Fox Tattoo Symbolism
Fox Tattoo Symbolism
(at-a-glance):
- Clever
- Playful
- Focused
- Shapeshifting
- Skillful
- Secretive
- Resourceful
- Health
- Sexuality
- Lucky
- Vitality
- Guile
Symbolism of the fox has tricky connotations. In fact, the fox is connected with the trickster archetype, Loki in Norse myth. Native American mythology of North America indicates the fox as a trickster too – but of a morally neutral position – ambivalent to consequences too.
In truth, the fox is incredibly intelligent. It gets its tricky symbolism because it’s astoundingly adept at escaping traps, evading predators and moving around (particularly at night) in its environment.
Symbolism of shapeshifting comes into play from Chinese symbolism as well as Japan, Native North American Indians, Eastern India, to name a few. These and other various cultures recognized the fox’s ability to adapt to its environment and escape from harm by seemingly supernatural means.
Fox tattoo symbolism in this light will indicate: Intelligence, adaptability, strategy – and a stealthy (but lovable) way of moving in social circles.
As a symbol of sexuality, we think of the term “foxy” as an adjective for sultry beauty. Indeed, Chinese lore indicates various fox parts (testicles, tail, teeth, claws) were used as aphrodisiacs. Thankfully, we have tattoos to convey sexual prowess- no need to go chopping up fox parts. Sheesh.
In European folklore the fox is symbolic of stealth, cunning and slyness.
The red fox is particularly symbolic of sexual prowess (red being a symbolic color of the root chakra, or primal energy). The red fox is also associated with the realm of solar animals and carries meanings of: Vitality, Life, Energy and Health
It’s black feet and legs are symbolic of that sneaky nature I’ve been talking about here. It conveys a feeling of being able to shadow about, and obtain things in a cloaked manner.
Here are a few other pages that will enhance your thoughts about fox tattoo symbolism:
I am part native and i always wanted to find out what my animal guide was, so i meditated i was at the beach on a full sunny day…i saw a gull and a turtle and thought well these are typical of the setting i was in..then something odd happened, it became dusk rather suddenly and i heard a noise over my right shoulder..i looked and out of the brush i saw a red fox..it was staring at me rather intently..i looked forward to focus..i physically felt it nudge my right arm,my arm moved 5 times…then when i turned the fox disappeared into the bush from which it came…so when i looked up the meaning of the fox it struck me that it was very much how i interact in my life…i will follow my guide now with all its insights…
Last night driving home, a fox ran in front of my car to the right side of the road. Tonight, driving home another 1 was on the right side of the road just standing there, then ran off into the woods. I haven’t seen one in years and now its two in two nights!
I had to come look it up. Still perplexed, thanking Creator and interested for your input please I write on here. Nakummek!
I always find my animal spirit as fox. I’ve tried different test or quizzes that would determine what is my animal spirit.Then I found it out it was really and always fox..uhmmm
Wow, i love reading about fox medicine and symbolism after my friend told me i have fox medicine with me after i was bitten by a fox on my hand…it happened one day i was taking a walk in the park and saw a fox sitting out in the open on a tree stump, i went to get some help and when i came back a few country park rangers were around it, and it had fallen into the little water display so i offered to help as it looked scared, so the woman ranger managed to get it by the scruff of the neck and held it out to me, so i reached in to try help them both from the water and it got me between my thumb and index finger in the wedged skin area of my left hand. I’ve only been left with a tiny scar, and was told it had just missed my artery. I was hospitalised after it for 3 days…that’s going to take us into another story in relation to the hospital making a few errors!
Anyway now it’s over and i’m well and safe, i feel very honoured that this happened to me…to explain in a little more detail my friend had sent me shaman energies two nights before this happened to me. I feel very blessed and that day was magical for me…just before seeing the fox i was visiting an amazing tree that people tie ribbons on for healing prayers and it’s quite famous in the park i’m talking about…anyway i was beaming some reiki light into the tree and a couple of minutes later i then saw the fox, it was sitting so peaceful and it felt like something out of a dreamy film…like ‘Alice in Wonderland’It was very peculiar and fascinating!
if anyone would like to talk more on this subject please e-mail me as i still feel bewildered about it at times and want to learn so much more about it! 
Once, in my parents’ backyard (in the suburbs of a mid-west town) I spotted a bright flash of orange leaping over a fence. It was too large to be a cat and had the distinctive tail and coloring of a fox. I knew at once that the creature WAS a fox and it filled my heart with such joy. I felt such an affinity for this animal and blessed to have just that brief encounter. I truly felt the connection (that I only recently discovered through birth-charts and meditation) to this animal. Without prejudice, I could feel it in my spirit. That’s proof enough for me, at least!