Lion tattoo

[Happy57]

Perhaps a stupid question, is the tattoo on David's (Angel) back a real tattoo?

[Lyri]

no, it's not. it was created for the character of Angel/Angelus. the make-up department used a stamp to put it on whenever the script required for it.
there have been some scenes where it's missing entirely because they didn't realize it was needed.

Edit:

also, the tattoo is of a Griffyn, not a lion.

[Mr. Pointy]

also, the tattoo is of a Griffyn, not a lion.

Well I never! I'd always thought it was a stylised depiction of an angel but, yea, I can see it is a griffin now you've said that.

[Ashxking]

that has bugged me. WHy would a vampire get a tattoo? Even if he got it when he was human. Where did he get it? Tattoo parlores went to common back in the 1700's at least i dont think so

[nerd4hire]

Here's some theorizing on the tattoo, with pics.

http://maquisleader.com/buffy/tattoo.htm

[Happy57]

Here's some theorizing on the tattoo, with pics.



That was very interesting thank you!!

I saw on an tattoo page about famous people and celebreties that Sarah has a few very small real tattoos and David has a few too.

So I thought David had this Gryfinn tattoo made before he became a movie star!!

[Jill_Valentine]

The gryphon is not a symbol that occurs in Ireland. It is a winged lion, as associated with the aforementioned St. Mark, but that's not the same thing.

Kinda funny to think that the guy who would have drawn that illustration probably never would have seen a lion in his life...