The Different Types of Flower Tattoos & Their Meanings
Flowers may be small and delicate, but they are also significant in many cultures and folklore. In fact, flowers have been the subject of artwork, tattoos included, for thousands of years. If you are planning on getting a floral tattoo, you may be wondering the symbolism behind certain flowers or if one means good luck or something else. In this article, you will find a detailed overview of flower tattoos, including some history, which flowers are most popular, as well as some meanings for various kinds of flowers. Let’s get started!
History of Flower Tattoos
Although some of the first tattoos even placed on human skin were tribal patterns, flowers were included in these designs not longer after. Since the origin of tattooing, people have been interested in representations of nature. Different flowers have been used to designate tribes, heritage, loyalties, and much more.
Did you know that, during the 1800s, Australian convicts favored flower pot tattoos? While the origin of the design is unknown, many prisoners in Australia during the 19th century sported flowers in a pot.
In other cultures, flowers symbolize emotions or themes, such as love, romance, passion, loss, success, struggle, grief, and sadness.
What Are The Most Popular Flowers For Tattoos?
If you haven’t been on Instagram in a while searching for floral tattoos, now is the time. You will find that most flower tattoos include the following:
- Rose
- Peony
- Lotus
- Sunflower
- Poppy
- Daisy
- Orchid
- Chrysanthemum
- Lavender
- Carnation
- Iris
- Tulip
- Lily
- Hibiscus
- Magnolia
- Cherry Blossom
- Daffodil
What Flowers Are Common in Traditional Tattoos?
Some blooms are more common in one tattoo style than others. In American Traditional, the following flower types are popular:
- Rose
- Chrysanthemum
- Lotus
- Orchid
- Lavender
- Sunflower
- Cherry Blossom
- Daffodil
- Lilac
- Hibiscus
In Japanese Traditional style, you may find:
- Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)
- Plum Blossoms
- Lotus
- Peony
- Rose
- Chrysanthemum
- Marigold (Calendula)
- Camellia
Flower Tattoo Meanings
Let’s take a look at some flowers found in tattoo designs and what they could potentially mean.
Rose Tattoos
Typically, the rose is a very romantic flower that symbolizes passion, desire, lust, love, and new beginnings. And that is usually just the red rose. Other colors may mean:
- Black roses – death, destruction, morbidity
- Pink roses – happiness, grace, femininity
- White roses – purity
- Yellow roses – friendship, joy
- Purple or lavender roses – love at first sight
If you have a rose with a thorny stem, additional feelings can be attached, such as defensiveness, strength, hurt, and loss. Single roses, a cluster, or a bouquet are also full of different meanings. Sometimes, people will memorialize those that were important to them with a rose tattoo and a name inscribed close by.
Sunflower Tattoos
People love sunflowers for their bright coloring and ability to follow the sun. As such, the sunflowers is a symbol of joy, adoration, personal growth, longevity, warmth, beauty, and loyalty.
Lotus Flower Tattoos
The lotus grows from the mud, which is seen as a sign of strength and perseverance, of overcoming struggles. Certain spiritual beliefs and religions also use the lotus as a symbol of enlightenment, rebirth, and purity of mind and body.
Chrysanthemum Tattoos
Prevalent in Japan, the chrysanthemum is a sign of wealth. These stunning flowers are layered with petals and known for intense color. Chrysanthemum tattoos mean a number of things, including royalty, friendship, happiness, joy, cheer, and longevity.
Orchid Tattoos
There are thousands of orchids throughout the world, some exceedingly rare. As such, the orchid has multiple meanings attached to it. In China, for example, the orchid is a flower that symbolizes prosperity, fertility, and refinement. The Aztecs saw the orchid as powerful. In Japan, the orchid means bravery.
Cherry Blossom/Sakura Tattoos
The cherry blossom is a flower of rebirth and spring that is closely tied to Japanese culture and aesthetic. Many poets have written about the significance of cherry blossoms, including the speed at which they fall. Therefore, if you are feeling sentimental about life or, perhaps, optimistic, a cherry blossom tattoo may be right for you.
Iris Tattoos
The gorgeous iris has many meanings, depending on the religion or philosophy of the region, as well as the color. Generally, the iris means admiration, faith, courage, wisdom, and hope. Purple irises represent royalty, due to their rich coloring. White irises stand for purity. Yellow irises mean passion.
Daffodil Tattoos
Seeing daffodils in early spring is always an uplifting sight. As such, if you want to express that the best has yet to come, you may want to get a daffodil or two as a tattoo.
Peony Tattoos
Known as the King of Flowers in Japan, the peony has an elegant bloom that may mean good fortune, honor, wealth, compassion, prosperity, and beauty.
Carnation Tattoos
Depending on the color of the carnation, this flower can mean many things. A pink carnation is used to express gratitude, while white carnations display luck and purity. If you hand someone a purple carnation, it could be a sign that you are capricious and mischievous. Light red carnations signal admiration, while darker reds mean love and attraction. Yellow carnations do not have a happy meaning; they represent disappointment and rejection.
Carnations are also a flower of sympathy, often displayed at funerals or at memorials.
Daisy Tattoos
The daisy is associated with the month of April and springtime. Daisies are gleeful flowers that display elements of innocence, virtue, and love. If you get a yellow daisy, it means you value intelligence and are encouraging. If you opt for a blue daisy, it’s a sign of emotions and sentimentality.
Lily and Calla Lily Tattoos
There is no denying that lilies, no matter the type, are elegant. Some are known for meaning beauty and mystery, such as the stargazer lily. Others, like the calla lily, are associated with the Virgin Mary and Angel of Annunciation, which can also mean beauty, magnificence, holiness, and faith.
Poppy Tattoos
You may notice that most flowers carry with them a joyful, optimistic meaning, right? Well, not poppies. Famously known for knocking Dorothy out on the way to Oz, poppies are linked to the imagination. They often mean eternal sleep when seen at funerals and were once used as offerings for the dead in Ancient Rome and Greece.
Looking For a Gorgeous Flower Tattoo?
There are hundreds of flowers out there to choose from, so you should have no problem finding one that suits you and the meaning behind your tattoo. The list above is just a glimpse at what some flowers mean.
When you are ready to book a consultation for your flower tattoo, give Oracle Tattoo Gallery a call or fill out the contact form. Don’t forget to check out the work done by our artists on Instagram and get inspired.
