31 Flower Tattoo Designs! The Language of Flowers and Their Meanings

In Japan as well, tattoos are becoming something people can enjoy casually as fashion, and there are many different styles and motifs.

In this article, among them, we will introduce 31 types of reference flower tattoo designs, along with their meanings and the language of flowers.
Because the number of types became very large, please use the table of contents below to jump to the parts you are interested in.

Rose Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Roses

Strictly speaking, the meaning changes depending on the number and color, but the overall language of flowers for roses is “beauty” and “love.”
Loved for their noble appearance, rich colors, overflowing elegance, and refined fragrance, roses are called the queen of flowers and are a popular design for both men and women.

Cosmos Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Cosmos

The language of flowers for cosmos is “harmony,” “humility,” and “maidenly purity.”
It is said to come from the Greek word “kosmos,” meaning “beautiful.”

Tulip Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Tulips

The overall language of flowers for tulips is “a confession of love” and “beautiful eyes.”
These flower meanings are said to originate from a legend passed down in the Netherlands.

Three knights each propose to one woman, bringing their family treasures: a crown, a sword, and gold. However, because the woman could not choose just one, she asked the flower goddess Flora to turn her into a flower. That flower had “crown” petals, “sword” leaves, and a “gold” bulb.

In this way, tulips were born, and their language of flowers was given.

Dahlia Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Dahlias

Dahlias, which give an elegant and powerful impression, have flower meanings such as “splendor” and “elegance.”
“Splendor” and “elegance” are said to come from the gorgeousness and beauty of dahlias.

Jasmine Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Jasmine

“Jasmine” (matsurika) is said to come from the Persian phrase meaning “a gift from God,” and its flower meanings are “grace” and “loveliness.”

Carnation Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Carnations

Carnations, a classic gift for Mother’s Day, generally carry the flower meaning of “pure and deep love.”
This is said to come from a tradition that carnations grew from the tears the Virgin Mary shed when Christ was executed.
In addition, in the West, carnations are also given flower meanings in English such as “fascination,” “love,” and “distinction.”

Clover (White Clover) Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Clover (White Clover)

The language of flowers for clover (white clover) is “think of me,” “good luck,” and “promise.”
These are said to come from the idea that three-leaf clovers symbolize hope and love, and four-leaf clovers symbolize good luck.

Hibiscus Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Hibiscus

The general flower meanings for hibiscus are “new love,” “trust,” and “courageous action.”
Hibiscus flowers bloom for only one day, but because they keep producing new flowers one after another, it is said that they were given the meaning “new love.”
Also, in Hawaii and in Hinduism, hibiscus is offered to the gods and treated as a sacred flower. From that, it is said the flower meaning “trust” was derived.
And the flower meaning “courageous action” is said to have come from the fact that it does not lose to tropical heat or squalls.

Lavender Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Lavender

The flower meanings of lavender are “I’m waiting for you” and “silence.”
The meaning “I’m waiting for you” is said to come from a European story.
It is the story of a girl named Lavender who fell in love with a man, and after continuing to wait without being able to confess, she became a single flower. A bittersweet yet beautiful origin was hidden there.
Also, the meaning “silence” is said to come from lavender’s calming effects. So it is not negative at all, but refers to a state where the heart settles and peace arrives.

Marigold Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Marigolds

The flower meanings of marigolds are “brave one,” “health,” and “unchanging love.”
“Brave one” and “health” refer to the image of Apollo, the sun god in Greek mythology, and “unchanging love” is said to come from the story of a woman named Clytie who longed for Apollo.

Violet Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Violets

The flower meanings of violets are “humility,” “sincerity,” and “small happiness.”
These are said to come from the modest and refined appearance of violets.

Marguerite (Daisy) Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Marguerites

The flower meanings of marguerites are “love divination” and “love kept in the heart.”
These are said to come from the long-standing European custom of using marguerites for love fortune-telling.
Also, in Greek mythology, they are known as flowers offered to Artemis, the moon goddess who is the guardian of birth and fertility, and they are also symbols of “sincerity,” “chastity,” “compassion,” and “peace.”

Forget-Me-Not Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Forget-Me-Nots

The flower meanings of forget-me-nots are “don’t forget me,” “true love,” and “true friendship.”
These meanings are said to originate from a tragic love story passed down from medieval Germany.

A young knight went to pick beautiful flowers blooming by the Danube River for his lover, but was swept away by the fast current. Mustering his final strength, he grabbed the flower, threw it to the riverbank, and died leaving the words “don’t forget me.”

Although the origin is a sad story, it can be said to be a beautiful language of flowers born from feelings for a precious person.

Chamomile Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Chamomile

カモミールの花言葉は「苦難の中の力」「逆境に耐える」です。
それぞれの花言葉は、カモミールがどんな環境であっても、踏まれてもよく育つ強い生命力からつけられました。

Lily of the Valley Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Lily of the Valley

The flower meanings of lily of the valley are “purity,” “innocence,” “humility,” and “happiness will return.”
It is said that “purity” and “innocence” come from its white, delicate flowers, and from the fact that it has long been loved as the flower of the Virgin Mary.
“Humility” is thought to come from the characteristic of its tiny flowers that hide beneath large leaves.
And “happiness will return” comes from the fact that for people in northern Europe, lily of the valley is a sign of the joy of spring’s arrival.

Sunflower Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Sunflowers

The flower meanings of sunflowers are “I only look at you” and “admiration.”
These are said to come from their characteristic of stretching their stems toward the strong summer sunlight and blooming.

Hydrangea Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Hydrangeas

The flower meanings of hydrangeas are “patience,” “fickleness,” and “impermanence.”
“Patience” comes from the fact that hydrangeas bloom for a very long time. “Fickleness” is said to come from their gradual color changes, and they also have the nickname “seven transformations.”
Also, depending on the flower color and type, they can have other meanings such as “a lively woman” and “tolerance.”

Osmanthus Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Osmanthus

The flower meanings of fragrant olive (kinmokusei) are “modesty,” “noble person,” “truth,” and “true love.”
Although kinmokusei gives off a strong scent, because the petals are small and modest, it has been given the flower meaning “modesty.”
Also, in China, kinmokusei was used in perfume for high-status women, which became the origin of the meaning “noble person.”

Baby’s Breath Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Baby’s Breath

The flower meanings of baby’s breath are “pure heart,” “innocence,” “happiness,” “gratitude,” and “kindness.”
Because baby’s breath is called “Baby’s breath” in English, it is said to have been given the meaning “innocence.”
Also, because it is used to express gratitude and is commonly used in weddings, it developed meanings such as “happiness” and “gratitude.”

Gerbera Daisy Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Gerberas

Gerberas, often used for Mother’s Day, have the flower meanings “always moving forward” and “hope.”
These meanings come from the characteristic of gerberas always facing upward and blooming with large flowers.
Also, overseas, based on their colorful nature, they have a flower meaning in English: “cheerfulness.”

Cherry Blossom Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Cherry Blossoms

The flower meanings of cherry blossoms are “beauty of spirit,” “graceful woman,” and “purity.”
“Beauty of spirit” is said to have been given because cherry blossoms are Japan’s national flower, as a symbol representing the dignity of Japan and the Japanese people. The meanings “graceful woman” and “purity” are said to come from the beauty of cherry blossoms.
In addition, in French, from the fleeting nature of falling blossoms, there is “Nem’oubliez pas (Don’t forget me),” in English, from the anecdote of George Washington, the first president of the United States, there are “eminent instruction” and “moral beauty,” and in Korean, there is “가인 (gaiin = meaning a beautiful woman).”

Plum Blossom Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Plum Blossoms

The general flower meanings of plum blossoms include “loyalty,” “nobility,” “patience,” and “elegance.”

The meaning “loyalty” is said to come from a legend related to Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning. When Michizane was exiled to Dazaifu in Kyushu, a plum tree from his garden that he had lovingly raised flew to him—this is the story. From this, plum blossoms are said to have been given the meaning “loyalty.”
And because plum blossoms bloom gloriously in February, when it is still cold and harsh, they were given the meanings “patience” and “nobility.”

Also, overseas, they have flower meanings such as “beauty and longevity,” “fidelity,” and “Keep your promise.”

Chrysanthemum Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Chrysanthemums

The flower meanings of chrysanthemums are “nobility,” “refinement,” and “integrity.”
Because of their dignified appearance and the fact that in Japan they are used in the crests of the Imperial Family and noble households, they were given these flower meanings.

Lotus Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Lotus

The main flower meanings of the lotus are “pure heart,” “sacred,” and “calm.”
The meaning “pure heart” is said to come from the lotus’s ability to draw up muddy water while still blooming a beautiful, almost divine flower. Also, in Buddhism, there is a story that when the newborn Buddha took his first steps, lotus flowers bloomed from his footprints, and standing on those lotus flowers he said, “Above heaven and below heaven, I alone am honored.” Because it is such a sacred flower, it is said that the flower meaning “sacred” was born.

Peony Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Peonies

The flower meanings of peonies are “the dignity of a king,” “nobility,” “shyness,” and “social awkwardness.”
Because peonies look luxurious even in a single vase, they are also called the “king of flowers” or the “flower god,” and in China, their country of origin, they were regarded as the most prestigious flower. From that, flower meanings such as “dignity” and “nobility” were derived.

Red Spider Lily Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Red Spider Lilies

The flower meanings of red spider lilies are “sad memories,” “giving up,” “independence,” and “passion.”
These are said to come from the fact that they are often seen in cemeteries and similar places.

Camellia (Tsubaki) Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Camellias

The flower meanings of camellias are “modest kindness,” “modest excellence,” and “pride.”
Although camellias bloom with a gorgeous and overwhelming presence, they have almost no scent, so many meanings include the word “modest.”
Also, in English, they are given flower meanings such as “admiration” and “perfection.”

Lily Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Lilies

The flower meanings of lilies are “purity,” “innocence,” and “dignity.”
The meanings “purity” and “innocence” are said to come from various legends associated with lilies, one of which is Greek mythology. In Greek mythology, there is an episode in which the spilled milk of the goddess Hera, the wife of Zeus, fell to the earth and caused lilies to bloom.
Also, lilies have long been treated in Christianity as a symbol of the Virgin Mary. In particular, white lilies are called “Madonna lilies” and are said to symbolize the Virgin Mary’s purity.
And the meaning “dignity” is thought to come from the way lilies bloom proudly and majestically.

Iris Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Iris

The flower meanings of iris include “good news,” “message,” and “glad tidings.”
These flower meanings are said to originate from Greek mythology. It is thought to have come from Iris, the rainbow goddess (the origin of the name “Iris,” which is included in the scientific name of ayame), who played an excellent role as a messenger of the gods in mythology.

Morning Glory (Asagao) Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Morning Glories

The flower meanings of morning glories are “love,” “bond,” “I cling to you,” and “refreshing tomorrow as well.”
These come from the fact that morning glories bloom early in the morning, and that they grow by tightly twining their vines around supports.

Wisteria Tattoos

The Language of Flowers and Meaning of Wisteria

The flower meanings of wisteria are “drunk on love,” “gentleness,” and “never letting go.”
The meaning “drunk on love” comes from The Tale of Genji written by Murasaki Shikibu.
Also, because wisteria bears many small flowers and sways softly in the wind, it was given the meaning “gentleness.” And the meaning “never letting go” comes from the way wisteria vines wrap tightly around tree trunks.
By the way, overseas, it also has the flower meaning “steadfast.”

Conclusion

In this article, we explained various flower tattoos and their flower meanings and symbolism.
Of course design matters, but if you get a tattoo with these meanings in mind as well, you may feel even more attached to it.