Symbol of Royalty: 8 Lion of Judah Tattoo Designs

Enchanting body art designs featuring an ageless symbol of divine grace and protection.

Reviewed by Lucas Cummins, Professional Tattoo Artist Lucas Cummins Lucas CumminsProfessional Tattoo Artist facebook_iconinsta_icon
Written by , MSc Manjari Uppal MSc linkedin_icon Experience: 3 years
Edited by , BTech Anjali Sayee BTech linkedin_icon Experience: 7 years
Fact-checked by , MA (Mass Communication & Journalism) Joyce Joyson MA (Mass Communication & Journalism) linkedin_icon
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You may have noticed many people flaunting a lion of Judah tattoo more recently. The lion is an important symbol in Christian and Jewish religious practices. It represents the belief in the coming of a savior who would end the suffering of humanity and deliver justice. Over the years, this motif has become an important talisman for those with a strong faith, calming the anxious heart and mind of believers. There are a few interesting ways to illustrate this symbol creatively for a breathtaking tattoo that speaks of the wearer’s faith and ideology that you can learn about in this article. Continue reading to check them out and find your favorite.

What Does The Lion Of Judah Tattoo Mean?

In Catholic and Jewish religions, the lion of Judah is a sacred symbol representing divine protection. This lion would be a descendant from the lineage of Judah and go on to bring justice to the tribe of Judah. Besides these religions, the lion of Judah is a revered symbol in various Middle Eastern as well as African cultures. As a divine protector, this lion also symbolizes authority, leadership, kinship, resilience, and guidance. The lion is also self-assured and in possession of remarkable wisdom and personality, making a strong impression on everyone it meets.

There are a few fanciful ways of depicting this charismatic symbol through your body art to make you stand out in the crowd. Continue on to the next section for tips and ideas.

8 Mesmerizing Lion Of Judah Tattoo Designs

The lion of Judah is an iconic symbol that would not only express your attachment to your faith but would also appear incomparably majestic as a tattoo design. Check out the following design ideas and see for yourself.

1. Lion Of Judah Tattoo Sleeve

A lion of Judah tattoo sleeve
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

This lion of Judah arm sleeve tattoo is decorated with a variety of intricate details executed with a clever combination of fine and bold line patterns, as well as negative space filigree designs. The central piece of this piece is the lion’s face which has realistically detailed features. Its eyes look upwards, as if in prayer, the dotwork gives its face life-like depth, and the linework highlight single strands of hair on the mane and the whiskers. A high-quality design for those who appreciate great attention to detail.

2. Forearm Lion Of Judah Tattoo

A forearm lion of Judah tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

The forearm is perhaps the best tattoo spot for the most stylish and convenient display of one’s beliefs or affiliations. This tattoo of a lion’s head with a crown resting atop, exudes power, regality, and charisma, embodying strength and unrivaled leadership. The minimal design takes inspiration from tribal patterns like dots, lines, triangles, etc., while also adding a bit of foliage at the bottom to impart a charming softness. The deep pigments and bold patterns instantly draw the eyes, making it the object of generous admiration.

3. Lion Of The Tribe Of Judah Tattoo

A lion of the tribe of Judah tattoo on the upper arm
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

The tribe of Judah is one of the twelve tribes that constitute the people of Israel and were the first to occupy the Southern territories of the land of Israel. This lion, as a symbol of the tribe represents great courage, loyalty to the tribe, and leadership, for it is believed to lead its people back to the promised land. The upper arm tattoo above shows the divinity in the lion who is wearing and ornate crown and has a sun rising above it, as if it would bring a new dawn of hope and prosperity for its people.

4. Lion Of Judah Tattoo For Women

A lion of Judah tattoo for women on the forearm
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Celebrate femininity and strength with a Lion of Judah tattoo that speaks of how women can be just as important in a movement, or for working towards a collective goal for the community. This tattoo speaks of one’s faith in the divine as well as in the belief of how everyone brings value to the table regardless of their gender. For more feminine designs, pair the lion with florals, or finely detailed filigree work that elevate the attractiveness of the tattoo tenfold.

5. Jesus And Lion Of Judah Tattoo

A Jesus and lion of Judah tattoo on the upper arm
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

In Christianity, Jesus is often referred to as the lion of Judah as he was the messiah from the bloodline of Judah. In this belief, the lion is a metaphor for the messiah who would come to save humanity, taking a human form. This complicated but deep-rooted concept is executed beautifully in the tattoo above that shows a design that aligns half the face of a lion and half of Jesus in near-perfect symmetry to signify that both are the same. A cross at the bottom hints at the wearer’s faith and how deeply they relate or believe in the coming or return of the messiah.

6. Lion Of Judah And Lamb Of God Tattoo

A lion of Judah and lamb of God tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Here is another tattoo that encapsulates a complex but important concept from the Christian scriptures. While Jesus is referred to as the Lion of Judah who would wash away the world’s sins, it is a universally recognized plot that he had to give his life to secure the continuity of humankind. In Biblical verses, the healthiest lambs of the herd were prepared for religious sacrifices and hence, for his sacrifice, Jesus is also referred to as the lamb of God. The above tattoo shows a juxtaposition of the two concepts where the role of the savior is shown to be one of great power as well as one of great helplessness.

7. Chest Lion Of Judah Tattoo

A chest lion of Judah tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

The placement of your tattoo can reveal as much about your thoughts as the tattoo itself. Placed so close to the heart, a chest tattoo reveals how important the symbolic value of the tattoo is for you, especially because the chest is also quite a painful placement for permanent ink and you would go through the pain for your beliefs. The tattoo above shows a simple rendition of the lion’s face with a serene expression, but the advantage of this position is also that you may tweak your design to appear like an ornamental neck piece.

8. Lion Of Judah Cross Tattoo

A lion of Judah cross tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

This colorful and ornately detailed lion of Judah tattoo with a cross combines your faith and symbolism in a rich show of artistry. The many muted colors on the design of the cross, give it a vintage air, and the lion emerging from it appears like divine deliverance. It signifies both symbols represent a whole and if justice had a face as per mythology, then it would probably appear like this. If such an elaborate design is not your cup of tea, you may simply pair smaller and minimal versions of the lion and the cross together to express your beliefs.

A lion of Judah tattoo bears testimony of your faith in a prophesied savior, and also your courage, resilience, and leadership qualities. This lion is a charismatic, and awe-inspiring figure that can evoke deep emotions of faith and reverence. This lion can be showcased in simplistic, minimal designs that communicate the power of its symbolism through a basic outline. However, its regality is best expressed through intricate patterns, vivid imagery, pleasing color palettes, and impressive shading work. Furthermore, upon exploring more creative concepts, you may add other elements to your lion of Judah tattoo to give it more nuanced symbolism. With enough research and experimentation, you can create a tattoo that embodies all your beliefs, hopes, and aspirations.

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Lucas Cummins
Lucas CumminsProfessional Tattoo Artist
Lucas Cummins is an Ohio-based tattoo artist who has been making his mark on the tattoo industry for the past 2 years. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for vibrant expression, Lucas specializes in neo-traditional, color, and abstract style tattoos.

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Manjari Uppal
Manjari Uppal Beauty & Lifestyle Writer
Manjari is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over three years of experience in writing across different niches, including beauty, health, wellness, and technology. She first discovered her passion for writing in school and has since honed her craft to perfection.

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Anjali Sayee
Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor
Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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Joyce Joyson
Joyce JoysonBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Joyce Joyson is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over a year of experience crafting short-form content for the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle niches. She has a triple majors bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science, and Geography from IIS University and a master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kristu Jayanti College.

Read full bio of Joyce Joyson