Flower Tattoos - What Do They Mean?

As a general rule, flower tattoos are more popular with women than with men. Perhaps it's due to their vibrant color, their delicate design or maybe it's the fact that it's like a beautiful fashion accessory. Whatever the reason, women with beautiful tattoos are often considered to be more confident, more feminine and more attractive.

One of the best aspects of flower tattoos is the massive choice of designs that are available. And each flower design has a different symbolic meaning, giving you a wide range of beautiful ways to express your individual personality.

For example, you could mix hollyhock (ambition) with heather (dreams come true) to signify your hopes and dreams of future success. Or how about combining narcissus and violet? That provides a contrast of both color and attitude. White and purple, arrogance and humility.

Alternatively, you could add flowers to other tattoo designs. For example, if you want a tattoo that represents someone special in your life you could get the design of a heart surrounded by symbolic flowers, such as roses (love), lavender (devotion), tulip (declaration of love) etc.

And that's just the start. You can combine any number of different flowers to create virtually any message.

So before you choose the flowers that you want to appear in your tattoo design, it's best to find out the meanings and symbolism of different varieties of flower. That will allow you to mix and match the flowers in your design until they convey the exact message that you want. So with that in mind here's a list of the most popular flowers used for tattoo designs and what they mean.

1) Cactus: Endurance


2) Carnation: Fascination, distinction, mother's love, I'll never forget you, admiration, broken heart, innocence, sweetness, pure love, faithfulness


3) Chrysanthemum: Truth, optimism, cheerfulness, loyal love, unrequited love


4) Daffodil: New beginnings, chivalry, unrequited love, joy, happiness


5) Daisy: Innocence, loyalty, purity


6) Dandelion: Happiness, faithfulness


7) Forget-me-not: Hope, remembrance, true love


8) Freesia: Thoughtfulness, innocence


9) Gladiolus: Remembrance, strength of character, infatuation


10) Heather: Dreams come true, protection


11) Holly: Enchantment, foresight, domestic bliss


12) Hollyhock: Ambition, fruitfulness


13) Iris: Wisdom, faith, hope, valor


14) Jasmine: Sensuality, grace, elegance, amiability


15) Lavender: Devotion


16) Lilac: Confidence, humility, youth


17) Lily: Wealth, innocence, purity, modesty, virginity, pride


18) Magnolia: Nobility, dignity, love of nature


19) Mimosa: Sensitivity


20) Mint: Virtue


21) Mistletoe: Affection, overcoming difficulties


22) Moss: Charity, maternal love


23) Narcissus: Self admiration, conceit, egotism


24) Nasturtium: Conquest, victory


25) Olive Branch: Peace


26) Orchid: beauty, Long life, charm, refinement, love


27) Periwinkle: Friendship


28) Poppy: Wealth, success, imagination, pleasure, consolation


29) Rose: Love, passion, courage, beauty, prosperity


30) Rosemary: Purity, rebirth, remembrance


31) Sage: Virtue


32) Sunflower: Adoration, haughtiness


33) Sweet William: finesse, gallantry


34) Thyme: Activity


35) Tulip: Declaration of love, beautiful eyes, perfect lover


36) Violet: Faithfulness, risk taking, youthful innocence, modesty, understated beauty


37) Water Lily: Purity of heart


38) Weeping Willow: Mourning

These are the most popular flowers that appear in tattoo designs, and as far as I'm aware these are the most common meanings attached to them. However, as tattoos should be regarded as permanent, please make sure you research the official meaning of these flowers before you go ahead with your flower tattoo.