend about the spider woman Asibikaashi who would take care of the children on the land. The dreamcatchers were constructed and hung above children's beds to work like a charm and only allow good dreams to enter that persons mind.

Nowadays dreamcatchers a more a symbol of American Indian heritage and their overall underlying beauty, but to some they still believe that the dreamcatcher will get rid of any bad dreams. So let's take a look at 45 of our favorite dreamcatcher tattoos.

Dreamcatcher tattoos are particularly popular amongst females, generally because the feathers and web like patterns are seen as a more feminine design. The actual web itself is often adapted to the persons taste as you can see on the beautiful design above running up the side of the ribs.

Here is an example of someone putting their own twist on the dreamcatcher with their own adornments hanging from it including the pentagram which is a popular symbol for lovers of HIM who are a metal band.

A simpler dreamcatcher design that has been modified to have the web look like that of a sunflower.

Because the dreamcatcher is traditionally hand made and that often no two would be the same it offers a great chance to show your creative flare and put your own twist or embellishments on it.

A larger dreamcatcher tattoo on someone's hip which is a popular place for females to get tattoos these days, particularly because they can hide these tattoos when they dress for work.

One of our favorite spots for the dreamcatcher tattoo is on the back of the neck. For the most part you can cover it up when you untie your hair which gives you a couple of different style options. As for the key in this photo, just like you we have no idea why it's there...

A great example of how you can compliment your dreamcatcher tattoo with hand made bracelets on your wrist.

Here is a freshly done dreamcatcher tattoo on someones shoulder and arm. As you can see they have opted for a lot of feathers on this one and sometimes people will pick a particular birds feathers that have some kind of symbolism to them.

We really love this one. The broach hanging from the dreamcatcher just looks divine!

A unique take on the dreamcatcher tattoo, this time featuring an animals skull in the middle and different kind of webbing patterns.

Probably the most popular spot to get dreamcatcher tattoos or any American Indian themed tattoo for that matter is the shoulder, there is something about the feather style designs dangling down your arm that just works!

A smaller, simpler dream catcher tattoo just above someones ankle.

Here you can see someone has got creative with the style of webbing in the dreamcatcher design having a mixture of star style designs.

For us something just isn't working with the above design. The feathers look too clustered and overwhelming compared to the dreamcatcher webs. At the same time it is a great design but just might not be the right placement for it.

We love this one, it's like the negative photograph version of a dreamcatcher tattoo which in the tattoo world is called black work ink where the majority of the tattoo is black and you use your own skin tone for the detail inside - very cool!

Again, another great example of someone embellishing their design with some cool bracelets.

A beautiful dark thigh dreamcatcher tattoo that has it's own unique styling.

Birds flying away from the feather looks really beautiful and poignant.

Another great example of a cool looking back piece with a really intricate web.

Here you can see the main web has been modified to that of a flower which is popular to do. There is also 3 smaller hoops underneath which might be symbolic of 3 significant people in that persons life.

A beautiful photo of someone out in nature with their dream catcher tattoo. These styles of tattoo are particularly popular amongst people with American Indian heritage or those considered 'hippies' who are at peace with nature.

The horse shoe is a symbol of good luck and here it has been modified in to a dream catcher.

A beautiful necklace style band around someones neck with a really cool dreamcatcher going all the way down their back - absolutely love this design.

A great photo mid flick of the hair. As you can see they are sporting a really well done dreamcatcher tattoo on their shoulder.

Have a dreamcatcher that you really like? Why not take it in to your tattooist and have them replicate it on your arm so that it will last a life time. Of course they can modify it how you please as well.

A great looking flower style hoop with feathers and beads hanging below.

Here is another view of an earlier tattoo of a girl with a beautiful and large back piece.

As you can tell by now the dreamcatcher is a very beautiful design to get, particularly so for females, so why not embellish it even further with some pretty flowers...

The side of the ribs is an increasingly popular spot for both females and males to get tattooed. We really like how this one has it's own theme with a cool looking celtic style love heart in the middle of it.

Another great example of a beautiful dreamcatcher back tattoo.

Animals were sacred in American Indian culture and here is a great design featuring a paw print. Also notice the red dipped feathers which also hold a significance in their culture for warriors.

We really love the style of this one. All black except just a small amount of color on the beads which gives it a great finish.

We really love how this person has incorporated some beautiful pink roses around the dreamcatcher and how detailed the 3d beads are, they look very realistic.

A great unique take on the dreamcatcher tattoo. The feathers that wrap around to the side of her body look great and we really love the purple and green colors that go so well together.

Proof that dreamcatcher tattoos don't need be massive and across your whole back to look pretty. Here is a great smaller design in only black ink on someones wrist that looks great.

Whilst not your traditional dreamcatcher style you can see that it is definitely influenced by them and they have adapted the style to more of a band style tattoo around their ankle with a feather hanging from it, still it looks really pretty.

A great side on shot of a design on the side of someones ribs. If you look closely you can see they have included someones name on it. Since dreamcatchers were traditionally made by the women for their children it's a great excuse to get your child's name tattooed on one as well.

"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today" - beautiful quote for a beautiful tattoo. We particularly like how each of the hoops contains a different style of web.

This is one of our favorites because of how unique it is. It's very uncommon for people to get white ink tattooed on them because on a lot of skin tones it doesn't show up too well. Here is an exception where someone has opted for some pretty white roses that contrast really nicely against the thick black lines of the dreamcatcher.

Another rare spot to get tattooed is on the palm of your hand as it is considered that it will rub off easier, but here is a beautiful example of how pretty they can look. It's worth noting that you should take proper care of tattoos in all locations, but this is particularly relevant when it comes to a tattoo that's on your hand where we do shed a lot of skin as well as rub it against a lot of things. Make sure that you do your research when it comes to caring for your tattoo and get the right moisturizer.

A great shot of someone incorporating birds flying off from their dreamcatcher design across their back.

We saved the best for last. What's not to love about this elegant dreamcatcher design. Firstly take note of the really well detailed red roses around the design. As we've said before - red and black always works well together when it comes to tattoo designs and this one is no exception. We also like how they have mixed the two colors together in the actual web itself and then finally they have also added some yellow beads hanging from the hoop to mix it up a bit.