Japanese flower tattoo

The culture of Japanese tattooing gives particular importance to flower and plant-inspired designs. The inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun believe that flowers are of special meaning, which confirms the cyclical nature of life. They are sure that, just like flowers, people are born to die. Please read our article to find out what’s implied in each flower.

Japanese flower tattoo meanings

Japanese flower tattoos are highly popular. The traditional floral designs used in the Japanese style look quite impressive. They often occupy a large part of the body, for example, the entire back or both shoulders.

These are amazing tattoo designs, where each element has a specific meaning. In Japan, flower tattoos can be used to determine your life credo, religious belonging, and even the level of your spiritual wealth.

The ancients believed that flowers had magical powers: they could influence people’s lives and even determine the fate of a person. Therefore, before you choose the design and image style of your tattoo, you need to understand what it will symbolize.

I. Japanese flower tattoo designs:

1. Japanese lotus tattoo

Lotus flower tattoos symbolize high spirituality and the desire for self-development. Those who choose this flower demonstrate their happiness and ability to see beauty in everything.

Source: @nicoleellisse

There are a lot of Japanese lotus tattoo ideas, and each of them has a different meaning.

Red lotus flower tattoo

A tattoo of this flower is often shown in open bloom and symbolizes passion and love. 

Pink lotus flower tattoo

This variant of Japanese lotus design symbolizes the Buddha himself as one of the Buddhist symbols.

Purple lotus flower tattoo

Another Buddhist symbol that represents mysticism and spirituality.

2. Japanese chrysanthemum tattoo

The chrysanthemum flower was of special importance for the Japanese emperors, who compared its delicate petals to the rays of the sun. Chrysanthemum flower tattoos symbolize well-being, prosperity, and joy.

Source: @okamejasmin

3. Cherry blossom Japanese tattoo

The cherry blossom is chosen by those who appreciate each moment of their life. Japanese cherry blossoms bloom for only a few hours. However, this short period is enough for the flower to fulfill its main purpose and make people happy.

Source: @insidertattoo

4. Japanese peony tattoo

The peony is a bright and catchy symbol of strength, courage, and warlike nature. Depicted on a woman’s body, the tattoo symbolizes wisdom and femininity.

Source: @harmony__tattoo

5. Japanese rose tattoo

Rose flower tattoos symbolize beauty, luxury, and wealth. The meaning may change if you add the following elements: a sword, other flowers, or Koi fish.

Source: @missorangetattoo

II. Japanese flower tattoo sleeve 

Sleeves are typical for traditional Japanese tattooing. A sleeve tattoo runs from the shoulder down to the wrist. All the gaps are filled with ink, which can add organic contours and lively colors to your design.

These tebori flower tattoos are highly symbolic and include other traditional Japanese elements, such as birds, koi fish, and national ornaments. The symbols are usually depicted in vivid, bright colors or black ink.

Source: @missorangetattoo

Source: @missorangetattoo

Source: @mistika.tattoo.msk

III. Japanese lotus tattoo

Both men and women often decide to place their lotus flower tattoo on the back or within the chest space. Those who choose this flower demonstrate their sense of purpose and the intention to get rid of illusions.

When choosing a back lotus design, pay attention to realistic tattoos that look like photographs. However, some people prefer watercolor tattoos that have recently become extremely popular. This kind of color tattoo often uses black since the lotus is a symbol of the triumph of light over darkness. The flower located in the heart zone symbolizes immortality.

Source: @martyremo

Source: @george_sal_tattoo

Source: @martyremo

Japanese lotus tattoo black and white

Japanese blackwork tattoos are no less popular than colorful watercolor designs. They involve crisp lines, delicate detailing, and retouching.

Black and white lotus tattoos can be accompanied by inscriptions and hieroglyphs that enhance the meaning of the flower, i.e. the victory over chaos and peace of mind in any situation. You can choose a large drawing with additional elements or a small lotus if you want to hide it from prying eyes. Let your hair down to hide your back-neck tattoo if you’re a woman, and wear a T-shirt to cover your shoulder lotus if you’re a man.

Source: @alexandrianortiz

Source: @dean_genge_tattoos

Japanese lotus sleeve tattoo

Lotus sleeve tattoos are mostly preferred by men. These are real works of art that have a certain meaning. If you want to draw attention to your spiritual world and openly declare the purity of your thoughts and passionate love, choose lotuses of bright colors. A lotus sleeve tattoo on a man’s body is a sign of his responsibility, courage, and wisdom. It is believed that those men who prefer large drawings become mentally stronger and fearless in life.

Source: @anto_ghostkoi

Source: @godline.tattoo

Source: @michele_vodola_tattooer

IV. Japanese chrysanthemum tattoo

In Japan, the chrysanthemum is considered the flower of the sun or the “golden flower”. This tattoo looks great on the back. Choosing this spot allows you to get an amazing half-back chrysanthemum accompanied by highly-detailed additional elements. Chrysanthemum tattoos are one of the most popular choices when it comes to shoulder designs. Both colored realistic flowers and blackwork chrysanthemums look impressive and inevitably demonstrate the wearer’s resolute sense of purpose.

Source: @alte_hackerei_tattoo

Source: @ingridvetter.tattoos

Source: @marbosanchez

Chrysanthemum Japanese tattoo black and gray

Monochromatic chrysanthemum tattoos will never go out of style. Their sharp contours make them look impressive and neat.

If you decide to get a blackwork chrysanthemum tattoo, choose large designs with different types of shading and color packing. These tattoos look good on both men and women. They attract good luck and symbolize courage and dedication. The latest trend is a chrysanthemum located on the shoulder and going down the forearm.

Source: @tairatattoos

Source: @inscriptatattoo

V. Cherry blossom Japanese tattoo

Cherry blossoms are of particular importance in Japan. This magnificent flower will never go out of style and will be repeatedly used in numerous tattoo designs. “Growing” along the spine and stretching its branches to the shoulders, the cherry blossom tree looks most impressive. Sometimes Sakura becomes the main element of a whole body painting, and the back is a perfect place for this kind of tattoo. A small drawing is a traditional option for those women who have known the feeling of incipient love.

Source: @jennydella

Source: @asianinkandart

Source: @taktaktattoos

Cherry blossom Japanese tattoo black and white 

Monochromatic cherry blossom tattoos look neat and stylish. These are usually small drawings located on the wrist, forearm, or chest. They look equally harmonious both on men and women.

A black and white tattoo background looks less conspicuous, but it still retains its main meaning, i.e. the transience of life. Choose this tattoo to emphasize that you’re a purposeful person who is going to succeed. Black and white tattoos are a symbol of a new beginning, a new project, or a sharp turn in life.

Source: @emnoire.ink

Source: @j.b_tattoo

Cherry blossom Japanese flower tattoo sleeve

Sleeves are preferred by many Japanese tattoo artists. These tattoos are filled from the shoulder down to the wrist and are distinguished by dense and saturated colors.

Cherry blossom sleeve tattoos look quite realistic, and this is what makes such tattoos special. They are dynamic and can always be continued – Sakura flowers may “grow” to your chest or even your back. These tattoos maintain the concept of hanami, which is the custom of viewing cherry blossoms when they are in full bloom and enjoying the fickle beauty.

Source: @santiago_lombardi_tattoo

Source: @marusaki_tattoo

Tiny Sakura tattoos

Although traditional flower tattoos are large and take up the entire arm, back, or even full body, tiny drawings are no less popular.

Even a small cherry blossom tattoo located on the wrist can make you feel a light breeze, which is, by the way, responsible for the fragile beauty of the flower – the whole point is that the wind makes Sakura petals fall off.

Source: @studiomuscat

Sakura shoulder sleeve tattoos

No less popular is the irezumi Sakura tattoo, which includes elements resembling dragon scales. These tattoos are usually placed on a large space, i.e. the shoulders, forearm, and back. The front-shoulder Sakura traditionally expresses the transience of life, the lightning speed of each event, and the impossibility of turning everything back. The back-shoulder flower allows its wearer to feel the sacred meaning of the tattoo without explicitly showing it to others.

Source: @taktaktattoos

Source: @pix_japanese_tattoo

VI. Japanese peony tattoo

In the Japanese tattoo culture, the peony is traditionally considered a male symbol of courage and valor. Samurai used this flower to decorate not only their bodies but also their clothes.

Today the peony tattoo can be performed in a variety of styles, but the Japanese one remains highly popular. It is usually a large flower with sharp contours and some additional elements, i.e. phrases, words, or koi fish. To enhance the dynamics, choose blackwork or watercolor peony tattoos that look a little bit smudged. Such tattoos are usually preferred by women who want to emphasize their sexuality. 

Source: @cafu_nbs

Source: @emanuelesircanatattoo

Source: @bearded_13_

Black peony Japanese tattoo

Monochromatic peony tattoos are an opportunity to emphasize your courage and dedication, as well as a talisman that can attract good luck and prosperity. The black peony has a special meaning. It is chosen by a man who can boast of more than one victory and is always ready to stand up for himself, his family, and his loved ones. A woman chooses a black peony when she wants to demonstrate the beauty of her body and sensuality. The tattoo can be complemented by dragons, lions, and Koi fish.

Source: @nicoleellisse

Source: @emanuelesircanatattoo

Japanese peony tattoo sleeve

The method of irezumi is often used to get a peony tattoo sleeve. This picture is perfect for the luxurious flower that symbolizes courage and desperation.

The tattoo artist stretches the outline of the flower from the shoulder down to the wrist, fills it with bright, contrasting colors, and applies shadows to add some volume and dynamics that are common to the Japanese style. The sleeve is most often filled with black and bright red shades to emphasize your warlike nature.

Source: @lapv_tattoo2

Source: @scene360

Peony half-sleeve tattoo

The peony half-sleeve tattoo can be applied to one or both shoulders at once. These are usually voluminous irezumi pictures that look dynamic. When you move, the petals will also move as if under the influence of wind. The tattoo artist uses bright, contrasting colors to carefully draw the contours and shade some petals against the others. This tattoo is good for a brave, reckless guy who is ready to do anything for the sake of victory.

Source: @farbrorerik

Peony koi tattoo sleeve

You can choose a peony accompanied by a traditional Japanese koi fish. This tattoo has a special meaning. Its wearer is a true warrior and winner. He is stubborn and always moves forward, no matter what. Those images must be voluminous and dynamic, so the design of the tattoo looks perfect on the back, chest, or upper thigh. The motif is often used for tattooing a sleeve.

Source: @saintsandsinners928

Source: @dan_oriental

Peony tattoo sleeve black

The blackwork peony tattoo is usually depicted on the arm and completely occupies the entire space from the shoulder down to the wrist. The absence of bright colors does not deprive the tattoo of its main meaning – its wearer strives for victory and always achieves the goal. Depending on your desire, the black peony can be accompanied by plant elements, leaves, and shoots. Besides, sharp contours and shadows, inherent in the Japanese style, can make even a black and white tattoo look voluminous and dynamic.

Source: @rasiktattoo

Source: @vinktattoofinland

VII. Japanese rose tattoo

Japanese rose tattoos are quite special. Unlike other styles, the Japanese flower has no thorns and does not carry the message of unrequited love. The Japanese rose never has thorns because it is a symbol of spirituality, nobility, prosperity, and youth.  A rose tattoo on your chest means your interest in spiritual practices, as well as your desire for eternal youth, and beauty. A Japanese rose on the back symbolizes prosperity. To create this kind of tattoo, artists rely on oriental, irezumi, blackwork, and watercolor techniques.

Source: @hop_tattoo_kt

Source: @annabelleluyken_tattoo

Source: @hop_tattoo_kt

Black Japanese rose tattoo

Black Japanese rose tattoos can be applied to different parts of the body. This may be a large rose on the shoulder, chest, or back. The surface of the hand, as well as the ankle or lower abdomen, is often used to place the drawing. The blackwork technique emphasizes and enhances the meaning of the tattoo. The black rose is preferred by those who once lost a loved one and want to perpetuate his or her memory. The monochromatic rose looks stylish and mournful.

Source: @anchorandarrows13

Japanese rose tattoo sleeve 

The Japanese rose tattoos look impressive and highly artistic. These are usually oriental or neo-traditional designs. The traditional Japanese technique of irezumi is also often used. The space from shoulder to wrist is perfect for creating not a simple tattoo, but a whole composition in which the flower of love is combined with other symbols, such as birds and your loved ones’ names and initials.

Source: @skin.craft

Source: @saintsandsinners928

VIII. Japanese flower neck tattoo 

Japanese flower tattoos are often placed on the neck. This may be a small flower or a large rose, peony or Sakura, going down the neck to the shoulder and part of the back. It is believed that the closer the Japanese tattoo is to the head, the stronger and more sacred meaning it has. Monochromatic flower tattoos look great on the neck. However, if you want to declare your desire for a goal or emphasize the transience of life, an irezumi or oriental flower will be the best option.

Source: @godline.tattoo

Source: @defliketonestattoo

Source: @razone_tattoo

IX. Japanese flower tattoo leg sleeve

Japanese flower tattoo leg sleeves not only have a certain meaning but can also become your talisman. It is believed that leg tattoos attract health and success, and Japanese flower motifs can help you keep your body in good shape. The brave and strong will enhance their qualities by tattooing a large oriental peony below the knee. Performed in the Japanese style, a monochromatic peony on the leg is no less impressive and looks extremely voluminous. Finally, an irezumi peony tattoo stretched from the knee to the ankle can attract good luck and extreme fortune.

Source: @rasenk

Source: @paulocesar_tattoo

Source: @cdtattoos113

X. Small Japanese flower tattoo                     

Small Japanese flower tattoos are chosen by both men and women. The special technique makes these symbolic drawings look voluminous and dynamic. A small Sakura flower on a woman’s shoulder can speak of the transience of a love relationship and disappointment. And a Japanese peony depicted on a man’s wrist will emphasize his passion for risk, as well as his desperate courage.

Source: @custominkstudio

Source: @cleaver_tattoo_artist

Japanese tattoos are a special kind of art that cannot be learned in a day. Many tattoo artists leave for Japan to feel the atmosphere of tattooing and learn how to make irezumi tattoos involving extremely bright, voluminous, and dynamic flowers. Due to the complexity and size of the drawing, Japanese tattoos are rarely made in one day, so you need to be prepared and have patience if you want to get a unique body design.