30 Enchanting Rose Tattoos That Will Make You Want Some Floral Ink

Rose tattoos are among some of the most popular designs requested at tattoo shops today and have been for centuries. Roses are widely used in traditional tattooing and have seen a modern makeover with buds resembling actual roses in recent decades. Further, roses make for excellent “filler” which simply means they can be employed to cover blank space between larger elements of full or half-sleeve tattoos.

Whether or not you want them incorporated into another design or to be the star of the show, you really can’t go wrong with rose tattoos. We wanted to discover the latest and greatest rose tattoo designs so we took to social media to find the tattoos people can’t stop talking about so that you have some truly inspired and handsome options to consider. Take a look at these blossoming beauties!

Get Ink Inspiration from These Stunning Rose Tattoos.

Boom!

Let’s kick things off with a bang. We find a hyperrealistic design here with blooms that look as real as can be. This is such a lovely shape for placement on the thigh.

Less Is More

Here’s a design that’s going the more minimalist route. If you’re someone who lives by the mantra “less is more,” something understated like this could be the best option for you.

Just Lovely

If you really heart those rose blossoms, go right ahead and show that love. We find an anatomical heart here that’s sprouting some gorgeous pink flowers.

Micro Rose Tattoo

Micro tattoos are a huge trend today. Some are simple as is the one in the above example while others are incredibly detailed. Put a pin in the latter as we will get to one before this list is over.

In a Single Line

Another big tattoo trend today is single-line designs. Incredibly cool designs can be completed with one line as you can see in the above example.

All About the Shapes

Here’s one of the most unique rose tattoos on this list. We find petals that form independent shapes that seem to fit together like the pieces of a puzzle. Exhilirating!

Rainbow Rose

Yet another highly visible tattoo trend today comes in the form of a watercolor tattoo. We find all the colors of the rainbow in this example that looks like watercolor pigment swimming on paper.

Neo-Traditional Black and Red

Here’s a bold design that adopts some traditional elements while resulting in something completely new. It’s all about bold shapes and thick lines.

Black and Grey and White

Black and grey rose tattoos are very popular today. This one has the inclusion of white ink that adds a pop of highlight and dimension to the design. Artists experimenting with white is a rather new trend that is not going to slow anytime soon.

Don’t Make Me Blush

In this sensuous design, we find a blush rose next to some dark green leaves. Take a look at how fine those lines are they help give the design a soft texture.

Traditional

Here’s a very traditional interpretation of a rose. Hallmarks of traditional tattooing include basic shapes, thick lines, and understated shading. This one checks many of those boxes.

Traditional Part II

Traditional does not just mean black and grey. In fact, color is preferred for many old-school designs.

Traditional Part III

Here’s another traditional design that really pops. Did you notice the tiny heart at the center of the blossom? What a sweet touch.

Dream Magic

Take a look at this dreamy tattoo that finds realistic flowers paired with more ethereal imagery in the form of the moon and butterflies. The whole thing seems to glow with gold. Bravo!

Head of Roses

Here’s one of our favorite rose tattoos on this list. It takes a fresh approach to the color application as well as some bold textures. Find yourself a tattoo artist with a point of view and you could walk away with a real work of art.

Words in the Stem

Rose tattoos (and other flowers) with words or names written in place of a stem are very popular today. It’s a cute idea but it’s ubiquitous at this point. So, know, that if you go forward with this design, you’ll be in good company.

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Silhouette

Silhouette rose tattoos are mildly popular these days. Our favorites are the ones done in all black or, even better, all red ink. They have a touch of mystery to them that you just can’t beat.

Gothic Roses

A pair of gothic rose tattoos complete with spiderwebs have found their way onto this person’s chest. If you’d like a bold chest piece, it’s clear roses are a winning way to go.

Feeling (a Little) Blue

Here are some more micro rose tattoos. We find a touch of blue here that is such a darling detail.

Micro Realism

This tattoo is not exactly micro but its micro-details are immaculate. We imagine this very fine tattoo was completed with the stick and poke method which is done with a single needle by hand without a tattoo gun.

Sketchy

A cousin to the watercolor tattoo is the sketch tattoo. This style finds elements found in actual pencil-drawn designs that often include motion lines and other motifs seen mostly in animation.

Haunting

Wow! This breathy and ethereal design looks as if it’s been composed of smoke. This is one of the most interesting rose tattoos on the list.

Magic In Mini

Here’s another micro tattoo with tons of detail packed into such a small amount of real estate. It looks like a piece of jewelry.

Crisp

Here’s an example of a fine tattoo that’s not reinventing the wheel. It’s a standard design that’s just been expertly tattooed.

Delicate

Take a look at these razor-sharp lines. The result is an extremely delicate design that looks like it’s floating on the skin.

Dark Art

Chiaroscuro is a term of art that describes the use of strong contrasts between light and dark. We find that term applicable here in this showstopping back tattoo.

With Character

Have fun with your rose tattoos. The flowers can be the star of the show or simply supporting actors. They look excellent crowded around this owl.

Geometric

Work with your tattoo artist to discover the possibilities with your rose tattoos. This person has leaned into a geometric style to create a one-of-a-kind design.

Ribs and Roses

We like the thematic juxtaposition of life and death in this design that finds a ribcage filled with roses. You could interpret this as life from death or a number of ways.

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In Flames

We leave you with this fresh design that finds a rose on fire. The more unique and singular your rose tattoo design the better. Express yourself to the fullest and you’ll walk away with a design you’ll love forever.

There you have it! We hope you found some exciting rose tattoo designs to inspire your own rose tattoos. There’s no wrong or right way to go about it. Tattoos are all about self-expression and that means your rose tattoos can range from abstract to figurative and from black and grey to full color. If you loved these rose tattoos but want to expand your ink inspiration, take a look at these amazing birth flower tattoos for each month of the year!

January Birth Flower: Carnation

In the bleakness of winter, carnations provide simple blooms that everyone appreciates. It’s no wonder they symbolize fascination since they can bloom in conditions that few other flowers can. People born in January are just as loved and appreciated as these blooms that come in any color you like. So, that means pick your favorite color for your carnation birth flower tattoo.

Micro Carnation

These micro tattoo carnations are adorable. An elegant and simple touch that makes for the perfect tiny tattoo. Just because this tattoo is small does not mean it won’t make a big impact. In fact, smaller tattoos often shine brighter than big ones because of all the minute details.

Large Carnation Tattoo

The first two examples were rather small but this birth flower tattoo of a carnation is a total winner. The artist has used white ink to highlight and make the blossom come to life. There are generally two directions to take any tattoo. You can either try to achieve photorealism or go the more stylized route. Each has its virtues but it’s clear from the above example that going for realism really worked out well.

Fine Carnation in Just Black Ink

If color is not your thing, feel free to get your birth flower tattoo in just black ink. This one has been applied with very fine lines that look spectacular. As you can see on the bloom, small, thin lines have been used to give the blossomed texture and dimension.

February Birth Flower: Primrose

This delicate, sunny perennial is a symbol of youthfulness and the first love that comes with it. The name primrose actually comes from the Latin word “primus” which means “first.” Primroses are some of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, signaling the end of the colder months and the warm days and fun times ahead. In the above example, the artist has taken a figurative but less realistic approach.

Tiny Primrose

This extremely delicate tattoo utilizes dots to form its shape. This tattoo has been applied with the stick and poke method which means it’s much sharper than a standard tattoo. If you’d like a tattoo that’s beautiful but not a huge commitment of time and money, go smaller for a dainty tattoo that utterly charms.

Primrose On the Back

If you want to go big, by all means, you should. This stunning piece sits perfectly between the shoulder blades. A great way to celebrate your birth flower in a big way. Among birth flower tattoos, we don’t see the placement on the back often but it’s totally a gorgeous way to go if you’re committed to your design.

A Trio of Primroses

More often than not, primrose blooms are yellow. They do bloom in different colors but if you’d like to stay true to the essence of the flower, go yellow. In the above example, we find a trio of primrose flowers looking luscious and inviting. This modestly-sized birth flower tattoo is not too big and not too small, making it just the right size for most folks.

March Birth Flower: Daffodil

With bright yellow flowers that emerge from a bulb, daffodils bring new life and color after a long winter. It’s understandable why they symbolize new beginnings and rebirth. As a birth flower tattoo, daffodils look cheerful, energetic, and fun. They are one of the more modest flowers and that makes us love them even more.

Black & White Daffodil

Along with relating to all things new, daffodils also are a symbol of respect. This gorgeous black and white ink tattoo brings the R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Any tattoo that has a hand element is instantly more visually appealing so if you want to have a more evocative design, consider also getting a hand holding that birth flower.

Quilted Daffodil

Here is one of the most novel birth flower tattoos on the list. We find our friendly daffodil designed to look as if it’s made from a quilt. How fun is that! Each petal contains a different pattern and they all seem to work together to strike a good balance. Work with a tattoo artist with a point of view and you will not be disappointed with your singular design.

Neo-Traditional Daffodil Bundle

Neo-traditional tattooing incorporates the bold shapes, thick lines, and style of traditional tattooing while appealing to today’s tastes. We find another hand with this birth flower tattoo and we hate to say it but we told you so. If you have a love for more traditional tattoo designs, lean into the old-school style for a tattoo worth celebrating.

April Birth Flower: Daisy

The bright and cheerful daisy is the birth flower for April. These simple flowers encourage an optimistic look at life and make you believe that even the ugliest situations can transform into something beautiful. In our opinion, daisies are some of the most underrated birth flowers and we’d love to see more tattoos of them out in the world.

Delicate Daisy

The daisy’s vivid colors and fun petals have a sassy attitude that explains why this flower symbolizes playfulness. This stunning tattoo offers plenty of whimsy and a cool look thanks to the touch of blue the artist has incorporated.

Delightful Daisy

This daisy tattoo looks like it’s coming off of the skin. The realistic style is fantastic and truly looks 3D. Work with a tattoo artist who is versed in photorealism and you could walk away with a real masterpiece for your birth flower tattoo. This is such a sweet design!

Blue Daisy

If you’re wanting more than just the bloom of your birth flower tattoo, create a goddess design that uses the flower. Here, we find a daisy goddess figure with the flowers worked into her hair. It’s much more evocative and full of life than a standard flower tattoo. When in doubt, lean into the goddess tattoos.

May Birth Flower: Lily of the Valley

The dainty and fragrant lily of the valley pops up in the spring after overwintering as a bulb. The bell-shaped white flowers bring about feelings of joy and inner peace, which explains why the flower is used as a symbol of these feelings. If you’d like a meditative design, consider something small and simple like the above example. It’s all about clean lines and no frills.

Lily & Crystal

The small flowers are also linked to purity, and the cuteness of the small blooms brings a bit of sweetness. Here, we find the tiny blooms paired with the boldness of a crystal. We think this could be a spell tattoo. If you’d like a more meaningful birth flower tattoo, consider pairing your buds with objects that are important to you. In general, the weirder the subject matter the better the tattoo so don’t be afraid to experiment.

Hidden Treasure

We find a darling behind the ear tattoo that’s full of microscopic details. This placement is such a winning one and would be great for any birth flower tattoos. Note how the shape of the tattoo mimics the natural shape of the ear here. Try for something similar with your birth flower tattoo to make it look even more intentional.

Traditional Lily of the Valley

We find yet another hand birth flower tattoo here. This one is really true to traditional tattooing and looks utterly stunning. Simple shapes, bold lines and colors, and tidy work make this one a remarkable find. If you are a fan of old-school tattoos, you can totally go in that direction with your design as it will work with any flower.

June Birth Flower: Rose

As the classic Valentine’s Day flower, the history of roses symbolizing love goes all the way back to the time of ancient Greeks and Romans. Greeks associated the rose with Aphrodite, the goddess of love, beauty, and passion, while Romans associated the rose with Venus, a goddess of love and romance. In the above example, we find a modest rose design done in muted colors which gives it a sort of vintage appeal.

Ombré Rose Sleeve

When you give a friend a rose, the color you choose impacts what you’re telling them. This ombré rose sleeve takes that idea and runs with it. At the top of the sleeve, we find the roses tattooed in a lovely, peachy pink. As your eye moves down the arm the roses begin to lose their color and near the wrist, you will find them in just black and grey. It’s an interesting concept that totally worked out well.

Traditional Rose Tattoo

For fans of traditional tattooing, a rose offers the perfect opportunity to show your OG love. Simple shapes, bold colors, and thick lines are hallmarks of traditional designs. Celebrate the past while holding onto these designs for the future with a tattoo like the one above.

Rose and Portrait

Thinking outside the box really pays. Instead of just going with a rose on its own, this person has chosen to pair their birth flower with a portrait that’s been done in a pretty singular way. Don’t forget that tattoo artist are actually very skilled at their craft and not only tattoo but also can create fascinating artwork and make smart graphic design choices.

July Birth Flower: Larkspur

If you were born in July, chances are you’re full of positivity and charm, which is part of the reason everyone loves you. With spikes of flowers that grow skyward, larkspur can make anyone smile. In the above larkspur birth flower tattoo, we are treated to some truly majestic blooms that sing in purples and blues.

Watercolor Larkspur

This dreamy watercolor tattoo shines with positivity, the idea that this flower symbolizes. Larkspurs come in many different shades so feel free to choose the one of your liking for your tattoo design. That means you can choose your favorite colors and go to town with them. Don’t be afraid of playing with color it almost always will improve your design.

Moody Larkspur

This person went black and grey for the win. We find larkspur blossoms paired with the Leo constellation for a tattoo that also celebrates their Sun sign. We are big fans of color but this example proves it’s not the only way to go for something dramatic and beautiful. Pair your birth flower tattoo with a constellation for an even more meaningful design with more visual interest.

Blue, Blue Larkspur

Wow! The color for this larkspur tattoo has been applied in such a thrilling way. Multiple shades of blue ink have been used and it appears that the artist has chosen only one color per flower petal. This results in a tattoo that looks playful and like something out of a children’s picture book. Bravo!

August Birth Flower: Poppy

The whimsical poppy features petals that stand firm despite their delicate appearance. When you watch poppies wave in the wind, it’s easy to see why they symbolize calmness. Poppy’s are excellent if you love the color red as these flowers are some of the most vibrant of the bunch. In the above example, the tattoo looks like it’s been painted on which is truly remarkable and romantic.

Poppy on the Ankle

This charming little ankle tattoo is the perfect dainty detail. Green and red pop off of one another so splendidly here. Poppies are tied to a powerful imagination and a sense of luxury. Do you have an active imagination and a love for the lux life? You better get that poppy birth flower tattoo!

Poppy on the Line

Think outside the box for your birth flower tattoo and you could walk away with something equally as arresting. We find a sort of frame formed by parallel lines that break to reveal the bloom. Inside the “frame” we find a texture that’s true to a poppy flower and outside there is a dotted texture that offers contrast. What a gorgeous, inspired design.

Transparent Poppy

Here is one magical birth flower tattoo! The poppy has been tattooed with a shade of pink that’s very close to this person’s skin tone which gives it a sort of transparent look and plenty of visual appeal. Look closely at the petals and we will see that the edge of them are darker than the “fill” inside them which also gives the design such a haunting look.

September Birth Flower: Aster

Asters stand strong throughout all kinds of weather, which explains why they symbolize stability and patience. The person with these aster flowers explained in the caption that two family members born in September passed away from cancer. Birth flower tattoos can be used for a lot of purposes and as a tribute tattoo, they are just so special and heartfelt. We love this.

Black Aster

Since asters are associated with valor, they can also give you the strength to face your daily battles. These flowers symbolize endurance so having a tattoo of them up the spine really symbolizes inner strength. We really love any sort of vertical design up the back and that’s what makes every one of these flower tattoos in the placement look so stunning. These designs take advantage of the body’s natural shape to help direct the eye to your ink.

Almost Abstract Asters

Ethereal and floating on air, these aster tattoos are just splendid. This amazing design looks like it’s been airbrushed on! There’s a childlike appeal to this design that has gone very, very light on any black ink for a lighter look that doesn’t feel weighed down in the slightest.

Ethereal Purple Aster Flowers

Similar to the last poppy tattoo we shared with you, this design also has been applied with such care to make it look ethereal and ghostly. The purple is so faint on some parts of the petals that it looks as if it bleeds into the skin. What a dreamy design that’s enough to make you jealous!

October Birth Flower: Marigold

With bright golden colors that match the changing leaves, the marigold is the perfect birth flower for October. These flowers symbolize warmth and passion, and their warming yellow, orange, and red colors make it easy to see why. These flowers have a sort of vintage appeal to them that makes them read as timeless and classic.

Micro Marigold

These teeny-tiny marigolds in the process of blooming are a wonder. This is one of the sharpest birth flower tattoos on this list. If you know you’re going to go small with your design, consider getting multiple small tattoos to bring your design even more appeal and help them to catch the eye of others.

Popping

The gold burns so brightly in the above birth flower tattoo of a marigold. Favor gold over reddish-orange for something equally as captivating. While these flowers are associated with fall, they can look magically sunny when done in gold.

Simplicity is Bliss Marigold

Understated designs that capture the essence of a flower without completely tattooing every detail have their virtues. The simple blossom is beautifully balanced and shaded. Take a close look at the stem of the flower and you will notice some tiny dots that bring a touch of magic.

November Birth Flower: Chrysanthemum

Just as the weather begins to cool, chrysanthemums begin to bloom. These cheery flowers, also known as mums, bring a pop of color to the world as leaves fall from the trees. In the above example, we find a big and dramatic design that is bursting with color with petals in pink and purple contrasting with the green of the leaves.

Blooming in Black

Mums come in colors including purple, yellow, and orange; and they symbolize friendship and compassion. Whether you go with color or not, you’ll always have a friend in this flower. The artist who completed this black and grey design is a master of shading with each petal having its own unique texture.

Little Banger

Here’s a smaller chrysanthemum tattoo if you’re not wanting a huge one. It’s so adorable! Again, we’re all about the contrast so it’s lovely to see red and green popping off of each other. Don’t go huge if that’s not your style. This modest tattoo is still brilliant.

Arty Mum

Work with a tattoo artist who has a track record of creating designs that are stylish and unconventional and you will walk away with a masterpiece. This birth flower tattoo done in black and grey is one of our favorite tattoos on the list. There are abstract sensibilities mixed with figurative ones to create a singular and handsome design.

December Birth Flower: Narcissus

Narcissus is a group of flowers that can be distinguished from others by their trumpet-like centers. All types of narcissus flowers ring out messages of prosperity, good wishes, and hope. This person has skipped color in favor of fine lines. We think the gamble paid off. If you want to fill out your birth flower tattoo, consider getting smaller blooms that frame the stars of your design.

Teardrop Narcissus

If someone is feeling a little bewildered about life, a narcissus may help them find some clarity. This peaceful narcissus paired with delphinium is a wonderful combination. They are slightly framed by a gentle teardrop shape with ornamental elements that bring some spice to the party.

Narcissus and the Moon

Take a look at this enchanting design that marries the narcissus blooms to the moon. It’s a great size and placement worth considering. The line and dotwork for this design are just mesmerizing. Big things can really come in small packages when it comes to tattoos.

Paint It Red

If you’re not married to the idea of just black ink, go red instead. Red ink pops so much more than black and is full of vitality and passion. These buds look so attractive in the color and red ink is a great idea for any tattoo. You won’t regret it!

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Bonus Bouquet

Just for fun, here’s a bonus mini bouquet of flowers. No matter what month you were born, there are gorgeous flowers that symbolize that time of year. You can go micro or big with full color or just a single color. Just make sure you’re being true to you and expressing yourself to the fullest.

We hope you enjoyed these birth month tattoos and all of their blooming goodness. These inspiring flowers make for excellent tattoos as they can make you smile on a crummy day. Birth flower tattoos are some of the best of the best that also hold symbolic meaning that is likely important to you. Happy tattooing!