Love them or hate them, there is no denying that tattoos are seen as an art but also a way to express oneself. Whether you are a guy or girl, tattoos can be done on anyone and anywhere. There are many designs out there that one can choose from; however, for some, the most common design to pick is a flower tattoo. There are so many variations of a flower tattoo that one can get customized.
Typically, flowers have always been associated with women, but even men have flower tattoos done up. Why? Because flower tattoos are a way of visually expressing friendship, love, and gratitude, but also a way of keeping one’s memory alive.
To help with your flower tattoo choices, we are going to uncover:
- The different meanings of flower tattoos
- Tattoo options
The Different Meanings of Flower Tattoos
Looking to get your first tattoo? Or, maybe you are looking to add to that sleeve on your arm, whatever it is, we share the meaning of some popular and common flower tattoo options.
Probably one of the most common flower tattoo designs, the rose tattoo symbolizes love and passion. They are also known to represent endless beauty. Are you deciding on a rose? Consider the different colors of a rose in general, as those even have meanings behind them too.
Different colors of the rose and their meaning include:
- Red – true love
- Pink – grace and elegance
- Peach – friendship
- Yellow – devotion but also friendship
- Orange – excitement, and joy
- White – purity and innocence
Just as a real rose and their colors have different meanings, so do tattoos of a rose.
Lotus
Similarly, to the rose, the lotus is another popular floral choice, especially amongst women. It is a flower that symbolizes truth and purity, as well as beauty, fortune, and goodness.
For some cultures such as Buddhism, the lotus flower is believed to represent a spiritual awakening but also enlightenment.
Lily
If you are looking to get a matching tattoo with your friend or sibling, lily would be the floral choice to go with. The lily represents long-lasting relationships, and it is typically symbolic of the relationship between a mother and her child. Lily is considered a flower that represents and symbolizes femininity.
Hibiscus
Thinking of getting a tropical tattoo? The hibiscus is the national state flower of Hawaii and a common choice that is suitable for both men and women. The hibiscus is believed to symbolize one’s desire and passion for wanting to seize opportunities.
Cherry Blossom
The cherry blossom is considered one of the more fragile flowers, and the cherry blossom is another flower tattoo design that is slightly more feminine. Very rarely would you find a guy requesting this flower. In Japanese culture, the cherry blossom’s petals and blooming are perceived as symbolizing one’s mortality and path in life.
Tattoo Options
Once you have decided on a flower tattoo design, there is one more decision that has to be made – do you want a black, white, or colored tattoo.
Here are the pros and cons of having one of the three tattoo options.
Black
Black is a popular tattoo color (or shade, depending on how you see it). For some, they prefer to go with a more impactful and straightforward design, which would be a black tattoo. Depending on the flower, the tattoo artist may make recommendations on which flower designs are better as a black tattoo versus a color one.
Depending on where you get your tattoo done and the size, going with a black tattoo could also be a financial decision. A black tattoo would be cheaper than a colored tattoo.
White
A white tattoo is an infrequent one. Not many know that they can get a white tattoo because, for someone with a lighter complexion, they would not be able to see it. However, those who have a bit more pigment in their skin, a white tattoo can be a fresh and unique tattoo color choice. When someone gets a white tattoo, depending on their skin tone, it could look like a scar.
Colored
If you are looking at getting a sleeve or working towards a more elaborate design, colored may be the way to go. For some, they may think about incorporating a red rose or flower to their already black tattoo, which can make the design pop out. Colored tattoos can cost a bit more than a black tattoo, depending on the size. Still, the tattoo artists are going to inform you of that before they begin inking.
When you meet your tattoo artist, whether it is your first time, or maybe you are seasoned and have a collection of tattoos, consider whether to go with white, colored, or black. If you are unsure of the design you want, tattoo artists regularly consult and discuss your ideas and share insight on how to go about with your design. On top of determining what kind of tattoo color you want to go with, don’t forget to consider the size. This can impact the after-care of the tattoo, as well as the recovery. For some, a black tattoo requires little to no maintenance; the same goes for a white tattoo. However, a colored tattoo, depending on where you get your design done, it may require a few touch-ups.
All these questions and more are going to be answered by your tattoo artists, so don’t worry about it. Just remember that when the time comes to getting a tattoo, consider the options in terms of design, location, size, and meaning because a tattoo lasts forever. Yes, you can get a tattoo removed through an operation, but that should not be something you think about when you go get a tattoo, what you should be thinking about is the meaning and symbol of your tattoo. You may want a red rose on your arm, but your friend thinks it’s weird, don’t let their opinion deter you – it’s your decision.
A cautionary tale, though: word has it that if you are planning on getting your first tattoo, you may find that after your first, you are going to want another tattoo.
