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Drawn and inked by master artists, Lord of the Rings tattoo ideas try to capture the fantasy world in the best way possible. From certain LOTR quotes to specific locations, these tattoos are always a fantastic sight, not only for Lord of the Rings fans. Also, these tattoos aren’t stuck on the movies alone. Lord of the Rings tattoos capture the characters and locations from the books, movies, and series. The only limit is your creativity… or the tattoo artist's.

As with all fantasy tattoo ideas, you can go as big or as small as you want. If you are one of the more daring ones, go for an armband tattoo of your favorite character. The choice is large. You can go for Gandalf the Grey or Sam the Brave. If you like the character very much, it's only natural to get a tattoo. However, if large tattoo ideas, such as a Lord of the Rings sleeve tattoo, are not your favorite, there are always word tattoos from J.R.R. Tolkien quotes. They are the ones that mix the elements of the lore-rich world with quotes from books or movies. Just sit down, watch the 10-hour original trilogy, or read three books, and pick out the quotes you like.

So, if you are looking for the right LOTR tattoo, you can take a breather. In the list below, we have compiled the tattoos that perfectly capture the Lord of the Rings world in the best way possible. Make sure to upvote the designs that you liked the most. If you are a fan, share the creative tattoos people should get.

#2

Hobbit Hole Tattoo

Hobbit Hole and a dragon Tattoo

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#3

A Pattern Straight From The County Tattoo

Hobbit hole and a phrase on elvish language tattoo

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What are some Symbols used in Lord of the Rings? 

If you’re stumped about where to begin with picking out your new LOTR tattoo or where to start your design, one of the symbols used in the books or the movies might be a good place to start. Here are three of the most well-known Lord of the Rings symbols for your consideration: 

The Rings of Power. The Rings of Power hold immense but corrupting power. Sauron's One Ring grants unimaginable power but corrupts the wearer. The Three Elven Rings have a different, constructive power. For example, Galadriel's ring grants her the power of foresight, which she uses responsibly, as seen when she rejects the One Ring from Frodo.

The Sword of Elendil. The Sword that was Broken, once owned by Elendil, an ancestor of Aragorn, was shattered during the Siege of Barad-dûr. Aragorn, Elendil's distant heir, carries its fragments. After it's reforged in Rivendell and renamed Andúril, it symbolizes Aragorn's greatness and his quest to reclaim his birthright. Like Aragorn himself, the sword starts as a broken relic but transforms into a powerful and beautiful weapon.

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The Mirror of Galadriel. Galadriel's mirror symbolizes the uncertainty of knowledge and the inevitability of fate. When gazing into it, one sees past, present, and potential events, but it's unclear which is which. You can't change what's shown. The reasons behind these events don't matter; it's how you use the knowledge that counts—either responsibly or for harm. Even Galadriel, powerful as she is, can't control the mirror's visions. Fate's force in Middle-earth is unstoppable.

Whether you choose to get the Lord of the Rings sword tattoo or something entirely else, like a minimalist Lord of the Rings tattoo, make sure that the tattoo design truly speaks to you! 

#4

The Fellowship Of The Ring Tattoo

The Fellowship Of The Ring and mountains tattoo

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#5

The Gates Of Argonath And The River Anduin Tattoo

The Gates Of Argonath And The River Anduin Tattoo

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What did the LOTR cast get Tattooed? 

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You might have heard this interesting LOTR fact before – while filming the movies, the cast decided to commemorate the fact by getting matching tattoos. And all of them truly did, except for John Rhys-Davies, who played Gimli. However, his stunt double got the Lord of the Rings cast tattoo instead of him. 

Curious to learn what the design was? Since the main cast members were nine in total, they chose to get the number 9 written in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Elvish Tengwar script as their design. You will find a photo of it further down on our Lord of the Rings tattoo ideas list! 

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Meanings Behind the Most Popular LOTR Tattoo Ideas

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It is absolutely expected for some Lord of the Rings tattoo designs to be a bit more popular than others, but that doesn’t mean we all know the exact tattoo design meanings behind them. To help you with that, we gathered a couple of the most popular ones and found explanations to go along with the designs. 

Tree of Gondor tattoo meaning – The White Tree of Gondor is known in the Lord of the Rings trilogy as a symbol of renewal and hope.

Gandalf tattoo meaning - it’s a symbol of pure and never ending friendship. 

Hobbit tattoo meaning - a symbol of determination, curiosity, and strong will. 

Lord of the Rings ring tattoo meaning - a symbol of odd-defying commitment. 

Map of Middle Earth tattoo meaning - this design symbolizes the wish for adventure.

The Eye of Sauron tattoo meaning - the watchful eye of evil. 

With all that in mind, you can always come up with your own Lord of the Rings tattoo design. It doesn’t necessarily have to be an obvious symbol plucked from the books or the movies! Most important for a design, though, is for it to be meaningful and beautiful to no other but you. 

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#10

Fellowship Of The Ring Tattoo

The Fellowship Of The Ring and mountains tattoo

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Saint Tim the Godless
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Glad to see text other than "Not all who wander are lost." It's a great quote, but so overused it's become trite. Overall, this is really nice!

#12

Cutesy Gollum Holding The Most Precious Sian Tattoo

Gollum Holding The Most Precious Sian tattoo

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#14

Hobbit House Tattoo

Hobbit house in the Shire tattoo

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#15

Gandalf Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Gandalf with his staff riding a horse tattoo

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Lama
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The shading is so cool! Different patterns on different objects for distinct textures.. so well done.

#16

Healed Gollum Tattoo

Gollum reaching out for the ring tattoo

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UpQuarkDownQuark
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can’t understand why someone would want that hideous, emancipated face on their body. Of the vast amount of imagery to pick from…that?

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#17

Sauron Tattoo

Sauron with hula hoop as Ruling Ring tattoo

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Rebecca Stone
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This so hilarious to me! I literally Lol! I love fun & punny tattoos that leave others scratching their the heads! Well done! Hahahaha

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#18

Balrog Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Gandalf fighting the Balrog leg tattoo

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#20

Gandalf Tattoo

Gandalf smoking his pipe tattoo

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#22

Dwarf Gimli Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Gimli with axe tattoo

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#23

Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Gandalf smoking pipe near camp fire and dragon flying tattoo

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#24

Not By The Hand Of Man Will He Fall Tattoo

Witch-king helmet and "I am no man" inscription tattoo

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#26

Rivendell Tattoo

Rivendell arm tattoo

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#27

Gandalf & Saruman Riding A Golf Cart Tattoo

Gandalf and Saruman driving a golf car tattoo

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SCP 4666
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Count Dooku taught Saruman how to use force lightning - wait...

#28

Shards Of Narsil Tattoo

Shards of Narsil with plant around it tattoo

"I might be biased, but this is my favorite iteration of the shards of Narsil by far. Done by Martin Kelly at body electric tattoo in LA."

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#29

A Great Eye, Lidless, Wreathed In Flame Tattoo

The eye of Sauron tattoo

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#30

First Session Of “Lord Of The Rings” Leg Project Tattoo

Gandalf's eyes in square tattoo

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#31

Gandalf Tattoo

Gandalf smoking pipe tattoo

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Saint Tim the Godless
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not sure what Gandalf looked like in my head before the movies, but for the rest of my life he will always be pictured as Ian McKellan.

#32

Shards of Narsil LOTR tattoo

Shards of Narsil tattoo

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#33

Little Hobbit House Tattoo

Hobbit house with flowers tattoo

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Pigeonvonbirb
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yall do not know how much I want to live in a little hobbit home:/

#34

Sauron Tattoo

Sauron's eye and helmet tattoo

"Done by Marcus At Studio 73, Uddevalla."

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#35

Tolkien Tribute Tattoo

Hobbit house and a dragon tattoo

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#37

Minas Tattoo

Minas and Gandalf on the horse tattoo

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#39

Lord Of The Rings Sleeve Tattoo

Lord Of The Rings Sleeve Tattoo

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#40

Gandalf Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Gandalf and his staff tattoo

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Rebecca Stone
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is absolutely beautifully done! It really looks like Gandalf. It even captured his eyes. Just all around beautiful!!!!!

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#41

The Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

One ring arm tattoo

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#42

Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

The Evenstar arm tattoo

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#43

Frodo Tattoo

Frodo with the sword and a spider web tattoo

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#44

Frodo From The Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Frodo holding the one ring tattoo

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#45

Legolas Arm Tattoo

Legolas with bow and arrow tattoo

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#46

Fellowship Of The Ring Tattoo

The Fellowship Of The Ring and the mountains tattoo

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#47

Arwen From The Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Arwen and flowers tattoo

"I’m so excited to post this Arwen piece, I have been holding myself back since last night when we finished it. I’ve never been a big Lord of the Rings fan but believe it or not doing this piece inspired me to finally pick up the book series."

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#48

A Cozy Hobbit Hole Tattoo

Hobbit Hole tattoo

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#50

Gandalf Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Gandalf with staff tattoo

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#52

Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Tree Of Gondor and Shards of Narsil tattoo

"By Derek at Big Hot Olive Tattoo, Pleasant Hall, PA."

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#55

The Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Doors of Durin leg tattoo

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#58

Gimli Tattoo

Gimli's face tattoo

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#59

A Lovely Legolas Tattoo

Legolas with arrows tattoo

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#60

Aragorn Tattoo

Aragorn in the tavern smoking the pipe tattoo

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#61

Hobbit Hole Tattoo

Hobbit Hole tattoo

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#62

Gandalf’s Pipe Tattoo

Gandalf’s Pipe Tattoo

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#63

Hobbits Window Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Hobbits Window and flowers tattoo

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#64

Evenstar Tattoo

Evenstar arm tattoo

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#65

Completed Lord Of The Rings Sleeve Tattoo

Lord Of The Rings Sleeve Tattoo

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#66

A Lord Of The Rings Themed Vase Tattoo

A Lord Of The Rings themed vase with flowers tattoo

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#67

LOTR Frodo Leaving The Shire tattoo

Frodo Leaving The Shire tattoo

"By Michelle Carter 1001 Troubles, Warren RI."

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#68

The Shire Tattoo

Hobbit hole and the tree tattoo

"By Parth at Zealand Tattoo in Queenstown New Zealand."

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#69

Fresh Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

The Hobbit hole tattoo

"By Chris Dobransky at Alchemist Tattoo, Bismarck, ND."

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#70

Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Mordor arm tattoo

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#71

Hobbit Hole Tattoo

Opened door to the hobbit hole tattoo

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#72

Hobbit Hole Tattoo

Hobbit hole door tattoo

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#73

The One Ring To Rule Them All Tattoo

The one ring with flowers tattoo

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#74

Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Shards of Narsil, the one ring and flower tattoo

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BatPhace
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is amateur. The lines are wonky and blown out, the ring is oblong, the leaves are bad, the shards look dull, they should be fine line sharp. I don't care what style it is, there's no excuse for linework like that

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#75

Sauron Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Sauron leg tattoo

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#76

Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Sauron's helmet and mace leg tattoo

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#77

Gandalf And Balrog Tattoo

Gandalf And Balrog fighting tattoo

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#78

Frodo And Sam Tattoo

Frodo and Sam near Barad-dûr

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#79

Gandalf Tattoo

Gandalf smoking pipe tattoo

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#80

Galadriel From LOTR Calf Tattoo

Galadriel's face tattoo

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#81

Aragorn Tattoo

Aragorn wearing the crown tattoo

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#82

Balrog From The Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Balrog arm tattoo

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#83

Battle For Minas Tirith Tattoo

The Witch-king and Éowyn fighting tattoo

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#84

Leaf Of Lórien Tattoo

Leaf Of Lórien Tattoo

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#85

Witch King Of Angmar Tattoo

Witch King mask tattoo

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#86

King Of The Dead From Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

King Of The Dead tattoo

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#87

Tower Of Sauron Tattoo

Tower Of Sauron Tattoo

"Tower of Sauron done in Tucson istari studios, by Jonathan."

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#88

Little Piece Of The Shire Tattoo

Hobbit hole tattoo

"By Dillon Smith in Huntington Beach CA."

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#89

Lord Of The Rings Shire Tattoo

The Shire and flowers tattoo

"By Dani Queipo, at Sang Bleu in London."

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#90

The Hobbit Life Tattoo

The Hobbit hole tattoo

"Fresh tattoo done by Treytattoos in Spring TX – Latenite Tattoos."

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#91

Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Shards of Narsil and the Witch king hemet tattoo

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#92

Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

The Dark Tower leg tattoo

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#93

Lord Of The Rings Leg Sleeve Tattoo In Progress

The Dark Tower and dragon tattoo

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#94

The Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Sauron face tattoo

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#95

Balrog Durin’s Bane From The Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Balrog tattoo

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#98

Sam Carrying Frodo Tattoo

Sam Carrying Frodo Tattoo

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#99

Ruling Ring Tattoo

Sauron's hand and ruling ring tattoo

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#100

My Style Dark Tower From The Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Purple dark tower tattoo

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#101

The One Ring Tattoo

The one ring tattoo

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#102

The Witch King Tattoo

The Witch King holding sword and mace tattoo

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#103

Hobbit Hole The Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Hobbit hole with flower tattoo

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#104

The One Ring Inscription Tattoo

The One Ring Inscription Tattoo

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#105

The Dark Tower Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

The Dark Tower arm tattoo

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#107

Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

The Witch King's helmet with flower tattoo

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#108

The Witch King Of Angmar Tattoo

The Witch King Of Angmar tattoo

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#109

Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Hobbit's hole door tattoo

"By Dillon Eaves, Charnel House, Burbank California."

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#110

The Witch King Of Angmar Tattoo

The Witch King Of Angmar calf tattoo

"Done by Dale Winter, 7th Circle Studio, Brisbane."

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#111

The Tower Of Cirith Ungol Tattoo

The Tower Of Cirith Ungol tattoo

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#112

The Gates Of Argonath Tattoo

The Gates Of Argonath tattoo

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#113

The Lord Of The Rings Sleeve Tattoo

Saurin with sword in flame and a mace tattoo

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#114

Narsil For Lexie Tattoo

Shards Of Narsil tattoo

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#115

Saruman Tattoo Tattoo

Saruman holding Palantír tattoo

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#116

Frodo Tattoo

Frodo holding a sword tattoo

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#117

Frodo Kewpie Tattoo

Cartoon Frodo with the pipe and a ring

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#119

Aragorn Tattoo

Aragon in the tavern tattoo

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#120

Balrog From The Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Balrog's head tattoo

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#122

The Tower Of Sauron/The Eye Tattoo

The Tower Of Sauron arm tattoo

"Dave at Ink Therapy Tattoo Jamesburg NJ."

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Mieke
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry, this just looks like a mess. My son has the grim reaper, and also looks like a tattoo stripey, liney mess. Especially in a few years down the line

#123

Eye Of Sauron Tattoo

The Eye of Sauron tower tattoo

"Done by Nick Droomer of evolved artforms, Mount Pleasant MI."

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#125

Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Sauron's helmet arm tattoo

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#126

Lord Of The Rings Tattoo

Shards Of Narsil and inscription in elvish language tattoo

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#127

Shards Of Narsil Tattoo

Shards Of Narsil with flowers arm tattoo

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#129

Samwise Gamgee Tattoo

Samwise aem tattoo

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#130

Sauron Tattoo

Sauron arm tattoo

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#131

Witch King Of Angmar Tattoo

Witch King Of Angmar Tattoo

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#132

A Traditional Interpretation Of The Eye Of Sauron Tattoo

The Eye of Sauron tattoo

"By Joe Mallard at North St. Salem, MA."

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#133

Sauron Tattoo

Sauron's helmet tattoo

"Done by Melissa From Storm Ink Tattoo, Auckland, New Zealand."

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#134

Lady Of Light – Galadriel Tattoo

Galadriel's face tattoo

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#135

Sauron Helmet Tattoo

Sauron's helmet in flame tattoo

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