43 gorgeous flower tattoos you’ll actually want forever
If you like your ink with a side of symbolism and hidden meaning, flower tattoos are the way to go. Florals of all kinds tend to be a popular pick, especially for clients just starting out. They can easily be scaled down to the dainty sizes trending on Instagram over the past few years. At the same time, they’re also just as pretty when enlarged to cover your torso or arms. And since they tend to carry connotations of positive things (like love, new beginnings, and happiness), chances are very low that you’ll want to remove them one day.
“A lot of my inquiries are for flower tattoos because of the different meanings behind them,” says Seoul-based artist Hongdam, whose meticulously detailed sketches and delicate aesthetic have made him popular globally. “I think they can be a good design for anyone.”
Hongdam recommends coming in with some reference images that show the exact style you want, then thinking about how you’d like your tattoo to look on your body. “There are no rules for choosing placement, but sometimes I’ll recommend where the design would work well,” he says. Ultimately, though, it’s up to you. “Since it lasts a lifetime, you need to choose where you want it,” he adds.
To help you narrow down your references, we rounded up the coolest flower tattoos and floral designs from our favourite artists and asked them to share the meaning behind each.
This feature originally appeared on GLAMOUR US.
Instagram / @nicetattooparlorLavender
Lavender has deep symbolism and is often associated with its healing and calming properties. It can represent love, devotion, and purity, while the addition of a bee can nod to hard work and cooperation. It's also just really adorable.
Instagram / @nicetattooparlorWildflower Bouquet
Besides lending themselves well to gorgeous fine-needle designs, wildflowers are known to represent joy in many cultures around the world. That could be why looking at this beauty sparks so much of it.
Instagram/@ilwolhongdamPlum Blossoms
One of Hongdam’s signature designs is a branch dotted with plum blossoms that winds across the arms or torso. When he first began his career in Seoul, most artists were interested in Irezumi, the traditional form of Japanese tattooing. Hongdam, inspired by his background in fine art, decided to start experimenting with other influences. These flowers follow the style of classic ink paintings—he added the bright touches of color to re-create the feeling of spring.
Instagram / Kaia GerberWildflower
Floral designs are easy to scale up or down; a sleeve looks just as pretty as this tiny bouquet on model Kaia Gerber. Celebrity tattoo artist Evan Kim, who specializes in fine-line and single-needle work, kept the lines sharp and crisp so you can still see all the details. Hongdam, who also specializes in fine-line drawings, says you should take care to keep the dainty designs hydrated following the appointment. “For fine-line tattoos, it's vital to moisturize your skin consistently,” he says. “If your skin gets dry, the quality may drop a lot during the healing process.”
Instagram / @humblebeetattooEgyptian Lotus
“The Egyptian lotus is symbolic of renewal and rebirth, and in some Egyptian customs, it's symbolic for the sun,” says Toronto-based artist Brittany Randell. With its long stems that can be beautifully curved around your body, the lotus is great for those looking to add large-scale art, like a sleeve.
Instagram/@ilwolhongdamCamellias
Flowers are rich in symbolism, so their many hidden meanings make them a popular first choice. Hongdam says this client chose camellias to signify strength. “Camellia flowers grow even in the cold, which symbolizes passion and strong will,” he says. To highlight that idea, he dotted the petals and leaves with touches of snow.
Instagram/@_dr_woo_Sunflower
While some opt to copy flowers in nature, others draw their inspiration from paintings. According to celeb tattoo artist Dr. Woo, Dakota Johnson got this wilting sunflower as a tribute to the artist Egon Schiele. Dr. Woo's caption gives an additional explanation for Johnson's pick—in her words: “It’s a lil f-cked up, but it’s still a flower, like me.”
Instagram / @fairytatmotherVervain
These blue vervain created by Brooklyn-based artist Quiara Capellan are strikingly delicate. “When people choose the florals, they sometimes have deep personal connections with them,” she says. “Some people choose florals based on their color palettes, others for the shape of the florals. I create these pieces with the intended placement in mind.”
Instagram/@ilwolhongdamCranberry Blossoms
“This client gave me complete freedom to choose the subject and style,” says Hongdam of the striking design. We wouldn't necessarily suggest doing that unless you're very familiar with your tattoo artist's work and it perfectly matches your own taste (as was the case here). Cranberry blossoms are more delicate than Hongdam's signature plum blossoms, so the result focuses mainly on the sweeping lines of the branches. “I usually put requested designs onto a stencil, but for this I drew directly onto her skin to work with the curves of her body,” he says.
Instagram / @flesh_and_fluidFloral Garden
Getting flowers tatted is a permanent way to keep a connection with those we cherish, a visual reminder for ourselves and those we come across. “We get a lot of floral and botanical requests,” says Brooklyn-based artist Doreen Garner of both her and her assistant, Kiara. “Most of the time, clients have attached the meanings to them, such as standing for loved ones' birthday months or favorite flowers.”
Instagram / HongdamNeon Rose
We love the super-bright shades of this blossoming rose, surrounded by delicate geometric lines. Bang Bang Tattoo's Miss Trudy, whose work often incorporates vibrant color, captioned the piece, “Bringing back the flower game.” Hongdam cautions that if you want something with a similarly intense shade, you should expect a little fading as it heals and ages. “It's normal for a tattoo like this to get lighter over time,” he says. Luckily, you can always book a touch-up appointment.
Instagram / @amandawachobWatercolor Lily
Painterly designs look beautiful on everyone, but they're particularly gorgeous against deep skin. The key is to go to an artist who specializes in working with watercolor on dark skin tones, like Amanda Wachob (whose work is seen here), to ensure the shades look bold and vibrant.
Instagram/@trudy_nycDiamond Rose
It's hard to pick a favorite between Miss Trudy's monochromatic and neon versions of her geometric rose tattoos. For this one, she sketched out a head-on of the flower, leaves, and stems—then wrapped it in a sleek diamond halo. The results are crisp and clean (and seriously pretty).
Japanese Honysuckle
Another dreamy piece by Capellan, these colorful honeysuckle instantly make us feel calm and centered.
Instagram/@drag_inkSunflower
Bang Bang Tattoo's Dragon created another version of the popular sunflower tattoo for Vanessa Hudgens, who chose to place the dainty bloom on her side. The sunny yellow petals echo the flower's associations with adoration and loyalty. With subtly shaded floral tattoo designs like this one, Hongdam suggests avoiding long exposure to water and sun—this will help preserve the color as it ages.
Instagram/@ilwolhongdamCotton Flowers
Cotton flowers are a rarer pick for a floral tattoo, but we love how dreamy they look in this design. “It requires a more calm and delicate style,” says Hongdam, whose client chose them to represent her love for her mother.
Instagram/@ilwolhongdamLotus Flower
This might be the coolest illustration of a lotus we've seen; we love how the ultra-thin lines make the petals appear almost translucent. Hongdam says many clients request this popular combination of fine-line drawing and line shading for his flower tattoos. As for the symbolism behind the often-requested design, the lotus is all about resilience: “It's a unique flower, since it blooms in the mud.”
Instagram/@ilwolhongdamHwajodo
“This style painting of flowers and birds is called hwajodo,” says Hongdam of the elegant composition. “I tattooed it in the traditional style of expressive brushstrokes.” Note that tattooing on top of bone is always going to hurt more than other areas, so prep accordingly for rib placements like this one and consider taking a painkiller before your appointment.
Instagram / @amandawachobColourful Rosebud
A flower that hasn't yet bloomed—like a delicate rosebud—can signify new beginnings. Bright watercolors make it come to life even more.
Instagram/@_doctor_woo_Flower-Covered Cat
Floral designs don't have to stand alone; they can also be a great way to accent other illustrations, like this cute cat face by Dr. Woo. Scroll through Instagram, and you'll often see them drawn in combination with skulls, flowing script, or full sleeves.
Instagram/@ilwolhongdamLily
Look closely, and you'll notice that you can see all the way through this lily. “It's a clean design, done as if the flower is being photographed in an X-ray,” says Hongdam. “I layered even the ‘invisible’ lines on top of each other to create the effect.” X-ray flowers were admittedly not something we had considered before seeing this one, but it imparts a very cool twist to a classic illustration.
Instagram/@jonboytattooLotus Outline
JonBoy is well-known for his dainty, minimal designs and this lotus silhouette (representing new beginnings) is an excellent example. The clean lines make the small-scale drawing stand out, even at a distance.
Instagram / Brittany RandellTiger Lily
“Tiger lilies are my favorite flower to tattoo,” says Randell. “I studied florals in religious iconography during my educational years and this flower has many meanings. One example is that it represents the virtues of compassion in Buddhism. It's also just so beautiful to tattoo.”
Instagram/@ilwolhongdamCherry Blossom Garland
One of Hongdam's passion projects is his Rebirth Campaign, which he has introduced on multiple stops of his pop-up tours. Followers on Instagram are asked to share their stories for wanting to tattoo over burns, scars, or old tattoos—and the selected commenters receive their appointments free of charge. Hongdam says this client asked to transform her surgical scars into a garland of her favorite flowers. “Cherry blossoms are one of my signature flower works,” he says. “They give positive energy.”
Instagram/@ilwolhongdamMagnolias
These gently drooping magnolias are a beautiful example of larger tattoos that still come across as minimal. To create the effect, Hongdam used minimal lines and shading, copying classic painting styles. “The key is not to draw every detail,” he says. “Keep it minimal for maximum impact."
Instagram / @sophiecestlavieAnemones
“I actually don’t get asked for anemones a lot which is a shame as they are so beautiful," says NYC-based artist Sophie C’est la Vi. “Anemones are said to represent wanting, or anticipation, as well as fragility. They have positive and negative representations depending on where in the world they are from."
Instagram / @tattoosbycakeOrchids in Full Bloom
“Every flower has a meaning—even the specific color of the flower will have a meaning—but what I notice with clients who get floral tattoo designs is that it is more about the memory associated with the flower,” says Samantha (Cake), NYC-based artist and co-founder of the the Girls Only Collective. “My client Afiya requested orchids because they are her mom's favorite flowers, and they are super close.”
Instagram/@ilwolhongdamWatercolor Roses
For this soft and dreamy take on the queen of flowers, Hongdam swapped his usual line work for a watercolor aesthetic. “It's more difficult,” he says of the result, finished in muted hues of pink and green. The combination of colorful ink and soft shading can result in tattoos that blow out, so he advises going to an artist who's familiar with the style—and following proper aftercare so it doesn't scab and peel.
Instagram / Sophie C'est la VieIcelandic Poppies
“A lot of clients that come to me wanting poppies usually want it as a representation of California, as the California poppy is the state flower,” says Sophie C'est la Vie. “There are different varieties of poppies and meanings can range from sleep to death and even peace, which to me kind of represents both sleep and death. It’s also the August birth month flower.”
Painted Magnolias
According to Hongdam, this tattoo of climbing magnolias—also from his Rebirth Campaign—is one of his most memorable works. His client specifically chose the magnolia for its associations with healing and rebirth. “I wanted to give her hope and happiness with this, so that she can soothe her painful memories and cherish the present,” he says.
Instagram/@ilwolhongdamPlum Blossoms
While many opt for floral designs on their ribs or arms, they're also particularly suited for wrapping around your hands. Hongdam's signature plum blossoms get the full-hand treatment here, beginning on the wrist and climbing all the way up the fingers. “I always wanted to try this placement,” he says—but cautions that it's one of the trickier areas of your body to tattoo. “Hand tattoos are more difficult to maintain and fade more easily, so consider that prior to getting one,” he advises.
Instagram/@ilwolhongdamCherry Blossoms and Peonies
Like most tattoo artists, Hongdam has heard plenty of stories in the chair—and flowers seem to hold special meaning for most clients that request them. “Every story is so personal,” he says. “This client asked me to express her Asian identity through a drawing of cherry blossoms and peonies. They were her way of showing her longing for her hometown while living in a foreign country.” We also love this particular placement from collarbone to shoulder, which subtly follows the lines of the body.
Instagram/@_dr_woo_Baby Orchids
Dr. Woo used a slim needle to create these cascading baby orchids, each surrounded by a dotted halo. The simple addition of faint circles turns a simple arrangement of petals into a geometric galaxy.
Instagram / @nicetattooparlorOpen Mum
Scorpios and Sags might find themselves drawn to mums (a.k.a. chrysanthemums) since they're the official November birth flower. They symbolize optimism and joy—and look just as good sized-up on your rib cage as they do scaled down on your wrist or ankle.
Instagram/@drag_inkOpen Peony
Dragon's version of an open peony reminds us of old-school botanical illustrations. The colors are darker and more muted, so they'll still give off the same vintage feel as they fade.
Instagram/@ilwolhongdamCherry Blossom Moon
These cherry blossoms in full bloom are arranged to look like colorful wings flanking a full moon. “I wanted the two elements to harmonize naturally and create a dreamy feel,” says Hongdam. Even though the final design stretches fully across the torso, it still has a floaty, delicate effect we can't get enough of.
Instagram/@ilwolhongdamMagnolias
Another of Hongdam's personal favorites is this meaningful sketch of four magnolias, which his client chose as a reference to her family. It's drawn in slightly darker ink than his usual ethereal flower illustrations—making the full design stand out even more.
Instagram / @amandawachobDianthus
The sternum is an extremely sensitive spot for a tattoo, but if you have the pain tolerance and are able to go a few weeks without a bra while it heals, the result is stunning. Case in point: This bold dianthus blossom, which is consider the “flower of the gods” (in Greek, dios means “god” and anthos means “flower”). It symbolizes passion, gratitude, and affection.
Instagram/@hilaryduffRoses
Hilary Duff has more than one tattoo from Dr. Woo; the artist also gave her a reference to Old Hollywood icon Bette Davis in flowing script. For this round, Duff left the studio with a pair of lightly shaded roses on the inside of her upper arm.
Instagram / Miss TrudyGeometric Peonies
Another hit from Miss Trudy are these unfurling peonies, shaded in so seamlessly that every petal looks like a pink gradient. To give it her signature flair, she added a negative-space arrow between the two large flowers and dotted the background with a diamond pattern.
Instagram/@_dr_woo_Daisy
Dr. Woo called this daisy tattoo “the love gamble flower,” adding in a shadowy sketch of two hands alternately plucking away the petals. It's unclear if this one ends up as “loves me” or “loves me not,” but the intricate design itself is definitely worthy of a heart.
Instagram/@drag_inkScripted Roses
Flowers of all kinds lend themselves particularly well to text tattoos, and Dragon shows exactly how it's done with this curved half-wreath of roses. Cursive “love” script flows seamlessly into the stem of the connecting rose, like a very elegant underscoring of the romantic symbolism behind the flower.
Instagram / @jonboytattooTiny Rose
Ankle-crop jeans are a must if you've got a tattoo this cute. The placement is perfect if you want the option of being able to both cover it up or show it off.
