Every picture tells a story, but every tattoo tells a few. Part of the beauty of tattoos is that they allow us to express something about ourselves without words. We love those tattoos that carry not only the looks, but also a story within them. We constantly find ourselves wanting to know more about the why, when, where and what behind the ink we see on other people. Whatever the reason for your tattoo, it’s always great to know more about the meanings behind it great symbols of our time and times past, so that you can be inspired to put a unique spin on your own design.

And because animal tattoos are today’s skin-ink favorite, we’re going to help you navigate through the jungle of ink ideas, bringing you the most beautiful animal tattoo ideas the internet has ever seen. And the almighty lion, the king of the animals and the symbol of strength and power couldn’t miss from our list.  Below, we’ve compiled a gallery with some amazing lion tattoos, explaining the meanings behind this popular tattoo choice – check it out and maybe you’ll find inspiration for your own awesome, meaningful, lion tattoo design!

What are the meanings of lion tattoos?

If you want to highlight specific aspects of your personality, animal tattoos make a great choice. So what will a lion tattoo tell about you? The symbolic meaning of lions, as one might imagine, primarily deals with strength, courage and leadership. A lion is rightfully known as the ‘king of animals’. Its majestic look exhibits strengths, and a roar from him is enough to send shivers down one’s spine. While a male lion is a symbol of power and might, a lioness is the Great Mother and Protector. In the realm of animal tattoo symbolism, the lion wins the prize for most relentless fighter in the face of life challenges. Wearing a lion tattoo means that you’re ready for trouble, and not seeking it out.  Having the true heart of a lion is being the master over yourself, acting from your values, and staying in integrity.

If you want a lion tattoo, you should also know that many interpretations emphasize lion’s dual nature. A lion is the embodiment of the Son of God as well as the force of evil, cruelty and savagery. It is powerful in protecting his own and fierce in attacking his prey. Similarly, the lion can be both lunar and solar, being a creature who is most active during twilight. Also, a lion tattoo reveals a sense of pride,  lions being sometimes associated with contempt and vanity.

Since time immemorial, people have drawn inferences regarding the characteristics, behavior, and features of lions and used them in lion symbolism. Lions have been used in art and mythology as guardians, judges and magical beings – interpretations that can be applied for lion tattoos as well.

Top 50 lion tattoos to wear with pride

If you’re already convinced that you want a lion tattoo but have no idea which design is good, you’re in the right place. If you’re not yet convinced but definitely interested, you’re still in the right place. Here, you’ll get some good ideas for your soon-to-be lion tattoo. Wear your tattoo with pride and express your beliefs through one of these inspirational lion tattoo designs.

lion tattoos for girls

tattoo artist ©  Marina @krapiva_tattoo

best lion tattoos

tattoo artist © DIEGO ALMEIDA

lion tattoo ideas for girls

ink artist © Jai Cheong

cool lion tattoo ideas

tattoo artist © Tobias Agustini

cute lion tattoos for girls

ink artist © FrankyY

beautiful lion tattoos

tattoo artist © Filipe Amorim

lion cub tattoos

tattoo artist © @dan_tattooer

best lion tattoos

tattoo artist © Beyker ®️

lion family tattoo

ink artist © Karolina Szymańska

tattoo inspiration 2022

tattoo artist © ???? ???????

tattoo ideas for girls 2022

tattoo artist © TATA ARDILA


tattoo ideas for girls 2022

tattoo artist © Milton Reis

best lion tattoos

tattoo artist © DIEGO FERRINK

ornamental lion tattoos

tattoo artist © Freegomes

cool ink pieces

tattoo artist © Sergio Fernández

amazing lion tattoos

ink artist © @thankstattoo_23

geometric lion tattoos

tattoo artist © Luis Angel

colored lion tattoo

tattoo artist © Ricardo G. Ciechorski

super cute lion cub tattoo

tattoo artist © tattooist-ziho

best lion tattoos

tattoo artist © DIEGO ALMEIDA

best lion tattoos

tattoo artist © Oliver @oliverart

lion tattoos for women

ink artist © Bryan Gutierrez


tattoo inspiration

tattoo artist © Filipe Amorim

watercolor lion tattoo

tattoo artist © Ewa Sroka

lion tattoo ideas for women

tattoo artist © Freegomes

best tattoo ideas 2022

tattoo artist © Alex Pancho

black & gray lion tattoo

tattoo artist © Samurai Standoff

most beautiful lion tattoos

tattoo artist © zach kramer

colored lion tattoos

tattoo artist © Kozo

lion tattoos for women

tattoo artist © Zlata Kolomoyskaya

back lion tattoo

tattoo artist © Andrei Stepanov

tattoo inspiration 2022

tattoo artist © Gabriel Souza

amazing lion tattoos

 

tattoo artist © @kir_tattoo


best lion tattoos

tattoo artist © Oliver @oliverart

best lion tattoos

tattoo artist © Jiro

best lion tattoos for girls

tattoo artist © TATA ARDILA

beautiful lion tattoos

tattoo artist © Sergio Fernández

cool tattoos 2022

tattoo artist ©  BEN @ben_tats

lion tattoos for girls

tattoo artist © YOJO

watercolor lion tattoos

tattoo artist © Sebastian enemy

lion tattoos for women

ink artist © Milton Reis

back lion tattoo

tattoo artist © A D A M

super cute lion cub tattoo

tattoo artist © STUDIOBYSOL_Kimria

blue eyed lion tattoo

tattoo artist © Lamper Edgar

tattoo ideas 2022

ink artist © Szalai Tibor „Tibi“

tattoo ideas for women

tattoo artist © André Felipe

tattoo inspiration

tattoo artist © Matteo Pasqualin

cool lion tattoo ideas for girls

tattoo artist © Artem  @bugintattoo

best tattoo artists from around the world

tattoo artist © Ruben Pascual Heredia

lion art pieces

tattoo artist © Filipe Amorim

cool colored lion tattoos

tattoo artist © Renata Henriques

back ink piece

tattoo artist © Bruna Paschoalini

lion tattoos for girls

tattoo artist © Jai Cheong

best tattoo artists

ink artist © Samurai Standoff


ink inspiration 2022

tattoo artist © NETO COUTINHO

black & gray tattoos

tattoo artist © Daniel luzardo

colored lion tattoo

tattoo artist © @eunb.tt

arm ink piece

tattoo artist © @ugurhasekin

Daring Lioness Tattoos for Women

Lioness tattoos carry a great symbolism of motherhood, femininity and strength. If the lion is the king, the lioness is definitely the queen. A female lion is an encapsulation of both minding and savagery. A lioness is minding when she is nursing her offspring and brutal when getting her prey.  The lioness tattoos are as powerful and noteworthy as the beast itself.

awesome lioness tattoo

tattoo artist © @john_boy_tattoo

lioness tattoos for girls

ink artist © @johnny.dots

lioness & cubs tattoo

tattoo artist © @ivancasabo

best tattoo artists

tattoo artist © @dani_dmtattoo

beautiful lioness tattoo

tattoo artist © @joseecd

colored lioness tattoo

tattoo artist © @tinto_tlv

cool lioness ink piece

tattoo artist © @thommesen_ink

best tattoo artists

tattoo artist © @igorgodoytattoo

lioness and cub tattoo

tattoo artist © @pilgrim_ttt

lioness tattoos for women

tattoo artist © @kozo_tattoo

fine line tattoos

tattoo artist © @tattooist ziholioness tattoos

tattoo artist © Zlata Kolomoyskaya

lioness and cub tattoo

tattoo artist © @jeysancheztattoo

cool lioness tattoos for women

tattoo artist © Bruna Paschoalini

lioness tattoo ideas

tattoo artist © @filipeamorim.tattoo

For more ink inspiration, also see:

Celebrate the Beauty of Nature with these Inspirational Sunflower Tattoos
Awe-inspiring Book Tattoos for Literature Lovers
50 Meaningful and Beautiful Sun and Moon Tattoos
50 of the Most Beautiful Owl Tattoo Designs and Their Meaning for the Nocturnal Animal in You
50 of the Most Beautiful Mandala Tattoo Designs for Your Body & Soul