Guides · The ravens
Huginn and Muninn
Huginn and Muninn are the two ravens of Odin in Norse tradition. Their names are usually read as “thought” and “memory” or “mind”, and Huginn is the raven our studio is named after.
3 min read · Updated October 6, 2026
Who are Huginn and Muninn?
In Norse tradition, Huginn and Muninn are two ravens who belong to Odin, the chief of the gods. Huginn is generally understood as “thought”. Muninn is translated as “memory” or “mind”, depending on the source and the translator.
They appear in the Poetic Edda, in the poem Grímnismál, and in the Prose Edda, written down in medieval Iceland. In these texts, Odin sends them out each day to fly over the world and bring back what they have seen and heard.
In Grímnismál, Odin says that he worries about Huginn not returning, but more about Muninn. The line has often been read as showing how much weight memory carried.
What do the ravens mean?
Odin is a god closely tied to knowledge, wisdom, poetry and the search for understanding. His ravens extend that nature: thought that travels and memory that returns. They are not decoration. They are the way he knows the world.
In the Prose Edda, they are described as sitting on his shoulders and speaking into his ears. This image is what most people recall, and it is why the ravens appear so often in art.
As with much Norse material, there is more than one layer. Scholars discuss and debate details, so it is wise to treat any one reading as a reading, not as the final word.
- Huginn: thought
- Muninn: memory or mind
- Odin: the god they serve and inform
- Sources: Poetic Edda and Prose Edda
Why the raven is our symbol
Our name comes from Huginn. Every tattoo begins with a thought, and the raven of thought seemed the right companion for that. We carry an idea into a line, and a line onto skin.
That is also why we begin by listening. Before a design exists, there is a person with an idea, a feeling or a story. Our job is to shape it with you, and the choice stays yours.
Huginn is our symbol and our starting point. It is not a claim about any specific style, and you do not need to care about mythology to get a tattoo with us.
Mythology in tattoos, without the kitsch
Norse imagery is popular, and that can make it feel repetitive. The way around that is to be specific. Ask what a symbol means to you, not what looks mythic.
A single raven in clean lines, a small pair of wings or a quiet detail can carry more than a crowded scene. Restraint usually reads better than dramatic scenes copied from somewhere else.
If a myth speaks to you, tell us why. A custom design starts from that reason, and we do not copy other artists' work. The design is made with you and for you.
Starting from a thought
You do not need to know the myths in detail to begin. Many people start with a single image, a word or a feeling, such as a raven, a pair of wings or the idea of remembering something that matters.
From there, we ask questions. What do you want to carry? Where should it live? How large should it be? The answers shape the line, and the raven, if there is one, becomes yours.
That is the quiet idea behind the studio: a thought comes first, and the mark follows.
Questions people ask
What do Huginn and Muninn mean?
Huginn is usually translated as “thought” and Muninn as “memory” or “mind”. Both belong to Odin in Norse tradition.
Where do the ravens appear in the sources?
They appear in the Poetic Edda, in Grímnismál, and in the Prose Edda. In both, they fly over the world and report to Odin.
Why is the studio called huginnink?
It is named after Huginn, the raven of thought. We think every tattoo begins with a thought.
Do I need a Norse theme to get a tattoo with you?
No. We work with whatever idea is yours, from fine line pieces to personal symbols.
Every mark begins with thought
If a thought has been waiting to become a mark, share it with us on WhatsApp or through the request form. We will listen first.
A request is not a confirmed appointment; we write back to you.
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