Welcome, tattoo enthusiasts! Today we’re looking at 20+ lion tattoo designs, ranging from the wild roaring lion tattoo to the more adventurous winged lion tattoo! Whether you want to show your primal instincts or just want a cool tattoo design, these lion tattoos are sure to roar.
When lion tattoos are concerned, the options are endless and can range from realistic to cartoonish. You can go bold and fierce with a lion’s head or claw marks or opt for something a bit more subtle, like lion footprints.
While there are many choices, lion tattoos aren’t very original. Chances are the tattoo you’re thinking of has been done before. Nevertheless, there’s a reason why lion tattoos are so popular. Lion represents courage, strength, and royalty, as this fierce animal rules the jungle!
There are also plenty of tribal lion tattoo designs that incorporate unique shapes and patterns while staying true to the lion motif. If you’re looking for something special, you can customize your lion tattoo with intricate details or add some color to make it stand out even more!
From majestic mane lion tattoos to symbolizing strength and courage with a lion king tattoo, there are so many reasons why people opt for lion tattoos. No matter what design you choose, remember to get your lion tattoo done professionally, as these types of tattoos require skill and precision.
Disclaimer on Lion Tattoos
Although cool and attention-grabbing, lion tattoos aren’t original anymore. Even the most creative tattoo artists may find it hard to come up with a unique lion tattoo idea. Their popularity stems from their meaning and cultural significance. These tattoos are popular everywhere!
Lion With Crown Tattoo design
A lion with a crown is one of the most timeless lion tattoo designs. It symbolizes royalty, power, and courage while adding a sense of grandeur to any design. This type of lion tattoo can be done in black and grey or vibrant colors – it’s all up to your own personal preference!
You can incorporate color into the crown or make the whole thing colored. This design can make a great lion chest tattoo, as there’s plenty of space on the chest to do a bigger, more detailed artwork.
Lion Head Tattoo design
Lion head tattoos are a great choice for lion tattoo enthusiasts, as they make for a bold statement! This type of lion tattoo can either be done in realistic or cartoonish styles, depending on your preference.
To add an extra touch, you can customize your lion head tattoo with intricate details or symbols like flowers or tribal shapes. For an even more dramatic impact, go with a more detailed, voluminous mane on the male lion.
Lion and Cub Tattoo design
A lion and cub tattoo is a popular lion tattoo design choice, as it symbolizes protection and strength. This type of lion tattoo can be done in various styles, from realistic to cartoonish (Lion King tattoo with Mufasa and Simba).
The lion and cub tattoo can also be a homage to the father-child relationship. Plus, the cub tattoo in and of itself looks incredible as it mixes the innocence of the cub with its ferociousness. Adding color to the lion’s fur or background will help bring your design to life!
Lion and Lamb Tattoo design
The lion and lamb is a symbolic lion tattoo design that represents peace, innocence, and harmony. This type of lion tattoo can be done in realistic or cartoonish styles, but adding some color will make it even better.
The lion and lamb tattoo also has Christian symbolism, as both lion and lamb have been mentioned together in the Bible. This design typically features the lion and the lamb sitting together peacefully.
Neo Traditional Lion Tattoo design
The neo-traditional lion tattoos are popular lion tattoos for those looking to stand out. This type of lion tattoo can be done in vibrant colors and usually incorporates intricate details like flowers or tribal shapes to add an extra touch.
Neo-traditional style tattoos are traditional but typically have complex palettes and incredible detailing with varying line weights. With such tattoos, you can go crazy with colors. These are all about redefining the norms.
Astrological Lion Tattoo design
The astrological lion tattoo is a popular lion tattoo design that symbolizes courage, strength, and determination. It’s popular with Leos as the lion represents the zodiac sign Leo. So if you’re a Leo, this may be a perfect one for you!
This type of lion tattoo can be done in realistic or abstract styles and incorporates astrological symbols like stars, moons, or planets. There are many design variations, but the most popular one uses the Leo constellation or Leo zodiac symbol with the lion face tattoo.
Lion Flower Tattoo design
The lion flower tattoo is a unique lion tattoo design that combines the lion motif with flowers. This type of lion tattoo often incorporates intricate details like leaves, vines, and petals to add an extra touch. This can be done in black ink or with colors, especially the flower parts.
Unlike a roaring lion tattoo, this design balances the masculine vibe of a lion tattoo with a flower tattoo. While symbolic, it’s also one of the prettier options with lots of room for details.
Rose is the most popular option, but you can use any flower you like with the lion.
Mountain Lion Tattoo design
Mountain lions are commonly referred to as cougars or pumas, and these big cats don’t have the mane like that of a traditional male lion. This lion tattoo can be a simple lion tattoo or incredibly detailed with coloring and shades.
Mountain lion tattoo is popular with men and women both as it helps show the wilder side. This type of lion tattoo can also incorporate mountain peaks or landscapes to add some context and can either be done in realistic or cartoonish styles.
Lion Cross Tattoo design
The lion cross tattoo is a religious lion tattoo that symbolizes faith and protection. This type of lion tattoo usually incorporates a Christian cross or other symbols like flowers or vines to add that religious touch.
Several design variations use the lion head and the cross. For instance, the lion can be tattooed inside the cross. Another way to incorporate a lion with a cross is to have the cross tattooed across the lion’s face. The cross can also be combined with a female lion.
This design typically represents faith, linking courage and strength with one’s beliefs.
Black and Dot Work Lion Tattoo design
The black and dot work lion tattoo is a minimalist lion tattoo design that incorporates bold lines and intricate details. This type of lion tattoo usually incorporates dot work detailing, creating a stunning piece of art that will stand out.
At the same time, it’s not as detailed as, say, a realistic lion tattoo, as line and dot work tattoos typically capture the silhouette of the object and use dots for shades. Also, it’s all black ink, so perfect for those who want monochromatic artwork.
This design is particularly popular as a lion arm tattoo with both men and women.
Coat of Arms with Lion Tattoo
The coat of arms lion tattoo is a popular lion tattoo design choice for those looking to symbolize their heritage. This type of lion tattoo usually incorporates a shield, crown, or sword to add an extra touch and can either be done in black or with colors.
Many countries and agencies have lions in their coat of arms. For instance, the Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom features a lion and a horse. The coat of arms of Finland features a lion with a sword over a red field.
You can even work with your tattoo artist to create your very own coat of arms and have it tattooed on your arm or chest. A coat of arms represents a person or family, so you can create one with a lion that represents you!
Lion of Judah Tattoo design
The lion of Judah tattoo is a religious lion tattoo design that symbolizes faith, strength, and perseverance. This type of lion tattoo usually incorporates the lion motif with a cross or other symbols like stars to add an extra touch and make it stand out.
The Lion of Judah is a prominent symbol in the Rastafarian belief, as it’s associated with Haile Selassie I. However, it’s not unique to the Rastafari movement but also has symbolism in Judaic and Christian beliefs.
For instance, many Christian organizations use the Lion of Judah in their emblems because of a phrase in the Bible that references the lion and is believed to be linked with the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Aside from religious affiliations, the Lion of Judah was also a royal insignia of an Ethiopian emperor.
Therefore, the Lion of Judah can mean different things to different people.
Lion Paw Tattoo design
The lion paw tattoo is a common lion tattoo design that symbolizes courage and strength. This type of lion tattoo usually incorporates intricate details like claws or tribal shapes to add an extra touch and can either be done in realistic or cartoonish styles.
While you can keep it simple, a paw tattoo can also be very detailed. Lions use their sharp claws to grab onto their prey and tear them apart. It’s what makes these big cats so ferocious!
Geometric Lion Tattoo design
The geometric lion tattoo is a modern lion tattoo design that incorporates bold lines and shapes. This type of lion tattoo usually incorporates geometric patterns, dots, or triangles to add an extra touch and can either be done in realistic or abstract styles.
The best thing about going with a geometric lion tattoo is that there’s plenty of room to play around with ideas. For instance, you can combine a real lion head tattoo with a geometric pattern for its body.
Another popular idea is having a realistic lion tattoo inside a shape or multiple shapes, like triangles or circles. You can also get a female lion tattoo in geometric style and represent nurturing nature of the lioness along with her incredible hunting skills!
Lion Family Tattoo design
The lion family tattoo is a popular lion tattoo design choice for those looking to represent their clan or show their love for their family. This type of lion tattoo usually incorporates the lion motif with other lions, particularly the female lion tattoo, and can either be done in realistic or cartoonish styles.
This tattoo style can also incorporate a cub tattoo in addition to the lioness tattoo. Of course, this design would require more space as it’s not one but multiple lions.
A lion family tattoo can also be a good choice for a back tattoo, especially if you want it to cover your entire back. Similarly, it can also be a chest tattoo!
Lion Skull Tattoo design
The lion skull tattoo is one of the less common lion tattoo ideas. This type of lion tattoo usually incorporates a lion’s head with intricate details like skulls or just the lion’s skill with its hair.
This is a great choice for a sleeve tattoo, as it can be expanded with other elements, especially contrasting ones like flowers or feathers.
Watercolor Lion Tattoo design
The watercolor lion tattoo is a unique lion tattoo design that incorporates vibrant colors and bold lines. This type of lion tattoo usually incorporates watercolor elements like splashes of paint or brush strokes and are a great piece of art. This can make a great lion hand tattoo or lion forearm tattoo.
You can ink just the lion head or add the front body with legs. Male lions are more popular for watercolor tattoos because of their hair which looks beautiful with multiple vibrant hues.
Lion with Blue Eyes Tattoo design
The lion with blue eyes tattoo is a unique lion tattoo design that incorporates a lion motif with vibrant blue eyes. The focus of the tattoo is the eyes, which essentially makes it a lion eyes tattoo. Besides the eyes, the tattoo is in black ink.
There’s another variation of this particular design that inks the entire tattoo in blue ink, and the eyes are brown or yellow. It’s a vibrant style to tattoo the King of the jungle.
Lion Neck Tattoo design
The lion neck tattoo is a popular lion tattoo design choice for those looking to show their wild side. This type of lion tattoo usually incorporates the lion motif on the front of the neck, typically covering the entire neck and the clavicle. However, such a design can also be inked on the side of the neck under the ear, especially if you want something smaller.
A lion neck tattoo can also be a roaring lion tattoo or tribal lion tattoo, but it’s typically just the face of the lion.
Lion Forearm Tattoo design
The lion forearm tattoo is another popular lion tattoo design choice for those looking to show their strength and courage. This type of lion tattoo usually incorporates the lion motif with intricate details like hair, claws, or teeth to add an extra touch.
This kind of lion arm tattoo is more popular for the inner side of the forearm as it’s typically less hairy. As opposed to a lion shoulder tattoo, lion forearm tattoos are much more visible most of the time. So it’s a great choice for showing off your body art!
There’s another variation of this particular design that inks the entire tattoo in blue ink, and the eyes are brown or yellow. It’s a vibrant style to tattoo the King of the jungle.
Lion Sleeve Tattoo design
The lion sleeve tattoo is a unique lion tattoo design that covers the entire arm. This type of lion tattoo usually incorporates bold lines, intricate details, and vibrant colors to add an extra touch.
It can be a full lion or just the lion head tattoo combined with other similar or complementing ideas. For example, the lion tattoo meaning is strength and bravery. It can be combined with a lotus, which signifies spiritual strength, or an eagle, which is interpreted as a symbol of freedom.
Lion Finger Tattoo design
The lion finger tattoo is a unique lion tattoo design choice for those looking to add an extra touch of personality to their look. This type of lion tattoo covers the whole finger or just a part of it. It can also have a crown tattoo.
It can be a gray lion tattoo or something more colorful.
Choosing the Right Lion Tattoo design for Yourself!
While most lion tattoos signify the popular traits of lions, like courage, strength, and leadership, there are plenty of varieties to create different interpretations. For instance, female lion tattoos can present feminist ideas despite the lion being a popular tattoo for men.
Some lion tattoos are more elaborate, while some are simpler. It comes down to what you want it to represent, what your budget is, and how good the tattoo artist is. Even a small lion tattoo may require a lot of attention to detail!
You can find the best lion tattoo ideas above. No matter which lion tattoo design you choose, it’s important to make sure that the artist is experienced in creating lion tattoos and can give you the perfect piece of artwork that expresses who you are. With so many different types of lion tattoos available, there’s something for everyone! Good luck finding your perfect lion tattoo!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a lion tattoo be personalized to make it unique?
Lion tattoos are some of the most popular around the world, as lion tattoos symbolize strength and fearlessness. So it can be difficult to make the tattoo unique as someone somewhere may have done it already. However, you can still personalize it with things like your initials or combine it with other objects, especially those that contrast the meaning of the lion.
What goes good with a lion tattoo?
Lion is the King of the jungle that leads its pact and is fearless. Lion tattoos are all about embracing inner strength. A lion tattoo goes great with a crown, wings, fire, flowers, or other animals with similar traits, such as a tiger, snake, or eagle.
A cross or lamb can also be inked with a lion as a tattoo with religious symbolism. Such tattoos trace their meaning to Christianity. A traditional lion tattoo can be paired with famous quotes about facing adversity and showing strength.
Is a lion tattoo sleeve expensive?
Lion sleeve tattoos are very popular and may incorporate other styles and designs in addition to one or more lions. Sleeve tattoos typically take a long time, so they are generally expensive. It also depends on how complex the design is and where you’re getting it, as in some countries and cities, tattoos are cheap.
You can expect to pay over $1,000 in most places. However, depending on your design, the total cost can be much higher.
If your forearm is hairy, you can consider a lion shoulder tattoo or lion neck tattoo.
