You want to make yourself tattoo a butterfly? You don't know which pattern to choose from all the ones you've seen? Want to be sure its meaning will match your personality?
Reading this article should help you answer these questions.
The butterfly is one of the most popular tattoo choices among women. Traditionally, the butterfly symbolizes femininity and love. It can also represent rebirth, transformation, freedom, grace, soul, nature, resilience or hope.
Butterflies are one of the most beautiful things found in nature, making them particularly valuable and coveted for tattoos.
In this article, you will discover:
- Why is the butterfly tattoo so special?
- What symbols is it often associated with?
- The precise meaning contained in each of these symbolic elements
The meaning of the butterfly tattoo will no longer have any secrets from you. You'll know exactly which one to choose at your next tattoo appointment!
Let's find out all this together now.
The beauty of butterfly tattoos
Butterflies come in a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes. These insects are particularly suitable for the creative art of tattooing. The basic drawing of a butterfly can be transformed to create an abstract representation, the pattern of the wings can be modified to contain names, sayings, portraits or other symbols.
Butterfly tattoo designs are usually made up of a collection of sinuous shapes and curves. These design elements reflect the smooth lines of a woman's body, making butterfly tattoos an elegant symbol of female beauty and sensuality.
How to express the different meanings of the butterfly tattoo?
Butterfly tattoos are a very popular choice among women. They can be used to symbolize freedom, rebirth, love, evolution, transformation, grace, soul, nature or femininity.
These popular butterfly tattoo meanings can be used together or separately. Somehow these meanings work very well together. They are perfect for a woman proud of her femininity and who wishes to express her strength to overcome difficult moments in her life.
The symbolism of transformation is easy to detect, as butterflies begin their lives as caterpillars and, after undergoing a process called metamorphosis, emerge again as beautiful winged creatures. This can also be considered a rebirth.
Although most people decide to have the butterfly alone in their tattoos, using the caterpillar and the butterfly together helps make this meaning stronger. This is a great butterfly tattoo design for someone who specifically wants to use the meaning of rebirth.
The butterfly can also mean to us to keep our faith and keep moving forward as we experience trying transitions in our lives. This is the type of butterfly tattoo meaning that suits both genders.
Everyone goes through times when they need to commit to making big changes and the butterfly tattoo can serve as a reminder to do so with your head held high. This is one of the many inspiring tattoo meanings that people use these days.
The origin of the idea of a butterfly representing love comes from the Balkan Peninsula. In Greek, the word butterfly is known as psyche, after the goddess of the same name. Psyche was often depicted with butterfly wings and, according to Greek mythology, she was in love with Eros, or Cupid, the Greek god of love, lust and affection.
The word psyche translates to “soul,” which strengthens the bond between the butterfly and humans. Although there are many popular love tattoos, the butterfly tattoo is great because it is more subtle, which some people prefer.
Soul symbolism is said to be the case in Christianity as well, as ancient Christian tombs are known to depict beautiful winged creatures.
The butterfly is not generally considered a religious tattoo, but religious meanings can certainly be used. If you want to use this meaning, it would be good to use other images around the butterfly so that it has a little more impact on outside observers.
Grace, nature and femininity can be seen through the appearance and temperament of a butterfly. They are beautiful, fly with grace and ease, and often appear gentle and delicate. These are the most popular butterfly tattoo meanings.
Even if you don't know these meanings when you get a tattoo, they are still there. Of course, when people look at a butterfly, they often think of its grace and that it is a symbol of femininity. Women sensitive to the beauty of these magnificent insects frequently express it with butterfly necklaces .
Different Butterfly Tattoo Designs and Their Meanings
3D butterfly tattoo meaning
Full color butterfly tattoos are the most realistic in comparison to a living natural butterfly. They capture the true essence of the creature. Through the use of vibrant ink, brilliant contrasts and mixed shading, colored butterfly tattoos look very realistic.
These tattoos exude the fragility and beauty of these living creatures, which makes them so popular.
Looking at a butterfly tattoo opens your imagination and allows you to appreciate the natural beauty of butterflies. You imagine real butterflies fluttering through the air and pollinating flowers.
These tattoos make you think of a hot day, free life and the pleasure of experiencing life itself.
3D butterfly designs are designed to spark your imagination and make you doubt what your eyes see. Realistic shadows and colors can bring your butterfly to life, giving it its own character and the essence of realism.
The shadows lift the butterfly from the skin and make it appear as if it is about to fly away. 3D butterfly tattoos inked with the right combinations of shadows and colors on your skin tone, will make your butterfly tattoo stand out and look very natural.
Although they are just ink on the skin, they give a sense of vibrant life and transformation. They represent beauty, freedom, and the eagerness to change and become more than you currently are.
Geometric Butterfly Tattoo Meaning
Geometric butterfly tattoos bring together the areas of natural and scientific thought.
The beauty of nature is expressed by the butterfly tattoo, science by the exotic angles, lines and shapes in each image.
A 3D butterfly combined with geometric imagery presents a thought-provoking interplay between nature and science, where one ends and the other begins.
The images and symbolism combined give a sense of brilliance and beauty that can only exist in the artist's imagination. They transcend natural thought patterns and force you to think outside the box.
Dream Catcher Butterfly Tattoo Meaning
The dream catcher, traditionally used by the indigenous peoples of North America to filter dreams and allow only positive visions to pass through, is a powerful symbol of protection and spirituality. When associated with the butterfly, it takes on an even deeper dimension.
The butterfly, symbol of transformation, rebirth and freedom, combined with the dream catcher, evokes the idea of following your dreams while being protected from negative energies. A tattoo combining these two elements can signify an important transition in life, a period of personal growth, or simply a constant reminder to pursue your dreams with courage and confidence.
It's a perfect choice for those looking to combine beauty, spirituality and deep meaning in their body art.
Butterfly Flower Tattoo Meaning
Flower and butterfly tattoo ideas coexist to make the world more beautiful. The spring season comes to mind when you see a monarch butterfly tattoo paired with a flower, branch or tree.
A butterfly tattoo with a flower is a great way to show off your personality, especially when it comes to femininity and beauty.
Floral butterfly tattoos symbolize serenity, innocence, and sometimes these tattoos allude to a person's love for nature.
Depending on the type of flower tattoo you choose, it may have a deeper meaning.
A realistic butterfly tattoo incorporating flowers and branches represents the animal and plant world. These tattoos show the dependence of nature on the butterfly and vice versa. There is a delicate balance that must exist between them.
Butterfly Skull Tattoo Meaning
The butterfly and skull tattoo is one of those designs where the pairing of two polar opposite elements may seem surprising, but in fact it carries a very deep meaning behind it.
Skull tattoos represent ephemerality among other related meanings. However, when added to the face of a butterfly, it can represent the destiny of a person's temporality. Butterflies, being insects, do not live long. The skull with butterfly tattoo is a common tattoo style and a perfect way to depict life as a fleeting journey.
Skull tattoos usually signify death and heartbreak, while butterfly tattoos counter the latter with new life and hope for the future. Together they symbolize light in darkness and hope in suffering.
A skull butterfly tattoo is usually used as a memorial design to represent a loved one who has departed from this life. It is a popular tattoo choice for people who believe in the concept of yin and yang.
A half butterfly and half skull tattoo is also a symbol of transition between two periods of time. It represents the end of an era and the welcoming of a new one. Typically, the skull side of the tattoo represents the past and the butterfly side represents what is to come. Half butterfly and half skull tattoos beautifully represent the ongoing battle between good and evil, life and death, or the closing of one chapter and the opening of another.
The skull and butterfly tattoo is a perfect way to depict life as a fleeting journey; it will end, but it is still worth living.
Butterfly Quote Tattoo Meaning
When it comes to inspirational quote tattoo ideas, you can go broad with the meaning or look for something specific to tie in with how you want to display your butterfly.
A quote can literally be about anything: love, fight and war, song lyrics, motivation and blessings, life philosophy, religious beliefs, and even nature.
Tribal Butterfly Tattoo Meaning
An event that changed your life can be represented by a tribal butterfly tattoo.
A tribal butterfly signifies a state of evolution. People may have changed over time and will want to remember this period of transcendence, marking it as a permanent reminder.
This could be due to a near-death experience, a memorable relationship, the death of a loved one, loss of people in your life, personal struggles, battling an illness, etc.
Small butterfly tattoo meaning
Butterflies have a natural, playful beauty that is very alluring. They are distinctly fragile, but display fascinating strength.
Their tantalizing configurations and vibrant colors are thought-provoking. They evoke grace and beauty in an image that ignites the imagination, whether it's a small butterfly tattoo or something much larger.
A delicately small butterfly tattoo is charming and inviting; it can be a source of fascinating conversations about the fragility of life and its importance.
Small or tiny tattoos often turn out to be elegant and tasteful. Vibrant colors can create a delicate contrast with your skin tone, drawing attention more subtly than a large butterfly tattoo.
They can also be a charming accent, placed in a highly visible location that draws attention to your natural beauty. Fragility and strength are usually represented in these tattoos at the same time.
Large butterfly tattoo design ideas are also very popular with collectors. Strategically placed, they highlight the natural beauty of that particular part of the body.
They are beautiful, eye-catching and enchanting, but they also dominate, an action rarely seen by butterflies in nature, which makes the butterfly tattoo alluring and interesting.
Where to get a butterfly tattoo?
Butterfly tattoo on wrist
The inside of the wrist is a unique place for a wrist tattoo. It is close to you all day and is an ideal choice for a first tattoo.
This area is a painful place to tattoo because it has many nerves close to the surface and is quite soft. Fortunately, for a small tattoo, you won't have to endure very long!
Butterfly tattoo on back
Back tattoo is a popular choice that will look stunning on anyone. Make it small and delicate at the nape of your neck or halfway up your spine.
To complete it, add additional symbols to the tattoo. This may include red roses which represent passion or a white flower which depicts purity. This location is one of the least painful areas of the body.
Butterfly shoulder tattoo
There are no rules with the butterfly tattoo on the shoulder. You can experiment with different styles to find the one that suits you. Be sure to find a reputable tattoo artist, as this area of the body is easily visible.
Butterfly tattoo on arm
Being one of the largest tattoo areas on the body, your arm is the perfect place to get a tattoo. Whether it's a full-length tattoo or a partial one, there is an ideal design that will suit you.
Lately, the forearm has been a popular spot, and you can work butterflies up to the wrist and let them curl across your skin. Let your imagination run wild with an arm tattoo.
Butterfly Ankle Tattoo
Ankle tattoos are a great place for a subtle and elegant design. Although this is one of the most painful areas for a tattoo, it is also one of the most delicate. This area is quite close to the bone and the skin is thinner. The advantage of this location is that it is easy to hide for formal occasions.
Butterfly neck tattoo
This placement has become increasingly popular over time. It's also a great idea for those who like risks and daring. Since this is a difficult area to hide, make sure you think carefully about the location before getting a tattoo.
It is also one of the most painful areas of the body, but the overall result is nothing short of stunning. Go for small, delicate butterflies fluttering across your skin and add a soft color or black outline.
Butterfly tattoo on thigh
A thigh tattoo is one of the sexiest and trendiest places to get a tattoo. A butterfly pattern represents movement and transformation, which is what you do every time you take a step forward. This area is usually larger than the others, so you have more room for a more detailed or intricate butterfly tattoo.
Chest tattoo
It’s a location made for the daring. Chest tattooing is an incredibly popular choice among women. Popularized by Rihanna in the mid-2010s, it has become one of the hottest options.
Butterflies represent rebirth, so what could be better than placing them under the chest? The skin is quite sensitive in this area of the body so it can hurt. However, the game is worth it!
Butterfly tattoo behind the ear
The discreet tattoo behind the ear is one of the most delicate and personal locations. This place proves easy to hide when necessary, but it's surprising when you show it.
As the area is quite thin, it may be more painful than other places. The skin is also less likely to hold ink as long as other areas, so be sure to choose a design that isn't too complex. A simple butterfly flying away or resting on the skull is the perfect concept for your first piece.
Butterfly tattoo on leg
Show off your butterfly tattoo wherever you go by placing it on your leg. A butterfly on the leg represents changes and evolution. It takes time for this insect to undergo a transformation, so the placement of this design can symbolize the same journey you are on.
Opt for a location on your calves or thighs, which hurt less than other areas. You can also choose your shins or ankles.
