Penguins don't have much experience with humans, so it's not surprising that we don't have much experience with them. The Antarctic, was after all, except for penguins, seals and a few other sea birds, a bitterly cold, utterly inhospitable environment for human habitation. But underneath the ice shelf of the Antarctic is an incredibly rich sea environment teaming with life and extraordinary bio-diversity and a magnet for whales and other marine creatures who are drawn to the rich feeding grounds for krill and other food sources. For this reason, penguins aren't well established in folklore or in the international lexicon of symbols. Other than a few isolated outposts on the extreme end of South Americas and New Zealand, you have to go to all the way to the Antarctic to find penguins. Whatever the penguin means to you, well, that's what it means to you. The penguin is a symbol more open than most to a very personal interpretation.
By getting a penguin tattoo, you are making a statement about your ability to change or adapt to different environments. With a single step or a belly glide you can make the leap from hard ground to the constantly shifting seas. Some would say this represents a connection between the physical and the spiritual. At the very least, a penguin attachment reflects an attitude of playfulness. You're saying that there is a time for work and a time for play. And, of course, those with the penguin totem will be a loving spouse and a caring parent. Penguin people perform best when working in a group setting.
Below you will find a gallery of inspirational images that will help you in your quest of creating the perfect penguin tattoo.
Also Check out: Bird Tattoo Index and Marine Life Index
