nothing better than a tattoo that symbolizes dominance, strength, balance of power and courage than one that represents the king of the jungle: the lion. however, the aforementioned statement deserves a slight correction, or rather a companion: make the queens and kings of the desert; since the role of a lioness is equally powerful. Continuing with the theme of tattoos, lion tattoos have been in fashion and are here to stay. There is no better place to have landed than this page to get inspiration for the latest and trending lion tattoo designs of the current times.
Lion tattoos are immediately recognizable no matter what popular style they are inked in: tribal, realistic, geometric, colored, illustrative, etc. therefore, each of the 28 lion tattoo designs below is worth checking out. you arrive at the perfect destined for you. who knows, one of them could be your next tattoo or maybe be inspiring enough to make you opt for a similar one. As you enjoy viewing each of these top designs, you’ll find the artist/source mentioned below each image so you can directly follow more of the talented artist’s work.
Without further ado, here are the top 28 lion tattoo designs that are sure to make you and your viewers roar:
lion tattoos
#1. lion eyes sleeve tattoo
In the mysterious and intriguing tattoo above, the focus is on the fierce eyes of the lion. Lovers of realistic lion tattoos have made this particular style a popular choice. eye tattoos represent watching over someone. therefore, the symbolism of eye tattoos in many cultures is “good luck”. the eyes also symbolize the inner being of a person. therefore, it makes a lot of sense to get this tattoo if you associate your inner personality with the strength of a lion.
#2. lion tattoo on chest
The left side of the chest is the ideal place for a lion tattoo: your heart is as brave as a lion’s. the roaring lion is the best option for this location. the tattoo extends to the shoulder to complete this bold design.
#3. lion tattoo on hand
Tattoos on the hands, especially on the right hand, symbolize self-control, among other things. when you have a masculine design, like a lion on your hand, it gives you more confidence. you start to feel naturally more powerful and robust.
#4. roaring lion tattoo on arm
A lion tattoo represents power, but when the lion roars, it means that you are fearlessly showing your strength to others. lions roar when they are marking their territory. the lion’s roar is quite loud, often heard miles away from the source. If you are looking for a very masculine tattoo, a roaring lion is one of the best options. More surface area is required to tattoo a roaring lion, so the arm is the best location.
#5. large lion tattoo on thigh
A lion is a beautiful animal with many details. Larger lion tattoos are famous among enthusiasts because they better highlight masculinity. the thigh is the location of choice because there is more surface area to work on there. The lion tattoo above looks loud and clear. it has intricate details that bring out the boldness through the tattoo technique.
#6. lion tattoo on the ribs
ribs are a painful area to tattoo. however, it is the perfect location for a large piece like the lion face above. Looking at your lion tattoo in your bathroom mirror will be a reminder that you are strong and brave. it gives you a strong sense of self-confidence that you should be out there like a king. the pain, expense, and time you put into such a piece will be worth it in the end.
#7. full frontal lion tattoo
The above tattoo covers the man’s entire chest, stomach, ribs and both sleeves. in other words, looking at the user from the front, you won’t see any negative spaces (skin). it’s the full coverage, the mother of all tattoos, the style, and on top of that, it’s a giant roaring lion looking right at viewers. the technique consists of tattooing with black, white and various colored inks. All in all, it’s a fabulous piece of work with an amazing design. congratulations to the talented artist.
#8. geometric lion tattoo
When you’re looking for an unusual yet trendy lion tattoo, look no further than a design that incorporates geometric shapes, shading, abstraction, and non-traditional ink techniques. The lion tattoo above uses that exact formula for the modern and futuristic look it creates. Additionally, shading helps bring out more of the depth of the design for a more complex and unique look.
#9. lion tattoo on biceps
Many people appreciate and prefer glitter, especially when it comes to a colored ink lion tattoo. the design above is orange, yellow and black, with white highlights where needed. it gives you a more subtle version of the traditional lion tattoo. the colors add realism, while the overall design is more animated than realistic. All in all, it’s a beautiful lion tattoo, and the specific placement is the best decision made by the artist and wearer.
#10. Calm lion upper arm tattoo
The lion or lioness clam symbolizes that the animal is in protective mode. As seen above, the cubs are being nurtured and protected under the lion’s care. this image is a universal representation of parental love and care. the upper arm has a large enough area for a tattoo of this scope.
#11. black line work lion tattoo
The lion tattoo above is in an artistic style. the black lines do the trick and bring out the features of the beautiful lion without having to go into painful detail. It’s a more suitable design for women who don’t want an essentially masculine appeal from their lion tattoo.
#12. lioness, cub and flower tattoo
here is the representation that moistens the eyes of a lioness with her cub. she is the mother and the child. the crux of the meaning is a mother’s love and protection for her youngest child. they are in nature, among the presence of other wild and dangerous animals. pups being vulnerable, are susceptible to attack. this symbolism fits well with novice moms and dads. so if you are one of them, you would love to get this tattoo, soon!
#13. lion & rose tattoo on hip
Her hips don’t lie. This beautiful feminine tattoo shows a lion and large fully bloomed roses. All of that is accentuated nicely with filigree artwork.
#14. colorful lion arm tattoo
The watercolor style tattoo above shows many elements juxtaposed perfectly. the central part, the lioness, wears a crown. the flowers and backdrop add a heavenly aura to the theme. It is a nice tattoo, mainly suitable for girls and women.
#15. lioness tattoo among pink roses
a lioness behaves gracefully and elegantly in the wild; It’s no wonder female lion tattoos are so popular. They are great hunters who work in packs to get food for their cubs and the rest of the family. The lioness (lioness) is loved and preferred among tattoo options for having superior maternal instincts and exceptional predatory abilities.
#16. lion with crown tattoo
the lion has a powerful royal image. Being the king of the jungle comes with perks like a crown. A lion with a crown tattoo symbolizes being a protector, a leader and a great predator. If you are the main breadwinner in your family, you could relate well to this symbolism. Furthermore, if you are independent, strong and dominant in your family, this tattoo does justice to your personality. also, according to the bible, jesus is known as the king and the lion.
#17. guardian lion tattoo (chinese) on the chin
According to the Chinese, their guardian lions protect their environment. therefore, it is common to find stone-carved guardian lions in Chinese temples. the above tattoo is placed on the shin, an unusual but aesthetically stunning location for a large tattoo.
#18. lion of judah tattoo
The impressive lion of judah tattoo above is beautifully placed on the upper back of the woman. A lion of judah tattoo is usually shown with the lion holding a royal scepter. In the Bible, Jesus Christ is referred to as the Lion of Judah. but, that is just one of many associated meanings. design is also significant in Rastafarian culture, among others.
#19. lion (strength) tarot card tattoo design
A tarot card with a lion represents animal passions and earthly cravings. No stone has been left unturned regarding the skills of the artist as the tattoo is simply perfect. you can also see a proper “strength” highlighted at the bottom of this upper arm piece.
#20. woman with lion hat tattoo
A tattoo showing a Native American woman wearing a lion hat symbolizes her empowerment, strength and confidence. The above tattoo has intricate details, sharp contrasting elements (red flower vs. rest of image), and practical upper arm coverage.
#21. pectoral lion tattoo
The lion is shown in intricate detail in the tattoo above. the lines, shading, and three-dimensional effect make this a technically superior tattoo. In addition, the image fully covers the man’s left pectoral, which has meaning for being over the heart (representing power and courage).
#22. lion and cross tattoo
This tattoo could be a great option if you want a cross as part of your next tattoo. the images are reinforced and become more powerful with the lion in the background. It is a large tattoo suitable for the upper arm.
#23. female rib tattoo with lion theme
Although this tattoo is based on the lion, the overall image is very feminine. the artist has combed the lion’s fur and adorned it with pretty flowers. that’s all a gimmick, but the general meaning is intact: power, desire, dominance, strength, etc. tip: want to add color to the above? the alternative is shown below.
#24. female tattoo on the upper arm representing a lion
The previous tattoo on this list was identical but in black and white. this one has a hint of pink added just to the flowers. the lion, the focal point, remains an artistic black and white.
#25. astronomical lion tattoo
The above is a leo (zodiac sign) constellation tattoo inked on the back of the thigh. As a Leo (born between July 23 and August 22), you possess leadership skills and charisma. Furthermore, a Leo zodiac association person is communicative, extroverted and charming. his domineering personalities push people back or make them line up to socialize with you. you are talkative, outgoing and charming.
#26. puzzle style lion tattoo
Enthusiasts online are currently raving about the above tattoo style. it’s like a puzzle without the requirement of using your cognitive skills to put the pieces together. the gaps between the elements that make up the entire image add to the uniqueness, and overall the image looks great. this tattoo looks fantastic on the left side of the chest. other placement options include the center of the upper back, upper arm, or thigh.
#27. lion and clock tattoo
The lion, of course, signifies courage and strength. it is a large cat whose meaning becomes more powerful if you add a clock to the tattoo design. a clock could represent “time is running out” or “life or death”. so, in life, be like a lion, conquer your missions with courage and determination, and do it fast as everyone’s time is precious and limited.
#28. simple outline lion tattoo
Not everything that is always complex, big, bold and realistic is effective. the simplest and cutest tattoos can represent something powerful and impressive. The lion tattoo described above probably didn’t take more than an hour to ink freehand, but it looks stunning. the calf of the woman looks beautiful, and the lion is vivid and clear to viewers from afar. the neck, behind the ear, and other smaller areas of the body’s surface are equally worthy of these minimalist versions of the lion.
lion tattoo symbolism
There are a lot of meanings associated with lion tattoos. the implications of each meaning are generally similar, but change depending on the additional elements represented in each design.
Lion tattoos are more prevalent among men than women, but the variance in popularity between the sexes is narrowing each year. That’s because the technique and style of the tattoo can make more masculine designs skew favorably in favor of the feminine side.
Usually, a lion tattoo symbolizes courage, power, guardianship, loyalty, protection, leadership, royalty, etc. A lion is the king of the jungle, so a crowned lion is a popular tattoo choice. Lion tattoos sometimes have Christian associations as well, so you’ll often find variations with a cross with the lion.
frequently asked questions
conclusion
If those lion tattoos didn’t make you roar, there’s no telling what will! well, you can follow the artists mentioned above on instagram to see more of their work and get closer to your perfect choice. but always remember to follow up on your fresh ink with proper aftercare for the best healing results.
