26 Tattoo Designs That Show Strength (Religious, Lotus, Animal, Motivational Phrases and Circle)

Let’s get one thing out of the way first; plenty of people looking to get a tattoo that symbolizes strength don’t necessarily look for a design that will show their physical strength.

These tattoos often depict one’s personal experience and emotional strength it took or still takes to get over the struggle and win the battle of life.

However, some tattoo designs do show both, physical and emotional strength, which could be suitable for some people’s experiences.

So, if you’re looking for a tattoo that represents strength, whether emotional or physical, then keep on reading.

In the following paragraphs, we’ll offer you plenty of inspiration and choices you can use to commemorate and honor the tough days in your life.

Emotional And Physical Strength Tattoos – Explained

What Are The General Symbols of Strength?

Here are some of the mainstream symbols of strength and power that people tend to use for their tattoo designs. But, don’t worry, we’ll feature some of the more unique designs in the following paragraphs. There are just exemplary designs so we can get an insight into what people associate with strength;

• The Eagle – ever since ancient times, the eagle has been a symbol of power, strength, leadership, courage, etc. In ancient Greek or Greek mythology, the eagle was known to be one animal into which Zeus would transform when he came down to earth. Nowadays, the eagle is known as a true American symbol, symbolizing a powerful state which serves as a leader of the modern western world.
• The Dragon – for thousands of years, dragons have been seen as symbols of great power, incredible strength, might, and perseverance. From ancient European times, dragons have been feared and often associated with the devil or evil. However, in Asia, dragons are seen as powerful, strong, and able to defeat any evil or enemy.
• The Lightning Bolt – the lightning bolt is an ancient symbol originating in Greek and Norse mythology. It was often seen as a way for the Gods to punish the mortals and non-believers. However, the lightning bolt is nowadays associated with supernatural power and is often used as a tattoo symbol for one’s power and strength to beat the seemingly unbeatable fights in life. The symbol is often used by the males to show strength, but many women also find it suitable for their own female strengths.
• The Circle – even though it may seem unusual, the circle has been seen as a symbol of female strength and power for thousands of years. It is also seen as a symbol of intellect, power of the mind, female might, unity, family, and wholeness in life. To this day, many women, and men, tend to get a simple circle tattoo to showcase and pay tribute to the power of a female.

What Are The Most Powerful Symbols of Strength?

• The Hamsa (the healing hand) – also known as the Hand of Fatima, this ancient symbol of an open palm with extended fingers has serves as a symbol of strength, luck, and health for thousands of years. Nowadays, the Hamsa symbol is combined with a modern design used for exceptional male and female tattoos.
• The Cross – of course, the cross is one of the most powerful symbols of faith and personal strength. It is also a symbol of physical strength, in regards to Jesus and his ability to withstand the pain of crucifixion. Many people tend to get cross tattoos to who their faith and the strength to overcome struggles in life.
• The Lotus – even though delicate and incredibly beautiful at first, the lotus flower represents one’s ability and strength to rise from the darkness and turn into the best possible version of yourself. The reason for this lies in the fact that the lotus flower grow in muddy swamps, but rises above the dirt and mud and blossom into a breathtaking, unspoiled flower.
• The Eye of Horus (the great protector) – Horus is the Egyptian’s highest deity. Ever since ancient times, the eye of Horus has been a symbol of strength and ability to keep the danger and the evil away. Nowadays, the eye of Horus comes in the form of round blue rings/circles, which is used as a protective object for many houses and places in the Middle East, or as a tattoo design for many wanting to showcase the strength and protective meaning of the Horus eye.

Tattoos That Show Strength – Best Designs and Body Placement

1. Religious Tattoo Design (Jesus, Cross, Design)

Getting a religious tattoo depicting Jesus or a cross can be extremely empowering. It shows that your faith is always in your heart and close to you and that it always protects you and keeps you strong. Religious tattoos can be simple in design or have complex and intricate imagery. Therefore, the design can vary from one person to the other. However, the size of the tattoo, as well as the complexity of the design and the use of color can affect the final tattoo cost. So, before you go for a certain design, check the price and see how it fits your budget.

• Tattoo highlights – religious tattoo design is always effective and striking, whether it is simple and small, or big and intricate. However, smaller tattoos surely cost less, so you can expect to pay between $500 and $1,000, while a larger, more complex tattoo can cost you up to $4,000, depending on the size, the color combination, and the tattoo artist, of course.
• Best body placement – forearm, chest, upper back, calf, shoulder area, half sleeve area, upper thigh, etc.

Other Design Recommendations

2. Lotus/Floral Tattoo Design

As mentioned earlier, the lotus flower is an ultimate symbol of personal emotional, and physical strength. The lotus design is suitable for both men and women and represents power, strength, endurance, and one’s ability to overcome life’s struggles. The design is incredibly beautiful, and the tattoo can be either small or big, simple or intricate. Some people tend to chose wonderful color schemes for their lotus tattoo, while others go with a more minimalistic approach. Either way, you cannot go wrong with a lotus design.

• Tattoo highlights – just like with any design, the lotus tattoo can be either less or more expensive depending on the size, intricacy of the design, and the choice of color. Smaller designs can cost you up to $800, while larger lotus tattoos with intricate design can cost up to $2,500.
• Best body placement – forearm, wrist, ankle, foot, middle of the chest, side of the neck, the bottom of the neck, lower back, shoulder area, etc.

Other Design Recommendations

3. Animal Tattoo Design (Eagle, Wolf, Lion Design)

If there’s a fierce tattoo design, then it must be the one of an eagle, a lion, or a wolf. Animal tattoos are generally known to depict strength, power, dominance, leadership, independence, etc. These tattoos often have strong, very bold design, and are large in size. All of this makes them stay in the line of the symbolism they’re trying to portray.

However, the design doesn’t have to only show physical strength; it can also show the intelligence of the animal, and its ability to overcome struggles and keep the family together. So, if you’re looking to get a badass tattoo design that will also have a powerful meaning, then you can’t go wrong with an animal design.

• Tattoo highlights – getting an animal tattoo can get rather costly, especially if you’re going with an original design. These tattoos are often large in size and require a lot of detailing and shading. Some of the designs are even accentuated with two- or three-colors schemes. And, if we add the expertise of the tattoo artist required for such a tattoo, we can say that you may end up paying between $1,500 and $2,500.
• Best body placement – forearm, chest, upper back, shoulder are full sleeve, calf, upper thigh, etc.

Other Design Recommendations

4. Motivational Phrases Tattoo Design

Sometimes images cannot translate one’s emotional or physical struggle and strength needed to overcome it. That is why getting a motivational phrase tattoo can be even more empowering than getting an actual image tattoo.

So, if you’re looking to get a tattoo that will not only remind you how strong you are, but also motivate you to endure and face everyday struggles fearlessly, then try getting a simple motivation phrase as a tattoo. The design of such a tattoo is very simple. The tattoo won’t be expensive and it will be done very quickly. This is a plus for those with low pain tolerance, for example.

• Tattoo highlights – motivational phrase tattoos are fairly inexpensive. They are quickly done and require minimum design development and overall work. That is why such a tattoo could cost you between $250 and $500, depending on the size of the phrase as well as if you do decide to add some color and detail.
• Best body placement – forearm, hand, wrist, side of the neck, chest, bottom of the neck, foot, rib or side of the abdomen area, etc.

Other Design Recommendations

5. Circle Tattoo Design

As mentioned earlier, a circle tattoo symbolizes female strength, power, and ability to keep unity. Both men and women get circle tattoos to pay tribute to female power, so this is not a female tattoo exclusively.

Many men get circle tattoos to honor the strong female figures in their lives. When it comes to the design, these tattoos are rather simple and feature little or no detailing. You can go with a design where the circle is filled with some kind of object, pattern, or shape just to add some depth to the tattoo as well, but that will increase the final tattoo cost.

• Tattoo highlights – the circle tattoo design is one of the best in case you want to add detailing and color to it. It can be easily adjusted to what you like, and the tattoo itself can be done in one quick session. Because the tattoo is straightforward and simplistic, it won’t cost you much. The average price for a circle tattoo with little or no detailing goes between $100 and $500, depending on the size of the tattoo.
• Best body placement – forearm, wrist, hand, chest, upper back, ankle, rib, or side of the abdomen, etc.

Other Design Recommendations

Final Thoughts

Showcasing power and strength in a single tattoo can be hard. That is why we featured the aforementioned designs since they’re known as exceptional symbolisms of strength, both physical and emotional.

Furthermore, the designs are unique, so your new tattoo will surely stand out for numerous reasons; the meaning, exceptional appearance, and uniqueness.

We hope you like our design choices and that your next tattoo will turn out great and exactly how you want it. So, happy tattooing!

Also Read: 30+ Tattoo Designs That Show Courage and Bravery (2023 Updated)

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