The epic grandeur of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings has not only resonated through the realm of literature and cinema but has also left a profound imprint in the world of body art.
Fans across the globe, eager to carry a piece of Middle-earth with them, have found creative ways to transform iconic symbols, characters, and quotes from this enchanting universe into remarkable tattoos.
Below we showcase the best Lord of the Rings tattoos, each a testament to the timeless allure of Tolkien’s masterpiece.
From intricate Elvish script to the Eye of Sauron, from the majestic Tree of Gondor to the unassuming One Ring, these tattoos encapsulate the saga’s magic and the profound connection fans have with this unparalleled epic.
Best Gandalf Tattoos
Our favorite wizard in Lord of the Rings makes an aesthetic tattoo with his wise gray eyes and famous pipe. Check out these 10 Lord of the Rings tattoos inspired by Gandalf and his various battles with Saruman, Durin’s Bane etc.
Best Sauron Tattoos
Sauron may be the villain of the Lord of the Rings series but he makes a darn good fiery eye tattoo. It also looks great with the Dark Tower (Barad-dûr) surrounding the Eye and textured detail makes it appealing in ink.
Tolkien spent a lot of time creating a number of menacing villains, depicting their atrocious acts surrounded by dark towers and an ominous landscape. And let’s not forget Sauron’s henchmen, the Nazgûl who show up at the most unfortunate of times, but they have a geometric look that goes well with the villain theme.
Best The One Ring and Lord of the Rings Weapon Tattoos
Tolkien’s popular Middle-Earth legendarium is based on one bad guy and his obsession with the creation of the most powerful Ring in existence. Unfortunately for the ladies, it isn’t a big shiny rock but a simple gold band.
The One Ring and its Elven inscription makes for a simple, but beautiful, design to ink onto your skin. The Elven Inscription translates to: One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
Tolkien clearly had a vast imagination because the blades and weapons he created were unique and each of them had a rich history. They have a distinct appearance which looks pretty cool as a tattoo.
4. Elves
Lord of the Rings has given us a wealth of favourite characters and many of them are Elves. Legolas, played by Orlando Bloom, is a fan-favorite in the canon as well as the Jackson movies.
Their exceptionally graceful appearance along with the beautiful accessories they don are something that fans love to embed onto their skins. Take a look at these ten tattoos inspired by Tolkien’s Elves and their world.
Best Hobbits and The Shire Tattoos
Tolkien’s hobbits shaped the fate of Middle-Earth and it’s only natural to have our adorable little friends inked on our bodies, symbolizing strength and loyalty. The home of the Hobbits is also another wondrous place.
The Shire is immensely beautiful with lush greenery, flowers and round homes hidden in the landscapes. One of our favorites is the simple yet beautiful neo-traditional hobbit hole foot tattoo. A true hobbit foot, minus the hair.
Best Gimli and Aragorn Tattoos
Jackson’s Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogies gave us much to love among the races of dwarves and men. The Fellowship of the Rings has a spectacular shadowy outline that looks even better as a tattoo.
The Kings of Men also have a smoldering look that looks powerful and symbolizes bravery in the face of the enemy. Fans love to have Aragorn’s face or Gimli’s bearded ensemble on their arms or legs to show their love for Lord of the Rings characters.
Best Middle Earth Maps and Lord of the Rings Monsters Tattoos
What high-fantasy world is complete without a detailed map? Tolkien truly gave us a gem in the map of Middle-Earth.
With the vast expanses of The Shire and Rohan, the hidden cities of the Elves and the mysterious Misty Mountains of the Dwarves, Tolkien’s map is a fantastic idea for a tattoo.
Best Lord of the Rings Minimalist Tattoos
While colored artistic designs may depict the passion one has for Lord of the Rings, smaller and less dense designs can also exhibit similar connection. Tolkien’s high-fantasy world has given us objects with intricate designs which look aesthetically appealing as tattoos.
Even the Elvish inscriptions look beautiful, not to mention the outline of the illustrious Fellowship of The Ring. Let’s admire these 10 tattoos before we run to our favourite tattoo artists and give them a design to ink onto our skins.
J.R.R. Tolkien Tattoo
We felt that a special mention for the man behind it all, J.R.R. Tolkien deserves to be on this page and many of us would love to ink his profile to represent our never-ending love for his lore.
Hats off to J.R.R. Tolkien, this tattoo is one of a kind, complete with the Tengwar inscription that says:
One Ring to Rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
