Much of the symbolism behind popular floral images used in today’s body art designs originate from ancient times and this is certainly true for sunflower tattoos. According to Greek mythology, this flower originates from a young maiden who was in love with the Sun God Helio and she was so transfixed by his image that she stared at him for so long until she turned into this flower. In this respect sunflowers are a symbol of infatuation however Incan legend deemed these flowers to be the earthy incarnation of their Sun God and ancient Inca priests wore sunflower shaped golden discs in reverence to this belief. Native American Indians however believed that the seeds of the sunflower could be used to guide the recently departed onto the afterlife.

When it comes to iconic Asian images, there are many that have been widely used in body art designs over the years including the eternally popular Cherry Blossom which features in many Japanese flower tattoos. This is a very distinctive image that offers a great deal of artistic value but it is also rich in symbolism too, representing the transient nature of the cycle of life and celebrating the often brief but potent essence of our existence. Body art designs of this kind often serve as a reminder of how fleeting our lives can be, reminding us to live in the moment and cherish every second as if it were our last.

When it comes to the style of tribal artwork in body art designs today, almost any image can be depicted to emulate this effect, including many popular images from the natural world around us. These include many designs for tribal flower tattoos whether you want a traditional rose or lily revamped in this contemporary style or tropical species like the orchid or hibiscus. This has proved to be a popular design that can be inked as a single bloom, in multiples or with additional embellishments including other favorite tribal symbols and imagery such as shooting stars, birds or butterflies. Many of these designs are inked in plain monochrome ink but some also infuse small sections of color for a contrasting effect that makes a strong visual impact.

Thanks to its distinctive heart shaped fruit, the strawberry has long been associated with love and romance that was often presented as a token of affection in days gone by. Today, strawberry tattoos have proved to be a popular body art image that also symbolises happiness and success however some cultures through the ages have also deemed this fruit to be a potent symbol of innocence, peace and spiritual peace. With so many different interpretations behind the strawberry’s symbolism there is something to suit all tastes and preferences but even from an aesthetic point of view this is a sexy image that looks very sensual whenever it is inked on the female body.

There are specific body art images that are more synonymous with one sex or the other and flowers in particular have always been very popular among women although classic blooms like the red rose have long been favored by men too. In recent times, these traditional blooms have been depicted in a more contemporary style, as a silhouette or outline in a dark monochrome ink shade often illustrated in a more abstract design emulating the artwork of tribes around the world. Among the most popular tribal styles today are Hawaiian, Maori and Polynesian designs which can be adapted to suit different images from the natural world such as animals and celestial bodies as well as floral imagery.

There are many flowers that have proved to be popular in body art designs today and these are very versatile images that can be used on their own or used in conjunction with other imagery following a similar theme. These are popular for areas like the wrist and there are many designs for small flower tattoo art that are ideal to ink around this appendage to form a bracelet effect. Tiny flowers are often added to a more basic vine and leaf design for a contrasting splash of vibrant color which looks beautiful and very feminine when inked on a young woman’s skin in this manner. These images can also be used on their own on the inner wrist or even on the hand beneath the base of thumb.

There are many colourful body art designs that feature popular floral images however there are also a great many that offer a more contemporary style that look pretty cool for Hawaiian flower tattoo ideas. These are often depicted in a single dark monochrome ink color such as black or grey, or occasionally injected with just a fusion of bright colored ink for a contrasting effect that makes a strong visual impact. Many of these designs are illustrated to emulate Hawaii’s tribal artwork which offer a more abstract alternative to this flower in its natural form and due to the distinctive shape of these tropical blooms, these are perfect for transforming in this style.

Asian images have long been popular for transforming into body art designs and images like the dragon, samurai warrior and geisha girl may be set against a backdrop of natural images like the cherry blossom or combined with Japanese Kanji or Chinese characters. However, one of the most popular elements for designs of this kind is the bamboo tattoo design which is often used in the background with popular oriental animals like the tiger or panda. As the staple diet of the latter, there are many designs featuring this cuddly creature munching on bamboo or reclining among its natural habitat so next time you see a tattoo in this style, take a closer look and you will appreciate the aesthetic value it adds to the overall design.

Much of the symbolism associated with popular floral body art images can be traced back through the centuries and it is interesting to see the similarities given to these meaning among different cultures. For example, lily tattoo designs are often associated with purity and innocence when depicted in their most-common white color however to the ancient Greeks this was a potent phallic symbol associated with fertility and procreation. The people of ancient Egypt also gave this flower connotations of a similar nature and in 12th century France, the lily (or fleur-de lis in French) was adopted as a symbol for the Royal Family’s coat of arms as a measure to ensure the ongoing prosperity of the royal lineage.

Leaves are ideal for transforming into body art as they can be depicted in a very simplistic style or illustrated in more intricate detail for more elaborate designs and these have proved to be very popular among tattoo enthusiasts today. Among the most popular types of leaf tattoo are the fern, maple leaf, oak leaf, ivy and clover, all of which offer additional symbolic value as well as aesthetic beauty. These can be inked in dark monochrome ink designs – many off which emulate the popular tribal artwork styles – as well as a multi-colored inks such as autumnal shades like red, bronze, gold and yellow, not to mention its most natural color, green.

If you are considering floral body art designs, you will be pleased to know that these are versatile enough to be placed on pretty much any part of the body and most can be scaled to suit a variety of different sized locations. These include sunflower tattoo designs which are predominantly inked in their natural color of bright yellow or gold and these look beautiful inked on any skin surface as a single image in its natural form or against contrasting black ink imagery in a more abstract design. There are many designs for the latter which emulating the style of popular tribal artwork which is widely requested by both sexes.

These include an ivy tattoo which is deemed to be a potent symbol of commitment and fidelity however it is also synonymous with spiritual growth and development due to the tenacious way its vines grow, even in the most adverse conditions. In some cultures ivy is always presented to newly weds and used during wedding celebrations as a symbol of longevity, good luck and prosperity for the happy couple.

Flowers have always been highly favored by female tattoo fans in particular as these are pretty, symbolic and very feminine images that are suitable for placement on a variety of different body parts. These include orchid tattoos which are among the most favored floral designs on the market at present and these come in small, medium and large designs, often in elaborately detailed designs in a multitude of different colored inks. Larger designs of this kind are particularly favored for wider skin surfaces like the back or side and orchids look especially cool when inked vertically on a woman’s body for these locations. There are also smaller designs that use a single image and these are popular for areas like the foot, ankle, wrist, hand and neck.

Flowers are among the most versatile images used in body art designs today as they can be adapted to suit almost any body part but they also offer both artistic and symbolic value and this includes the poignant poppy tattoo. While blood red poppies have become synonymous with remembrance as we pay homage to deceased and serving soldiers across the centuries, they are also simply beautiful images in their own right. Poppies can also be used as a single flower on their own, in multiples or even in more abstract clusters for more sporadic placement on a wider canvas of skin. Popular placement areas include the nape of the neck, back, shoulders, stomach, thigh and side.

There are many body art images that are derived from the natural world around us such as animals and flowers, however the latter in particular seem to inspire a great deal of artistic license from the tattooist to make the design more unique to the individual. Take for example daisy tattoos, which in their natural habitat have a yellow centre surrounded by white petals – and you will find a multitude of designs depicting these in a variety of different colors, often using bright and vibrant colored inks in shades such as crimson, violet, fuchsia and even turquoise blue. These can be inked on the skin as a single image or in clusters of different shaped and sized flowers in a variety of different colors.

There are many popular floral body art designs but for lovers there could be no greater tribute than having a forget me not tattoo as a promise of eternal love. Since 15th Century Germany, it was believed that those who wore these flowers would never be forgotten by their lovers so it has long been associated with love and remembrance. In Victorian times, this flower was often worn as a sign of faithfulness and enduring love and in modern times it is still associated with true love, hope and memories. With its dainty blue flowers, this makes a very feminine and beautiful body art design as a flower on its own or incorporated into a vine pattern encircled around the wrist like a bracelet.

There are many options for the placement of a versatile gladiolus tattoo which can be inked on feminine skin using colorful ink or for a more unusual take you may even consider having it illustrated in the style of tribal artwork in dark monochrome ink. The latter in particular looks pretty cool in locations like the nape of the neck or base of the back while more vibrantly colored designs are best displayed in more prominent areas. As a woman, these more girly versions are perfect when inked on the foot or ankle where you can show them off easily with open shoes or flip flops.

One of the most perfectly formed flowers on the planet has to be that of the lotus bloom or water lily as it is more widely known in the west. The exquisite beauty of this symbolic flower has long inspired humans to their highest aspirations so if you want meaningful body art that to inspire you then why not consider a water lily tattoo? These are deemed to be the ideal analogy for the human soul opening to divine light and the way the petals remain clean and free from mud or slime seems like a miracle. Ironic really when you consider the bud’s journey from the dark depths of the muddy pond, rising up and beyond the surface into the sunlight much like the human spirit’s journey to enlightenment.

Love is a wonderful and caring thing, but sometimes it can hurt too and this is also well portrayed with a rose tattoo and its thorns. Then they can be combined with a dagger or a skull or even a snake. Each accompanying object brings a new meaning to a rose design. As well as that there are various colors of roses that also give different meanings. For example red would be a sign of passion and love, white more of purity or innocence, yellow of friendship and pink of youth and gentleness. The rose can also be used as a sign of memorial. Many people use this kind of tattoo to remember a lost loved one or someone that you really hold dear in your life. Whatever the cause you can always be sure that a rose tattoo will always be accepted and in fashion whether you are young or old.