27 Star Tattoos and Ideas for Dreamy Designs That Dazzle

Star tattoos are some of the most requested designs today. What’s not to love? These designs look beautiful while also being rich in symbolic meaning. Stars are associated with faith, divinity, magic, dreams, ambition, guidance, hope, and even mystery. You can be as specific as a particular star as in the North Star or go in a more general direction. Shooting stars are also popular choices as they symbolize good luck and prosperity. Further, constellations and even zodiac tattoos also celebrate our night sky.

All of this is to say that there are endless possibilities when it comes to star tattoos and the many ways you can express your love for them. This also includes the scale which can be as minimal as a single, little star shape or expand to cover a bit more real estate with a bigger design. Stars can be made to fit just about any placement as well so wherever you want that star tattoo, it can likely be done. Let’s take a look at some truly inspired designs to discover some great ideas and ink inspiration for your star tattoo.

A Bit of Blue

While most star tattoos are black, it’s not the only ink option worth considering. Pick your favorite color to make your star even more personal and totally fitting for you. Black and blue is a winning combination, as you can see.

Ornamental and Dainty

If you’re after something that looks more decorative and cute, we encourage you to go small. These star tattoos are so charming and they found the perfect home in the center of the chest. The great thing about smaller designs is that they will fit almost anywhere while still looking sharp.

Starry, Starry Night

Wow! We find a tribute to Vincent van Gogh in this gorgeous tattoo that also contains a star pendant light and a detailed, ornamental frame. It’s one of the most original star tattoos to make this list. Remember to think outside the box for the most refreshing and original designs.

Starry Eyed

We encountered many eyes and star tattoos while researching tattoos for this list. This is the first of a few that you will find here. Grey offers more subtlety than traditional black ink and looks remarkable in this design that uses stippling to create its star shapes.

Wave of Stars

Is this the milky way? We love the pastel colors used in this design and the way the artist has flawlessly blended them. While the vast majority of star tattoos are black we encourage you to play with color for a vivid design that’s full of energy and life.

Falling Stars

Take a look at these stylized falling stars. There is so much movement in this design thanks to the trailing tails of the stars and their unique shape. Work with an artist with a point of view for a design that bucks traditional and looks completely original.

Lovely Stars

We find an ocean scene inside a heart shape that is framed by waves. Gentle grey tones keep this design looking mellow and romantic. Putting your favorite stars in a scene like this offers more context and visual interest than just a star or two on their own.

The Seeing Star

Here’s another eye meets star tattoo but this time we find the star inside the eye. Lines radiating from the central design look both like rays of light but also eyelashes, making for a smart and balanced overall concept.

Set the Scene

Here’s a nighttime scene that includes a portrait of a person and their cat in silhouette. We love all the cosmic imagery and the purple and pink colors used to warm up the design. By creating a clear frame for your tattoo, you are grounding the design to look more substantial than without.

Clean Lines for the Win

Simplicity is bliss and that’s absolutely the case for this minimalist star tattoo that contains some of the sharpest lines on this list. You do not need to reinvent the wheel with your tattoo, just make sure that you’re working with an artist who can expertly pull off your requests.

Really

We find a rather realistic eye in the center of this tattoo that is surrounded by beautiful groupings of stars tattooed in a variety of fashions. It reads as magical and full of whimsy while also being an extremely handsome design.

Swirl Star

If you want a classic star shape, consider ways to make it your own. You can “fill” your star with a cool pattern or colors that help it stand out. A basic swirl turns this star tattoo into something more mysterious and visually interesting.

Star Ornament

This star tattoo is modeled on a star ornament and the geometric design is just so complex. However, it does not look busy and it feels balanced and attractive. Varying line thickness brings so much to this tattoo and the ultra fine lines are something truly worth remarking about. Bravo!

RELATED: Dazzling Shooting Star Tattoos That Look Like Magic

Pisces Constellation

If you want an inspired star tattoo, turn to your sun sign for a cool constellation tattoo. Say what you will about Pices but they have one of the best constellations of any sign along with the balanced symbol of two fish. The ones in the above example are hauntingly gorgeous.

More Blue

Here’s another blue star tattoo that’s done in a different style. Take a close look and you will see that the tattoo is formed by hundreds of tiny dots. This offers texture and visual appeal while also delivering this vivid color.

Stylized

Similar to the falling stars tattoo, this one looks so unique and wholly singular. Bold black star shapes contrast next to the stippled effect that zigzags through the background. A tattoo artist with a passion for graphic design can come up with stars that will not look like anything you have seen before!

The Full Layout

Hand tattoos are not going to be for everyone and we show you this one to share that you can do a whole bunch of tiny little stars to cover a large area. It results in a busy look that you see more in the longer you stare at it.

A Warm Friend

How cute is this star character? Let your imagination run wild or turn to picture books and others that contain designs to inspire your own. This looks like it came from a children’s book with its pleasing expression and rosy cheeks.

Golden

The star might not be the main attraction of this tattoo but we loved it so much we had to share it with you. A snake is found wrapped around a golden, crescent moon with a shimmering star on top. Going with a metallic look is always a great idea and most tattoo artist can achieve it for you.

Magic Inside

We love these star tattoos that look like a cutout from another dimension. In this one, swirling maroons and greens shine through. It’s one of our favorite star tattoos on this list and an excellent idea for making a basic star shape really look impressive.

Delicate

This example is a hand-poked tattoo that has been applied with a tattoo gun and instead by using a single needle. Tons of tiny dots for the radiating lines from the center of the design and purple and blue inks are used to keep this design looking warm and inviting.

Stippled Chain of Stars

Here is an interesting concept that finds star shapes interlocking like a chain. In fact, the artist who shared the design referred to it as a “star chain.” It’s offbeat and unlike any other star tattoo on the list, making it a great idea that’s not been overdone yet.

Heart Stars

Little hearts take the place of celestial bodies in this very sweet design that really delivers the cuteness. Tiny details add depth to the design in a placement above the elbow that’s ideal.

Star Meets Botanical

If you’re going for something more decorative, consider incorporating elements from nature to make it feel lively. In this example, we find leaves that seem to open up to reveal the central star shape. Flowers would also look great.

Fortune

Here’s a tattoo of Lady Luck that has some pretty cool stars in an arch over the top of the character. It’s so fresh and by using a human character feels personal and narrative. Lady faces and star goddess tattoos could also be done in a similar style to really highlight the star quality you are after.

Candy Star

Here’s a fun star tattoo that has some white highlight that makes it look like a piece of glass or, to us, like a piece of candy. It has a carefree and playful tone and could be a great option for you if you’re not taking yourself too seriously.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Constellation Tattoo Ideas That Will Have You Seeing Stars

Enchanted Stars

Woodcut is a relief printing technique in printmaking. The tattoo artist has turned to the age-old technique to make this hand and stars tattoo look like it is from medieval times. If you’d like to harken back to other forms of visual art, we urge you to do so. You will walk away with an inspired design that celebrates art.

There you go! We hope you liked these stunning star tattoos and that you have found inspiration for your own ink. Star tattoos are some of the most requested today but some styles are trendier than others. Be sure to work with an artist to come up with the perfect fit for you that reflects your own. If you enjoyed these tattoos, keep reading for even more like them.

Tiny Shooting Star Tattoo

Micro tattoos are a huge trend today. These tiny designs can make a really big impact. This behind-the-ear tattoo is composed of just tiny lines and dots and although it’s simple, it does look very cute. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel with your tattoo design. Go with what feels right.

Minimalist Shooting Star Tattoo

Here is another very simple design that’s just a collection of small dots and thin lines. If you’re looking for a more understated design, something similar could be right for you. We like the placement near the wrist here but, at this size, you could put it almost anywhere that you like.

Vibrant Colors

Let’s gaze at our first example to use colorful ink. We find some lovely pastels here with the purple, blue, and pink contrasting with the pale yellow used for the star. If you want a shooting star tattoo that is more vibrant consider something like this or crank the color all the way up for an even more impactful design.

Ornamental Shooting Star Tattoo

Don’t you just love smart design? This shooting star tattoo is almost abstract but thanks to the way the lines radiate from behind the star shape, you can realize that it’s a shooting star. Sometimes sticking to black ink is the right choice but we’d like to urge you to try other colors if you’re not married to black. Red ink is especially nice for most designs.

A Humble Scene

When you see tattoos that have lines this fine, you should recognize that they have not been applied with a tattoo gun. Instead, the above tattoo is the result of the stick and poke method. A single needle is used to form the thinnest lines possible here with dots and dashes that are equally razor-sharp.

Galloping Forward

This one is for the horse girls out there. Yes, this is the only shooting star tattoo we encountered with a horse and we really enjoyed the pairing. It feels like the star and the horse are on a shared mission, dashing towards the same ending. It’s a very simple yet effective design.

Galactic Shooting Star Tattoo

Among shooting star tattoos, a popular design scheme involved filling the star and its tail with something colorful and interesting. In the above example, there’s a sort of galaxy effect inside that’s alluring, mysterious, and totally beautiful. If you like this idea, play with it with a tattoo artist you trust to make it fully your own.

Colorful Trails

For the stars in the above shooting star tattoo, we find that the artist has forgone using black ink and, instead, has chosen to use fun colors for the bodies of the stars and the trails that follow them. It’s a very unique design that feels very free and childlike.

A Memorial Piece for Dad

“This was a very special tattoo to remember a moment with a Dad gone too soon,” the artist who shared this image wrote. “It’s always an honor to be given the trust to create memorial pieces for lost loved ones,” their message concludes. If you have fond memories with a loved one of looking at the night sky, you can easily make your shooting star tattoo a memorial piece as well.

Revealing the Night Sky

Here is another one of the shooting star tattoo designs that has the shape of the star filled with imagery. This time, however, we see a night sky scene with a blue floating moon along with some romantic clouds that contain a touch of pink. What a dreamy example.

Over the Ocean

We are back to a more minimal shooting star tattoo design with this charming entry. Simple lines and delicate shading give this tattoo a touch of color without overpowering it. If you want something that seems to float on air, a design similar to this one could be perfect.

Flower In the Sky

The tattoo artist who completed the above tattoo designed it as part of a theme they call “flowers in the sky.” What this means is that they have combined flower and shooting star elements to make an intriguing hybrid. Find yourself an artist with a vision, and you could walk away with a shooting star tattoo that’s a work of art.

Cartoon Shooting Star Tattoo

Obviously, this shooting star tattoo is part of a larger scheme but we liked its simplicity and playful color. The above design was photographed shortly after the artist completed the tattoo. It still needs to heal and when it does the yellow parts will look far less orange and a more vibrant yellow. This one reminded us of a cartoon or comic book.

Blue and Orange

Choosing contrasting colors for your shooting star tattoo (or any tattoo for that matter) is a great idea because the colors will pop off of one another and really dazzle. We find cool blue and green contrasting with orange and yellow in this innocent feeling design. You can do the same with your preferred colors.

Twinkle Mountain

“Twinkle Mountain,” the person who shared this image wrote alongside it. The mountains meet the stars in this colorful tattoo with simple shapes and interesting shading. Again, you’re getting some great contrast with between warm and cool colors that make it appear so vibrant and full of life.

The Shower

If you want multiple shooting stars, this is one way to go about it. We’re back to black ink here and it’s been applied so that the tails of the shooting stars fade. It’s simple and elegant and an excellent shape for the placement on this part of the arm. You’ll need to find an artist with plenty of good shading in the portfolio before requesting something similar.

RELATED: 27 Constellation Tattoo Ideas That Will Have You Seeing Stars

Sparkles

You can go all out with a variety of tiny star designs for a magical effect. Isn’t this just a blast? This looks like another stick and poke design due to all of those super fine lines and tiny shapes. Sometimes going small will make the biggest impression.

Finest Shooting Star Tattoo

This is definitely a hand-poked shooting star tattoo. There’s simply no other way to get lines these delicate and fine. You’ll need to find yourself an artist skilled in this style and they are not terribly hard to come by. We loved this tattoo because of all of the movement created by the lines and shapes that follow the star element.

Smooth Shooting Star Tattoo

Here’s a very offbeat take on a shooting star and we share it with you to encourage you to think outside the box with your design. Work with an artist with a unique point of view and you could walk away with something that is completely original and that only you will have.

Stylized Star

Here’s one of our favorite shooting star tattoos that finds a star inside a diamond shape with a golden tail following it. Blue and orange work beautifully here in this design that reminds us of contemporary painting. The shape are all fairly simple but the composition as a whole really knocks it out of the park.

So Much Detail

We’re looking at a mesmerizing black and grey color scheme for this shooting star tattoo. The flames look so real with some parts even looking like liquid as well. This is such an arresting design and one of the most dramatic tattoos to make our list.

Nicely Framed

We find a slice of the night sky for this shooting star tattoo that is housed inside a repeated rectangular frame. Cool colors at the top fade to warm pinks and oranges near the bottom. This creates a gentle ombré effect that’s just delicious.

Rainbow Shooting Star Tattoo

If you like a touch of whimsy, pair your shooting star tattoo with a rainbow tail. The colors are just so fun. It’s your tattoo so you get to make the rules. That means getting a little weird with it and not taking things too seriously.

Harmonious Color

In this design, we find some amazing purples and pinks together. This almost looks like a watercolor tattoo thanks to the way the inks have been so masterfully blended. We especially love these colors but you can choose whatever hues you enjoy most for something similar but still your own.

Happy Shooting Star Tattoo

We find another one of the more youthful shooting star tattoos in the above example. It’s our first star with a smiley face. Whenever a smile is involved, things get instantly cuter. For something silly like this, we love an ankle placement.

Magical Hand

This is not the best shooting star tattoo on the list but we absolutely adored the concept. It’s giving somewhat witchy vibes thanks to the hand with an eye in it. Shooting stars can be found in illuminated manuscripts from centuries ago and we imagine some of the more primitive designs looked a little something like this.

Texture

Take a close look at all of those teeny-tiny dots that have been used to give this shooting star its unique texture. It is a shading technique that’s similar to stippling in other forms of visual art. The result is breathtaking and completely pronounced.

Understated Shooting Star Tattoo

This is a near-abstract take on a shooting star. A red dot is the form that’s meant to be the star with organic shapes in cool purple in blue as the tail. If you’re looking to take your own path, you can get as creative and interesting with your design as your time allows. It will always pay off.

Crank Up the Color

Here’s one of the most colorful shooting star tattoos on this list. It’s filled with a watercolor effect that makes the colors look as if they’re bleeding into one another. There are also tons of little shapes that surround the main part of the design that bring so much energy and life to the design.

Rainbow Part II

This is another one of the rainbow shooting star tattoos. This person has chosen to go with more movement in the tail with a swirling shape that’s very pleasing to the eye. If you’re all about that color, something that blends a bunch of them together like this could be a great option.

One of a Kind

Wow. We see influences from Asian art in this distinct shooting star tattoo. It’s both simple and complex and the artist has managed to balance the ethereal with the concrete. There is expert shading on display here, especially inside the cloud element and the tail of the shooting star. What a dream!

Delightful Dots

This is one of the smaller shooting star tattoos in color on our list. If you’re looking for something dainty and cute with a kiss of color, this sort of design would work out well. We love those tiny little dots that add texture and a sense of whimsy to the overall design.

Black and White Shooting Star Tattoo

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we find a larger design here that utilizes both black and white ink. You get the highest contrast when you pair them together. We love how ethereal the white dots inside the star shapes look. There’s also like a reverse glow going on with the shading around the star shapes that’s very unique.

A Vivid One

If you want to let the color talk, skip any black outlines for your tattoo and request just color. The blue and pink above look radical next to each other and the shading with the blue is stunning. We think we would have liked this one more without those little star shapes around the shooting star but it’s still a great example for you to see what’s possible.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 26+ Romantic Moon Tattoo Ideas That Will Give You Ink Envy

Band Shooting Star Tattoo

Take a close look at the upper band tattoo and you will see a tiny shooting star sailing across the night sky. Band tattoos really took off several years ago and we expected that trend to stay but we see less and less of these tattoo bands these days. It’s an excellent way for you to express yourself and for a cool effect that wraps around your arm (or other appendages).