95+ Gorgeous Butterfly Tattoos with Meaning

Butterflies are adorable. They roam freely in the air. Many love this creature for its charming presence. Not only for the looks, but the butterfly also symbolizes life, freedom and rebirth. They emerge from a dark situation with a caterpillar to become a beautiful butterfly. Many people represent butterflies for the change and empowering quality of it.

Not only do these, butterflies have many significant meanings in various cultures and religions, but In Native America, they are known for hope and positivity. 

In Celtic mythology, they are symbols of the soul, while in Africa, they are known for transformation and change. In Asia, butterflies are recognized as a symbol of love and good luck.

These qualities make an obsession with butterfly tattoos among many body art enthusiasts. They become a popular and common element in tattoos. You have to find new art that is unique because many have these tattoos. 

If you are searching for it? Then you are in the right place. In this list, we gave some mind-blowing ideas that were picked from the internet; you can check them and don’t copy them directly. It was for some idea. 

It was the hard work of the artist of that design. You must credit them or reach out to them. So, without wasting time, let’s scroll through some awesome ideas and mention your favorite in the comments.

Table of Contents

Simple Butterfly Tattoos

If you’re a person who adores simplicity and minimalism, then you may feel so happy about these designs. Simple tattoos are not boring; they may be something that can awestruck others with their little details like the above one here. 

A little Lineart butterfly piece on nape was an outstanding art that resonates with a person’s courage and fighting spirit. Best for women all over. 

You don’t need colorful butterfly art; something in black and white in Line Art style like this is still beautiful by choosing a perfect place on your body.

You can have one more idea with three colors on your hand that symbolize transformation and hope.

Cute butterfly tattoos

Small butterfly tattoos

If you opt for subtle ideas, the small butterfly tattoos are well-suited to a perfect blend of colors and styles.

This butterfly tattoo on the lower leg was astonishing, blending multiple colors, high toes, and black shadows that feel real. You have this in a discreet place you can hide or show when needed.

Hand-poked is one of the famous tattoo styles, and it has a complex blending of colors. People go crazy about these designs. The above was an excellent example of it in blue and black colors.

Butterfly Hand tattoos

Hand tattoos first came to mind for people when it was about tattoos. You have great exposure, and this is a reminder of the cherished moment of your tattoo with you. 

A butterfly tattoo was a must-go option because of its powerful meaning. A butterfly is a symbol of transformation and change. If you are looking for an empowerment tattoo, then this butterfly idea may be yours to look for. 

The moon and butterfly are an outstanding interaction in terms of their meaning; the moon resonates with new beginnings, while the butterfly symbolizes freedom. Together, they create a beautiful piece of art that creates a sense of femininity and purity.

Butterfly chest tattoos

Chest tattoos are excellent ideas for personal expression and choice. Butterfly tattoos are those stunning pieces matched in this place with any style. 

Each flutter of wings dedicates every precious moment in our lives. Butterfly tattoo on the chest will be a little discreet and intimate, which is good for women out there.

This tiny tattoo with the quote ‘Live the life you love’ is a powerful and meaningful statement that symbolizes freedom. The butterfly is meant to be a beautiful representation of joyfulness in life.

Butterfly tattoos on the collarbone

Collarbone tattoos are one of the rising trends these days. It glorifies your skin with any design you pick. Something like butterflies in soft pastel colors is worth trying. This one-piece here was so eye-pleasing with different colors intricate.

Butterfly tattoos on shoulders 

Butterfly wrist tattoos

Butterfly sternum tattoos

As tattoos grow in popularity, people are considering new places for tattoos. Unlike most common placements, sternum tattoos are trendy for people who want to try something different and express their boldness. 

You have ample space to illustrate your ideas in various art styles, from delicate elements to geometric shapes. Every style has a place here. 

Like the butterfly tattoo above, dark green and yellow colors resonate with many meanings. This little creature’s place near our hearts signifies freedom from past constraints and a permanent reminder of personal growth and change.

Butterfly Behind the ear tattoos

Butterfly tattoos behind the ear are a great idea that resonates with listening to one’s inner voice and mind and following one’s own path. Also, behind-the-ear tattoos are so well designed that you can show or hide them when necessary. 

You must have a feminine element like a rose to the butterfly that gives even more meaning to your art. The ear’s curvature allows you to create a unique place of small, delicate pieces like the above designs.

Butterfly nape tattoos

A butterfly tattoo on your nape is like carrying a beauty behind you. It’s like a cheeky surprise for the one walking behind you. 

Butterfly tattoos are meant for personal growth. Illustrating your nape shows that you have wings to rise above your hurdles. 

Butterflies and flowers are the most common elements in a tattoo. You can customize the position of the flower to a butterfly that looks amazing, like this piece. Here, the wearer chooses to get a flower in the wings, which is so cool and adds purity to the art.

Butterfly tattoo on the ribs

Butterfly Back tattoos

A butterfly tattoo on the back is like showcasing the beautiful art on a big canvas. Butterfly emerges through a metamorphosis that resonates with your journey from challenges to overcoming.

Back was one of the best places for tattoos, and it had ample space to try your ideas and skills. You can go with small or big sizes and various color combinations.

Butterfly hip tattoo

Butterfly thigh tattoo

Butterfly leg tattoos

Butterfly tattoos on the foot

These three are my favorites in tiny and minimal colors on this list. You can have intricate elements with butterflies that give unique symbolism, like a moon known for the cycle of life, stars that resonate with hope, and flowers that represent beauty and nature. 

You can try these ideas here, not copy them the same. You may feel pain in getting a tattoo here on the ankle because of the less muscle under the skin, so consider this one. 

Creative Butterfly tattoos

Wings are one of the reasons that make butterfly tattoos more famous. You can play with these wings by illustrating different pictures you want. Like this piece, the tattooist attached the face of the woman, who may be the wearer. 

Expressing your identity is a great idea, but you must search for a relevant and skilled artist who can perform breathtaking art like the one here.

From afar, it looks like a simple butterfly, but if you look closely, you will notice the face of the wearer on the wings. The creative thought by the artist makes the design stand out from the crowd.

butterfly tattoo in ribbon style

Ornamental Butterfly tattoos

Butterfly and skull tattoo

Unlike all butterfly tattoos, these tattoos are on some serious note. This butterfly tattoo with a skull in the middle is a beautiful dance between life and death. It resonates with the saying ‘every rose has its thorn’ and tells us to find positivity in difficult times.

Butterfly and lilac tattoo

Butterfly and initial tattoo

Butterfly strength tattoo

Butterfly and tiger tattoo

The tattooist ‘Chloe Jane’ designed a masterpiece by seamlessly merging the soft allure of butterflies and the boldness of the tiger. This art is the yin yang of the animal kingdom and reminds us that power can be beauty and beauty can be powerful.

Wave and Butterfly tattoo

Sunflower and Butterfly tattoo

Sword and Butterfly tattoo

Butterfly and lettering tattoo

Butterfly, flower and date tattoo

Butterflies and flowers are the most common tattoos for women. This tattoo adds a little date that represents your identity or mentions a date that was the most memorable day in your life. Getting on the ankle was a little discreet. You have the flexibility to show and hide when needed.

Constellation and butterfly tattoo

Butterfly and sunrise tattoo

We have our time & Butterfly tattoo.

Butterfly tattoos in dots style

Realistic Butterfly tattoos

Realistic tattoos are widely popular. These tattoos feel real in our eyes. It comes with excellent interaction of shadows and curves in a design. Like this butterfly, tattoos on the collarbone add shadows on the bottoms that feel real from a distance. 

One for another & butterfly tattoo 

Magnolia and butterfly tattoo 

Magnolia and butterfly are the perfect combo for an art that resonates with similar meanings like purity, freedom, and femininity, which was an ideal choice for women.

Butterfly and Poppy tattoo

Brushstroke Butterfly tattoo

Glass-style Butterfly tattoo

Snake and Butterfly tattoos 

This mighty and cute creature from nature symbolizes personal growth, as the snake sheds old skin to form a new one, and the butterfly comes from metamorphosis, representing journeys of self-improvement. 

Apart from their symbolism, the snake and butterfly, this tattoo is a great balance of danger and delight and a great interpretation of yin-yang traits.

Colorful butterfly tattoos

If you like colors rather than simple outlines, check out a few pieces we mention here; we have ideas for butterfly tattoos in different styles that will impress you.

Matching butterfly tattoo

A butterfly is a good option if you plan a matching tattoo with your sibling, partner, or parents. Getting these tattoos is like saying, “We flutter together, come rain or shine.”

Black butterfly tattoo

Crocodile and butterfly tattoo 

Butterfly and Rose tattoo 

Cherry Blossom and Butterfly tattoo

Blooming in spring with soft pink hues, cherry blossoms are popular in tattoos. It will be a very interesting design when it is intricate with butterflies.

As we know, cherry blossoms have a short life span, which tells us to cherish every moment and accept changes. Butterfly symbolizes transformation, which makes it perfect to pair with cherry blossoms that give a touch of elegance.

Butterfly and Spider lily tattoo

Butterfly and Heart tattoos

Butterfly and Cat tattoo

Leaves and Butterfly tattoo

Butterfly tattoo in Abstract

Butterfly Bracelet tattoo

Flowers and Butterfly tattoos

Line Art Butterfly tattoos

Butterfly and Pin tattoo

Watercolor Butterfly tattoo

Watercolor tattoos are eye-pleasing because you flawlessly blend various hues naturally. These butterfly tattoos here are no exception; with the addition of 2 or more butterflies and a combination of flowers, these butterfly tattoos are both adorable and dreamy.

Butterfly and Bandage tattoo

Moon and Butterfly tattoos

Butterflies symbolize transformation, while a crescent moon is known for good luck and a fresh start. Together, it reminds us that life has many changes and embraces beautiful changes with open wings and a curious mind.

Conclusion

So, yes, it is over; we feel you had a great time scrolling through some beautiful tattoos of butterflies; if you are impressed with any of the designs, feel free to mention them in the comments and pin them on Pinterest. It helps others to get some ideas for their next art session.

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