An Achilles tattoo is perfect for fans of Greek legends and mythology who are looking for a tattoo that embodies divinity mixed with aspects of real life. Achilles is considered one of the greatest warriors in Greek mythology. People are divided on whether he really existed or was just a glorified myth. In either case, he was canonized in literature, mainly because of his small mistake that eventually led to his destruction. So if you too are a fan of this enigmatic Greek warrior and want to dedicate a timeless piece of body art to him, we have a few tattoo ideas that you might like! Keep reading this article and check them out.
What does an Achilles tendon tattoo mean?
Achilles is said to be a demigod, the son of a sea goddess named Thetis and a mortal king. He is said to have led a fierce group of warriors through multiple victories in battle and also played a major role in the Trojan War. According to legend, his mother held him by his heel and dipped him in the River Styx to make him immortal. His fighting skills were unmatched and he was nearly invincible, except for one fatal mistake. His heel, where his mother’s hand stopped the Styx from touching him, was vulnerable to fatal wounds. His anger, pride and other unbridled emotions are said to have led to his ultimate, great downfall when he threw himself into the heart of the battle, despite knowing his weakness. This story tells us of the many things Achilles represents, such as:
The wisdom, skill and leadership needed to lead people through great challenges. A personal sense of confidence and belief in your own abilities and strengths to overcome adversity. Despite being an intimidating, fierce and unmatched opponent, you may still have a small weakness that can lead to your downfall. The importance of living fully and passionately, which can lead to an eternal legacy despite a short life.
The overall symbolism of a tattoo ultimately depends on the wearer who can add more details to the tattoo to enhance its meaning. So, continue to the next section for some awesome Achilles tattoo designs for your next session.
8 Powerful Achilles Tattoo Ideas For You
Embody the invincibility and greatness of this revered Greek war hero with a tattoo that impressively captures all of his features. Check out the following designs and ideas to get an idea of how to showcase him at his best in your tattoos.
1. Greek Achilles tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
Achilles was just one of many other great Greek warriors and legends, documented or mythological, that came before and after him. It is a culture that is represented by great thinkers, rulers, gods and much more. They also have art that has lived on for centuries since civilizations came to an end. The best designs are definitely those that stay true to traditional art. This tattoo shows one such design, with a side profile portrait of Achilles with a Greek key frame and laurel or olive leaves.
2. Achilles Warrior Tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
Achilles would be easily recognizable on the battlefield because of the way he moved – his armor that gracefully framed his strong and muscular body and just the overall look that he had. Show him off in all his glory from head to toe in your Achilles tattoo. This tattoo shows the strong curves and lines of his body, the elaborately designed armor, the horsehair crested helmet and a stance that exudes confidence and charisma. It captured his genius perfectly, including the sharpness of his features.
3. Achilles Helmet Tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
Among Greek warriors, their armor and gear, from helmets to boots or sandals, were symbols of status or prowess on the battlefield. We can’t know for sure what kind of helmet Achilles actually wore, so you can take inspiration from Brad Pitt’s Achilles helmet in the 2004 film Troy. The tattoo above uses color to show that the helmet is made of a precious metal, such as gold, with a shiny crest to speak of his greatness as a warrior.
4. Achilles statue tattoo
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Making a statue of someone represents the high regard the sculptor has for him or her. The same can be said for those who want the statue to be placed in a public place. There are many Achilles statues that are mentioned in art books or on the internet as inspiration for such a tattoo. The statue in the tattoo above depicts him as an ordinary Greek man who may have been great, but was also just an ordinary man who had quiet days and enjoyed the company of his friends.
5. Achilles Shield Tattoo
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Homer’s Iliad speaks extensively about Achilles’ shield. It is one of the first known examples of Greek literature using descriptions of elements as artwork to add metaphorical value to the text. The design of the shield is interpreted as having various decorative details. However, the symbolism tells how Achilles had this new shield made after Hector of Troy killed his closest companion, Patroclus, who wore Achilles’ armor. Therefore, this tattoo could represent revenge, renewed strength, or simply a harbinger of one’s fate.
6. Troy Achilles Tattoo
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Show Achilles in all his glory in Troy, where he is said to have fought the greatest battle of his life, led the great Myrmidons, earned eternal fame, and also met his tragic end. And one of the best ways to illustrate this is shown in the image above, where Achilles is dressed in full battle robes, including the rusty cape, with his trusty weapons. Add more details, such as a setting sun and looming clouds for a touch of sophistication.
7. Achilles tendon forearm tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
The placement on the forearm allows the tattoo wearer to show or hide their tattoo as desired. While it remains fully visible, it is highly visible and is sure to attract attention from passersby. To make a strong impression with this tattoo, take cues from the realistic portrait tattoo above, which draws attention to the fiercely determined expression on Achilles’ face. The crest on the helmet is also sharply detailed, while the expertly blended shading adds a lifelike depth to the tattoo.
8. Achilles Arrow Tattoo
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
There are two ways to get an Achilles arrow tattoo for very contrasting symbolism. One can be as shown above, of an arrow shot by Achilles piercing the enemy’s helmet, which speaks of his skill as a warrior. This tattoo can be placed anywhere depending on the wearer’s preference. Another way is to get a tattoo of an arrow placed behind the foot or just above the heel to symbolize Achilles’ weakness as a reminder of his mortality. While the former style speaks of skill and bravery, the latter sends a humble message.
So that’s our list of strikingly detailed Achilles tattoo ideas. We’ve seen how a simple side portrait that emphasizes Achilles’ facial expressions can have a strong, striking effect, just as impressive as a full-body portrait striking a commanding pose. Since Achilles represents the Greeks and their fierce loyalty to their motherland, it’s best to depict him with culture-specific elements. For example, Greek armor or traditional art patterns like the Greek key, the deep red hues in the crest or cape, or even olive and laurel leaves for a distinctive Greek touch to your tattoo. A black and gray design can add depth and timeless realism to your tattoo, but try experimenting with colors for a more vibrant story.
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Eve Phillips is an experienced artist in a variety of tattoo styles, although she specializes in fine detail and floral tattoos. She has owned studios in both Australia and the UK for 20 years and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in all areas of tattoo art, health, licensing, trends, current issues and history.
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Manjari is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over three years of experience writing across various niches including beauty, health, wellness, and technology. She first discovered her passion for writing in school and has been honing her craft ever since.
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Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Previously, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 top-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.
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Joyce Joyson is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over a year of experience in creating short-form content for the beauty, fashion and lifestyle niches. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science and Geography from IIS University and a Master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kristu Jayanti College.
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