33 Eye-Catching Lion Tattoo Designs And Ideas For You To Try
If you love tattoos and can’t wait to get tattooed, check out the lion tattoo designs we’ve listed here. Due to the cultural and religious significance of the lion animal, these tattoos are very popular.
The lion, the king of the jungle, is also the king of animal tattoos. In astrology, this animal is represented as the sign of Leo, and in Greek mythology, the lion is represented as a manticore. In addition, the Romans considered the animal as a representation of love. Also, for the Egyptians, the lion is a sign of balance, and for the Chinese, the animal symbolizes protection and good luck.
what’s more? Christianity regards the lion as a representation of their faith. In Islamic culture, the animal and the sword symbolize power. And the Hindus believe that the animal is a sacred animal that carries the goddess Durga. this animal is also considered the sun god. Therefore, considering the immense importance of the animal among all, lion tattoo designs are loved by many.
These tattoos include a wide range of patterns and tones that genuinely represent the most authentic identity of the animal. As the lion signifies bravery, knowledge, bravery, power, strength, change, stability, family and faith, lion tattoos are the best form of art.
Then if you too are excited to get a lion tattoo then scroll down and check out our list below. Let’s get started!
1. lion head tattoo
This lion head tattoo in shades of dark blue and purple commands attention. The lion’s eyes, nose and mouth are clearly outlined in black and filled with cool tones in a watercolor effect.
- Preferable ink color: This beautiful design is best seen in dark, cool colors such as blue and purple which bring out the deep meaning of this tattoo.
- where: Best suited to the center of the upper back.
- size: this design fits in an area of 10 cm2. it’s best to keep it neither too small nor too large to flaunt the colors the right way.
- Flesh Tone: The dark colors used in this tattoo look great on ivory to brown skin tones.
- preferable ink color: This tattoo is done with black outlines and shading. the eyes and gems on the crown are done in an icy blue color to add charm to the tattoo.
- where: The symmetrical construction of this tattoo makes it ideal for the upper back.
- size: This crowned lion tattoo covers an area of 15 cm2 from the base of your neck to the center of your back.
- Skin Tone: The all-black palette of this tattoo makes it ideal for porcelain and ivory skin tones.
- preferable ink color: This tattoo has a border of black ink along with a pink shading to give it a highlighted effect.
- where: This design is best seen on the outside of the arm.
- size: This tattoo covers an area of 10 cm2 from the biceps to the center of the outer arm.
- Skin Tone: This tattoo is best suited for skin tones ranging from porcelain to ivory.
- preferable ink color: This realistic tattoo looks best when done with shades of black and dark brown. details are filled with a coffee brown tone to give it a sepia look.
- where: This tattoo fits perfectly on the outside of the calf, making it easy to show off when wearing shorts.
- size: get this tattoo from the ankle to the knee.
- Flesh Tone: The elaborate shadow work makes it ideal for skin tones ranging from ivory to almond tones.
- preferable ink color: This tattoo uses black borders with gray fill. highlights are done with white ink to give it a three dimensional look.
- where: The geometric design makes it perfect for your forearm.
- size: the tattoo covers an area of 10 cm2 to keep the detail of the tattoo intact.
- Flesh Tone: The dark, contrasting design makes it more suitable for beige skin complexions.
- preferable ink color: This design is monochrome black with a super fine needle.
- where: This half lion face design will look best on your forearm where it is visible to all.
- Size: The size of this tattoo can be changed to your preference, but it looks best when done in a 7cm2 area.
- skin tone: suits skins ranging from ivory to almond.
- preferable ink color: This design is made with dark shades of black and extensive highlights.
- where: Get this tattoo on your forearm to show it off to your heart’s content.
- size: This tattoo extends from the elbow to the wrist and encircles the entire arm.
- Flesh Tone: This tattoo will create a stunning contrast on skin tones ranging from beige to almond.
- preferable ink color: the tattoo is based entirely on black ink with detailed shading and highlights with a dull gray.
- where: This tattoo extends from the bicep to the forearm.
- size: This sleeve tattoo covers the entire arm. the design on the outside of the arm is longer than the forearm.
- Flesh Tone: This ombre pattern is ideal for skin tones ranging from warm ivory to auburn skin tones.
- preferable ink color: This design makes extensive use of black ink. highlights are done with a subtle peach hue.
- where: This tattoo looks best on your forearm.
- size: This design extends from the base of the elbow to the wrist.
- Skin Tone: Light skin tones, ranging from porcelain to beige, are great for sporting this tattoo.
- preferable ink color: monotone design with varying shades makes this the perfect tattoo to engrave in black ink.
- where: This tattoo design requires a large area for shadows and extensive detail. the upper back is best for this tattoo.
- size: this design requires an area of no less than 20 cm.
- Flesh Tone: This design is best suited for skin tones ranging from ivory to honey.
- Preferable ink color: This tattoo has a monotone base with a slight pink tint to highlight its movement.
- where: The distinctive shape of the lion and background elements like the lotus, clouds, and waves make your bicep the perfect place to show off this tattoo.
- size: This tattoo extends from the bicep to the elbow.
- Flesh Tone: This tattoo looks best on skin tones ranging from porcelain to beige.
- preferable ink color: This tattoo looks best with proper shadow work and sharp outlines done in black.
- where: The elongated design of this tattoo makes it more suitable for your biceps.
- size: Ideally, this tattoo should extend from the shoulder to the elbow.
- Skin Tone: This traditional black and white tattoo design is ideal for all skin tones, from porcelain to espresso.
- preferable ink color: This design is best suited to monochromatic tones and soft gray to highlight tonal changes.
- where: The shape and angular element of the design make it more suitable for the biceps or upper arm.
- size: the total length of the tattoo should extend from the biceps to the elbow.
- Flesh Tone: Fine contouring and light shading make this design suitable for fair skin types such as ivory, sand, porcelain, and beige.
- preferable ink color: This tattoo is best done with black outlines and highlighted with orange and cyan.
- where: The vertical dimension of this design requires an elongated body part. therefore, the side of the leg is the best option.
- size: This design extends from the thigh to the ankle, covering the entire length of the leg.
- Skin Tone: The beautiful color palette of this tattoo is best suited for wheat to dark skin tones.
- preferable ink color: Light shading and delicate lines are best done in black and white.
- where: This scar tattoo is best seen on the upper shoulder.
- size: The size of this design is flexible. however, shrinking or stretching it too much will alter the proportion of the sketch. it looks better engraved in an area of 5 cm2.
- Skin Tone: This tattoo design with its light tone work suits pale to brunette skin tones.
- preferable ink color: This design has a dark shade of black and light pink for highlights.
- where: You can wear this design on the outside of the thigh.
- size: the extension of the tattoo is less than 10 cm2.
- Flesh Tone: The pink tint used in this tattoo makes it ideal for ivory and porcelain skin tones.
- preferable ink color: This tattoo has a simple black ink base along with shades of grey. the eyes have a washed-out orange tint to give them a realistic look.
- where: This small tattoo can easily fit in various places such as the wrist, arm and calf. however, it looks best on the forearm.
- size: fits easily in a 5 cm2 area.
- Skin Tone: The uniqueness of the tattoo lies in its ability to adapt to a wide range of skin tones, ranging from vanilla to mocha.
- preferable ink color: The thick lines of this tattoo look best when done with jet black ink.
- where: Although this simple and clever design will look good on most parts of your body, getting it tattooed on your forearm is the best way to show it off.
- size: This rudimentary design fits in a narrow area of 10 cm2.
- Skin Tone: The distinctive black outline allows this design to be tattooed on all skin tones, from very light to very dark.
- preferable ink color: Doing this tattoo in jet black would be the ideal choice to create a stark contrast with your skin tone.
- where: The small size of this tattoo makes it ideal for your wrist. You can also wear it on the back of your neck.
- size: this small piece fits in an area of 5 cm2.
- Skin Tone: This simple line tattoo is appropriate for all skin tones, from porcelain to espresso.
- preferable ink color: This tattoo looks best when done in monotone black and white.
- where: The expanded design is ideal for decorating the side of the ribs.
- size: Since this tattoo requires a lot of detail, do it on a large area like the abdomen.
- Flesh Tone: This monotone design works well on skin tones ranging from beige to almond.
- preferable ink color: The beauty of this tattoo lies in playing with bright colors and letting them overlap each other to form different shades.
- where: This tattoo is best seen on the outside of the arm.
- size: This design covers the area from the biceps to the elbow.
- Flesh Tone: The rich color palette of this tattoo makes it ideal for skin tones ranging from beige to almond.
- preferable ink color: According to Japanese tattoo tradition, this tattoo is done in monotone black and gray tones with varying shading and highlighting.
- where: it is ideal for your biceps.
- size: This expressive design covers the elongated area of your bicep and the width of the tattoo wraps around your arm.
- Skin Tone: This tattoo looks best on skin ranging from honey to brown.
- preferable ink color: This tattoo is done in a solid black shade with white highlights on the tiara. the eyes have been colored ice blue to make them look majestic.
- where: The elongated shape of the tattoo fits between the outer part of the arm to the middle of the forearm.
- size: the tattoo covers an area of 10 cm x 8 cm, making it perfect for your arm.
- Skin Tone: This tattoo looks best on people with a slightly pink undertone.
- Preferable ink color: This tattoo has a black base with magenta used to fill in the oval gem on the lion’s forehead.
- where: The elongated oval shape of the tattoo makes it ideal for the outer arm.
- size: This beautiful design extends from the biceps to the base of the elbow, covering the entire outer part of the arm.
- Flesh Tone: This beautiful piece looks great on skin tones ranging from sandy to brown.
- preferable ink color: the tattoo is done with a black border and a touch of pink to make the tattoo stand out.
- where: This tattoo will look great on the upper thigh.
- size: this majestic tattoo covers an area of 10 cm2.
- Flesh Tone: This design is best seen on skin tones ranging from beige to almond.
- preferable ink color: Get this amazingly detailed tattoo in shades of black and grey.
- where: This tattoo fits best on the inner arm.
- size: the tattoo extends horizontally from the biceps to the elbow.
- skin tone: The black palette of this tattoo makes it ideal for all skin tones.
- preferable ink color: This tattoo uses monochrome black ink throughout the design.
- where: This delicate design fits perfectly on the forearm.
- size: covers the area from the middle of the forearm to the wrist.
- Flesh Tone: The monotone design of this tattoo makes it ideal for skin tones ranging from ivory to beige.
- preferable ink color: This tattoo is done with black ink and shadow highlights to give it a three-dimensional look.
- where: Place this tattoo on the outside of your thigh to create an edgy look.
- size: the tattoo covers an area of 12 cm2 to perfectly fit your thigh.
- Skin Tone: This tattoo looks best on darker skin tones.
- preferable ink color: the tattoo uses only black ink.
- where: This artwork is designed to be engraved on the upper chest, just below the shoulder bone.
- size: the tattoo extends from the base of the chest to the shoulders.
- Flesh Tone: This pattern is best suited for skins ranging from porcelain to beige.
- preferable ink color: This tattoo is done primarily with black ink and white highlights.
- where: the tattoo fits perfectly on your forearm.
- size: the triangle of the tattoo fits in an area of 5 cm2.
- Flesh Tone: Black ink creates a gorgeous contrast with skin tones ranging from warm ivory to beige.
- preferable ink color: This tattoo looks best with a black outline and pink shading on the flowers.
- where: This design is best seen on your forearm, extending from your elbow to your wrist.
- size: the elongated design covers an area of 20 cm x 10 cm.
- Flesh Tone: This design is best seen on skin tones ranging from porcelain to warm beige.
- preferable ink color: This tattoo has a black base combined with a pink shading.
- where: This design sits perfectly on your forearm to create a cool feminine look.
- size: the tattoo covers the entire forearm, from the elbow to the wrist.
- Flesh Tone: This design looks best on a brunette complexion.
2. lion tattoo on the back
This impressive tattoo of a lion with a crown is a mark of greatness. Realistic rendering and intense shading make this tattoo a fascinating work of art.
3. lion arm tattoo
This beautiful linear design of a lion with suitable raised work is an attractive piece of work. the crown on the lion’s head along with the roses make it even more attractive.
4. 3d leo lion arm tattoo
Pull an experienced tattoo artist to the test with this hyper-realistic tattoo design of a ferocious lion in action. the details of the canines and eyes make it appear almost three-dimensional. the stopwatch below the lion symbolizes the value of time.
5. modern lion tattoo
This design is the perfect blend of traditional and modern art. the design features a shaded lion in the outline of a triangle. the line accentuates in the background.
6. simple lion tattoo
If you like simple and fun tattoos, this linear tattoo is the perfect choice for you. these sketchy lines of a half lion face with a determined look will look great on your arm.
7. lion tattoo on the inside of the forearm
This striking shaded design of a lion’s head with an ancient design in the background is the ideal tattoo for your forearm.
8. iron lion tattoo sleeve
If you are looking for a meaningful lion tattoo that covers your arm in a feminine way, this elegant lioness and cub tattoo with a dream catcher in the background is perfect for you.
9. tribal lion tattoo
This unique design of a lion wearing a tribal headdress represents the chief of a tribe. making the king of the jungle wear a tribal chief’s headdress is a symbol of his royal position. The rose at the base of the tattoo adds to the glamor of it.
10. lion wrist tattoo
If you want to keep your tattoo small, this is the perfect design for you. elegant shading and use of curved strokes make this tattoo even more attractive.
• preferable ink color: This wrist tattoo is done with simple black ink with different sizes of needles to make it look even more authentic. • where: This small design is perfect for your wrist. makes the tattoo easily visible and ready to show off. • size: the uniqueness of the tattoo lies in the small area it covers. it is better to do it in an area of 6 cm2. • Flesh Tone: This pattern is ideal for complexions ranging from beige to honey.
11. lion pride tattoo
This wonderful work of art will turn your skin into a living canvas. This beautiful representation of a lion along with his pride is just the gift you want to give your skin. a pride of lions symbolizes the love and care of a family.
12. chinese lion tattoo
The Chinese lion is represented in a unique way. the curly mane and thick, broad features distinguish it from the usual representations of the lion. The Chinese considered lion tattoos to be a symbol of good luck and protection. the beautiful shading and intricate details make this tattoo an eye-catcher.
13. lion crown tattoo
This monochrome tattoo of a lion with a crown and a rose is for anyone looking for that royal touch in their tattoo.
14. lioness tattoo
This abstract line tattoo of a lion along with beautiful mandala designs surrounding it has a unique feminine appeal.
15. ferocious lion tattoo
A roaring lion is a symbol of divine strength. This design is one of a kind, and the unique design and color choice make it an absolute eye-catcher. It is the perfect mix of modern art and western tattoo style. The design features a roaring lion colored in rich shades of cyan and orange. the geometric waves in the background and the owl below the lion take this piece of body art to a whole new level.
16. lion tattoo on shoulder
This lion king scar tattoo is the perfect tattoo for anyone who is obsessed with all things disney. the visible construction lines of this tattoo add a distinctly unique charm to it.
17. lion cub tattoo
This realistic tattoo of a lion cub is beyond adorable. Its cute little eyes, soft fur, and round ears make it a must-have for all animal lovers.
18. little lion tattoo
This portrait of a lion is a wonderful work of art. efficient use of shading using only monochrome tones adds to the beauty of this design.
19. geometric lion tattoo
This tattoo is an abstract lion face created from triangles. its bold outline makes it the perfect tattoo to display on your skin.
20. lion tattoo pencil drawing
This small lion tattoo has only a few curved lines. It is a great example of artistic skill. If you like to keep your tattoos simple, this is the ideal design for you.
21. lion tattoo on side rib
This graceful design of a lioness head surrounded by roses and leaves represents feminine power along with delicate beauty.
22. colorful lion tattoo
If you want pops of color to make your tattoo look even more interesting, this is the perfect piece of art for you. the striking color variation in the background of the lion’s head makes it a unique piece of abstract art.
23. japanese lion tattoo
The Japanese lion represents heroism, principles and justice. this morality was highly valued by the samurai. this is the perfect example of outstanding Japanese tattoo art.
24. princess lioness tattoo
This girly piece of art will help you let out your inner quirky girly princess. This beautiful design of a blue-eyed lioness wearing a diamond tiara looks absolutely fabulous.
25. mandala lion tattoo
This unique mandala tattoo featuring the face of a lion will look perfect on your bicep. the dotted design with a magenta gem on the lion’s forehead gives it a majestic look.
26. rasta lion tattoo
The Rastafarian flag culture features a lion with matted hair representing Haile Selassie I, known as the Lion of Judah. symbolizes righteousness, acceptance, brotherhood, and nobility.
27. tribal lion tattoo designs
If you are a fan of tribal art, this tattoo is sure to impress you. This intricate design features the side profile of a lion. the tattoo is filled with mandala art which makes it even more attractive.
28. realistic roaring lion tattoo
Get ready to flaunt this fierce tattoo of a roaring lion on your forearm. a roaring lion signifies the need to be heard.
29. lion tattoo on thigh
This bold design with deep shading showing the face and mane of a lion conveys a strong and courageous message.
30. cool lion chest tattoo
This delicate design of a roaring lion spread across the chest will help you feel powerful. This tattoo of a lion is adorned with ancient symmetrical designs in the background.
31. lion hand tattoo
If you’re a fan of gothic art, this antique tattoo design of a lion head door handle is sure to win you over. The dark palette of the tattoo along with the inverted triangle enhances the vintage beauty of the art.
32. floral lion tattoo
Flowers help bring out the feminine goddess in you. pairing them with a lion adds to the royalty of the design. This beautiful linear tattoo of a lion surrounded by cherry blossoms and a blooming chrysanthemum at the bottom screams opulence.
33. lion tattoo for women
The best way to add a feminine vibe to a tattoo is with floral elements. this sketch of a realistic lion on a blooming rose speaks of strength and beauty.
Getting a tattoo can be stressful. therefore, it is best to follow all safety precautions before and after receiving it to ensure that it heals quickly. Check out this article to find out how to prepare your skin before getting a tattoo and some post-care maintenance tips.
frequently asked questions
what does a tattoo of a lion and a rose mean?
While the lion symbolizes royalty, strength, bravery and courage, the rose symbolizes passion, beauty and femininity. A lion and rose tattoo represents a balance of sweetness, fierceness, and power.
what does a lion and tiger tattoo mean?
while a lion is considered the king of the jungle. tigers are larger, faster and more ferocious than lions and hunt independently. lions cause lionesses to hunt and intervene only when their pride is defeated, much like the role of a king in battle. a lion symbolizes strength and royalty, but the tiger symbolizes true raw power. therefore, a lion and tiger tattoo can represent royalty and true independent power.