What Tattoo Means "Tiger" (Traditional, Mass and Prison Culture)


The tiger is a graceful and fearsome beast that is rightly called the "king of the jungle. It has attracted the attention of people since ancient times, firmly settled in myths, art and culture. Not surprisingly, the tattoo "Tiger" is one of the most popular among tattoos on the animal theme. At the same time, the meaning of the tattoo "Tiger" is much deeper than a simple demonstration of strength and aggressiveness. Let's understand to whom this image is suitable and on what zone to apply this picture.

The image of the tiger in world culture

tiger tattoo meaning

To understand what meaning is invested in the tattoo with a tiger, it is necessary to consider the role of this image in various world cultures. The natural habitat of these graceful predators is the tropical forests of the Asian region. Therefore, tigers occupy an important place in the legends of the peoples of Asia:

  • In Japan, the image of the tiger was considered an amulet against evil spirits. Such a drawing on the skin can banish bad luck and protect against disease. An important role this tattoo plays in the culture of Japanese organized crime - the Yakuza.

This is interesting! It is extremely rare to find a tattoo on the skin of a Japanese. In the eyes of most people in this country, drawings on the skin are a sign of belonging to the criminal world.

  • Chinese culture ascribes to tigers the role of protectors of the souls of the dead on their way to the afterlife. In addition, this animal is considered a companion of the god of wealth, so drawings with it have the ability to lure money to its bearer.
  • In Asian culture (e.g. Tibet, India, Korea) the tiger plays the same role as the lion in European culture. He acts as the ruler of the animal world. That is why many rulers regarded tigers as their symbol. The tiger was the symbol of the nobility and the wealthy.

All this makes tattoos with tigers a sign of inner strength, nobility, spiritual power of the bearer. Only a strong and confident person can choose such an image.

Modern meanings of tattoos with a tiger

tattoo tiger meaning

Today, man is no longer afraid of predators, so can take a different look at many traditional images, to rethink them. Modern culture has introduced several additional meanings into the image of the beast. Seeing a person with a tattoo "tiger" on his arm, shoulder or chest, there is no doubt - in front of you an extraordinary personality. But to understand the meaning, enclosed in the image completely, you need to look closely at the details:

  • The memory of service in the army. A tiger in a blue beret often adorns the skin of men who have served in the Airborne Forces. Sometimes this pattern is used by members of other branches of the military as well, adding their own attributes to it.

tiger tattoo

  • Claims of uniqueness or a sense of one's own dissimilarity to others. To convey such a worldview, choose a tattoo in white, because such animals are extremely rare in nature.
  • Memory of travel, the romance of distant travels. In this case, images of a compass, inscriptions, coordinates, images of landscapes or outlines of continents will be added to the drawing.

Who is suitable for a tattoo with a tiger

tiger tattoo

Due to the richness of variants of semantic load, powerful energy and attractive appearance tattoo with a tiger choose many people. Thanks to a huge variety of sketches developed in many directions of art of body painting, almost everyone can choose such a variant, which will be in harmony with his views on himself and the world around him.

But it is necessary to approach the choice of the sketch as responsibly as possible. Remember that a tattoo is done for many years, and it is much harder to remove an image that you no longer like than it is to do.

Reasons for the popularity of the subject among men

tiger grin tattoo

This regal predator, which combines aggressiveness and nobility, strength and calmness, is a carrier of many qualities that have long been valued in men. Therefore, the tattoo "Tiger" willingly apply as young guys and older men.

Most "male" sketches have a number of common features:

  • A large area of the drawing. Placing such a tattoo on a wide back or a strong shoulder, a man emphasizes his own strength.
  • Often there is an emphasis on details that convey aggression. Mangled fangs, open mouth in a snarl, released claws, crouched before the jump saber-toothed beast - these are drawings that reflect the inner aggressiveness of the bearer.

This is interesting! Sometimes brutal and aggressive images are chosen by people who only want to appear dangerous.

  • Dense filling of the drawing. Men's tattoos often contain many elements that clarify the meaning of the main image. Such parts merge into a single whole, forming, for example, a sleeve or covering the shoulders.

In terms of style choices for men's tattoos, Oldschool, Tribal, Geometric, Blackwork, and Thrash Polka styles are excellent.

Do women get tattoos with tigers?

tiger hand tattoo

Although most tiger tattoo designs are geared toward men, the fair sex also uses images of this beast to adorn their own bodies. But the pictures on the skin of girls have their own specifics:

  • Often the image is smaller in size. Such a picture can be placed on the hip, neck, hand, behind the ear or on the calf. Also women's tattoos are often more concise, with fewer elements. Dense background fillings are less common.
  • Instead of expressing overt or covert aggression, other motifs often dominate the composition. For example, a tigress protecting a tiger cub is a symbol of a mother's care and willingness to protect her offspring. The image of a little playful tiger cub is a touching touch, although it should not be forgotten that it is "not an ordinary pussy. Also women more often choose cartoon characters.

Creating a drawing of a tiger cub

Often the drawing of the symbol of the year becomes the first artwork of the young author. In detail, how to draw a tiger cub, the baby can be shown by parents, an educator or our detailed master - class.

Pencil sketch

The simplest type of performance becomes drawing with a pencil. It will be prepared even by the pupil of the younger group of kindergarten. To perform the outline requires only a simple black pencil. The first step is to draw the muzzle and torso. The shape of the tiger cub's cheeks is done in the form of a heart.

Pencil Techniques for Beginners

The gift of a tiger cub drawing will be created by any child following the instructions. A beginner will need simple pencils with a stiff lead. The sketch is made with several strokes. The first is created muzzle. It is schematically added to the body and paws. Errors remove eraser. The finished work is circled in black marker.

Wild pencil animal step by step

Such a masterpiece can create even a small child. On a sheet of paper, draw two ovals. This will be the muzzle and torso. Then add whiskers and cheeks. Separately, the strokes of hair are created.

Cute little tiger cub

The little tiger cub can be drawn easily and quickly. The first step is the circles of the torso and head. Small details are drawn on them. Such as fur, whiskers, stripes on the pelt. The head of a small fierce predator can be the same size as the torso.

Tiger from Winnie the Pooh step by step

Winnie the Pooh's friend Tigger is the favorite hero of many generations of children. He has a funny face with a big mouth. They are drawn first. Next, the body and paws are drawn. It is easy to paint Tigger with pencils or paints.

Drawing a cartoon tiger cub

Funny looking image of cartoon characters. They are drawn with a few strokes. The head with a muzzle in the form of a heart. Individually applied contour of ears and mustache.

Predatory kitten with a herringbone

An image of a tiger cub with a herringbone becomes a perfect symbol of New Year's holidays. Figures of the animal and the coniferous tree can be separately or placed next to each other.

The best artistic solutions for tattoos with tigers

Finally, let's break down a few styles that are traditionally used to depict tigers:

  • "Realism". An animal depicted in this style (or just its head) looks almost indistinguishable from a photograph.
  • "Thrash Polka. The style combines large black and white images (often done in a "sloppy," flying style), bright strokes of red, inscriptions imitating newspaper text or poster slogans.
  • "Watercolor". A characteristic feature of this trend are gentle transitions between shades. The drawing looks as if drawn with watercolors.

Take a look at the photos we've picked up for this article. Maybe one of the photos will give you an idea for your tattoo.

Sanbonashi-no-kaeru three-legged toad tattoo meaning

Sanbonashi-no-kaeru is a three-legged toad. By the way, pots and cauldrons standing on three legs have always been called "Kanae" and became one of the main symbols of the imperial family. It was customary to use such devices during various ceremonies and rituals.

Returning to the image of the divine creature, it should be noted that it is distinguished not only by its extra limb, but also by its disproportionately large eyes and mouth. Because of this, the frog sees everything around it and is able to absorb it if necessary.

Tattoo of a divine being Sanbonashi-no-kaeru

Due to this ability, the tripod frog has become a symbol of wealth and a kind of talisman, which brings good luck and allows the owner of the tattoo to achieve success in various undertakings.

Nature

For women

For men