Think of lions and you instantly get an image of the king of the jungle in all its majesty. Lion tattoos are quite common in African, Eastern and European cultures. Lion tattoos are usually done on a large scale hence they are ideally inked on upper arms and backs. There are several key variations to a simple lion related tattoo; it could be a wild beast in a calm posture, roaring ferociously, in the form of Leo - the zodiac sign and in medieval style tattoos. Their symbolism varies from culture to culture; lion tattoos can symbolize strength, courage, power, royalty, authority and ferocity.
In alchemy, a red lion represents masculinity and its dominance. A green lion represents beginnings and feminine qualities. Two lions tattooed together in alchemical light represent a harmony relationship between the male and female.
Buddhists believe that their lord Buddha could be compared to a lion for its wisdom of a higher spiritual power, their blistering energy and golden auras. It was also believed that Buddha sat on a lion representing wisdom and consistency.
In ancient Egyptian culture, lion represented the brutal heat of the sun in the form of one of their goddess Sekhmet, she was responsible to destroying evil and protecting the good.
In ancient Greece, lions were believed to draw the chariots of the gods and goddesses; hence lion tattoos represented protection and guardians. Lion tattoos in this culture also represent unbridled, masculine love as lions were associated with quite a few gods and goddesses who were in love.
In zodiac signs, lion represent Leo; it is attributed with fierceness, control, adventurous, energy and exuberance.
Chinese lion tattoos represent power, strength, balance, luck and female wisdom.
In England, lions are the emblem of English sovereign which represent their lion like attributes.
There are a number of lion references made in Christianity as well.
People who ink themselves with lion designs are full of pride and usually do them in places where they can be viewed. Remember to think carefully before inking a tattoo permanently to your skin as they are very difficult, almost next to impossible to remove, it costs a lot of money, pain and time. Lions can be drawn in their natural habitat or balanced out with other tattoos like certain flowers representing the balance between fragility and strength.
Lions can have various symbolisms and depending on what you wish to portray can ink it. Even if you just want a lion tattoo for its majestic and royal feel, there is no harm. Its can be inked like stencils, or small cubs or they could be drawn in their whole majesty. Usually, those on a large scale mostly have some background and a large face either just silently staring or ferociously roaring.
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