Harry Potter is without a doubt one of the biggest franchises, with one of the biggest and most die-hard fandoms. Fans - or Potterheads - often take their love for the series to great heights, especially when it comes to showing their House Pride. The Sorting Hat quiz on Pottermore offers the most accurate test to determine what Hogwarts house you belong in.
Of the four houses, Ravenclaw is the house for intelligence, wisdom, creativity, and wit. Represented by the eagle and the colors blue and bronze, Ravenclaws in real life are often either the smartest person in your class or the daydreamer with ink stains on their hands. Famous Ravenclaws include Cho Chang, Luna Lovegood, Filius Flitwick, and even Gilderoy Lockheart (though Hermione Granger, brightest witch of her age, would have been a fine fit in Ravenclaw, too).
Rowena Ravenclaw’s Diadem
Rowena Ravenclaw’s diadem - also known as “The Lost Diadem of Ravenclaw” - was thought to grant wisdom to the wearer. The diadem was stolen by Rowena’s daughter Helena and lost for centuries before being turned into a Horcrux. Fans may recognize the famous quote etched on its surface: “Wit beyond measure is man’s greatest treasure.”
This piece was done by GeorgiieTattoos at Black Sails Tattoo, based in Brighton. It’s a feminine style neo-traditional, with a kawaii spin to the aesthetic. Note the solid line work and stunning coloring in the sapphire.
Luna Lovegood
Making her debut in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Luna Lovegood has become a fan favorite for her eccentric yet self-assured attitude. Referred to as “the Anti-Hermione” Luna represents all the weirdos, outcasts and dreamers - which makes her the perfect poster child for Ravenclaws.
This tattoo showcases Luna with her radish earrings, Patronus (very fittingly a hare) as well as her spectrespecs (glasses that make wrackspurts visible to the naked eye).
Jessica Channer from Take Care Tattoo in Ontario gets the credit for this stunning portrait piece.
Time Turner
While the movies may have used a blue and silver theme, the true Ravenclaw colors are blue and bronze, as they represent the sky and feathers. Save the silver for the Slytherins.
Hermione Granger used the Time Turner in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, so she could literally be in two places at once and complete twice the amount of coursework. For a Gryffindor, she certainly takes her education as seriously as a Ravenclaw.
Tattoo artist Nathália Corrêa does a lot of dark and witchy aesthetic tattoos, and her use of watercolor is awesome.
Ravenclaw Spell Bundle
Gryffindor’s are represented by lions. Slytherins are snakes. Hufflepuffs are badgers. And Ravenclaws are… eagles. The name Ravenclaw only comes from the surname of house founder Rowena Ravenclaw. And while official film merchandise may use ravens on the house crest, the true mascot is the eagle, as it represents broad vision and strength of the mind and heart.
This tattoo shows off not only the true Ravenclaw mascot but the Deathly Hallows symbol on its body. Look closely, and you’ll see the person being tattoo is also sporting some Ravenclaw socks. A real die-hard Potterhead!
Tattoo artist Nikki Rex is the co-owner of The Hideaway Tattoo in San Diego.
Moaning Myrtle
She was born Myrtle Warren but is more known by her unfortunate nickname Moaning Myrtle. Not a particularly popular girl, she was often bullied by her classmates and spent a lot of time crying in the second-floor girl’s bathroom. She was killed in 1943 when she accidentally looked directly into the eyes of the Serpent of Slytherin. She continues to haunt the bathroom and toilets well into Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Given all the tragedy and melancholy following Myrtle, in life and death, watercolor is the perfect fit for her.
Artist Mia Miss Hake is based in France at Peau d’âme Tattoo.
Ravenclaw Owl
Owls are a huge part of the Harry Potter wizarding world. As well as serving as the postal delivery service, owls are known to be loving and faithful companions such as Hedwig. Here is a house-themed piece, featuring an owl in a Ravenclaw scarf, with a range of elements from the books, such as the Golden Snitch and Philosopher’s Stone.
The artist KittyDearest is a Melbourne based tattoo artist, and co-owner of The Black Mark.
“It Does Not Do Well To Dwell On Dreams…”
Dumbledore has some of the wisest and most profound quotes in the books. This one “It does not do well to dwell on dreams, and forget to live,” is said during Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone after Harry discovers the Mirror of Erised.
The Deathly Hallows is a popular symbol for Potterheads to get as a tattoo, but this one is incorporating ink splotches of the proper Ravenclaw colors, with a black raven, and this iconic quote.
This piece is by Mallory Johnson based in Springfield, Missouri at Heyoka Tattoo.
And Forget How To Live."
The quote serves as a poetic reminder for us to not dwell on the past and the things that might have been, or on the future and things that may or may not come to pass, for then we shall forget to truly live in the present. Words of wisdom, which are always a Ravenclaw’s forte.
Ravens may not be the emblematic bird for Ravenclaw, but there is no denying that the rich color captured in this watercolor piece makes it a winner.
Joanne Baker is a tattoo artist based in Edinburgh.
Niffler
Making their debut in the new franchise Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Nifflers are magical beasts known for their love of shiny things and treasure. This one is looking particularly cozy in a Ravenclaw scarf, with a yellow heart backdrop to complement the colors.
Erin Odea does a lot of fandom inspired tattoos, as well as traditional style pieces. Her Niffler tattoo was done for the Literary Ink Tattoo Convention, their Instagram gallery is a plethora of Harry Potter inspired tattoos for any witch, wizard or muggle.
Ravenclaw + Slytherin = SlytherClaw
Maybe you don’t fit neatly into one house. Harry Potter could have just as easily ended up in Slytherin like Hermione could be in Ravenclaw or Ron could be in Hufflepuff. Thankfully, the Golden Trio all ended up in Gryffindor. But what about you?
Some fans have been embracing their dual-houses identities, and have been wearing two sets of house colors with just as much pride. Or, in this case, getting a fusion of their two house crests as a tattoo. Without a doubt, pairing Ravenclaw’s intelligence and creativity with Slytherin’s cunning and ambition is a powerhouse combination.
Russian tattoo artist Dmitry Yakovlev has a gallery full of traditional style tattoos, all with strong lines and vibrant color, in a range of fandoms from The Avengers to Crash Bandicoot.
