Most tiger tattoo designs are of the head of the tiger and why not, the tiger has a regal look about it, a proud gaze that suggests strength and wisdom. As a matter of interest the Chinese hold the tiger in high regard, because the markings on the forehead are similar to the Chinese symbol for king.
A Tiger head tattoo design looks great blended with many other tattoo designs, such as, tribal, flowers, lettering, etc, and looks fantastic in a full arm tattoo design. As a matter of fact, no matter if you just use the head of the tiger, or the whole body, you can't go wrong. Now let me tell you something about the myths and legends of the tiger.
Tigers have been around for around 2 million years and over the years a lot of mythology has surrounded this majestic animal. In China the tiger is the 3rd animal in the Chinese zodiac. Yin and Yan are at times represented as a Yin tigress and a Yan dragon.
In early China history, the highest ranking general was known as "the tiger" as the tiger was seen as a symbol of life and death, destruction and aggression.
I won't preach to you about the decline of the tiger numbers due to the loss of habitat, but I will tell you that for many years every part of the tiger was used in Chinese medicine (even tiger wine. Yuk!). Thankfully, the Chinese government has put a stop to this practice, and dishes out severe penalties to poachers or anyone found selling tiger medications.
And if you thinking how nice it would to be up close and personnel with a tiger, then think again, a tiger can reach up to 3.3 meters (11ft) in length and weigh up to 300 kilograms (660 pounds). The jaw of the tiger is capable of crushing the vertebrae of any animal on earth (yikes!).
A tiger has been documented as killing a fully grown Rhinoceros (yes, fully grown!!), and tigers have been known to smash the skulls of domestic cattle with a swipe of a paw. Tigers are such successful hunters they get to dine on a variety of animals, like rabbits, wild boar, pythons, young elephants, bears and crocodiles (that's right, Crocodiles!).
In Asian culture the tiger is the king of the beasts. The tiger is also seen as a symbol of power, strength, and boldness (no argument there), which is a pretty good reason to wear one on your arm I'd say.