45 Unique Butterfly Tattoos for your reference here

Butterflies are magical. they float easily in the air. And the pattern on their wings is a masterpiece of Mother Nature. However, their appearance is not the only thing that makes them popular. Butterflies are also a symbol of life, freedom and rebirth. To become a butterfly, a caterpillar must endure the pain and darkness of change. It wraps itself in a cocoon and patiently waits for its transformation to complete. Many people enjoy butterflies because they give them strength to embrace change and uncertainty.

Its beauty and symbolism make butterfly tattoos widely popular. But for some, fame drives them away. It’s not easy to come up with something unique, while many people already have butterfly tattoos.

Feeling similar? We get you covered. Below is a collection of beautiful and creative butterfly tattoos that are far from cliché. From small to large, from black and white to dramatic colors, these butterfly tattoos will inspire your next tattoo.

Disclaimer: this tattoo gallery is for inspiration purposes only. Please do not copy artwork. If you love these tattoos, please follow the artists and support them.

Beautiful and meaningful butterfly tattoo

Butterfly and sword

@coldchillchild

The samurai sword represents the soul and dignity of a samurai. In Japan, samurai viewed their swords as an extension of their identity.

Butterflies have long been the symbol of the country’s samurai clans, like the Heian period taira clan. That’s why swords and butterflies are often seen together in tattoos, as they both symbolize courage and fighting spirit. And this intricate butterfly tattoo may look simple. But the history behind it gives it weight and meaning.

Butterfly and chrysanthemum neck tattoo

@oozy_tattoo

If you were born in November, you may be familiar with chrysanthemums as they are the birth flower of the month. However, chrysanthemums are not just beautiful flowers that attract attention. It represents life and rebirth, like a butterfly.

Chrysanthemums with different colors also have different meanings. For example, the red chrysanthemum in this butterfly neck tattoo is a symbol of love and passion.

Butterfly in bubble

@nara_tattoo

Butterfly and morning glory

@songe.tattoo

The beautiful flowers that make up one of the petals are morning glory. the flowers are full of life because they are easy to grow and bloom from summer to early winter.

If you grow morning glories in your garden, you may also often see butterflies because the flowers attract butterflies. And as in this colored butterfly tattoo, the two together create a beautiful symphony of life.

Simple butterfly outline tattoo

@tattooist_mauve

Not all butterfly tattoos are colored. Just like this simple outline wrist tattoo, they can be black and white and still look great.

And one good thing about black and white tattoos is that they preserve better in the long run. So if you’re worried about the color fading over time, a simple outline butterfly tattoo may be a better choice for you.

Cover up butterfly tattoo

@duchess.tattoo

Butterflies and flowers often appear together in tattoos for women. This shoulder tattoo is a little different. Originally, it was a single butterfly tattoo. then, as the motifs fade, it is redesigned as a flower and a butterfly.

Vibrant colors cover most of the old tattoo. But if you look closer, you can find the old butterfly in the middle of the new butterfly, like a rebirth. And that’s what makes this cover-up tattoo so meaningful.

body

@nhi.ink

The tattoo artist turns butterflies and flowers into organs of our body. It shows how beautiful every part of our body is and that we should always cherish and take care of it.

Blue butterfly perches on shoulder

@miltonreistatuador

Oriental style red butterfly tattoo

@e.nal_.tattoo

In China, butterflies symbolize the pursuit of love and freedom. A good example is the Chinese legend of the Butterfly Lover. It is a tragic love story about two young people who fall in love despite the vast differences in their upbringings. In the end, they committed suicide and became butterflies together.

This oriental tattoo represents the beauty of butterflies and symbolizes the desire for freedom like the couple in the legend.

Colorful butterfly tattoo

@oozy_tattoo

Chinese knots and butterflies

@tattoo.gul

Small flower butterfly arm tattoo

@songe.tattoo

Flowers and butterflies are two elements loved by women. And there are many ways to incorporate both into a single tattoo. This small colored tattoo shows one of the possibilities.

From a distance, it may look like a regular butterfly tattoo. However, when you look closely, you will notice that the butterfly’s wings are flower petals. The creativity and thought that went into the design makes it stand out from the crowd.

Dali flowers

@tattooist_banul

This tattoo was inspired by Salvador Dali’s 1981 painting Flordali II.

Like the original artwork, the tattoo artist transformed the butterfly wings into floral leaves.

The difference is the choice of design and color. The tattoo artist changes the original butterfly wings into a more colorful and intricate version. This Dali tattoo is perfect for those who love rich, vibrant colors.

Fireflies burn your soul

@corrupt_file

Butterfly tattoos can be a million things: feminine, cute, elegant, etc. But a cool tattoo? Not so common. The butterfly is like a phoenix in nirvana. If you are going through a transformation and need an empowering tattoo, this design may give you some ideas.

Leopard butterfly leg tattoo

@ura.ttt

One reason butterfly tattoos are so popular is the wings. they are like a canvas where artists can unleash their creativity. And this leopard butterfly shows that the possibilities are endless. Mix and match with different patterns and you too can have a unique butterfly tattoo.

Butterfly and butterfly friendship tattoo

@pauline.lasink

Moths and butterflies are both symbols of life and rebirth. To fly, both moths and butterflies must wrap themselves in a cocoon and go through a transformation process. they are living proof that change can be scary but it’s worth it.

These two best friend tattoos symbolize their shared courage. When facing challenges, they are each other’s strongest support. And these matching butterfly and butterfly tattoos celebrate their unbreakable bond.

Gorgeous purple and blue butterfly wrist tattoo

@songe.tattoo

Self-love quote tattoo on arm

@tayyy_carter

When you love yourself, you change the way people love you. That’s why learning to love yourself is one of life’s most important journeys. And it fits the butterfly’s symbolism: transformation. So, this butterfly quote tattoo is not only a powerful statement but also a reminder to put yourself first.

Brick red butterfly

@choiyun_tattoo

3D butterfly tattoo on pink shoulder

@tattooist_j.l

Realistic tattoos are very popular. But they also put these techniques to the test. This small butterfly tattoo captures the vibrancy of a butterfly in flight. the details of the wings and shadows make the tattoo believable. From a distance, you might think a real butterfly is landing on the wearer’s shoulder.

little blue butterflies with the words forget me not

@songe.tattoo

Blue butterfly tattoo on shoulder

@_rony_tattoo

There are several ways to add airiness to a tattoo. You can reduce the saturation or reduce the size. But this tattoo artist took a different approach by making the wings transparent. This way, the tattoo looks more like it’s embossed than printed on the skin.

Fantasy butterfly tattoo on leg

@songe.tattoo

Rose butterfly tattoo takes your breath away

@tattooist_color.b

Depending on the culture, roses have different meanings. But they are always a symbol of beauty and romance, especially red roses like in this butterfly tattoo.

This tattoo resembles a summer rose garden captured in a butterfly frame. But the flowers growing from the tips of the petals turned it into a 3D tattoo. Real and unreal, this butterfly tattoo has both.

Small butterfly ear tattoo

@tattooist_color.b

There is no fixed size of a butterfly tattoo. It can be small or large and still beautiful. That’s why butterflies are perfect for ear or behind-the-ear tattoos. This tiny ink is a great example of how tattoos complement the shape of a body part.

thinking is beautiful – an abstract tattoo illustration

@pauline.tattoo

Life is not as easy as one overthinks or overfeels. This tattoo is a gentle reminder to honor your thoughts, as they are where great ideas are born.

The queen’s sword

@tattooist_solar

Simple flower and butterfly tattoo

@ovenlee.tattoo

This small painting depicts a butterfly carrying a flower in a bubble and flying away. It creates movement in a static tattoo and makes it come alive.

Tattoo artist Ovenlee has created a collection of beautiful and sophisticated tattoos. Check out our interview with her to learn more about her work.

Butterfly and snake chest tattoo

@etin_tattoo

Snakes are often seen in witch tattoos. However, butterflies are a symbol of light and joy. The creative combination creates suspense and turns this butterfly chest tattoo into a conversation piece.

Cute origami butterfly tattoo

@christine.rvl

Butterfly ankle tattoo with gems and gold key

@tattooist_violet

Fly away – mandala moon tattoo

@yaelraz0n

moon tattoo

Constellation Butterfly and Libra

@chey_inks

People born under the sign of Libra are elegant, calm and collected. Libra’s symbol is Scales, which means a sign of balance of values. And it also applies to their aesthetics. Therefore, a symmetrical and beautiful butterfly tattoo can easily win the heart of Libra. The constellation Libra serves as an excellent decoration for the butterfly without overpowering it.

Mysterious butterfly tattoo with moon background

@dalha_tattoo

Butterfly and knife tattoo for warrior

@saraafterdawn

Rib cage tattoo in bloom

@nicc.inkk

Broken into pieces

@dan_tattooer

The wings of the butterfly in this black tattoo break into pieces, like scattered glasses. It shows how fragile beauty can be. However, as said, this is not necessarily a sad tattoo. Instead, it reminds us to be grateful for the things we have at this moment. And gratitude will save us from fear of loss and change.