Once a feared and maligned creature of the sea, the killer whale - or Orca - is now loved by millions of people around the world, and is one of the favored subjects for artists of the Pacific Northwest. The largest member of the dolphin family, the killer whale is synonymous with the waters of the Northwest coast of North America. The Tlingit, Nootka, and Haida tribes in particular honor the orca as one of their ancestral spirits, and see it as a symbol of strength and speed.
Legends of the killer whale abound, including those that portray it as a prolific destroyer of sea life, robbing the people of their food source. One Haida legend concerns a supernatural wolf who was so skillful at hunting the whale that much of its catch remained uneaten and spoiled. The Great Spirit created a fog to hinder its hunt, after which the wolf remained in the ocean, where it was believed to have manifested as the killer whale. Mother Earth painted markings on its side as a reminder that it used to be a member of the wolf family. Like wolves in their packs, killer whales stay with their extended family and travel in large pods. They came to be regarded as the ruler and guardian of the oceans, and sometimes the reincarnation of the clan’s chief.
The killer whale's song is believed to be so beautiful that all creation will stop to listen to it. It is also said that to be splashed by a killer whale is to ensure great luck and happiness.
See also: Marine Life Tattoo Index, Whale Tattoos and Dolphin Tattoos
