25 Inspiring Body-Positive Tattoos That Encourage Self-Love

Body positivity is a social and political movement focused on the acceptance of all types of bodies, regardless of size, shape, skin tone, gender, and physical abilities. Body-positive folks also challenge present-day beauty standards as an undesirable social construct. This means that body-positive tattoos are a type of protest as well as a celebration of self.

Slogans like “radical self-love” or “riots, not diets” are popular among those in the movement and they have translated exceptionally well in tattoo form. Body-positive tattoos mirror the diversity of bodies found and accepted by folks who hold the ideal. They come in big, small, black, colorful, serious, and even playful themes. If you’d like to learn more about body-positive tattoos and get some ink inspiration for your own, look through our inspired picks!

Discover the Best Body-Positive Tattoo for Your Beautiful Body Below:

Fully Figured

“When Ayanna requested that she wanted her custom piece to represent her as a full-figured woman, I was so excited to bring her vision to life,” the tattoo artist who shared this image wrote. “I’m loving the fact that more industries are [slowly but surely] pushing to represent all sizes and I would really love to see more of it in the tattoo industry.”

Celebrating the Curves

Take a look at this lovely body-positive tattoo that finds a beautiful body tattooed with clouds and stars. Yes, your body is a thing of magical wonder. Yes, your tattoo should reflect that.

Be Your Own Cheerleader

“Choose yourself,” this stylish, body-positive tattoo says. We think this is excellent advice and a great reminder for those of us who need reassurance that it is okay to do you exactly how you want.

Floral Goddess

Isn’t this floral goddess tattoo just breathtaking? In this body-positive tattoo, we find a charming figure with gorgeous little flowers growing all around it. If you have an inner green goddess, you should consider something similar!

Venus

The Venus of Willendorf is an 11.1-centimeter-tall Venus figurine estimated to have been made around 25,000-30,000 years ago. Most art historians consider it the human world’s oldest piece of art. It’s fitting that the first artwork we know happens to be a curvy woman. Folks knew what was up 25,000+ years ago!

Keep Growing

By far, the most popular body-positive tattoo out there is of a female form that has some sort of botanical element sprouting where the head should be. It’s a great motif but just know that if you go in this direction you will be in extremely good company. If you want something unique, try something else but if you want a tattoo that builds community, you should request something similar from your artist.

Her Majesty

“The Empress,” this gorgeous tarot-inspired tattoo says. We find a pregnant body at the center here with the popular flower instead of face thing happening. We love how this body-positive design also looks like stained glass. It’s checking a lot of boxes, folks.

Blossoms in the Rolls

Have you heard of roll tattoos yet? Tattoo artists are using the creases of the body as inspiration for floral designs that seem to spring from them. In the above example we find some delicate rose designs which are so romantic.

RELATED: Artist Creates Body-Positive ‘Roll Tattoos’ That Celebrate Fat Bodies Just As They Are

You Are a Masterpiece

“I’ve been on the journey of learning to accept and love my body for a while now with the help of my coach @apfittraining I still have a long way to go but with the art I make and the people I surround myself with I’m getting there,” the person who shared this image writes.

Striving

“May diverse bodies always be celebrated and made visible,” the artist who shared this image captioned it. “Art on the skin expresses, liberates, and resignifies our insecurities.”

Just Watch

“Watch me grow,” this body-positive tattoo says. We find those words surrounded and framed by tiny flowers and leaves. This tattoo is all about personal growth and it is a theme you encounter often when it comes to body-positive tattoos.

Swinging

We love any sort of tattoo that depicts movement and action as they read as lively and energetic. For this body-positive tattoo, we find a tattooed lady swinging in the night sky. What an absolute dream!

Almost Abstract

Here we find a figurative body-positive tattoo that verges on the abstract. Simple lines form the shape of a body that echo this person’s torso’s shape. It’s a meditative and simple piece that packs a real punch.

Join the Club

“Self-love club,” is a common sentiment found among body-positive tattoos. Here, we find those words over a body. A touch of read brings this baby to life in a really beautiful way.

Curvy Cat Lady

Where are the cat ladies at? In this body-positive tattoo, we find a costume-clad figure in a sort of one-piece with thigh-high boots and a mask. Those red lips offer a pop of color to this enchanting tattool.

Simply Stunning

Here is one of our all-time favorite body-positive tattoos. We find the very popular body with a head of botanicals again here, but it is so singular in its style that it really stands out from the rest. Oranges and cool greens offer contrast that plays well together. A truly winning design with this one!

You Belong

“I belong deeply to myself,” this heart-shaped body-positive tattoo says. It’s an excellent reminder that you are only, actually accountable to yourself. Love that skin that you are in and proclaim it with something similar.

So Rad

Here’s another amorous heart-shaped tattoo with a great message inside. “Radical self-love,” the tattoo proclaims. We would all be wise to follow in this person’s footsteps and make a commitment of love to ourselves.

Thunderous

“Thunder thighs,” this amazing body-positive tattoo says. The words are found in a tangle between a storm cloud and an umbrella. Your thighs are sexy and worth bragging about it. A body-positive tattoo like this could be a great way to do so.

That Lifestyle

“Live fat, die yum,” this body-positive tattoo says borrowing its structure from the popular saying “live fast, die young.” It’s an extremely playful and rewarding play on words that encourages the person to go with their gut.

In Control

In this body-positive tattoo, we find two branches framing the words “My body, my rules.” Amen! No one else gets to dictate their beauty standards and ideals to you. You are the boss!

Protest Art

As promised, here is a body-positive tattoo that features the greatest slogan, “Riots, not diets.” This is a brilliant protest tattoo that encourages civil unrest over toxic diet culture. America, a change would do you good.

Perfection

If you like body-positive tattoos that get right to the point, you likely will appreciate this stunner that puts it plainly with the word, “masterpiece.” You are a shining light that deserves praise. Something similar would do the trick!

The Power

“My body. My choice. My power. My voice,” this stunning body-positive tattoo says. We love this slogan which is all about autonomy and agency. You own all of these things and you get to use them as you see fit.

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Partial Portrait

In this simple yet elegant black ink tattoo, we find a frame containing a torso shape. For something understated, you can celebrate curvy bodies with something equally as evocative that is radically simple in its approach.

There you go! What did you think of these body-positive tattoos? We hope you found them to be as uplifting and encouraging as we did. Now, go find yourself a tattoo artist who can help you realize your unique vision!

If you liked these body-poisitive tattoos, keep reading for even more ink inspiration. We have also compiled a list of goddess tattoos that we think you will also enjoy.

Take a Look at These Beautiful Goddess Tattoos That Celebrate All Things Woman!

Selene

Selene is the goddess of the moon in Greek mythology. We find her hear with some beautiful attributes that include a crescent moon crown, a torch, and plenty of drama.

Forest Goddess

The person who shared this image referred to this sleeve as a “forest goddess.” It’s one of the goddess tattoos that did not reference a particular deity but instead is more centered on a concept. It did bring to mind the Celtic goddess Danu who is considered the spiritual essence of nature.

Persephone

In the Greek myth of Persephone’s capture by Hades, god of the underworld, the pomegranate symbolizes life, regeneration, and marriage. By eating a few pomegranate seeds, Persephone tied herself to Hades. The pomegranate in the story represents the totality of marriage. You will often find Persephone goddess tattoos with pomegranate imagery.

Persephone Part II

Here’s another take on Persephone that is very stylish with a balance of black and maroon inks. Notice how some of the lines are thicker than others? It helps bring this goddess tattoo tons of visual interest.

Diana

We find a goddess tattoo in the form of a bust in this design. The likeness of Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt and wild animals, looks beautiful in this elegant tattoo.

Baset

The daughter of Re, the sun god, Bastet was an ancient deity whose ferocious nature was ameliorated after the domestication of the cat around 1500 BCE. The cat goddess lives on in the hearts and imaginations of many who understand just how special our cat friends are.

Athena

Athena is the Olympian goddess of wisdom and war and the beloved patron of the city of Athens. We find her tattooed here with such care and detail. The cloth that encircles her is absolutely stunning.

Athena Part II

Here’s another goddess tattoo of Athena. This time she’s found with her mythical shield with the image of a Gorgon on it. The fading effect here looks extremely fresh. You might like something similar for your own tattoo.

Hécate 

Hecate is the goddess of witchcraft, the household, and crossroads. In later depictions, Hecate can be found as a trio, a reference to her as the “three ways” or crossroads. That’s what we find in the above tattoo.

Baubo

Known as the goddess of mirth, Baubo is depicted as risqué and sexually liberated and is said to have taunted Demeter when that deity was mourning the loss of her daughter, Persephone. Little statuettes have been unearthed and many look like the above goddess tattoo.

Kali

Kali is a Hindu goddess, who is thought to be the Master of death, change, and time. She is also believed to be the Parvati, that is the supreme of all powers or the ultimate reality. As with this tattoo, Kali is often depicted with a lolling tongue.

Isis

Great mother Isis, the goddess of magic and healing, was crucial to ancient Egyptian religious beliefs. She was worshipped throughout the ancient Greco-Roman world. She plays a pivotal part in the Osiris myth as a character who resurrects Osiris, who is both her brother and husband.

Medusa & Artemis

We find two separate goddess tattoos here. One is of Medusa and the other is of Artemis. Both have been completed in the same style and look fantastic next to one another.

RELATED: Medusa Tattoo Ideas Inspired by Greek Mythology

Gaia

Gaia is the earth mother goddess worshipped by the Ancient Greeks. Here, we find her in a contemporary depiction, holding the planet earth.

Sekhmet

 Sekhmet is an Egyptian goddess of war and the destroyer of the sun god Re’s enemies. We find her beautifully tattooed here with a gorgeous, golden background element that really makes her pop.

Ram Goddess

This is another one of the goddess tattoos that is less about a single mythological figure and is, instead, about a concept. We find a beautiful portrait of a woman with the horns of a ram. This would make a perfect tattoo for an Aries.

Nehelennia

“Nehelennia, goddess of the sea and safe return of sailors, goddess of fertility,” the person who shared this image wrote of the Germanic goddess. “There is little known about her, however, her statues can be found in Zeeland, the Netherlands and there are a handful of Roman reliëfs.”

Adi Shakti

Adi Shakti or also known as Adi Parashakti is the supreme goddess in Sanatan Dharma. The phrase “Adi Parashakti” means the “first supreme energy.” Here, she is tattooed with such care with impeccably fine details.

Justitia

Lady Justice was called Justitia or Iustitia by the Ancient Romans. Back in the day, Justitia became the personification of the virtue of justice. We find her tattooed here with excellent, ornamental elements that make this goddess tattoo a real standout.

Justitia Part II

Here she is again, this time in an elegant black and grey design. This tattoo is remarkable for several reasons but the thing that stands out the most is the restraint from the artist. The entire design is so delicate and light.

Brigid

A pagan goddess of pre-Christian Ireland, Brigid is associated with wisdom, poetry, healing, protection, blacksmithing, and domesticated animals. This stunning tattoo brings to mind paintings of the Pre–Raphaelites.

A Nymph

Greco-Roman mythologies were full of stories of nymphs. They are often regarded as personifications of nature and in this tattoo, you find natural elements being the main draw. It’s a unique perspective and a very cool design.

Sappho

Sappho was an Archaic Greek poet from Eresos on the island of Lesbos. Sappho is known for her lyric poetry, written to be sung while accompanied by music. She is widely considered one of, if not the, most celebrated poets in Ancient Greece. In contemporary times, Sappho has been celebrated as a feminist icon and a gay hero.

Freya

A preeminent deity in Norse mythology, Freya is considered the goddess of love, beauty, fertility, sex, war, gold, and magic. This absolutely breathtaking half-sleeve portrait is one of the best goddess tattoos on this list.

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Eris

Eris is the goddess and personification of strife and discord. She is associated with the Greek concept of the “Golden Apple of Discord” which she tossed during a feast that is described as The Judgement of Paris.

There you have it! We hope you feel inspired by these excellent goddess tattoo ideas and you have plenty of ideas for your own unique ink. There’s no right way or wrong way to celebrate your goddess. Just make sure she harnesses the power of your self-expression.