105+ St. Michael Tattoo Ideas to Bring Out Your Inner Warrior

From portraits to epic battles, there are so many different St. Michael tattoos that you can get!

St. Michael tattoos are some of my favorite designs to do! As an art history major, this concept is right in my wheelhouse, allowing me to really flex my knowledge and my creativity. Not to mention, it is always fun to talk to my clients about a subject that we are both interested in.

In this post, I will show you the top St. Michael tattoo ideas and give you some insight into what each one can mean!

The Top Saint Michael Tattoo Ideas

Here are some of the best Saint Michael tattoos that you can consider for yourself:

Saint Michael Portrait Tattoos

Saint Michael can mean different things to different people. In some cases, the angel is seen as the ultimate protector. In other cases, Saint Michael may be interpreted as the defender of the word of God.

There are also those that can see the angel as an ally in their fight against their own demons. It is even possible that some may consider St. Michael as a guardian angel.

Interestingly enough, Saint Michael is also the patron saint of soldiers, policemen, firemen, and people who work in dangerous conditions.

If you want to encompass all the meanings associated with Michael, then you can consider getting a portrait of a Saint Michael design.

In this instance, it is simply a tattoo of the angel in no specific circumstance or stance. Therefore, you are free to associate any kind of meaning that you want with this Archangel Michael tattoo.

While this kind of St. Michael tattoo may seem simplistic, this doesn't have to be the case at all. Instead, you can still create stunning angel artwork with this concept.

Of course, you may be wondering, what does St. Michael look like?

Well, the bible has a few different descriptions of what seraphim and cherubim look like. However, archangels haven't been described with any particular specification.

In some instances, angels have been described as a man with a body like beryl, a face like lightning, eyes like flaming torches, and arms and legs like burnished bronze.

In another passage, they are described as their entire bodies and wings full of eyes all around as were their four wheels. There is also scripture where they have four faces, six wings, etc.

If you want, you can take inspiration from the bible and depict your Saint Michael tattoo in this way.

Or, you can go with how Saint Michael is usually depicted in art - as a man with wings. In some cases, St. Michael may be wearing long robes, complete with a hood. In other instances, he may be wearing a type of armor. St. Michael may have short hair or long hair, depending on the sources that you are considering.

In any case, make sure to take a picture of your desired final result as a reference for your tattoo artist. This way, they will know precisely which St. Michael angel tattoo to give you.

Here are some Saint Michael tattoos that you can draw inspiration from if you are interested in more angelic tattoos:

I find this portrait of Saint Michael tattoo to be especially interesting. Here, Saint Michael is featured alongside the devil. So, this St. Michael tattoo can be considered a depiction of good vs. evil.

Saint Michael with a Cross Tattoos

There are those that associate Saint Michael with the triumph and the continuation of Christianity. This is because it is believed that he will be involved in the ultimate battle between Heaven and Hell and will cast Lucifer and his minions out of Heaven once and for all.

There is also the fact that St. Michael was believed to have been a helper when the early Christian church went to war against other nations and belief systems.

So, it would seem natural to depict Michael with a cross in your St. Michael tattoo. As an added bonus, the cross symbol is also symbolic of the Christian faith. So, this kind of tattoo can really reinforce your faith.

As Michael is considered a religious warrior, you may want to make the cross look like a staff or a spear. This will speak to how Michael straddles the line between servant and soldier of God.

Saint Michael with Sword or Spear Tattoos

Many of the depictions of Michael see him holding a sword or a spear. This isn't too surprising as he is considered the ultimate warrior of Heaven. He is believed to be the leader of the angelic army.

Of course, this kind of Saint Michael tattoo can have more meaning than just an artistic representation.

This type of body art, could be a sign of how you understand that there is always a battle when it comes to your beliefs. Faith isn't easy to maintain and you may find yourself veering off your chosen path.

However, this kind of St. Michael tattoo can be a great reminder for you to remain on the straight and narrow.

This kind of archangel Saint Michael tattoo may also remind you that you have an ally against the forces of darkness. And, if you turn to your faith, you will be able to use these allies to your own benefit.

Also, if you are someone who has a warrior spirit, then this courageous angel is just the right tattoo for you!

One of the cool things about this St. Michael inspired tattoo is that there are lots of different tattoo styles to choose from.

If you would like, you can choose from a more classical art style. This is what you find in Greek and Roman-inspired paintings. It is great if you want to add a timeless feel to your St. Michael tattoo.

In case you would like a more modern take on your St. Michael tattoo, then you can go with a micro-realistic tattoo. This is a smaller tattoo but the features on St Michael's face are hyper-realistic, allowing you to take your tattoo to the next level.

You can add geometric elements to the St. Michael tattoo to keep it grounded in slightly more contemporary trends.

This kind of Saint Michael tattoo can include the angel flying or not, it is up to you.

Saint Michael Vanquishing Satan Tattoos

If you have been researching Saint Michael tattoos, then you may have noticed that one of the most popular tattoos involves Saint Michael defeating Satan. I personally had met a lot of tattoo artists who have been commissioned for this design as well.

This concept is actually based on a painting commissioned by Pope Leo X. Now, the painting is attributed to Raphael but there are many elements of it that are not found in other works of his. Due to this, some people believe that a student of Raphael’s – Giulio Romano – greatly contributed to this artwork as well.

Now, the concept behind this Saint Michael tattoo is pretty clear. It depicts Saint Michael casting Lucifer out of Heaven.

On the face of it, this Saint Michael tattoo may appear as though it depicts the triumph of good over evil. And, to a certain extent, it does.

In reality, though, this devil vs. archangel tattoo has a deeper meaning. It is a nod to the book of Revelations. See, according to some interpretations of the bible, the devil continues to have a foothold in both Heaven as well as Hell.

In Revelations, though, the archangel Michael puts an end to this once and for all. There is a massive fight between Michael and the angels of Heaven and Lucifer and his fallen angels.

In the end, Lucifer is defeated by Michael and both he and the demons are cast out of Heaven permanently.

As this is such a popular Saint Michael tattoo, there are a few different options for you to consider to depict the archangel’s victory.

Classical Art Designs

If you would like a Saint Michael tattoo based on classical art, then you should consider the following Saint Michael tattoos.

Most of these Saint Michael tattoos are done in the style of Greek or Roman art. However, if you are a bit of an art history buff, you will realize that most of these designs are based on actual elements found in Greek or Roman art.

Instead, it is a mix-and-match of what most people believe classical art to be. This means that people may adopt the hairstyle, garments, and facial features associated with this kind of artwork.

If you are interested in the aesthetic appeal of your Saint Michael tattoo rather than authenticity, then you can take inspiration from these Saint Michael tattoos.

On the other hand, if you want your St. Michael tattoo to be as close to the real deal as possible, then I would suggest doing your research. Also, make sure to work with a tattoo artist who is familiar with this style.

As this devil vs. angel tattoo involves quite a bit of detail, you may want a bit more room to work with here. So, you may want to consider a half-upper arm tattoo, sleeve tattoo, chest tattoo, or back tattoo.

With such a large canvas, you will be able to do true justice to your Saint Michael tattoo.

Realism Saint Michael Tattoos

As the name suggests, these kinds of Saint Michael tattoos are based on the realism tattoo style. Here, the goal is to make the tattoos look as realistic or as hyper-realistic as possible. In doing so, you should make Michael’s face seem as human-like as possible.

Of course, you have the option of adding flair to this Saint Michael tattoo to really make it your own. If you would like you can even combine it with other tattoo styles!

It goes without saying that this can be a rather complex St. Michael tattoo to get. Due to this, you should be certain that your tattoo artist can tackle this kind of tattoo artist.

Make sure that any tattoo artists that you are considering have experience with this kind of tattoo design and style. It really can make all the difference to the outcome of your St. Michael tattoo.

Traditional Saint Michael Tattoos

This has to be one of my favorite take on such Saint Michael tattoos. Here, you apply the traditional tattooing style to the artwork.

Traditional tattooing involves thick black lines and bold colors. These kinds of tattoos also have a vintage look to them.

Check out how cool these St. Michael tattoo designs look!

Saint Michael Tattoos with the Dragon

Now, in the book of Revelations, the devil is actually depicted as a dragon. It is said that had to transform himself into this creature to be more powerful. And, yet he was defeated by the mighty angel.

This version of events is actually depicted in a woodcut series by Albrecht Durer.

In this archangel tattoo, all the angels of Heaven, as well as the ones from hell, are included in this thought-provoking tattoo.

If you would like, you can get your St. Michael tattoo based on this work. Or, you can choose a more traditional piece.

Here are some of the Saint Michael concepts that you can check out for yourself, based on this concept:

Stained Glass St. Michael Tattoos

This is such a beautiful St. Michael tattoo concept. It also works well if you are looking for an archangel tattoo that has a more religious vibe to it.

Here, the St. Michel tattoo is done up to look like stained glass. The end result is a stunning and ethereal tattoo.

This St. Michael tattoo is reminiscent of sitting inside a church. As such, it can have a calming effect on you, especially when you are feeling stressed out. There is also no denying that it is very aesthetically pleasing as well.

The thing to keep in mind here is that this is a very complex St. Michael inspired tattoo. Due to this, you are going to need a talented tattoo artist to really bring this concept to life. So, make sure that you choose wisely.

Saint Michael Sigil Tattoos

Now, this is a bit of a controversial Saint Michael tattoo design. This is because sigils aren't acknowledged by most church organizations. In fact, sigils are associated with the occult and are frowned upon.

If you don't associate too closely with organized religion and would like a righteous and strong symbol that can remind you to be strong and brave, especially when times get tough.

It is also a really cool idea if you want to do a different kind of archangel Michael tattoo.

St. Michael and Lion Tattoo

This is actually a rather symbolic tattoo, although it may not appear so right off the bat.

As you may recall, Jesus is often called the Lion of Judah. This is because Jesus is both a descendant of Judah and kings.

There is also the fact that the lion is majestic, courageous, and awesome to behold. These are traits that people can associate with Jesus as well.

Therefore, by having the lion and St. Michael in the same tattoo, you are showing a connection between a ruler in heaven and the commander of the army.

What Does the Tattoo of St. Michael Mean?

Well, Saint Michael tattoo represents the archangel Michael, who is sometimes referred to as Michael.

Michael is depicted as being a warrior angel, a protector of the Christian faith.

This is why he is often shown with a spear or sword raised high.

He is also a figure in Islam and Judaism but he plays a different role within these practices.

Archangel Michael is referred to as the "great captain" and is said to be the leader of the heavenly hosts. It is believed that he holds the secret word of God that was used to create Heaven and Earth.

In the earlier times of the Christian church, people saw him as the helper of the Christian armies.

Michael is also often depicted as slaying a dragon who is a representation of Satan or Lucifer. Another popular rendition is Michael defeating Lucifer and throwing him and his army out of heaven.

Based on all these elements, your Saint Michael tattoo can represent a number of things. It can depict your faith and belief. Your archangel tattoo can also represent a desire to protect your faith, especially from those who seek to corrupt it.

A Saint Michael tattoo can also represent you against your demons. Now, in some cases, this may be the evil forces that you associate with Lucifer. In other instances, this could be issues that you face in your life such as temptation, addiction, lust, anger, etc.

What is the Symbol of St. Michael?

Now, the symbol of Michael is an interesting concept. There is no mention of sigils or symbols in the bible. In fact, many Christian organizations and leaders don't approve of the use of sigils.

This is because they have been traditionally associated with the occult or paganism. Therefore, the sigil of Saint Michael isn't really considered a part of conventional Christianity.

So, if you want a strictly religious tattoo then you may want to consider a different Saint Michael tattoo design.

On the other hand, if you don't mind expanding your horizons, then you can get this amazing tattoo.

Well, there you go - all the st. Michael tattoos that you could possibly want! It doesn't matter if you want something simple, complex, religious, or unique, you can find all your options right here! All that you need to do is figure out which design is the perfect fit for your desired concept and meaning.