Your A-Z Guide to Flower Tattoo Symbolisms

Many flowers, herbs, trees, and other plants traditionally symbolize feelings, moods, or ideas. Flower meanings have fascinated people for centuries, and in the language of flowers, each has its own particular meaning. Which flower is the best tattoo match for your floral inkspiration?

Acacia

The acacia flower means a love that is true, chaste, and pure. This love is sometimes concealed, which is why it can make the perfect tattoo, in terms of dimensional symbolism. Alternatively, an acacia flower tattoo also symbolizes beauty in retirement, so as you grow with your tattoo, the beauty will not fade.

Alstroemeria

Commonly referred to as the Peruvian lily, the alstroemeria flower is symbolic of wealth, prosperity and fortune. It also corresponds to the heart chakra, and is the flower of friendship. An alstroemeria flower tattoo will allow you to carry good luck in friendship, love, and your job.

Ambrosia

The ambrosia flower is actually a Greek term for love and it stands for a returned, or reciprocated, love. This underrated flower not only has a beautiful meaning, but makes for an extremely pretty floral tattoo.

Amaryllis

The amaryllis symbolizes pastoral poetry. It’s deep colors of red, white, and pink emerging from the center of the amaryllis flower has the common meaning of pride.

Anemone

The anemone, with the nickname “windflower,” makes for a perfect floral tattoo. Not only because of it’s coloring of deep reds, blues or white, the anemone flower literally means forsaken love, anticipation, fragility, and protection from evil. Carrying the Greek meaning of “daughter of the wind,” your anemone tattoo will stand for beauty and grace, while remaining strong.

Arbutus

The tiny white arbutus flower makes the perfect floral tattoo, because the flower says, “Thee I love” without even having to speak.

Aster

When thinking about floral tattoo choices, you don’t want to discount the delicate aster accents of the flower that symbolizes love. This unique flower, making a unique tattoo, can  also signify daintiness. Asters are the birth flower of September.

Azalea

The azalea symbolizes fragile passion and is the Chinese symbol of womanhood.

Bachelor Button

The blue bachelor button is commonly seen as a symbol of male solidarity since it stands alone, but its actual meaning is single blessedness.

Begonia

The red, yellow, and pink begonias make for a perfect tattoo, no matter what color you choose for your ink. The begonia flower symbolizes wealth and happiness. Brightening a room by wearing this flower on your body will bring the same positive energy as the actual flower itself.

Bells of Ireland

Molucella, also known as Bells of Ireland, symbolizes prosperity and means good luck in your future ventures.

Bird of Paradise

This unique plant will make for a beautiful and unique floral tattoo. The yellow and orange leaves sprout from the blue stems making it appear to really be a tropical bird that has landed in the flower pot. Due to its tropical nature, this flower symbolizes freedom and joy.

Bittersweet

Correlated in truth, the bittersweet flower signifies truth and honesty. It also symbolizes friendly love or platonic love, and is the perfect tattoo for a love dedicated to a friend or family member.

Bluebell

The blue bell flower, meaning humility, are also called harebells in Scotland because it is believed that witches turned into hares and hide among the flowers. Bluebells also signify gratitude and are associated with everlasting love and constancy.

Cactus

Most people know the cactus as a hardy plant that needs little water to survive, and is very tough to actually kill because it is a very hardy plant. This is why the cactus stands for endurance and makes for a cute and quirky tattoo, with the dimensional symbolism of perseverance.

Calla Lily

The small white bloom that resembles a light bulb is the highlight of the calla lily which literally represents magnificence and beauty. Many people also turn to the calla lily for a tattoo, as it signifies holiness, faith, and purity; as it has been depicted with the Virgin Mary or Angel of Annunciation.

Calendula

Calendula is the birth flower for October. It is a flower with many healing properties and also many meanings including grace, ambition and respect.

Camellia

The bright full blooms of the camellia flower convey gratitude and love. However, the specific color holds different meanings. Pink camellias represent your longing, red for telling someone ‘you are a flame in my heart’, and white says ‘you’re adorable.’

Carnation

The carnation is often found in many bouquets for woman, as well as makes an incredibly beautiful floral tattoo, because carnations symbolize fascination and deep friendship among woman. Carnations are the birth flower of January.

Cattail

A cattail that is found in the wild is often perceived as a piece of elegant nature, and will also help instill a feeling of peace which is why they are frequently the subject of photographers. As well as peace, cattails also means prosperity.

Cherry Blossoms

These beautiful cherry blossoms are connected to the Japanese culture. The meaning of the cherry blossom has changed many times. Currently, the cherry blossom symbolizes life, reproduction, and love.

Chrysanthemum

Often given as a ‘just because’ flower, the chrysanthemum signifies cheerfulness and rest, and in general, it symbolizes a wonderful friendship. The chrysanthemum is the birth flower of November.

Crocus

The crocus is a common symbol of an impending spring, since they usually begin to bloom as the last winter frost passes. Thus, as a tattoo, the crocus flower radiates cheerfulness, gladness, youthfulness, and glee. This flower as a tattoo will have an uplifting and cheerful affect on your body’s canvas.

Cyclamen

The pink, purple, and red light shades of the cyclamen flower will light up a bouquet, and similarly, your tattoo collection.

Daffodil

Symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings, the daffodil has many meanings, ranging from regard and unrequited love, to more bright sentiments such as: ‘you’re the only one’ and ‘the sun is always shining when I am with you.’ Daffodils are the birth flower of March.

Daisy

As daisies mean innocence and loyal love, your daisy tattoo will stand for a virtue and purity. Daisies are also the birth flower of April.

Dandelion

While many people think that the dandelion is no more than a weed, these hardy flowers actually are built to be sturdy because they represent faithfulness and happiness.

Evening Primrose

A primrose is the quintessential ‘I can’t live without you’ flower. Habitually found in the Alps, the Himalaya’s and in the rolling hills in England, this mountain climbing flower is delicate and has a symbolism of long lasting beauty.

Fern

Green ferns represent magic and fascination. They can also mean confidence and shelter which is why people may also associate them as house plants. However, with the idea of ‘home is where the heart is,’ carry a fern tattoo with you wherever you go.

Fir

A fir plant typically represents time. The tapered look of the sliced leaves makes for a timeless and beautiful tattoo.

Flax

The flax plant is a great accent for filler, or for a tattoo on its own. Typically the flax plant is seen as a symbol of domesticity, making it a lovely gesture of love, or finding peace within yourself.

Forget-Me-Not

What flower is better for a tattoo than a forget-me-not? Symbolizing true love, this floral tattoo will serve as a wonderful reminder of memories with a loved one.

Forsythia

The rusty yellow colored forsythia symbolize a feeling of anticipation and young love.

Gardenia

These delicate gardenia flowers make for a beautiful tattoo, symbolizing purity, love and refinement.

Geranium

Geranium tattoos are associated with positive emotions, symbolizing friendship, wishes for good health, and happiness.

Gladioli

Despite the fact that they were known as the flower of the gladiators, the gladioli flower symbolizes strength and moral integrity, as well as infatuation and passion. The gladiolus flower is the birth flower of August.

Gloxinia

Gloxinias are for the shy but deep. These flowers symbolize kicking off your love life. One look into the deep bloom of the gloxinia may leave you feeling like you fell in love with the flower at first sight, making a gloxinia tattoo intoxicating.

Heather

The heather flower comes in a variety of colors and represents a wide range of symbolism. Your heather flower tattoo represents admiration, beauty, good luck, solitude, and protection.

Heliconia

The heliconia flower is a tropical flower that immediately beckons, and literally means, adoration. This flower makes for a perfect tattoo, because the leaves of the heliconia are incredibly eye catching. This bright flower also signifies pride and sunshine.

Hibiscus

In the Hawaiian culture, the popular hibiscus flower represents royalty, power, and respect.

Holly

While most people think of Christmas when they see holly, this flower is evergreen. Holly flowers signify defense and domestic happiness, making them a wonderful addition to your tattoo collection.

Hyacinth

Hyacinths tend to produce a very large bloom filled with many different flowers and come in many different colors. Due to the fact that the hyacinth was dedicated to Apollo, the flower is the symbol for games and sports, along with a representation of constancy and sincerity.

Hydrangea

The hydrangea flower may literally represent frigidity and heartlessness, but the complexity of its very full colorful bloom more often is used to represent its secondary meaning of understanding a gratitude.

Iris

Although the deep bluish-purple bloom of the Irish is said to be the emblem of France, the flower itself stands as a symbol of faith, hope, wisdom and valor. The iris is the birth flower of February.

Ivy

When you think of ivy, you probably first think of poison ivy, but the wonderful green variety of ivy that is used in floral decorations actually has wonderful connotations including wedded love, fidelity, friendship and affection.

Jonquil

Jonquil flowers are often mistaken for daffodils because of their similar bloom, but a traditional jonquil usually has white leaves with a yellow casing near the seeds giving it a much different feel. The jonquil tattoo symbolizes love, affection, desire, sympathy, and a desire for returned affection.

Kalanchoe

This small flowering plant makes for an incredibly beautiful tattoo. It is, what many would consider to be, an “old world” flower. As flowering Kalanchoes all bloom for at least eight weeks, the plant’s symbolic meaning is persistence and eternal love.

Kangaroo Paw

Are you considering looking for a unique plant that is full of beauty? Then you should think about the popular Kangaroo paw for a tattoo. The genus name, Anigozanthos is derived from the Greek word ‘anises’, meaning unequal or oblique. The flower is comprised of six uneven parts which gives it the characteristics of an outstretched Kangaroo paw.

Larkspur

The birth flower for July, the larkspur blooms come in a variety of colors. The Larkspur flower symbolizes fickleness, love, affection, and ardent attachment. Purple Larkspur flowers represent first love. These flowers also symbolize levity, lightness, pure heart, sweet disposition, and desire for laughter.

Lily

The lily is a fantastic flower, and makes for an even more fantastic tattoo. Lilies represent modesty, purity and have sensitivity and a charm that is refreshing and full of life. They also symbolize the beginning of life and comfort in the end of life.

Lily Of The Valley

You probably recognize the bell shaped lily of the valley flowers from bridal bouquets, but you may not be aware that they are affectionately known as the tears of the Virgin Mary because of the sweet innocence the flowers seem to radiate. Additionally, the lily of the valley can also symbolize sweetness, a return to happiness, humility, and the sentiment that ‘you’ve made my life complete.’ The lily of the valley is the birth flower of May.

Lotus

In Buddhism, the lotus is symbolic of purity of: the body, speech, and mind. The lotus, while rooted in the mud, blossoms on long stalks, as if floating above the muddy waters of attachment and desire. This symbolism makes for a popular tattoo design.

Magnolia

Magnolias are unique because the multi-layered leaves of the bloom often make it appear as if there is a flower within a flower inside. The magnolia is often seen as a sign of nobility and dignity, and in ancient China, magnolias were thought to be the perfect symbols of womanly beauty and gentleness.

Marigold

Although marigolds are available in a variety of colors, you most often see them in bright yellow and orange shades, marking the beginning of fall. However, the literal meaning of marigolds is anything but shiny, as they represent cruelty, grief, and jealousy. The marigold flower is the birth flower for October.

Mistletoe

While most people think of mistletoe around Christmas and the new year, across seas, the mistletoe actually means surmounting difficulties. This is why the mistletoe is the Sacred Plant of India, and could best compliment mandala ink.

Monkshood

The monkshood flower is a beautiful deep blue/purple flower that is commonly known as the monk head flower, due to its close pronunciation. However, the monkshood is not a flower as hope as you may think, as its meaning is actually to beware or as a warning that a deadly foe is near.

Myrtle

The myrtle flower comes in a variety of colors and is known for its thin thistles that come out from the center of the bloom. Since the flower represents love, and is the Hebrew emblem of marriage, you commonly will see it in wedding bouquets and decorations.

Narcissus

Narcissus blooms are much like a daffodils, but in a variety of many more colors and with many different meanings. Although its name has close similarity to the word narcissistic, the narcissus flower means egotism and formality, but also a sentiment that says, ‘stay as sweet as you are.’

Nasturtium

Nasturtium blooms are usually different hues of red, oranges, and yellows and the nasturtium flower symbolizes a conquest or a victory in battle.

Oleander

The oleander flower can come in a variety of colors, although most commonly, the oleander’s delicate beauty comes in white or pale hues of pink. Its literal meaning is caution, which is well conveyed by its frail structure as you will want to take caution when taking care of any oleander blooms.

Orange Blossom

The orange blossom is a mark of the sweetness that it hides behind it as the fruit continues to develop. Therefore, the meaning of the orange blossom can be seen as the hidden qualities found inside as it means innocence, eternal love, and symbolizes marriage and fruitfulness.

Orange Mock

The orange mock resembles an orange blossom, but behind this cheerful flower the heart of this flower symbolizes deceit, but also gentleness and nurturing. While the orange mock is the state flower of Idaho, this flower is often used to calm on overly aggressive person.

Orchid

Orchids come in a wide range of colors, but the delicate blooms usually appear to be hanging from a thread off of the stem, as if they designed to look frail like but beautiful. Although the orchid is a Chinese symbol for many children, these highly coveted ornamental plants represent love, beauty, luxury, and strength.

Palm Leaves

Palm leaves can add a tropical kick to your tattoo collection. The palm branch is a symbol of victory, triumph, peace, and eternal life.

Peony

Peonies are one of the most common floral tattoo choice, and for good reason. The bright colors of a full peony bloom are so multi-layered that this is one flower you are not likely to mistake for another. However, these traditional floral symbol of China— as well as the state flower of Indiana— are also incredibly beautiful in black and grey. Although the peony can represent shame and bashfulness, the peony more commonly means a happy life, a happy marriage, prosperity, and compassion.

Petunia

Petunias come in a wide arrange of colors and they symbolize the colors of resentment and anger, but can also say to a special one that ‘your presence soothes me.’

Pine

Many people view pine as a symbol of hope, but alternatively, pine can also mean pity.

Poinsettia

The story behind the poinsettia is very revealing to its meaning: a humble young man dug up weeds on the side of the road and placed them in the church altar at Christmas, the weeds changed into vibrant red and green flowers in front of their eyes. Poinsettias seem to hold the magic of the holidays, and are the birth flower for December babies.

Poppy

The sharp sweet flowers of a poppy symbolize imagination. However, poppies also mean eternal sleep and oblivion, making their more popular function as a flower to symbolize sorrow and sympathy in a funeral bouquet. However, in Greek and Roman myths, poppies were used as offerings to the dead.

Primrose

Primroses can come in a full vibrant array of brilliant and pale shades making it the perfect tattoo to represent, ‘I can’t live without you.’

Queen Anne’s Lace

According to legend, Queen Anne was challenged by peers to create lace that was as lovely as a real flower. While stitching it, she pricked her finger, creating a purple-red colour in the center. This flower is said to represent the labor of love, and the beauty that lies in its serenity. Queen Anne’s lace symbolizes sanctuary, dreams, and protection. This flower corresponds with the crown chakra.

Rose

The traditional rose tattoo will never go out of style, nor realism roses. Common for good reason, roses symbolize love, desire, and secrecy or confidentiality. When choosing colors, while the red rose is most common for love and lust, white roses mean purity and innocence, as well as new beginnings. Dark crimson roses are for mourning; pink roses are for grace, happiness, and gentleness; and yellow roses stand for joy, friendship, and the promise of a new beginning. Lavender roses are dedicated to love at first sight, while coral roses represent friendship, modesty, sympathy.

Rosebud

A simple rosebud that has not yet opened symbolizes beauty, youth, and a heart innocent of love. The rose is the birth flower of June.

Snapdragon

Snapdragons are native to the Mediterranean areas, but they are now found just about anywhere as the delicate blooms can grow. Snapdragons signifies a gracious lady or deception, as the name implies.

Solidago

More commonly known as the Goldenrod flower, the Solidago flower symbolizes encouragement and growth. As a flower, they may be given to show support after a loss or in a difficult time. It is often thought that these flowers can help reduce depression.

Spider Flower

While spider flowers are very common houseplants, but many aren’t in tune with what they mean when they are giving. The literal meaning of the spider flower is to ask someone to elope, but they also signify a general appreciation for passionate love.

Stephanotis

Stephanotis flowers are tiny and plentiful, meaning happiness in a marriage, but as a tattoo, can serve as good fortune when embarking on a new journey in your life.

Stock

Stock is an annual flower that grows similarly to irises although they grow in a wide array of colors. The stock flower symbolizes bonds of affection, promptness, and the sentiment that ‘you’ll always be beautiful to me.’

Sunflower

Sunflowers have long since been admired and documented as symbols for unconventional beauty. They represent the sun, and have strong historical ties to ancient cultures because sunflowers follow the sun. Their heads face and open to the sun and reflect happiness, longevity, warmth and growth, making for a beautiful and meaningful tattoo.

Sweetpea

While most people think of sweet pea as a scent, the lovely flower is known for its pastel pea like shaped leaves and can mean a multitude of things including: good-bye, a departure, blissful pleasure, or is a kind way to say thank you for a lovely time. Sweet peas are also the birth flower of April.

Tulip

Tulips, the flower emblem of Holland, mark the true beginning of spring as their lovely pastel buds begin to appear. Tulips represent perfect love, royalty, worthiness, and forgiveness.

Violet

Violet flowers are small and almost appear bashful in gentle hues of blue and purple which correspond with their true meaning of modesty.

Zinnia

The Zinnia flower represents a longing or empathy for a friend who is absent. They come in very many varieties and often in bright colours. Perfectly sweet, these innocent blooms were discovered by Johann Gottfried Zinn. Interestingly, his main focus was the study of the eye, sight and perception.