The lion has been a used as a symbol in cultures all over the world for an estimated 30,000 years, carrying a variety of meanings depending on the place and period it was used.
Those meanings are almost always expressions of nobility, power, and confidence, which make the lion tattoo a popular choice for people wanting to get inked.
In addition to the many positive messages a lion tattoo conveys, it’s a versatile design choice. As a four-legged animal, the artist has a lot of freedom to configure the size, position, and colors to flow with the muscle structure, skin tones, and blend in scar tissue.
Let’s get a little more specific about the meanings a lion tattoo can communicate for you.
Lion Tattoos: Ancient Meanings
Appearing since humans drew pictures on cave walls, the lion has always carried noble meanings.
In fact, ancient Egyptian mythology utilizes the image of the lion to represent various deities and aspects of God. The following are some of the ways the lion was used in ancient culture:
- The protector of the human soul
- The image of the God of War
- The image of the God of Wealth
In addition, the lion’s eye has been interpreted as the all-seeing nature of God, and the lion’s roar as the voice of God, containing all the lost knowledge of the world.
Common Uses of the Lion Symbol
One aspect of the lion’s character that people often wish to identify with is the idea of leadership. The male lion is the leader of the pride, and the center of attention. In this respect, the lion tattoo symbolizes the following traits:
- Nobility
- Courage
- Leadership
- Unlimited and unchallengeable authority
- Reliability
- Honor
Of course, these are only a few, and this list could be extended almost endlessly.
Another aspect of the lion that some people choose to focus on is one of the independent wanderer of the Serengeti and African savanna. The lion travels on his own, without fear, and carries himself with complete assurance.
Due to his courage and brute strength, he is the master of all he sees, and he commands respect. Along this thread, many people feel the lion symbolizes these ideas:
- A sense of complete freedom
- A total, intrinsic self-worth
- A total lack of fear of death and an unwillingness to surrender
- The total willingness to fight to the end
- Self-determination
These ideals make the lion tattoo a popular choice for men about to be taken away to prison, hoping to command respect and establish a fearless reputation among other men in a hostile environment.
The Rampant Lion
Another popular use for the lion tattoo is the Scottish rampant lion, which is often seen in families’ coats of arms.
Many people choose rampant lion tattoos to display their Scottish heritage and show pride in their ethnic roots.
Of course, the Scottish lion carries many of the same characteristics as the lion in other cultures, including bravery, nobility, and authority.
A Custom Lion Tattoo: Let’s Talk
It seems to be the powerful visual impact and the highly diverse design possibilities coming together to communicate a deep, and amazingly flexible interpretation of personal significance that makes the lion tattoo one of the most popular themes for ink.
The dream of self-determination, a feeling of courage, strength, and the necessary abilities to go out into the world and realize the life you’ve always wanted — all of these seem to come together in the lion tattoo.
This makes lions great subjects for custom tattoos designed just for you.
If you’ve got serious ideas for a custom lion tattoo, and you’re really motivated to realize them, click here to get the conversation about your custom lion tattoo design rolling.