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A tattoo is one’s reminder of what is important in life such as love, loyalty, courage and those we hold dear; so too is it art & ornamentation at their most dramatic, a chance to render the landscape of your body the very canvas against which your own gallery of life can be committed in ink.
The best tattoos speak of and to the individual by way of the simple and obscure. For those with animal totems, there is all but a tattoo menagerie to choose from. The butterfly signifies the fragile but lovely nature of hope and resilience, while the lion makes no disguise of its innate and ferocious courage.
The dragon symbolizes wisdom and fearlessness, while also offering otherworldly protection against dangers both seen and incorporeal. There is the majestic wolf, leader and protector of the pack, as well as the joyous dolphin swimming as one with its pod.
For those seeking a more esoteric means of communication and perhaps a darker poignancy, there is the show-stopping skull, its wide grin a macabre but important reminder that Death smiles upon us all. On the lighter side resides the angel, your guardian and heavenly protector. For the pixie at heart and lover of all things quick and cunning, you will find no better tattoo than the fairy, elf, wizard, or witch. And the dreamer will find their true token in the dream catcher, ensuring that only the purest and most promising of visions is bestowed.
For the adventurous at heart there is the tattoo compass, a symbol dating back to ancient mariners that denotes one’s triumphant passage over tricky terrain and troubled waters. Similarly, the arrow can point its wearer in the right direction whilst your personal mandala presents the ultimate map to higher truth and oneness.
Sometimes the simplest tattoo makes the boldest statement. The little inked heart, initials of a loved one, outline of your favorite animal, flower, or astral body, as well as a singular message can carry a world of meaning with minimal ink.
Just as we contain multitudes within us, so too are our bodies infinite in their possibilities. The flesh may be temporary but that is all the more reason to treat it as a potential work of art itself.
Whether you seek the simplicity of the ampersand’s message or wish to spread your wings with a gloriously detailed phoenix tattoo, there is truly an embarrassment of riches to be had when curating your personal gallery of moving ink.
Flowers offer so many options for tattoos. Leave them a single color, use natural colors, or go wild with color to create flowers that don’t exist on this planet. Red, blue, yellow, green, purple, or orange – anything goes, so you can express your personality in petals, leaves, and vines.
A cozy fireplace scene may seem simple, but this homey scene says a lot. The items on the mantle could represent anything, from loved ones, to hobbies, to travels, to jobs. Meanwhile a crescent moon adds a bit of mystery to the scene. Where is this fireplace and who lives here?
Not every tattoo needs vivid color to make a strong statement. The blacks and grays in this work of art are certainly dramatic, perhaps evoking a garden on a crystal-clear night, or mysterious plants on a distant world where colors are absent. What does it say to you?
Placing a tattoo on the top of the foot makes it easy for the wearer to see it, unlike one on the back or even on the arm. Look down, and it’s there. It’s also easy to cover with a shoe or sock to keep it private.
It’s said that no two snowflakes are the same, making them the perfect symbol of your unique self. A flurry of flakes could represent family members, or perhaps the different versions of “you” through the stages of life. Delicate alone, but strong in a storm, snowflakes carry so much meaning.
Is it a flower, or isn’t it? At first glance, there are flowers on stems, but from a distance, it could be a figure, dancing in the wind, delicate, gentle, and dynamic. This artistic tattoo is no doubt a conversation starter. What is the real story behind it?
This realistic tattoo looks like a scene looking through a round window, perhaps a porthole on a ship. The birds are majestic, as the pair takes up most of the scene. They are enjoying the moonlight and having their own private dance, not knowing they’re being observed. Let’s not disturb them!
Like old lace or the delicate painting on an exquisite antique tea set, the intricate details draw the eye back to look at the pattern. Where does it repeat, and where is it different? The center rose adds a welcome splash of lifelike color in the dark frame.
Bold and exotic, starting on the arm and carrying over to the bloom on the shoulder blade, this tattoo is strong yet feminine. It speaks to power, and someone who is sure of themselves and their artistic preferences while the slightly opened buds can represent the bright future ahead.
These lifelike roses are both delicate and strong. While the petals are certainly fragile, the thorns serve as a warning that these flowers are more than just décor. Do the three roses represent a small family or perhaps a personal journey, or are is this simply an attractive design?
A large, bold design on the back makes a statement in a backless gown, a bathing suit, or in the nude. The dark color is accented with just a little color that sets the design off dramatically, and the off-center placement adds even more intrigue. It’s a stunning piece of art.
It’s a simple picture – just a bird on a branch, but on closer look there are unanswered questions. The flowers tell us it’s probably spring, but the falling leaves – or are they petals or feathers? – are a symbol as well. Does it represent loss, renewal, or eternal hope?
Why is he looking at me like that? A quizzical expression, raised wings, and legs in motion seem like we’ve caught this humorous fellow in the midst of a private dance, captured in the unexpected moment. Is he just dancing for himself, or his he stretching his wings after a nap?
Just one word: Happiness. Is it a reminder or a state of being? The rainbow could represent the moment of coming out, a new love, or just a splash of artistic color for someone who gets their joy from creating art. We want to ask, and get the conversation going.
A starry night in the mountains, with a slim crescent moon up high as the sun sets in a splash of crimson on the horizon. Perhaps there is a meteor shower, dropping streaks of white light across the sky. Could that be a wolf howling in the distance?
Like two peas in a pod, or a couple of apples in a bowl, these two cherries on a stem are certainly a pair. But obviously not a pear. The heart-shaped stem is adorable, letting us know the cherries are more than just friends. So sweet.
This tattoo almost looks like it was painted with a brush, or perhaps drawn with a calligraphy pen. Even the slightly unsure lines and the lighter and darker streaks and spots make this seem like a wet ink on paper – a unique style to be sure, and a bold choice.
Looking like watercolor on rough paper, this tattoo is a work of art. We see a flower and leaves, but they’re more abstract than realistic, with shadows and brush strokes and just a few spots of ink dropped onto the textured paper – that isn’t actually paper. It’s stunning.
The bold purple makes a statement accompanied by the dark leaves and stems and dots. At first glance, we see flowers, but a second look says there might be eyes, and who are they looking at? Are they looking at me? Oh no, they’re just flowers, nothing to worry about.
This tattoo is as much about creative placement as it is about the subject. The stem and leaves are firmly on the back, but the bird, perched on the back, flicks his tail on the upper arm where he will tease his presence and demand a closer look.
Branches of an evergreen, perhaps? And hiding on the branch is … a bee? His striped body would certainly hide him among shadows of the spiky needles, while strong wings would lift him into flight at a moment’s notice. And we’re okay with that. Go make honey, bee.
Ah, serendipity. Is this a reminder that good things can happen unexpectedly, or is it a celebration of something wonderful that has already happened? There’s a story behind this simple tattoo that is begging us to start the conversation. Is it serendipity that we want to ask the questions?
Caught in flight, strong wings beating hard to send the bird aloft, freeing it from walking on the ground and sending it into the sky where it seems nearly weightless. Is the bird leaving or is it going home? Wherever it is headed, it’s ready for whatever comes next.
Koi in a pond, swimming in a circle. A beta fish caught in a brush stroke. Half of yin and yang. An unfinished work by an unknown artist, found on a canvas in a dark and dusty room. A new beginning. The end of an era. A bowl of soup, with noodles.
A cuff to a sleeve, the darkness speaks to power, to elegance, and to spirit. The angular, distinct design takes no prisoners. The tapered point makes, well, a point. This is where to look, to go forward, to move, to give direction. There’s no looking back. This is it.
A cut sapphire heart sparkles boldly, surrounded by pearls. Does it represent a true love, or a is it a statement about self? Either way, it’s a design that you can’t ignore, while the flowers leaves and buds bring life to the cold, hard, brilliant gem.
A statement piece that is no doubt a conversation starter. Are they mountains or clouds? This that the sky or is it a lake? Is that a bird, a boat or a plane? While it could be Superman, that’s doubtful. Maybe the meaning is supposed to be enigmatic, and determined by the viewer.
Simple yet sexy, the stem on the backbone is asking to be touched and traced, while the leaves and flowers may serve as a warning. The watercolor effect leaves us wondering if the flowers are strong or delicate. Spiky or scented. Buds or blooms. Questions to be answered.
Delicate leaves in shades of olive green, fading at the top of the shoulder to disappear, like into a mist. The tattoo is almost hidden from the front, with just a hint of leaves that could be seen from the side, adding an air of mystery. What plant is that?
Deep rich colors, and a neck and shoulder tattoo refuse to be hidden. The large flowers in a purple-red hue are strong and sure while the leaves and stems serve to frame the flowers and creep down the shoulder to complete the piece.
There’s no denying the bright colors of this tattoo, with a larger-than-life flower that takes over the arm. From a distance, we see the flower, but up close we see the individual petals, the edges, the center, the leaves. Is it a metaphor about not seeing the forest for the trees?
A garden of large geometric flower-like shapes uses up the space on both shoulders and upper arms. These might be steampunk blooms or retro designs or intricate gears, or futuristic flowers from an alien world. What ever they may be, they are no doubt quite interesting and unique.
A treasure map? A realistic river? A question without an answer? This wandering tattoo takes a trip from one shoulder, them meanders down and across the back, tickles one side, then reverses course and takes another winding trip across the backbone and down onto the hip. Is it a past journey, or a future one?
A bloom about to burst, right on the knee. It’s a piece that won’t be missed on the beach, or while wearing shorts or a skirt, and the movement of the leg will add even more drama as the petals move with the leg. Is the knee about to bloom something wonderful?
The side view of the blooming knee tattoo shows the leaves under the flower as well as the curving petals that have already opened. The movement of the petals make us wonder if it’s opening or closing. Is there a chance that the flower is carnivorous?
A pair of female tattoos on upper chest and onto the neck are different enough from each other to be interesting, while similar enough to be the perfect pair. The flowers are bright red and deep pink, with light pink highlights. This is a set of tattoos that won’t be ignored.
Aw, it’s a pretty flower, but wait … what is that lurking? Is that a skull hiding among the flowers, waiting to frighten us, or perhaps to remind us of our own mortality? Rendered in reds, corals, tans, and greens, the color choices are just right for the subject.
Looking out of the window of an ornate castle window, we see the giant orb of the moon hanging low in the sky and illuminating the city. Residents have fires burning and candles lit, hiding from the things that lurk in the alleys at night. We’ll stay home, too.
A study in contracts. Beautiful flowers and barbed wire. Are the flowers growing from barbed wire stems in a steampunk fantasy world, or are the flowers trapped in harsh, unforgiving metal? There are multiple stories that could be told here, each one more intriguing than the last.
The cutest umbrella ever, with a pretty pink flower on top, patchwork hearts encircling it, and a pink ribbon border. But it has a hidden secret as storm clouds gather under the umbrella, sending bolts of lightning downward. Sure, it’s cute. But we don’t want to stand under it, whether it’s raining or not.
Most popular good female tattoo ideas
Here’s our massive roundup of the top trending designs: 1. Floral
2. Butterfly
3. Heart
4. Feather
5. Anchor
6. Dreamcatcher
7. Lotus
8. Elephant
9. Phoenix
10. Sun and Moon
11. Infinity Symbol
12. Compass
13. Stars
14. Hummingbird
15. Rose
16. Tree of Life
17. Koi Fish
18. Owl
19. Dragonfly
20. Wolf
21. Mandala
22. Geometric Shapes
23. Tribal Patterns
24. Arrow
25. Lotus Flower
26. Hamsa Hand
27. Cross
28. Quote or Saying
29. Music Notes
30. Initials
31. Zodiac Sign
32. Cat
33. Dolphin
34. Horse
35. Peacock
36. Hummingbird
37. Ladybug
38. Moon Phase
39. Feathers
40. Birds in Flight
41. Lighthouse
42. Anchor with Rope
43. Compass Rose
44. Celtic Knots
45. Yin Yang Symbol
46. Key and Lock
47. Infinity Symbol
48. Lotus Flower
49. Sun and Moon
50. Butterfly and Flowers
51. Tribal Design
52. Tribal Sun and Moon
53. Tribal Butterfly
54. Tribal Heart
55. Tribal Dragonfly
56. Tribal Elephant
57. Tribal Wolf
58. Tribal Owl
59. Tribal Phoenix
60. Tribal Feathers
61. Tribal Geometric Shapes
62. Tribal Mandala
