There are some tattoos that will always be timeless. Lions, tigers, roses and of course, any sharp and pointy object. Swords, knives and daggers have been a staple of tattooing for decades. They’re an essential component of American traditional tattooing, often piercing through roses, lion heads or hearts. Additionally, swords, knives and daggers were often incorporated in traditional Japanese tattooing as well. Over time, swords, knives and daggers have made their way into other styles of tattooing—notably black-and-grey, neo traditional and fine-line.

There’s something to be said about sword, knife and dagger tattoos that express the juxtaposition between toughness and delicacy. Many of the tattoos on our list exude both strength and femininity— with the contrasting subject matter of a sword with softer elements like flowers and butterflies. There truly are 1,000 different ways to interpret swords, knives and daggers in artwork— and we’re here for it.

Over time, we’ve seen many swords gain fame in popular culture, particularly in fantasy stories depicted in literature, film and television. Some notable examples include Godric Griffindor’s sword in Harry Potter, The Master Sword in Zelda, Andúril in “Lord of the Rings” and Longclaw in “Game of Thrones.”

Take a look at 100 of our favorite sword, knife and dagger tattoos from talented tattoo artists around the world. Then let us know your favorite tattoo or if you’d consider getting one of these tattoos from this list in the comments section on social media. On guard!