Amongst all the creations of nature, Butterflies occupy a special place. From an ugly worm to a regal looking butterfly, these insects truly show that change is the way of life. Butterflies are gorgeous insects which give a true feast to our eyes with their colourful display of fluttering wings. Can there be a better inspiration for tattoo artists than the stunning beauty of a butterfly? Butterfly tattoo designs are always on demand and never go out of fashion. Especially popular with women and girls, these dainty looking butterfly tattoo designs are versatile and can be done as creatively as possible.
Butterfly Tattoo Meaning:
Butterfly tattoos are a symbol of the changes in life. They show that human life is all about witnessing constant involvement. They also show that a phase of life doesn’t last too long. Especially for people who are undergoing difficult phases of their life, Butterfly tattoo designs are a source of inspiration. Just like a butterfly which undergoes a huge transformation from a caterpillar to a beautiful winged fly, bad phases in our life don’t last long, and we will taste our share of happiness at the end.
Symbolic Significance of Butterfly Tattoos:
- Japanese Butterfly Tattoo: They symbolise marriages and anniversaries
- Irish Butterfly Tattoo: These are usually done in Celtic designs symbolizing the human soul
- Chinese Butterfly Tattoo: They stand for feminity, grace and beauty
- Indian Butterfly Tattoo: In India, Butterflies are honoured as an important part of nature. They also represent the beauty of women.
Since there are about more than twenty-eight thousand species of butterflies, there is a huge variety of them available in terms of design. They can be inscribed with several combinations and styles. They usually signify a new beginning and women who want to portray themselves as bold and free-spirited use butterflies as their tattoo symbol.
Butterfly Tattoo Images And Meanings:
Here top 19 easy and simple butterfly tattoo images and its meanings for both men and women have been listed in the following section.
1. The Eye-Catching Butterfly Tattoo Designs:
This is a blue tattoo of a butterfly which is filled with more than one colors. The tattoo artists made an application of multiple colors. The multicoloured butterfly tattoo designs are one of the best things a tattoo-lover can get on his/her body. Here, we can also see the application of a number of patterns consisting of circles, dots, lines, etc. If you’re in love with colors, then this might be the perfect tattoo for you. The tattoo will be suitable for both men and women and can be worn on the back, arms, or even on the legs.
- Best For: This tattoo is done in multiple colors marking for the celebration of life. If you are in love with your life, this is ideal for you
- Preferable Ink: This tattoo is preferably done in blue, red and black colors. You can also opt for other colors
- Where: Can be done on back, arms, legs and shoulders
- Size: Medium-sized butterfly looks lovely on the body
- Skin Tone: Ideally suitable for fair-skinned people.
2. The Artistic Butterfly Tattoo Designs:
This is a simple butterfly tattoo. A lot of people like to wear this butterfly tribal tattoo on their back. Girls find it extremely attractive. Here, we can see that the design has been very well detailed. Two peace loving musicians are also included in this tattoo which is drawn on the wings. The tattoo also sports a purity element as it has been done on a white back background. Anyone would love to sports this tattoo. The best thing about this simple butterfly tattoo is that it is suitable for both men and women. This particular inked motif will display your love for art.
- Best For: If you love music and you love art, there can be no better way to combine your love than in this lovely display of butterfly tattoo
- Preferable Ink: It is done in black ink with hints of blue and green
- Where: Ideally on the back and shoulders
- Size: Medium-sized butterfly is the best
- Skin Tone: Suitable for fair-skinned people.
3. The Small Butterfly Tattoo Design for Adults:
This particular butterfly tattoo is not intended for teenagers. The tattoo is for grown-up women. It will make any women look extra alluring. The tattoo comes with a beautiful pattern which makes it look different from every other butterfly tattoos. The tattoo also shows the dark side of the butterfly and for that reason, the color black has been used. The tattoo can also be worn on the lower back instead of the lower front. It will look equally alluring. If you have done such a tattoo on your lower belly, then you can flaunt it by simply wearing a short t-shirt which will reveal your lower portion of the belly.
- Best For: This is for bold women who are not afraid of their bodies and are confident to flaunt them.
- Preferable Ink: Black ink with hints of color
- Where: Done beneath the naval or the lower belly
- Size: Medium-sized butterfly is ideal
- Skin Tone: Suitable for medium to fair-skinned people.
See More: Trending Butterfly Mehndi Designs
4. Lower Back Butterfly Tattoos For Girls:
This one is really beautiful. This is a butterfly tattoo with meaning. The tattoo sports a cute texture along with a simple design. Girls love flaunting this tattoo and one can easily show it off by wearing a short t-shirt. Along with simplicity, this tattoo defines the pleasant and beautiful living element of mother nature. The tattoo is intended for girls only. It is not for men. The lower back seems to the perfect canvas for flaunting this tattoo design.
- Best For: For all those women who have toned abs and backs and who wish to boldly display their new work of art, nothing can beat the beauty of this butterfly.
- Preferable Ink: Black ink
- Where: Done on the lower back
- Size: Medium-sized butterfly is ideal
- Skin Tone: Suitable for dusky to fair-skinned people.
[ See More: Mehndi Tattoo Designs ]
5. The Skull Butterfly Tattoos on Wrist:
This is a beautiful and unique butterfly tattoo on wrist area which also sports an artistic skull head. Many derivations can be done from this tattoo. One of the harshest meanings of this butterfly tattoo is that even the most beautiful things come to an end. The beautiful butterfly represents the element of death in this tattoo which makes this design look so unique. Anyone will easily fall in love with this tattoo. It is probably one of the best butterfly tattoo designs with meanings.
- Best For: For those who believe that behind every beauty, there is an evil face lurking, this tattoo is the perfect way to express it. It also expresses that beauty doesn’t last long!
- Preferable Ink: Black ink
- Where: Done on the wrist, back of your palms and arms
- Size: Medium to large-sized butterfly is preferred
- Skin Tone: Suitable for wheatish to fair-skinned people.
6. Colourful Celtic Butterfly Tattoo Designs:
Celtic Butterfly Tattoos are attractive, beautiful and distinct. They are a popular design for both men and women. They symbolize love and transformation and look good when worn alone. They are not easy to inscribe since they are made by forming knots. Many women are attracted to the Celtic tattoo design as they draw inspiration from it. They are indeed one of the best tattoo designs. This cute and colorful butterfly tattoo on the neck is very attractive than other places.
- Best For: For those of you who believe in an afterlife, transformation and the circle of creation, Celtic butterfly designs help them express it well
- Preferable Ink: Black ink for the borders and coloured ink as fillers
- Where: Arms, shoulders, neck and back
- Size: Medium to large-sized butterfly is the best choice
- Skin Tone: Suitable for wheatish to light-skinned people.
7. The Butterfly Tattoo on the Palms:
Here, we can see that the palm has been decorated with a tattoo of a butterfly. This one might be a bit too much for some people who are not that much enthusiastic about the tattoo thing. In the centre of this simple butterfly tattoo, a gem has been tattooed which makes this particular butterfly inked motif look extra attractive. One would love to carry this beautiful tattoo on the palm of the hand.
- Best For: Those who wish to make a loud statement about the transformation in their life, this extra-large tattoo helps them do just that.
- Preferable Ink: Black and Dark green ink
- Where: Well-toned arms
- Size: Large to extra large sized butterfly covering the entire arm
- Skin Tone: Suitable for light-skinned people.
8. Flying Butterfly Tattoo on Leg:
Flying butterfly tattoos are colourful, vibrant and very pretty to look at. They contain a variety of colours that match one’s fun and light-hearted nature. They look versatile, admirable and are worn by many. Here the thick sky blue butterfly tattoo is more alluring on hands than any other place of the body. These tattoos are often done by young girls or even by women who are young at heart!
- Best For: If you believe in the fact that you are young at heart and wish to never let the child inside you let go, this flying Butterfly tattoo is ideal
- Preferable Ink: Black ink for the border and neon colors inside
- Where: Arms, biceps, knees, shoulders, and ankles
- Size: Small to medium-sized butterflies
- Skin Tone: Suitable for light-skinned people.
[ See More: Armband Tattoo Designs ]
9. Wild Butterfly Tattoo Designs:
Wild butterfly tattoo designs contain deep and rich colours that accentuate the beauty of butterflies. They are feminine and indeed the best choice for women. Women also want to angel butterfly tattoo designs on her back and shoulders. These tattoos are inked in beautiful colors to make them come alive. They are very skilfully done and can even work as a special accessory to your clothing. The group of butterflies indicate your relationship with others.
- Best For: If you are an amicable person who love to be surrounded by your loved ones, this tattoo works well. Wild butterfly tattoo also indicate freedom and joy
- Preferable Ink: Multiple colors
- Where: Shoulders and back
- Size: Medium to Large sized designs
- Skin Tone: Suitable for light-skinned people.
10. Two-Toned Designed Butterfly Tattoos:
Two-toned designed Butterfly tattoos are one of the best tattoo designs. They have not lost their popularity among women. With its intricate designs, they act as a medium of expression and speak of eternal love, happiness and boldness. These designs have two to three strong colours which are blended together, giving it a stylish and ethnic look. The two-toned butterflies also give a 3D effect, with the right blend of shades
- Best For: If you are a person who believes in staying positive and feeling content with your life, this design is the best choice
- Preferable Ink: Black for the border and any two colors which complement
- Where: Shoulders and back
- Size: Medium to Large sized designs
- Skin Tone: Suitable for light-skinned people.
11. Tiger Butterfly Tattoo Design on Thigh:
Tiger Butterfly Tattoos are a very unique butterfly tattoo design. They represent courage and strength. Women usually like them since it gives them a bold and smart look. The tattoo itself is very colourful and fierce to look at and those who want to make themselves stand out should specifically use this particular design. These also symbolise that behind a seemingly gullible face, there is a ferious tiger! It serves as a warning to those who try to take advantage of the person
- Best For: If you are someone who has a soft shell outside, but a tough nut inside, this is the best tattoo design.
- Preferable Ink: Go for soothing colors like yellow and pastels
- Where: Neck, back and shoulders
- Size: Medium to Large sized designs
- Skin Tone: Suitable for light-skinned people.
12. Tribal Butterfly Tattoos on Shoulder:
The tribal butterfly tattoo designs are popular and stand as a symbol of magnificence, elegance and tenderness. They come in various colours and sizes are gorgeous to look at it. They are known for their unique, bright, wonderful and vibrant look and signify freedom, the fullness of life and boldness. They also symbolise the love for the rustic and the wild. It revealed the beauty of nature when in its most raw form.
- Best For: If you are a person who believes that being natural is the true beauty, this lovely tribal butterfly tattoo is sure to steal your heart!
- Preferable Ink: You can opt for black and vibrant colors like purple, green etc.
- Where: Neck, back, arms and shoulders
- Size: Medium to Large sized designs
- Skin Tone: Suitable for fair-skinned people.
13. Multi-Coloured Butterfly Tattoos on Leg:
Multi-Coloured Butterfly Tattoo designs are appealing and looking strikingly good regardless of whichever part of the body it has been inscribed on. They look elegant and beautiful and stand as a symbol of freedom. Women from all over the world have appreciated this design and have also considered them as the best form of body art. These also describe the complexities of life, which add beauty to it.
- Best For: If you believe that life is best enjoyed with all the complexities, this tattoo is the best form of expression. It also indicates celebration, joy and excitement for something new.
- Preferable Ink: Multi-colored inks are best
- Where: Neck, back, arms and shoulders
- Size: Medium to Large sized designs
- Skin Tone: Suitable for fair-skinned people.
[ See More: Lord Ganesha tattoos ]
14. Butterfly and Flower Tattoo Designs on the Side:
Butterfly and flower tattoo designs are very fashionable and trendy. They can be blended with various other signs and colours and can be inscribed on any part of the body. They are feminine, pretty and very stylish. Most celebrities such as Drew Barrymore have adopted this design and it looks glamorous indeed. This design truly stands as one of the best flower butterfly tattoo designs. These designs are done to show the harmony of nature and how each creative co-exists with the other to make the best of life.
- Best For: If you love to be surrounded by people and believe that co-existing with each other is true happiness, nothing can come close to these designs
- Preferable Ink: Multi-colored inks work the best
- Where: Neck, back, arms and side of the waist
- Size: Medium to Large sized designs
- Skin Tone: Suitable for dusky, fair-skinned people.
15. Black Butterfly Tattoo on Women:
Black Butterfly Tattoos are one of the cute butterfly tattoo designs. They are however very attractive to look at, worn by several women and are a favourite among many. This is one of the best and perfect butterfly tattoo designs for women with a beautiful back. These butterflies are also symbols of royalty and monarchy. A fluttering butterfly indicates hope, freedom and individuality.
- Best For: This works for people who have high aspirations in life and always wish to climb up the ladder.
- Preferable Ink: Black ink with hints of orange work well
- Where: Neck and back are the best places
- Size: Medium to Large sized designs
- Skin Tone: Suitable for wheat and fair-skinned people.
16. 3D Butterfly Tattoo Designs:
Do you wish to give a touch of realism to your tattoos? Check out this amazing 3D butterfly tattoo, which looks like these lovely butterflies are going to come alive anytime soon. They are true masterpieces of art and offer a realistic feel. 3D butterflies are preferred by women in particular, but even men get them done. They are symbols of grace and feminity and often come in multi-coloured designs.
- Best For: This works for women who love to add a realistic feel to their art. They also add a sensuous look to the body.
- Preferable Ink: Black ink for the borders and colored ink for filling
- Where: Neck, back, feet, knees, shoulders and arms
- Size: Depending on the size of the design, one can go for small, medium or large-sized images.
- Skin Tone: Suitable for wheat and fair-skinned people.
17. Small Butterfly Tattoos On Wrist:
This delicate butterfly tattoo on the wrist looks is a symbol of elegance and grace. The indicates two objects meeting to create a relationship full of love. The butterfly is a symbol of hope, trust and connection with nature. Butterfly tattoos are popularly done on wrists to add a delicate touch of beauty. These designs are usually smaller in size compared to the designs done on other parts of the body.
- Best For: These designs are generally preferred by women who love to add a simple, yet aesthetic embellishment to their wrists
- Preferable Ink: Black ink for the borders and colored ink for filling
- Where: It is done specifically on the wrists
- Size: Small-sized tattoo designs work the best
- Skin Tone: Suitable for dusky and fair-skinned people.
18. Butterfly Tattoos On Back:
If you are a bold and confident woman, check out this beautiful, extra-large butterfly tattoo on back. This design has been done with precision keeping in mind the humongous size of the butterfly. It symbolizes self-confidence and a strong belief in one-self. These tattoos are also symbols of independence and individuality. The open winged butterfly represents their open-mindedness to accept new challenges in life.
- Best For: This design is best for women who are independent and individualistic. These also suit women who are true fighters and have a new say die attitude!
- Preferable Ink: You can opt for any colored ink
- Where: It is done specifically on the back
- Size: Large to extra large sized tattoos work the best
- Skin Tone: Suitable for fair-skinned people.
19. Butterfly Neck Tattoo Designs:
This butterfly neck tattoo is a stunner! The neck is one of the most sensitive areas to get inked. For people who love to take risks in life and wish to always drive on the edge, this tattoo design is ideal. The mighty monarch butterfly represents strength, leadership and courage. It is also a symbol for transformation and hope. They also symbolize the quest for freedom to express themselves without fear.
- Best For: Ideally for women, this design suits strong-willed people, who wish to express themselves without being judged
- Preferable Ink: You can opt for black and colored ink
- Where: It is done specifically on the neck. Some people also choose the back of the neck
- Size: Medium-sized tattoos work the best
- Skin Tone: Suitable for fair-skinned people.
Additional Tips For Butterfly Tattoos For Men and Women:
Check out these simple tips which can help you create the butterfly tattoo of your dream, whether you are a man or a woman:
- If you want your butterfly tattoo to last long, you need to opt for a medium to large-sized design.
- Small and intricate designs can go blur after a few years
- If you are the man and wish to get a butterfly tattoo done, it is best to avoid color
- Colorful butterfly tattoos are wonderful for women who love to add a touch of feminine grace.
- If you want to keep up with the trends, realistic 3D tattoos look wonderful
We hope these lovely butterfly tattoo design ideas just inspired you to walk to the nearest ink parlour. Butterfly tattoos have always been popular and don’t seem to fade away anytime soon. They are versatile and can be customized to suit your ideologies and tastes. With thousands of butterfly varieties to choose from, the only sky is the limit for creativity. If you are a person who loves her freedom, individuality and wish to celebrate life, there can be no better way than getting a bright butterfly etched on your body forever!
