The Greek hero, as he is represented as a figure in the arts and culture, depicted with attributes of divine origin. Hercules was known as The Strong Man and so his tattoos convey symbols of power and muscles!
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But those tattoos could also symbolize other things such as perseverance…
Hercules got another name too : Alcides.
This name means “mighty one” or “mightiest”. Hercules is a symbol of strength and heroism, so tattoos of him are often made by those who want to show their own power.
The tattoos depicting Heracles with his characteristic lionskin headdress usually have the lion as a symbol for courage and might also depict the Nemean lion he killed as one of his Labors.
As a son of Zeus, Heracles’ club represents thunder and lightning, so tattoos depicting this attribute are also common.
The hero known to the Romans as Hercules was the Greek demigod Heracles whose Roman name is Hercules .
Heracles / Hercules is also a symbol of masculinity and power.
In Greek mythology, he is the son of Zeus and Alcmene , granddaughter of Perseus . He was the greatest of the Greek heroes, a paragon of masculinity, the ancestor of royal clans who claimed to be Heracleidae and a champion of the Olympian order against chthonic monsters . In Rome and the modern West , he is known as Hercules, with whom the later Roman emperors , in particular Commodus and Maximian , often identified themselves.
The figure of Hercules ( Heracles ) was extremely popular among the Etrurians; even more than one member of the royal family claimed to be descended from him .
Tarquinius Priscus , for instance, was said to have instituted a festival in honour of Hercules ; and Servius Tullius established games , the Larentalia, celebrated in honor of his foster-mother Acca Laurentia.
Hercules ‘ influence extended beyond the mere formal recognition given to him by state cult; he was immensely popular with the plebs , or common people of Rome.
During the Republic, no one could miss the presence of Heracles in the ubiquitous statues that showed him lifting his characteristic club aloft on one hand, and he had become a favorite symbol for entrepreneurs .
Hercules tattoo designs and ideas
The popularity of the Hercules character certainly doesn’t wane, especially when you consider that his name is synonymous with power and masculinity.
Hercules tattoos are some of the best choices to get inked for men! It’s not surprising that they make up some of the most popular tattoo designs in traditional and new school styles, with a myriad of variations on the design being used.
If you’re looking for something which is bold and manly, the designs of Hercules tattoos not only look good but carry cultural significance too! There are many ways that you can incorporate these into your design.
You might want to go for a full body suit, using the symbols on every inch of your skin. Or you might want to go for something more minimal – maybe some nice armbands or a wrist tattoo.
Or if you’re feeling feisty and want to be really unique, why not go for something like a thigh tattoo?
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Whatever you choose, be sure that your tattoo artist knows exactly what they’re doing. These tattoos are often intricate and any mistakes will really stand out!
Another thing that you can do is to get a tattoo which symbolizes your own characteristics or strengths. Perhaps a Hercules shield with a lion on it for bravery? Or some club imagery because you’re strong?
Or maybe you could get a crest which shows that you are of noble birth or, like Hercules, the son of Zeus! This is an especially good choice for those who are into the idea of greek mythology.
There are so many variations on this design that you should feel free to experiment. It can be masculine and manly, while also being detailed and intricate.
And of course, the lion is a big part of this design meaning that you can opt to get a tattoo which incorporates both him and his club!
The main thing to remember is that Hercules tattoos are not just for men. Rather than representing physical power, they may show your mental power.
Either way, it’s worth knowing what these designs mean before committing.
