33 Behind the Ear Tattoos

This is not our first rodeo when it comes to behind the ear tattoos. In fact, we love them so much, this is our second list showcasing them! As tattoos have gone completely mainstream these days, more and more people are feeling comfortable enough getting behind the ear tattoos, face tattoos, and neck designs as well. If you’re looking for a discreet spot, behind your ear is a wise choice!

There’s no shortage of variety when it comes to behind the ear tattoos as you will find them in all shapes, sizes, colors, and themes. We decided to take a look at some of the most recent behind the ear tattoos that folks have shared on social media to get a better idea of the trends of the moment, and ultimately, the best behind the ear tattoo ideas!

Check Out These Bold Behind the Ear Tattoos!

Flower Power

The most popular design choice for behind the ear tattoos is flowers! You will see many of them on this list as there are a few different ways to go about this genre of design. This simple bouquet is very minimalism at its best.

Seeing Red

We have said before and we will say it again, red ink is one of the best choices you can make. Yes, just swap in red ink for black and you’ve got a design with a completely different feel. We wonder if this one stings?

Dripping In Flowers

Here are flowers arranged in a crescent shape to accentuate the shape of the ear. According to the person who shared this image, this tattoo belongs to a mom!

Simplicity Is Bliss

Here we find another flower design that’s even more minimal than the others we shared with you. This is a very fine micro tattoo that looks perfectly placed behind the ear.

Like a Butterfly

Second to flowery behind the ear tattoos, you will find that butterflies are an extremely popular choice for many. The addition of white ink with these cute little beauties really makes them pop.

Do You Hear That Humming?

How cute is this stylized humming bird behind the ear? It’s like it’s whispering someone a secret. This is the first hummingbird behind the ear tattoo but it won’t be the last on this list.

Feeling Lucky

This tiny horseshoe with even tinier purple flowers on it is a showstopper. Tattoos with such minute details as this are often the result of a stick-and-poke method which is done freehand, without a machine.

Big and Bold

Most behind the ear tattoos skew small but some people go really big and bold with it. Here’s one such example of a black and red rose design that creeps from the hairline to the jawline. Is this too big?

Baby Snake

How fun is this tiny little snake that’s barely bigger than this person’s earlobe? This is a popular choice as well. We wish they would have chosen a color for the ombré effect but it’s still a great one.

16.

How fine are these Ginkgo leaves? This design is one of our favorite behind the ear tattoos on this list. Not too big, not too small, just right!

Gotta Have Faith

For those of faith, a tattoo that tributes belief can be a wise choice. This tidy cross behind the ear proves a bold statement.

Baby Dragons

These dragon silhouettes are fun with plenty of movement to the design. This definitely gives us Game of Thrones vibes but we suppose dragons are universal.

Mental Health Tattoos

Mental health tattoos are so personal and meaningful for those who get them. We find them fairly frequently among these behind the ear tattoos. The semicolon is a symbol that shows solidarity with others who also struggle with mental health.

Charlotte

Did this tattoo instantly make you think of Charlotte’s Web? This slightly creepy tattoo is done with such precision. Check out how thin and fine the lines of the webbing are! A stunning piece of work!

Lollipop

Love sweets? You could do no better than a tattoo of your favorite treat. This is such a carefree and fun design. We’ve got another food tattoo for you coming right up!

Yum!

If you don’t take yourself too seriously a tattoo with a sense of humor to it is always a winner. This happy little donut looks so adorable!

Fine Feather

Not too many behind the ear tattoos extend all the way down to the neck but this feather proves that it can look very sophisticated.

Sing Your Song

Music lovers enjoy showing off their passion for the art form with tattoos like this one. While this is hardly original, a musical note is a great way to express yourself.

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Sign of Sagittarius

This lovely Sagittarius tattoo employs the symbol for the sign to great effect. Arrows are, by far, the most popular option among those born under the sign. This very, very delicate design is a true winner.

Crabby

We love fun tattoos like this one. We find a little cartoonish crab just behind the ear. Would you choose something this playful? We think it pays off.

The Humming Part II

We told you to expect another hummingbird tattoo! What did you think of this one that’s more realistic and lifelike? We think each form as its merits but this one definitely arrests your attention with all of its intricate detail. Bravo!

Kicks

This person clearly loves Vans and is not afraid to show it! While a pair of shoes behind the ear would not have been the first choice for many, it totally works here as a great (and very unique) form of self-expression.

Gender? Never Heard of Her!

For trans and nonbinary folks, expressing their lived experience of a more fluid relationship with gender is a popular option for tattoos. Not only do these tattoos show solidarity with other LGBTQIA+ folks, but they also act as a sign of protest in the face of threats to the community.

Stormy

We love behind the ear tattoos that are a bit concealed like this one as they offer a sort of peekaboo quality. This stormy cloud is a sweet little gem.

Lovely Lotus

We love this calming lotus design that’s been tattooed very well. Clean lines for geometric tattoos like this one are truly remarkable and praiseworthy.

Capital D Delicate

Did this orchid tattoo take your breath away? What a stunner! This is likely the most delicate of the behind the ear tattoos on this list. Check out those microscopic dots and that cute little butterfly! It does not have to be original to be special!

Red Fish, Blue Fish

How fantastic are these matching tattoos of fish? We love that this pair chose contrasting colors for their designs. Who do you want to get a matching tattoo with?

Mermaid

The person who shared this image explained that the scales are supposed to be mermaid ones! Okay! The way the color has been applied is reminiscent of watercolor tattoos which are very popular today.

Having a Fish Moment

Well, we’ve unintentionally taken you on a bit of a fishing trip with these last few tattoos. Here’s another fishy one of a koi fish that looks like it’s floating in air. This is one of the most haunting behind the ear tattoos on this list!

Sour

If you love a certain fruit, getting a tattoo in honor of your affinity for it is a fresh choice. Take this zesty lemon for example. It’s a blast, right?

Cherries

We told you fruit tattoos are fun! Here are a pair of cherries hanging out behind this person’s ear. As we mentioned before, there’s something special about this more “hidden” behind the ear tattoos that fit underneath like a secret.

Your Queen of Hearts

This very sharp tattoo of a queen of hearts playing card symbol look very cool in red. Again, the placement of these last couple of behind the ear tattoos has been excellent!

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Blue Moon

How fun is this cute little crescent blue moon that with an ombré effect? Playing with color in this way is an awesome way to add a ton of visual interest in smaller tattoos. Be sure to find a great tattoo artist who can produce such a tidy tat!

There you go! We hope you enjoyed these behind the ear tattoos and feel inspired to pick your own design and get inked up. Behind the ear tattoos can be practically anything as you’ve seen and if you have long hair, they are easy to conceal. Now, get out there and get some ink!