125+ Black Panther Tattoo Ideas for a Roaring Great Design

From realistic designs to creative concepts, this post is going to show you all the different Black Panther tattoos available to you!

My love of little cats translates to big cats as well and I have always been fascinated by black panthers. From their glorious fur to the way that they move, they are a marvel! So, I always enjoy inking one of my favorite animals onto clients who are just as enthusiastic about them as me!

I am going to introduce you to the top Black panther tattoo ideas and show you what the different designs can mean.

The Best Black Panther Tattoo Designs

Here are the top black panther tattoo concepts for you to consider for yourself:

1. Realistic Black Panther Tattoos

As you can imagine, the definition behind the realistic black panther tattoo is pretty simple. This can be a great tattoo to get if you admire the physical beauty of the black panther. Such a tattoo also works well for those who are nature lovers.

Now, this is kind of black panther tattoo can be incredibly tricky and complex. It is quite unlike other panther tattoo designs. Due to this, you should make it a point to choose an experienced and talented artist to work on this design for you.

Due to the intricacy of this tattoo, most people prefer to just get the panther head inked on their body. However, you can get one of the full black panther if you like. These work well as an upper arm or shoulder panther tattoos.

This kind of black panther tattoo design can feel a bit monochromatic due to all of that dark ink. So, if you would like to add a pop of color, you can do this with the eyes. If you want to continue to maintain a sense of realism, then you can go for a deeper green or yellow.

In case you would like the eyes to really stand out, then you can opt for a brilliant blue.

If you would like to add a sense of wildness to your black panther tattoo, then you may want to consider adding some foliage around the animal. This way, it can look like it is camouflaging itself.

Want the panther in the black panther tattoo to be the main focus? Then you can only draw the outline of the leaves. If you would like to take the realism up to the next level, then color in the foliage in the appropriate colors.

2. Traditional Black Panther Tattoos

This is likely the most popular of the panther tattoos and it is easy to see why. This kind of black panther tattoo is based on the traditional tattooing style. It can sometimes be referred to as the tribal panther tattoo style as well.

This is where the tattoo artist utilizes a thick black outline and a bold color palette to create the design. A traditional black panther tattoo has a very vintage look to it. So, if you are hoping to get a more classic tattoo, this is the design concept that you should go for.

Now, traditional panther tattoo designs typically include other design elements that are associated with this tattooing style. For instance, one of the more common designs involves a dagger through the panther head.

Of course, you can get this kind of black panther tattoo simply due to its aesthetic appeal. Or, it could have an additional significance to you. It could be your way of depicting that you have tamed the wild animal inside of your or conquered a previously ferocious element of yourself.

The other design elements that you can consider for this kind of black panther tattoo are flowers. When drawn in the traditional style, these do have a distinct shape and pattern to them. This can be a great way to either soften the more fierce elements of the black panther tattoo or simply add a pop of color.

3. Patterned Traditional Black Panther Tattoos

This is a really cool and unique take on the traditional style. Now, for the most part, this black panther tattoo looks like the other traditional tattoos. However, in this case, the black panther has various patterns on it.

The most commonly used patterns are hearts and flowers but you are free to choose anything that you like. This is a great way to soften up your black panther tattoo and also get a bit more creative with it.

The only piece of advice that I want to give you with tattoos like this is to make sure that the patterns match the traditional style of the rest of the panther or the panther head.

As I stated, the flowers are done in a specific style - you will notice that the outside of the petals are slightly boxier and the leaves are a bit more pointed. If you take a closer look at the hearts, you will find that the hearts are a bit more elongated and there is a more defined point at the end too.

4. Crawling Black Panther Tattoos

One of the reasons that the black panther is associated with grace is due to the way that it moves. So, getting a crawling panther tattoo can be a great way to depict this trait.

There is also the fact that this kind of black panther tattoo opens a lot of doors in terms of creativity. If you want to make it look like the panther is climbing, then have the crawling panther face upwards. This makes for a great sleeve tattoo.

If you would like to add a bit more detail to your upper arm tattoo design, then you should get a crawling black panther tattoo with red or bloody claw marks left behind. This also adds a sense of ferociousness to your black panther tattoo.

In case you are more interested in depicting a panther stalking its prey, have your black panther tattoo facing downwards.

Now, with any kind of crawling black panther tattoo, pay attention to how you place and design the body. Adding a few details here and there can be a great way to elevate your tattoo.

For instance, take a look at photographs of panthers climbing on stalking their prey. Notice how their muscles are arranged when in that position. If you mimic the placement of these muscles - at least to a certain degree, it is going to really bring your tattoo to life.

5. Fighting Black Panther Tattoos

The black panther may not necessarily be associated with aggression, but there is no denying that this is a creature that is more than capable of taking care of itself. It may attack prey, other predators, or even other panthers if it needs to protect itself.

If you see this fighting spirit within you, then you may want to consider a fighting black panther tattoo as a representation.

There are two main ways that you can go with this black panther tattoo. If you would like a smaller tattoo, then you can go with a snarling panther head tattoo.

If you want a larger tattoo or a more detailed design, then you should go with a full-fighting black panther tattoo. This involves claws, ripping, and even some blood!

Some of these panther tattoo designs have just one panther while others may have two or more. It is up to you to determine how many animals to include in your tattoo.

6. Mystical Black Panther Tattoos

If you want to get a unique and different kind of black panther tattoo, then you may want to consider one that has a more mystical element to it.

Now, there are some cultures that associate the black panther with mysticism. This is likely due to its color and that it can seem like a mysterious creature.

If this is a sentiment that you would like to echo with your black panther tattoo, then you certainly can!

So, what does this kind of black panther tattoo look like? Well, this is completely up to you - it all depends on what elements that you associate with magic or mysticism.

Still, let's discuss some of the black panther tattoo designs that you can consider for this category. Multiple eyes placed on the forehead is one way to add a mystical feel to your black panther.

Another option is to add wings to your black panther tattoo. If you want to go the more traditional route, then you can add just two wings to your tattoo. If you want to kick things up a notch or even emulate angels described in the bible, then you can add multiple wings to the mix.

7. Black Panther and Snake Tattoos

If you have ever seen a black panther tattoo with a snake, you may have been wondering what this is all about. Well, in some cultures, the black panther is seen as a natural predator of snakes, destroying them.

Due to this, the black panther is considered a guardian or a protector. So, if you would like to feel that someone is watching over you, then this snake and black panther tattoo may be right up your alley.

Another explanation for this kind of black panther tattoo could involve a fight between good and evil. After all, snakes are considered evil in some cultures and a symbol of the devil. The black panther, on the other hand, can also be associated with protection.

So, in a way, a black panther tattoo with these two locked in battle can signify two opposing forces. This could also be a depiction of a daily struggle that you go to. It can remind you of the importance of doing the right thing when you can.

8. Fiery Black Panther Tattoos

This is yet another great black panther design if you are looking for something a little different. As the name suggests, with these tattoos, the panther appears to be on fire or surrounded by fire.

One of the cool things about this kind of panther tattoo is that it is very eye-catching. So, if you want to make a statement with your black panther tattoo, then this is the way to do it.

Of course, such a black panther tattoo can have its own meaning as well. It could relate to a fiery personality - one on par with that of a wild animal!

9. Black Panther Movie Tattoos

Of course, I couldn't finish this post without mentioning tattoos that are related to the Black Panther movies. After all, these are such iconic movies. Also, in their own way, they are also added to the meaning associated with the black panther.

Among other things, the Black Panther movie is about the empowerment of black people. And, so, the black panther is now associated with pride in African culture as well as the people across the continent.

For many people, the Black Panther movies are also an important sign of increased diversity in art, cinema, and many other industries. After all, it is the first (nearly) all-Black superhero movie and this is definitely something to celebrate.

So, what kind of Black panther tattoo concepts are available to you? Well, one of the more obvious Black Panther tattoo options is to get a portrait of the main character. Or, you can do something a little different with your Black Panther tattoo and get a T'challa tattoo instead.

You can also do a unique Black Panther tattoo design and get a half T'challa, half Black Panther tattoo.

Not looking to add too much detail to your Black Panther tattoo? Then you may simply want to consider a Black Panther necklace tattoo instead. This resembles the necklace that T'challa wears around his neck. While this may look like jewelry, it is actually a mechanism that allows him to wear the Black Panther suit at a moment's notice.

So, this kind of Black Panther tattoo is a great option if you like tattoos with double meanings.

What Does a Black Panther Tattoo Mean?

There are two main things that I want to cover before going into the symbolism of the black panther tattoo.

First, the term black panther is a bit generic - it can be used to describe the black-coated leopards of Africa and Asia as well as the black jaguars of South and Central America. Due to this, you can technically apply the meanings associated with leopards and jaguars to black panthers as well.

The other thing that I want to clear up is that there are a lot of different meanings associated with the black panther. The symbolism or meaning can vary from one culture to another and even from one individual to another.

As you can imagine, I can't cover all of these meanings so I will be sticking to some of the more popular options and opinions.

In case you wondering:

What does the panther tattoo symbolize? Here is what you need to know:

Like other big cats, the black panther is associated with beauty and grace due to its slinky appearance and the quiet way that it moves.

However, the black panther can also be a symbol of how danger and ferociousness can lurk beneath even the loveliest appearances.

In fact, there are those that associate the black panther with power, strength, force, and even brutality. That being said, many do believe that the black panther is a symbol of protection and guardianship and that the animal is only a danger to other predators.

As a result of its dark fur, the black panther is sometimes associated with the night or even death. There are also those who link it to magic and mysticism - a symbol of the unknown. 

These are the best panther tattoo designs around and there are so many options for you to choose from. All that you need to do is decide which one of these concepts are your favorite so you can show it to your tattoo artist!