Let’s Head to Pooh Corner for Some Winnie the Pooh Tattoos

Winnie the Pooh
Winnie the Pooh
Tubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff
He’s Winnie the Pooh
Winnie the Pooh
Willy nilly silly old bear. 

Now that you have the song firmly stuck inside of your brain, let us take some time to celebrate A.A. Milne’s beloved creation, Winnie the Pooh. Pooh Bear first appeared, albeit by the name of “Mr. Edward Bear” in Milne’s “When We Were Very Young,” a collection of poems.

As Milne continued writing children’s literature he drew inspiration from those around him. Specifically his son Christopher Robin Milne (sound familiar?) and his cherished teddy bear Winnie the Pooh. The actual teddy bear was named after Winnie, a bear that Milne’s had seen at the London Zoo, and Pooh, a swan that they had encountered in their travels. As silly as the name sounds, it stuck. 

Milne would go on to write “Winnie-the-Pooh” and “The House at Pooh Corner,” in 1926 and 1928 respectively. While Milne is most remembered for his creation of the “bear of very little brain,” he published a handful of novels and dozens of plays. 

After Milne’s death, the rights to Winnie the Pooh were purchased by Disney and soon the 100 Acre Wood was the setting for a series of animated adventures. It is these cartoons, and the instantly recognizable voice of Sterling Holloway as the titular bear, that sticks in the brains of most people these days.

You’ll also find that it is the Disney version of Pooh (and Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore, Owl and the rest of the gang) that most folks choose to get tattooed. Although you will find a few inspired by the original illustrations of E.H. Shepard in the gallery below. 

Pooh Bear taught me many valuable life lessons, like that I should avoid getting my head stuck in a honey pot. And I can’t even tell you how many times I sigh “oh bother” at an item of minor distress. That is why in honor of National Winnie The Pooh Day, which is celebrated on Milne’s January 18 birthday, we present to you some of our favorite Winnie the Pooh tattoos.  

Do you have a tattoo of Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet or any of the other citizens of the 100 Acre Wood? Share it with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter!