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Top 120+ Best Lion Tattoo Ideas in 2022

Top 120+ Best Lion Tattoo Ideas in 2022

  • Next Luxury / Style, Tattoo Ideas
  • by — Brian Cornwell

Animal Tattoos Lion Tattoos

The lion is among the largest living cats in the world.

Lions lay claim to the title, “King of the Jungle,” and are one of the most popular animal tattoos.

Symbolically, lions are linked with nobility, strength, and honor, and are often used in amazing tattoos to describe power, physicality, and leadership.

The following group of top 121+ Best Lion tattoo design ideas depict the great beasts in a variety of different ways, from familiar realistic tattoo art to designs with neo traditional flare or references to the Astrological sign Leo.

 

1. Lioness Tattoo Ideas

Black Grey Big Cat Lioness Tattoo

Floral Line Work Ink Lion Tattoo

Men's Abstract Lion Tattoos On Back Of Shoulder

Colorful Lion Ink Tattoo

Fine Line Lioness Tattoo

Line Work Dot Diamond Lion Tattoo

See more about - Top 91 Lioness Tattoo Ideas

The lioness is a powerful animal perfectly suited to be the subject of tattoos, either individually or in conjunction with male lion body art, often as a matching tattoo.

These beautiful creatures hold powerful symbolism which allows the female lion to represent deep aspects of human nature like perseverance, loyalty and familial duty.

Whether female lion tattoos are prominently placed and meant to be publicly displayed or are more private and intimate pieces, a lioness tattoo serves as a powerful statement of the wearer’s strength and determination.

 

2. Lion Tribal Tattoo

Men's Traditional Lion Tattoo

Retro Tribal Lion Male Tattoo On Outer Forearm

Guys Tribal Lion Chest Tattoo Design Inspiration

Small Simple Tribal Lion Male Arm Tattoo Inspiration

Incredible Cool Tribal Lion Mens Shoulder And Chest Tattoo

Mens Tribal Lion Arm Tattoo

 

See more about - Tribal Lion Tattoo Ideas

A lion Tribal tattoo is a ferocious embodiment of enormous strength and physicality played out on skin.

Most often etched in black ink, tribal lion tattoo ideas are often smaller or tiny tattoo versions of the big cat.

They are popular designs for collectors seeking simply etched lion or lion head tattoo body art with clean lines, negative space, and keen patterns.

 

3. Lion Chest Tattoos

Lion On Chest Men's Tattoo

Rib Cage Side Lion Male Tattoo

Men's Lion Sleeve Tattoo

Lion Tattoos Chest Designs For Males

Male Lion Tattoo On Right Chest

Masculine Men's Lion Tattoos

 

See more about - Top 73 Chest Tattoo Ideas

When considering a tattoo idea to represent the embodiment of power, confidence, and courage, nothing comes close to the symbol of strength that the lion represents.

Legends and mythology from around the world have portrayed lions as kings throughout history, placing this fierce animal in a category of royalty that symbolizes the highest level of authority.

 

4. Lion With Crown Tattoos

Upper Arm Lion King Tattoo For Males With Crown

Crown Lion Men's Tattoo Designs

Color Modern Men's Mall Lion Tattoo

Artistic Gold Lion With Crown Mens Watercolor Forearm Tattoos

Masculine Realistic Lion With Crown Guuys Forearm Sleeve Tattoo

Colorful Mens Royal Lion With Crown Watercolor Tattoo On Chest

 

See more about - 50 Lion With Crown Tattoo Ideas

No animal approaches the lion in regards to regal sentiment, which is why you’ll see a lot of crown tattoo ideas.

Not only has the United Kingdom flown the crowned lion on its flags and coat of arms for centuries, the beast itself is chief among royalty in the animal kingdom.

A crown tattoo lion can indicate a regal bearing and noble nature.

And since the male lion is the King of the Jungle, no king is fit to rule without a crown.

 

5. Small Lion Tattoos

Inner Forearm Lion Tattoos For Males

Lion Face Tattoo For Men On Chest

Men's Hand Young Lion Tattoos

Small Lion Forearm Tattoos lozzarachtattooer

Source: @lozzarachtattooer via Instagram

Small Lion Leg Tattoos artguin

Source: @artguin via Instagram

Small Lion Forearm Tattoos bloodflowertattoo

Source: @bloodflowertattoo via Instagram

See more about - Top 51 Small Lion Tattoo Ideas

A roaring lion tattoo need not be large and imposing; they can be equally ferocious when etched in small designs.

Lion tattoos are a great animal symbol linked with nobility, strength, and honor, and these characteristics can be adeptly defined in small body art.

With many styles suitable for a small lion tattoo, the choice is yours whether to go for something realistic, geometric, or even a more personal style such as a Lion King classic design.

 

6. Geometric Lion Tattoos

Tribal Lion Men's Tattoo Design

Small Triangle Lions Men's Tattoos

Guys Tattoo Ideas Geometric Squares Lion Designs On Inner Arm Bicep

Gentleman With Geometric Lion Forearm Tattoo

Chest Geometric Lion Tattoo Ideas For Gentlemen

Shoulder And Arm Running Geometric Lion Mens Tattoo Designs

See more about - Top 57 Geometric Lion Tattoo Ideas

Whether you are looking to celebrate your astrological Leo tattoo in a more sophisticated rendering, or drawn to the ruler of the animal kingdom in general, the geometric lion is nothing short of a work of art.

Featured everywhere from medieval coats of arms to ancient Babylonian temples, lion tattoo meaning leaves a powerful impression that time and circumstance cannot erode.

The geometric tattoo style of ink ideas is gorgeously suited to the lion’s likeness, offering a counterpoint of shape and line to the beast’s more fearsome characteristics.

 

7. Lion Sleeve Tattoos

Sleeve Lion Tattoo Ideas For Men

Sleeve Lions Head Men's Tattoo

Lion Tribal Tattoo For Men Sleeve

Color Manly Male Lion Tattoos

Lion Crown Tattoo For Guys

Shaded Grey And White Ink Sleeve Tattoo Of Lion On Man

 

See more about - Top 63 Lion Tattoo Ideas

Lions have been a symbol of bravery and physical power in animal tattoos for centuries. A lion denotes not just power, but a regal distance from lesser beings.

A lion sleeve tattoo idea gives the tattoo artist enough space to create a detailed portrait, and it will also be highly visible.

A creature as majestic as a lion deserves a sleeve. You can build a savanna or jungle-themed backdrop that you can extend to include other figures or simply leave the lion on its own.

 

8. Lion Hand Tattoos

Lion Men's Tattoo On Hands

Angry Lion Mens Hand Tattoo Designs

Black And Grey Ink Mens Lion Hand Tattoo

Chicano Mens Lion Hand Tattoo Design Ideas

Masculine Guys Hand Tattoo With Lion Design

Red Sun With Lion Wearing Crown Guys Hand Tattoo

See more about - 40 Lion Hand Tattoo Ideas

A woman‘s hand is her power and strength. The hand is a tool, and it is also a weapon.

Lion tattoo meaning encompasses power, courage, pride, strength, and even royalty, so can match nicely for the collector looking for an eye catching visible tattoo.

Some people wear a lion head tattoo on their hands because they want to show dominance, or they enjoy the regal bearing and physicality of the King of the Jungle.

 

9. Traditional Lion Tattoos

Tattoo Of A Lion On A Man

Lion Scratch Tattoo For Men With Stars

Leg Lion Tattoos For Men

Cool Yellow Growling Traditional Lion Mens Thigh Tattoos

Flaming Lion Male Traditional Upper Arm Tattoos

Guys Roaring Traditional Lion Upper Chest Tattoos

 

See more about - 30 Traditional Lion Tattoo Ideas

There are a variety of cultural meanings behind the lion tattoo idea, though the most common continue to be courage and strength.

Both man and woman look to exemplify their power, courage, honesty, loyalty, or nobility with killer ink ideas.

Some tattoos of the lion take things a step further by borrowing from other cultures. For example, in Egypt, two lions together – back to back – would symbolize the East converging with the West, or sunrise and sunset.

 

10. Lion Forearm Tattoos

Thunderbolt Men's Lion Wrist Tattoo

Small Men's Lion Tattoo With Arrows

Roaring Men's 3D Lion Tattoo

Mountain Lion Men's Tattoos

Men's Realistic Lion Tattoos

Men's Heart Of A Lion Tattoo

 

See more about - 40 Lion Forearm Tattoo Ideas

The lion forearm tattoo is a popular ink placement, usually aligned to the dominant side of the body.

Some see the lion head as a symbol of royalty and strength, making forearm lion design a very liberating tattoo style

There are others who see the lion as a religious symbol. This stems from the times that a lion was mentioned in religious texts or in literature that used the lion to represent a higher power.

 

11. Simba Tattoos

Black And White Simba Tattoo Renetattoo81

Source: @renetattoo81 via Instagram

Colored Simba Tattoo Armenterostattooart

Source: @armenterostattooart via Instagram

Lion King Simba Tattoo Alemar.silva

Source: @alemar.silva via Instagram

Lion King Simba Tattoo July.brandao

Source: @july.brandao via Instagram

Outline Linework Simba Tattoo Ethereal.tattoo

Source: @ethereal.tattoo via Instagram

Simple Simba Tattoo Inkchico

Source: @inkchico via Instagram

See more about - Top 87 Simba Tattoo Ideas

Disney’s Lion King movie has captured the imaginations of countless fans around the world.

With the recent reboot of Disney’s greatest movie is no surprise that many people choose a Simba tattoo to demonstrate their love for all things Lion King.

The story’s morals of loyalty, determination and good triumphing over evil gives Lion King tattoo symbolic meaning.

The iconic animation provides plenty of tattoo inspiration for exciting body art, particularly small tattoo ideas featuring the King cub or eve watercolor lion tattoo designs.

 

12. Leo Tattoos

line-astrology-constellation-leo-tattoo-sia_weirdchild

Source: @sia_weirdchild via Instagram

lion-ink-girls-leo-tattoo-bltattoostudio-kopuz_kopuz

Source: @bltattoostudio via Instagram Source: @kopuz_kopuz via Instagram

virgo-leo-constellation-tattoo-ivydoesartstuff

Source: @ivydoesartstuff via Instagram

black-work-custom-realism-tattoo-queen_arthur_adornment

Source: @queen_arthur_adornment via Instagram

geometry-ink-zodiac-leo-tattoo-frankie_ng428

Source: @frankie_ng428 via Instagram

heritage-ink-bicep-leo-tattoo-tattooingdad

Source: @tattooingdad via Instagram

See more about - Top 79 Leo Tattoo Ideas

Originally, the Leo constellation was deciphered to be the shape of lion by early astrologers and star gazers.

Time has passed and the Zodiac is used more often in everyday life – tattoo art included – with the mighty lion only strengthening its position as the chosen animal for the Leo zodiac symbol.

Not coincidentally, traits of the lion’s behavior and personality are attributed to people sharing the Zodiac sign and Leo constellation.

 

13. Realistic Lion Tattoos

Lion Tattoo For Men On Arm

Upper Arm Lion Tattoo Designs For Men

Men's Lion Bicep Arm Tattoos

Masculine And Realistic Lion Tattoo

Lion With A Crown Tattoo Men

Lion And Cub Tattoo For Guys Half Leg Sleeve

See more about - Top 51 Realistic Lion Tattoo Ideas

From the proud astrological sign of Leo, to Aslan the fabled ruler of Narnia, the lion is the king of both man and fellow beast and a symbol of courage and regal bearing.

A creature of astonishing beauty and force, the lion’s endangerment in recent years has rendered it a king truly in danger of losing its kingdom.

Not every lion tattoo idea require a stylized or cartoon depiction; many prefer a realistic representation of this sacred animal, and it’s popular with the tattoo artist looking to flex their creative prowess.

 

14. Lion Shoulder Tattoos

Cool Men's Lion Tattoos On Shoulder

Back Blue And Black Lion Men's Tattoo

Arm Lion Cub Tattoo For Men

Shoulder Lion Tattoo For Men

Man With Lion Paw Tattoo

Lion Tattoo On Shoulder For Guys

 

See more about - 50 Lion Shoulder Tattoo Ideas

Some people want tattoos on their shoulders because they want to show the world that someone’s got their backs. 

To some the lion is the symbol that supports them through thick and thin. An individual wearing a lion on his back might feel like he has or needs a strong support system.

There are some who opt for a lion because it represents the strength of the Christian God, as biblical commentators associate the lion with Jesus Christ.

 

15. Lion Back Tattoos

King Lion Tattoo For Men On Center Of Back

Angry Lion Guys Full Back Tattoo Inspiraiton

Awesome Male Lion Tattoo Design On Back

Colosseum Lion And Gladiator Scene Mens Full Back Tattoo

Detailed Feather Lion Mens Full Back Tattoos

Lion Fighting Demons Guys Shaded Full Back Tattoo Designs

See more about - 50 Lion Back Tattoo Ideas

The lion is historically relevant and timeless, and back tattoos featuring the great beast make magnificent images.

Whatever your reasons for choosing the majestic lion, know that it is the quintessential symbol of a powerful and noble animal.

Consider pairing your lion piece with a landscape of the ancient Pyramids, in front of a sacred Chinese temple, or just nestled with family on the savanna.

16. Mountain Lion Tattoos

Watercolor Arm Guys Mountain Lion Tattoos

Neo Traditional Arm Mountain Lion Mens Tattoo Ideas

Mens Rib Cage Side Abstract Cool Mountain Lion Head With Female Portrait Tattoo Ideas

Inner Arm Bicep Geometric Mens Mountain Lion Tattoo Design Ideas

Gentleman With Tribal Mountain Lion Tattoo On Upper Chest

Arm Watercolor Geometric Mountain Lion Guys Tattoo Ideas

See more about - Top 40 Mountain Lion Tattoo Ideas

Puma, panther, catamount, whatever it is called in your region, mountain lions are the biggest cat in North America.

People choose the mountain lion tattoo to symbolize their solitary natures. They rely on themselves and that’s just fine with them.

They can leap 15 feet in the air and move silent as a shadow. They always attack from behind, and prey never hear them coming until it’s too late. Their jaws are strong enough to crack the spine of any creature around.

 

17. Lion Leg Tattoos

3D Leo Lion Tattoo For Men

Tattoo Lion Men

Red And Black Men's Lions Tattoo

Outline Lion Face Tattoo Men

Men's Lion With Crown Tattoo

Guy's Chinese Lion Tattoo On Lower Leg

See more about - 30 Lion Leg Tattoos

The face of a lion is the embodiment of power, but what does it mean to see a lion tattoo on a leg?

Leg tattoos are sometimes meant to symbolize a person’s foundation. The legs, after all, carry you throughout this life and help you get where you going.

Of course, many people just want people to think of what the lion normally represents – power, nobility, and strength – but they think the tattoo will look best on their legs, or they need the space to fully realize their tattoo.

 

18. Neo Traditional Lion Tattoos

Simple Men's Lion Arm Tattoo

Masculine Lion Forearm Tattoos

Males Aztec Lion Tattoo

Lion Roar Tattoo For Men With 3D Scratch

Lion Head Men's Tattoos Half Sleeve

Guy's Lion Inner Forearm Tattoo

 

See more about - 30 Neo Traditional Lion Tattoos

The neo-traditional style can help you modernize your lion tattoo and add a unique, abstract flair.

Your lion tattoo can be strong, fierce, courageous, loyal, noble, and proud.

Oftentimes, a neo traditional lion tattoo is just his face or profile, so it can be especially detailed, while a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes can make it more vivid and interesting.

If you’re looking for A lion design with individuality and pop, a cool neo traditional piece will stand out.

 

19. Lion Neck Tattoos

Creative Lion Neck Tattoos For Guys

Lion Neck Tattoo Design Ideas For Men

Lion Neck Tattoo Ideas For Men

Masculine Lion Neck Tattoos For Men

Guys Lion Neck Tattoo Design Ideas

Lion Neck Themed Tattoo Ideas For Men

See more about - 30 Lion Neck Tattoo Ideas

The lion neck tattoo makes a powerful statement.

The lion is the spiritual embodiment of integrity and unwavering loyalty, and as far as the man who wears its likeness around his neck is concerned, why would one want to cover that up with clothing?

Like a mane itself, the lion neck tattoo does not hide its message or conceal its purpose. No, this is a tattoo meant to be seen and admired.

 

20. Lion Statue Tattoos

Cool Lion Tattoos On Arm On Male

Iron Lion Male Tattoo Half Sleeve

Arm Mens Lion Statue Tattoo Design Ideas

Full Arm Sleeve 3d Realistic Masculine Lion Statue Tattoos For Men

Guy With Lion Statue Back Tattoo Design

Lion Statue Guys Tattoos Full Arm Sleeve

See more about - 40 Lion Statue Tattoo Ideas

The Chinese were the first to grace their palaces and monuments with guardian lions made from stone.

Beginning first under the Han Dynasty, statues depicting Asiatic lions soon spread throughout Southeast Asia. They were believed to act as spiritual protectors over the premises they guarded.

Lions also played a significant role in Arthurian legend. In Chretien de Troyes’ medieval romance “Yvain, the Knight of the Lion,” the hero rescues a lion from a serpent. This tale solidified lions as the symbol of the conquest of good over evil through might and valor.

Lions accompany the monument of Trafalgar square in London, the Monument of the Unknown Soldier in Sofia, Bulgaria, and a monument in Lucerne, Switzerland that stands in memory of Swiss Guards who lost their lives in combat.

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Lion Tattoo FAQs

What does a lion tattoo symbolize?

Lions are a great symbol linked with nobility, strength, and honor, and are often used in tattoo art to describe power, physicality, or leadership due to the big cat’s position as King of the Jungle.

Lion tattoos are also hugely popular in England due to their association with the three lions banner of King Richard the Lionheart, which is used as the country’s badge in popular sports such as football, cricket, and rugby.

How much does a lion tattoo cost?

The cost of a lion tattoo comes down to various factors that impact on time.

A small tattoo of a lion head in black and gray can take an hour or two – minimalist black line ones even less – and cost as little as $200.

Large complex pieces might start at $1000 and climb higher for painstaking dot work or abstract work.

The average cost for an experienced artist is usually around $150 – $200 an hour.

What looks good with a lion tattoo?

Lion tattoos are very often deployed on their own to further the notion of unparalleled strength, nobility, and leadership.

Popular differences from this trope include royal insignia such as crowns, flags, and scepters.

Lions are often used alongside other popular animals of the African savanna – elephants, giraffes, rhinoceros, and hippos – or in hunting scenes chasing deer, antelope, buffalo and zebra.

What does a Simba tattoo symbolize?

Most people choose a Simba tattoo because they love the Lion King and the lessons about friendship, family, loyalty and determination that run throughout the film – the uplifting moral code being a feature of every Disney movie.

A Simba tattoo represents the way the wearer identifies with these powerful and positive characteristics.

Where should I place my small lion tattoo?

The forearm, bicep, calf, and shoulder are can’t miss areas for a small tattoo lion, while industry wide more people are looking to utilize the thigh for quality ink.

The increase in visible tattoo and advancements with detailing single needle tattoos mean that the hand, neck, and fingers are also creative placements for a realistic lion tattoo if you’re happy to keep the beast on show.

Brian Cornwell

Writer

Brian Cornwell founded Next Luxury in 2007 as a magazine for modern gentlemen.

Brian Cornwell founded Next Luxury in 2007 as a magazine for modern gentlemen.

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