Are you thinking about getting a tattoo? Then take inspiration from these 50 amazing God of War tattoos that are sure to impress and amaze!
Are you looking for a tattoo that is sure to create a strong, powerful and macho impression? Then you need look no further than a god of war tattoo!
There’s something about god of war tattoo designs that is truly inspirational, and the fascinating mythology behind the designs only serves to add extra meaning and depth to their symbolism.
In this guide, we’ll showcase some amazing tattoo ideas from the God of War video game series and also the best Mars, Ares, and Odin tattoos.
If you’re a fan of the God of War video game series, you’re sure to love a god of war tattoo design created just for you.
This action adventure video game franchise dates all the way back to 2005 when it was first released for the PS2 console.
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Since then, it has forged its way as a PlayStation flagship title and no less than 8 games have been released in the series across several different platforms.
The game is based on ancient mythologies, following the story of Kratos, the Spartan warrior who has been tricked into slaughtering his whole family by Ares, his former master and the Greek war god. The tale sees Kratos following his path of revenge through two separate eras.
In the Greek mythology tales, he is manipulated by the gods of Olympus, while in the era of Norse mythology, his son Atreus is introduced as another protagonist as the pair come into conflict with Odin and his other Norse deities.
It’s no wonder, then that a Kratos tattoo is highly desirable for any fan of the video game series, or even for anyone who is simply interested in Greek mythology.
Kratos tattoos are highly sought after, and are often asked for in tattoo parlors up and down the country.
If you’re keen to get your own god of war symbol tattoo, read on to discover more about the best inspired designs out there.
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Who Is Kratos In Greek Mythology?
If you’re keen to get a Greek god of war tattoo you’ll probably need to know more about the characters and specifically Kratos so that you can explain your choice to those who want to know more about your stunning new body art.
According to ancient legend, Kratos, together with his three siblings – Zelus, Bia and Nike – were all Zeus’ fiercely loyal enforcers.
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Of course, Zeus was the god of all gods, in charge of Mount Olympus and all of the other gods living on it.
Kratos (sometimes known as Cratos) is seen as a divine personification of strength, being the son of Styx and Pallas who is mentioned first in Greek mythology in Theogony by Hesiod.
According to the legend, Kratos along with his brothers and sisters lived with Zeus as an honor to their mother. As Zeus’ agent, he was instrumental in one of the most important stories of all of Greek legend – the tale of Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods.
In the story, Kratos makes Hephaestus, the blacksmith god, punish Prometheus by chaining him to a rock.
Kratos’ character is merciless and brutal, keen to use violence whenever he can. He is eager to defend the oppressive rule of Zeus and is a loyal, strong and powerful individual.
The character Kratos who appears in the video game takes the character on a new, anti-heroic twist.
The name itself means “strength” and, although allegedly the name was accidentally chosen by the game’s creators, it actually ties in well with the mythological character who is also a pawn of the higher gods.
The video game version of the character also draws on many other Greek mythological figures such as Heracles, Achilles, Theseus and Perseus but he is still violent and brutal, even towards innocents as one would expect from his original mythological namesake.
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Gods of War In Various Religions
There have been gods of war across many religions and mythologies. Many share similar traits and characterizations but all have their own unique differences that set them apart from the crowd.
Three of the most famous in Greek, Roman and Norse mythology include:
Ares – Ares is the Greek god of war who is also one of the 12 Olympian gods and the son of Hera and Zeus. Often representing war’s untamed, violent and physical aspects, he personifies brutality.
Known by the ancient Greeks as a dangerous, overwhelming and destructive force, he also had many affairs which produced numerous children.
Although he was viewed as a powerful god, he was often treated contemptuously or with revulsion by those he encountered in his legends.
Odin – the most revered god within Norse mythology, Odin has traditionally been portrayed as long-bearded and one-eyed, carrying his spear which is called Gungnir. Often, he is seen accompanied by his familiars and companions – the ravens Muninn and Huginn and the wolves Freki and Geri.
He rides an eight-legged flying horse called Sleipnir not only through the sky but also down into the underworld. Odin’s parents are Borr and Bestla and his brothers are Ve and Vili.
He had many sons, but the most famous are Baldr and Thor. He had a key role to play in the world’s creation by slaying Ymir, a primordial being, and giving life to Embla and Ask, the first humans.
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Mars – Mars is the Roman counterpart of Ares, being not only a god of war but also a guardian of agriculture.
Second only to the god Jupiter in importance, he was Roman mythology’s most prominent military god in the Roman army’s religion.
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Although Mars and Ares are often linked, they differ in terms of their dignity and character.
While Ares was often treated contemptuously by those he encountered in Greek legend, Mars was honored and respected.
Also, although Ares was seen as a destabilizing and destructive force, Mars was representative of military power used to secure greater peace.
Best known as the father of Rome’s creators – Romulus and Remus – he was seen as one of the most important influential gods within Roman culture and religion.
