25 Peony Tattoo Ideas That Are Blossoming with Possibility

Peony tattoos are extremely popular today as the gorgeous flowers generally look fabulous in tattoo form. Further, peony flowers have significant symbolic meanings. They signify romance, prosperity, good fortune, a happy marriage, riches, honor, and compassion. The name of the flower is thought to have originated in Greek myth coming from Paeon, the Greek physician of the gods. According to the myth, Paeon cured Pluto of illness using the peony root. A rival god became jealous of Paeon’s healing capabilities and tried to end his life. Pluto intervened and transformed Paeon into a flower worthy of admiration and praise. This is how the flower became a symbol of compassion.

Peony tattoos come in all shapes, colors, and sizes and range in tone from playful to morbid. If you are considering getting a peony tattoo, you have come to the right place! We have rounded up dozens of inspiring designs to help you find the right fit for you. These breathtaking tattoos should give you some bright ideas for your next spot of ink. Enjoy!

Black and White

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Black and grey tattoos are classic, but this one has been improved by adding white ink. It offers highlight and contrast next to those pitch-black bits.

Drama on the Knees

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We find oversized peony tattoos over the knees in this example. It’s a pretty traditional flower design, but the size and placement make these peony tattoos look so fresh.

Modest Color

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Get playful with colorful inks if you’re not married to the idea of a black and grey tattoo. Here we find a rather mellow peach color next to olive green. Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel will pop the most together.

Oh, so Delicate

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If you’re in it for the romance, a delicate peony tattoo like this one that cascades down the arm could be the right direction for you to take it. This elegant example could be placed over the shoulder, down the thigh, or even down the sternum.

Radical Color

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On the other end of the spectrum, we find a peony tattoo that vibrates with energy. The electric colors and dramatic contrast between warm and cool colors really make this design a spectacle.

Seeing Stars

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Have fun with your peony tattoo by traveling a road less traveled. If you’ve got an idea that you think seems far-fetched, lean into it. After you find a tattoo artist who can help bring your vision to life, you will have a one-of-a-kind design that no one else can claim.

Macabre

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Here’s one of the strangest peony tattoos on this list. Red peony flowers have been paired with a scythe. It’s a bloody scene and the only thing like it we saw. Feel free to get moody with your tattoo design.

Porcelain Patterned

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And, the winner for the most unique concept goes to… In the petals of this peony tattoo, we find a pattern that looks like it came off of a porcelain plate. The ornamental embellishments here make it a real standout.

Made You Melt

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This peony tattoo has a hypnotic quality to it, with swirling lines used to give the flower and its leaves texture. All of those lines train the eye on the center of the flower with its tiny, delicate details.

Deep Red

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For those not afraid of color, going red will always make a maximalist statement. Of all the colors, it is the most dramatic for tattooing. Is this because it’s the color of blood? Could be!

Haunting White Ink

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Here’s another peony tattoo that utilizes white ink. White ink tattoos are an emerging trend. Previously, most artists did not touch the stuff because it fades so quickly. Don’t expect a white ink tattoo to be visible after a year. It will be so faint most won’t clock it.

Neo-Traditional Peony Tattoo

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This large peony tattoo showcases the best of both worlds of traditional and contemporary tattooing. The basic shapes are similar to traditional design, but there have been some changes to the classic design with the inclusion of hollow lines that outline the black petals of the flower.

Shoulder Cap Piece

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Flower tattoos that drape over the shoulder are very much fashionable today. We find some interesting shading in the petals of the peony flowers that make us think of etching or a lithograph.

Ablaze

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Color is the name of the game for this peony tattoo that is burning with gold, orange, and red next to some forest green leaves. There’s even a faint shadow effect at play here that makes the overall tattoo seem to raise off the skin.

RELATED: 49 Birth Flower Tattoos That Celebrate Each Month of the Year

Surreal Color

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Here’s another peony tattoo with unconventional color usage. An aqua blue has been used for the outline of the flower and its petals with a pale pink interior that looks so unique and inspired.

A Study in Contrasts

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The colors are not as saturated in this peony tattoo example that favors grace and beauty over being punchy and bold. The color combinations here are pure perfection.

Invisible Frame

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One of the easiest ways to add definition to a tattoo is to frame it. You can use hard lines or do as this person has done and create an invisible border for the tattoo to exist inside. Isn’t it just splendid?

Japanese Inspired

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Irezumi is the Japanese word that describes traditional tattooing. Countless artists have been inspired by the distinctive style of tattooing that has been around for centuries. For this peony tattoo on the hand, we are treated to a Japanese-inspired blossom that boasts the most unique shapes.

A Light in the Darkness

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Blackout tattoos have become extremely popular. Whole parts of the arm are blocked off in black to allow the skin to shine through via the peony shapes. They seem to glow amidst all of the heavily inked areas.

Realism

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If you like the idea of a peony tattoo that looks very real, you will need to do your homework. This type of tattooing is not practiced by every artist, and you will need to find one that specializes in it. It’s not impossible, but you will just need to research the artist’s portfolio before pulling the trigger.

Peony X-Ray

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The artist who shared this bewitching black peony tattoo that looks like an X-ray really nailed it. This is the only peony tattoo we saw done in this style, and we must say it is a winner.

Fine Art

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Wow! Does this peony tattoo sleeve look like a painting or what? Grey and peach pair beautifully together in this incomparable piece that is bursting with romance.

Singular Style

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Feel free to break all the rules. The petals are neon pink, with one sporting tiny dots to give it texture. We’ve got gothic vibes for the leaves that transition from black to grey to purple.

Coloring Outside the Lines

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This tattoo reminds us of watercolor tattoos that have become ubiquitous today. A very fine black line has been used to give the flower definition, while colorful inks seem to swim around inside. We get more of an impression of a peony flower than a definitive one.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 50 Flower Tattoos That Will Stay Fresh Forever

With a Snake

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Contrasting green and orange play together handsomely in this peony tattoo that’s so unique. Flowers pair well with just about anything, so think of other objects, inspirations from nature, and shapes to incorporate into your design for something that feels even more personal and special.

There you go! What did you think of these peony tattoo ideas? We hope you found some worth considering and that you will take them to a tattoo artist to make them come to life for you. For even more ink inspiration, keep reading. We’ve got dozens more flower tattoos to share with you!

Learn How to Flaunt Florals with These Beautiful Flower Tattoos!

Lovely Lilacs

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Lilacs are often considered symbols of spirituality and tranquility. We’d say these lilac flower tattoos look pretty peaceful and serene! The delicate application and the inclusion of white ink for highlight really put this design on a whole new level.

A Red Rose

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Red roses symbolize romance and love which is likely why so many people choose them for their flower tattoos! This design is unlike most, however, as it has been tattooed in a completely original style. Find yourself a tattoo artist with a point of view and you could easily end up with something this spectacular.

Very Fine Violets

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How dreamy are these violet flower tattoos? Often, artists will use black lines and then shade them in but here we find a softer look thanks to the absence of them. Violets have been considered a symbol of modesty since antiquity.

Poetic Peony

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Peonies are a symbol of good fortune. We know that’s definitely the case as this is one of the most beautiful tattoos we have ever beheld. The black background really acts to make the colors in this design pop.

A Beautiful Bouquet

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Why get just one type of flower when you can have multiple flower tattoos? We find vibrant colors across the spectrum here with a cute little ladybug on top to make this extra sweet.

Orchid for the Win

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Here’s the most delicate orchid tattoo you will ever see! Orchids symbolize love and luxury and both feel apparent in this design. This tattoo is one of the smallest we’ve shown you but you can go even smaller!

Micro Realness

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Micro tattoos are extremely popular among flower tattoos as they look like tiny treasures. This is one example done in black ink but we’ll share more like it as this list goes on.

A Whole Scene

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One of the most stunning flower tattoos on this list, this masterpiece features all sorts of floral goodness along with one of the most beautiful hummingbirds you will ever lay your eyes on. If you’re interested in a half-sleeve tattoo, florals are clearly a wise way to go!

Watercolor Poppies

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Flower tattoos done in a watercolor style are a match made in heaven. These expressive poppy flowers are such a dream come true. In literature, poppies have long been associated with sleep and peace (think of the famous scene from The Wizard of Oz).

Paradise

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The Bird of Paradise flower has one of the most unusual blooms of any plant. The buds look like birds! We love this take on the bud and it’s one of the most unique flower tattoos on this list!

Sharp Hydrangea

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What do you think of this black ink hydrangea tattoo? We think it’s a very sharp-looking design. Most flower tattoos go full color but you can see that black offers sophistication.

More Poppy

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Here’s another poppy tattoo but as you can see it’s been done in a totally different style. It’s reminiscent of decorative arts and illustration. If you’re interested in understated flower tattoos, you could do something similar!

Micro Magic

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Here’s another micro tattoo and it’s so small and delicate that we’d bet it was done using the stick-and-poke method which is simply a machine-free tattoo done by hand. For the smallest designs, consider finding an artist who specializes in this type of tattooing.

Here for the Drama

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Marigold and Narcissus flowers look so dramatic in this tattoo! We find the gold and orange on the petals to contrast in a big way with the green and blue leaves. It makes the entire design truly look dynamic.

Pink Roses

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Pink roses symbolize sweetness, grace, and feminity. We find all of those qualities in these flower tattoos look so breathy with their delicate blush color. We imagine a great many folks would love to have something similar.

Tiny Buds

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Here are some teeny-tiny flower tattoos of lilacs and forget-me-nots. These super fine tattoos have a subtle symmetry that offers plenty of balance.

The Whimsy

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Check out the color choices for this truly remarkable tattoo with flowers that are out of this world! This natural scene feels both fresh and timeless with a storybook style that meets new-school sensibilities. Bravo!

Art

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Do you see the image hidden in these flower tattoos? We don’t want to spoil the surprise but take a look at those colorful shapes and see if you see anything looking back at you. The pops of color really help balance out the moody black of the floral illustration. A real winner!

Neotraditional

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Traditional flower tattoos are very graphic like this one and the artist has chosen some interesting colors of ink to help update the design for a more contemporary look. If you love old-school tattooing, you should request something similar.

Going Big

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Giant flower tattoos are a delight if you have the patience to sit for one of them. We find these luscious lilies to be perfectly placed on the shoulder blades for a clever look that accentuates the natural shape of the body.

Larkspur & Marigold

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Larkspurs symbolize an open heart and marigolds represent the power of the sun. We think both look so cute in these flower tattoos that are super stylish and imaginative.

A Touch Abstract

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Black, blue, and orange are clearly a winning color combo. We find two poppy flower tattoos here but also a lot of abstract imagery in the form of “brushstrokes” and round shapes that look like the sun and moon. What a delight!

Art Deco

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These stunning flower tattoos with black and red details look like they come straight from the Art Deco period. If you want to find the sweet spot where graphic meets minimalism, something similar will serve you very well.

Lovely Lotus

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This lotus tattoo looks like meditation in visual form. Take a deep breath and appreciate the intricacies of the flower paired with the simple line and dot elements.

Illustrative

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Do you have a picture book that holds special meaning to you? There might be an illustration of flowers in it that will work as a subtle nod to your childhood favorite. These simple yet evocative red flowers look like child’s play in the best way.

RELATED: 25 Birth Flower Tattoos That Celebrate Each Month of the Year

A Handful of Flowers

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These very minimal flower tattoos are such a dream with color that’s applied to look almost like paint, we find it light, bright, and full of natural beauty. You don’t have to commit to a giant, complicated tattoo to make a statement.

Just Dandy

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What do you think of this take on a dandelion? We think it’s exquisite. Find yourself a tattoo artist with a love for design and you could walk out with some truly inventive flower tattoos.

Just a World of Flowers

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Did you expect to see the continents covered in blooms this way? We sure did not and we were so shocked when we first encountered this amazing tattoo. Black ink fill makes the beautiful colors of each flower truly shine.

Life & Death

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How amazing are the flowers placed on top of this skull? This is an example of neotraditional tattooing at its finest!

Pansies

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How stunning are these pansies? This tattoo is dedicated to the person’s mom which feels even more special. Did your parental figure always keep a certain type of flower in your family’s garden?

Cartoon Smiles

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This tattoo is still very fresh and we can expect the yellow smiley face to be clearer once the tattoo has healed. For your flower tattoos, you can go completely cartoonish and whimsical. There’s no need to take flowers so seriously!

Freeing Freesia

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Freesia flowers symbolize trust and companionship. These flower tattoos are some of the most delicate on this list. Look how finely the color has been applied to the blossoms.

Orange Roses

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These stylized rose flower tattoos look fresh surrounded by the rectangular border. Orange roses symbolize life and vitality!

Put Them In a Vase

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By adding an element like a vase to your design, you can attract even more visual interest. If you have a beautiful vessel in mind, let it inspire your tattoo to give your flowers something to sit inside.

Chinese Milkvetch

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Some flower tattoos are truly museum-worthy. We find this breathtaking design with a flower you don’t see very often, at least not in tattoo form, the Chinese Milkvetch. We’re in love!

Spider Lily

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One of the most beautiful flowers on the planet, the Spider Lily, translated very well into ink. We write this often, but we’ll say it again, red ink is your friend. It always looks fantastic and adds so much life to your flower tattoos!

Feeling Blue

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How sweet are these little blue blooms? The lines are so very fine on these flower tattoos that we’re almost positive it was done machine-free and by hand. What a dream!

Bold

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We’ve spotted a bit of a trend with these black flower tattoos where a color block of some sort has been added. We absolutely love this look and hope this trend continues as it really does interpret how we see the world in such a unique way.

Color Choices

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Check out the colors chosen for this mesmerizing flower tattoo. The aqua blue paired with the orangish-red are a match made in heaven. Black ink adds tons of depth and drama for an overall winning design.

On Fire

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Just a blue rose on fire! This is the drama you cam for in the flower tattoos. In color theory, blue is associated with mystery which only adds to the interest in this inexplicably burning flower.

3-D

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What’s being called 3D Tattoos are having a big moment today. We find so many of these designs and we must say this one with a rose is one of our favorites.

Go Ornamental

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If you’re looking for very graphic and stylized flower tattoos, consider designing an ornamental representation of your favorite blooms. You can look to architecture and graphic design for inspiration.

Fairest Pink Peony

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This is one of the most beautiful flower tattoos we have ever seen. It’s so pretty it punches you in the guy and steals your breath! Wow. Delicate, sharp lines and expert shading really make this tattoo one of the very best on this list.

Express Yourself

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No, you will not find any flowers this wacky and neon in real life but that does not mean you still shouldn’t dream! Express yourself by requesting colors and design ideas for your flower tattoos that are personal to you.

Fade Into You

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The ombré is strong with this one! How lovely does this delicate fade from orange to red look on the petals of this rose? We imagine the effect would look good for most flower tattoos.

A Nice Touch

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Here’s another example of an ornamental design which is an abstract interpretation of a flower. Isn’t this the most perfectly sophisticated and understated design you’ve ever seen?

Gerbera Daisy

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How lush is this Gerbera Daisy? Take a close look at the outline and you will discover the thinnest of white lines going around this entire design. It makes this flower tattoo looks like it’s floating over the arm and not actually on it!

Audrey II

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We did not expect to see any Little Shop of Horrors love today but we suppose we should have seen it coming! We find the monstrous Audrey II among some truly beautiful buds. How fun and imaginative!

Sunflower Power

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By far, Sunflowers and Roses are two of the most popular blossoms for flowers. We have seen many Sunflower tattoos but none like this one! It offers a very geometric take with such uniformity it teeters on the edge of being ornamental. More like this, please!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 35 Sunflower Tattoos & Sunflower Tattoo Ideas

Floral on the Forearm

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If you’re looking for flower tattoos that will fit your forearm (which is one of the most popular locations), consider something that stretches down it like this as opposed to designs that wrap around the arm. We love the black background next to those soft pastel colors of the flowers and leaves. So much drama!

There you go! What did you think of these flower tattoos? We hope you found inspiration for your very own designs and that you’ll have something to take to your tattoo artist for reference. There is no right or wrong way to conceive of your flower tattoo. Find photos of the actual plants or look into flower symbolism to help inform your decision and result in an ultimately meaningful design.

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