
50 Small Lion Tattoo Ideas
A roaring lion tattoo need not be large and imposing; they can be equally ferocious when etched in small designs.
Lions 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 Lion King classic design.
This collection of 50 small lion tattoos will have you making an appointment with the artist of your choice in no time.
See more about - The Top 51 Awesome Small Tattoo Ideas
See more about - Top 120+ Best Lion Tattoo Ideas
1. Technical Small Lion Tattoo Ideas






2. Small Lion Tattoos for the Hand







Source: @czissis_ziggy via Instagram


3. Lower Leg Small Lion Tattoo Ideas





Source: @moshikoc22 via Instagram
4. Geometric Small Lion Tattoos




5. Simba the Lion King Small Tattoo Designs










6. Small Lion Tattoo Ideas for the Shoulder




7. Small Lion Thigh Tattoos





8. Upper Arm Small Lion Tattoo Ideas






9. Small Lion Tattoo Ideas for the Wrist






Small Lion Tattoo FAQs
Lions 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 football, cricket, and rugby.
Other collectors 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.
The traditional positions for getting a small lion tattoo are enduringly popular. The forearm, bicep, calf, and shoulder are can’t miss areas for small lion body art, while industry wide more people are looking utilize the thigh for quality ink.
Geometric lion tattoos look good running down the subject’s arm with the crisp linework and shapes contrasting beautifully with the realism of fur and fang.
The increase in visible tattoo and advancements with detailing single needle tattoos mean that the hand are also creative placements for a realistic lion tattoo if you’re happy to keep the beast on show.
The cost of a small lion tattoo comes down to various factors that impact on time. The less time your King of the Jungle tattoo takes to get inked the less it will cost.
Small black and gray shaded lion’s head tattoos can take an hour or two – minimalist black line ones even less – and cost as little as $150- $200, while complex single needle pieces might start at $4000 and climb higher for painstaking precise detail or abstract new wave style.
The average cost for an experienced tattoo artist is usually around $150 – $200 an hour with novices and apprentices costing less. Make sure before you commence your small lion piece that you have a good understanding of the cost framework of your potential piece.
And remember to allow 15-20% on top of the expected total to tip your artist once your work is complete.