Which is correct: "Noli irritare leonem" or "Noli irritare leones"?

[Thiago Matos]

Hello,

I'm gonna tattoo my family crest next month and I would like to add a motto.
The problem is I've seen it written two different ways:

"Noli irritare leonem" and "Noli irritare leones"

The meaning I guess is "Do not provoke the lion", "Do not provoke lions" or "Do not provoke a lion".

Since I don't want to tattoo something wrong in my body I ask for your expertise to help me solve this problem.

I appreciate your time and attention
Thank you very much

 

[Imber Ranae]

leonem is singular and leones is plural. That's the only difference.

 

[Thiago Matos]

thank you, Imber.

 

[Michael Zwingli]

leō dēmulctus mītis "the soothed/appeased lion is gentle" would be an oblique and suggestive way of saying the same.