From the proud astrological sign of Leo to Aslan, the fabled ruler of Narnia, the lion is the king of both man and fellow beast, a symbol of courage and regal bearing.

In African belief the lion represents self control and discipline, while medieval Europeans held the lion as one with royalty, often even keeping them as courtly pets.

A creature of astonishing beauty and force, the lion’s endangerment in recent years has rendered it a king truly in danger of losing his kingdom.

The ancient Romans often used the symbol of the lion to express their love, while ancient Egyptians carved great statues of two lions with their backs touching in representation of eternal balance. Alternately, the lion can be used to represent one’s Christian and Islamic beliefs.

Not all lion tattoos require a stylized or cartoon depiction; many prefer a realistic representation of this sacred animal. Survivors of physical trauma may choose to tattoo the figure of a lion over previous scars or injuries, a mark of triumph over adversity. Others opt for a life-like rendering to raise awareness for this endangered species. And some will tattoo the lion’s profile directly over their heart, a declaration of the true “lion heart.”

Regardless of where and how you wear your lion tattoo, there’s no denying the unwavering courage and morals of the man who aligns himself with this king of kings. The Lion features heavily in our list of the 50+ best tattoo ideas.

See more about – Top 120+ Best Lion Tattoo Ideas

This realistic lion tattoo shows great ferocity and strength. Done in black and gray, this finely-inked lion’s head almost appears to be approaching the viewer as it comes off this man’s arm mid-roar. The intricate detail of this mighty cat can be seen by simply taking a close look at its features. The intense makeup of its mouth, particularly in terms of its individually shaped and formed teeth, is one significant instance of this detail. Another is the great animal’s whiskers which have been applied in a sort of wispy, almost tangled format. This gives them a greater sense of realism, something these lion tattoos are all about.