Botanical tattoo designs look beautiful as well as being meaningful. They are also a great way to express your love of nature and appreciation for the beauty of the world around us. A botanical tattoo can have many meanings, depending on the chosen species and design. However, many people opt for a flower or tattoo simply for its beauty or personal significance. No matter the reason, a botanical tattoo is a versatile and elegant way to add the beauty of the natural world to a unique tattoo design.
We have researched the meanings behind some of our favourite botanical species and paired them with images from our pictorial archive Vintage Botanical Illustration Volume.2, available in paperback or eBook .
We have researched the meanings behind some of our favourite botanical species and paired them with images from our pictorial archive Vintage Botanical Illustration Volume.2, available in paperback or eBook .
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The rose flower symbolises love, passion, and admiration. Depending on their colour, roses can mean different things - for example, red roses symbolise love and romance, white roses symbolise purity and innocence, yellow roses signify friendship, and pink roses indicate grace.
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Depending on their colour, lilies can represent a variety of emotions and meanings. The classic white lily is an emblem of purity, virtue and innocence, and it has been used for centuries to symbolise these characteristics. The pink lily is often a signifier of joy and admiration and symbolises sweetness, youth, passion and energy. Pink lilies are also often included in floral arrangements at weddings; they signify a married life full of happiness and love. Red lilies symbolise strong emotions like passion, desire or romance. They also represent strength during difficult times or encouragement for someone who needs it most.
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Cactus tattoos symbolise strength, endurance, and resilience. The cactus lives in arid climates and can survive in harsh conditions. It is also a symbol of protection due to its spikes and because it can provide shelter from the sun and heat.
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The pineapple is a symbol of hospitality, wealth and luxury. It also symbolises friendship, so people looking for a tattoo to share with a close friend may want to consider a pineapple. Why do they have this connection? Europeans considered pineapples a luxury item during the 16th and 17th centuries because they were imported from their native Central and South American countries. The cost of transporting pineapples over such long distances was astronomical and often involved multiple transportation methods. Additionally, since the fruit was highly perishable, it had to be packed carefully in layers of straw to preserve it until it reached its destination. Because of its high cost and rarity, the pineapple became associated with elite status in Europe during this period. It wasn't uncommon for wealthy families to present pineapples as gifts or serve them at banquets and feasts as a show of prestige.
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The frangipani flower has a long history of symbolism, representing both beauty and fragility. In Hawaii, frangipani flowers are used to make a lei (a garland offered as a token of welcome or farewell) due to their shape and beautiful fragrance. They symbolise positivity and new beginnings. The scent of frangipani is very distinctive, sweetly floral yet subtly musky at the same time. This scent has been used for centuries in incense, perfumes and aromatherapy oils for its calming effect on nerves, aiding relaxation and bringing about inner peace. This leads us to another meaning behind this beautiful flower: balance between body and mind – something we all strive for during difficult times.
Interested in Learning More?
Do you want to know how artists use flowers to convey hidden meanings? Read our blog here. If you're interested in learning more about tattoo symbolism, check out our article about traditional tattoo symbology.
Get Vintage Botanical Illustration Volume.2 in paperback or eBook - featuring inspiring and diverse images of lush tropical flowers, fruits, palms, perennials, trees, masterfully rendered ornamental garden varietals, and more. Access 184 beautifully rendered copyright-free botanical illustrations to use in graphic design projects, wedding invitations and collages. These high resolution images are the best reference material available for botanical illustrations and designs.
Image Download Included:
We have carefully restored the artwork and provided a download link within the publication where you will locate high-resolution files in JPEG format to speed up your workflow. No scanning necessary! Follow the instructions in the book and instantly access all images featured.
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