What Does a Butterfly Tattoo Mean?

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Everything you need to know about the symbolism of butterfly tattoos

Co-authored by Annabelle Reyes Reviewed by Stina Garbis

Last Updated: September 29, 2024 Fact Checked

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What does a tattoo of a butterfly mean?

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Creative Butterfly Tattoo Ideas

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Combining Butterfly Tattoos with Other Designs

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Butterfly Tattoo Placement

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Healing and Aftercare

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Choosing a Tattoo Artist

Butterflies are some of the most beautiful creatures around, so it’s no surprise that they’re such popular choices for tattoos. If you’re considering getting a butterfly tattoo and want to learn more about their symbolic meanings, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll take you through what butterfly tattoos represent and provide some design ideas to inspire you. We’ll also go over different placement options, so keep reading!

Butterfly Tattoo Meaning

Butterfly tattoos represent transformation, rebirth, and resilience in the face of hardship. Butterflies start out as humble caterpillars and then transform into beautiful winged creatures, which serves as a symbolic representation of your ability to change, grow, and become the person you were meant to be.

Section 1 of 6:

What does a tattoo of a butterfly mean?

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Starting out as a simple caterpillar and then becoming a beautiful winged insect, the butterfly perfectly symbolizes transformation and personal growth. A butterfly tattoo can serve as a poignant reminder of your ability to change, adapt, and thrive, no matter what life throws at you. It can also represent the exciting, fresh beginnings that come when you let go of the old and embrace the new.^{[1]
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Before becoming a beautiful winged creature, a butterfly must endure the life of a caterpillar, as well as several weeks sealed up in a chrysalis.^{[2]
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Research source} Because of this, many people get butterfly tattoos to symbolize resilience in the face of hardship, or to represent victory in their battles against mental health issues like depression.^{[3]
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Butterflies can soar through the sky, and flit playfully from flower to flower. They also come in a wide array of bright colors, from cheery yellows and oranges to vibrant purples and blues. Because of this, butterfly tattoos can also represent happiness, positivity, and having a free spirit.^{[4]
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Butterflies also have spiritual associations in many cultures. In Japanese culture, for example, a white butterfly represents the soul of someone who has recently departed.^{[5]
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Research source} In this context, a butterfly tattoo can be a symbolic representation of the eternal nature of the soul, or serve as a reminder that the spirit of a loved one lives on.^{[6]
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There’s no denying the elegance and grace of butterflies. Because of this, butterfly tattoos can be a celebration of femininity or beauty.^{[7]
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Research source} This lovely tattoo can serve as a reminder to carry yourself with confidence, self-love, and poise, so that both your inner and outer beauty can shine through!
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Love It’s no coincidence that when we feel nervous around a crush, we say we have “butterflies.” In many cultures, these beautiful winged creatures represent romance and exciting fresh starts in love. With this in mind, a butterfly tattoo can be a beautiful representation of romance!
- In Chinese culture, specifically, butterflies symbolize the freedom and joy of healthy romantic relationships.^{[8]
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Section 2 of 6:

Creative Butterfly Tattoo Ideas

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If you’re looking for a subtle option, a minimalist butterfly could be the perfect choice. Ask your tattoo artist for a simple design, featuring just the butterfly's outline. For an especially delicate look, opt for a thin, fine-line silhouette, instead of a thicker outline. This elegant, graceful design is sure to impress!
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Realistic butterfly tattoo If you prefer more life-like tattoos, ask your tattoo artist for a detailed, realistic depiction of a butterfly. You can also customize your design by picking the type of butterfly that speaks to you the most, which adds a personalized touch. For example:
- Monarch butterflies have bright orange wings with white and black markings. They are some of the most recognizable and beautiful butterflies out there.
- Blue morpho butterflies have gorgeous, vibrant blue wings that fade to black around the edges. They are also some of the largest butterflies in the world!^{[9]
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For a detailed, intricate option, ask your tattoo artist to fill the butterfly’s wings with creative patterns and designs. You can opt for geometric lines and shapes, or flowing swirls and squiggles. These tattoos would look great in black and white, or in the color scheme of your choice!
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Watercolor butterfly tattoo If you want to accentuate butterflies’ beautiful colors, a watercolor tattoo is the perfect option! These trendy tattoos use vibrant, dreamy colors to mimic the appearance of a watercolor painting. Different butterfly colors also carry unique symbolic meanings. Pick the color that resonates the most with you to make your tattoo even more personal!
- Red: passion, love, romance
- Orange: change, energy, enthusiasm^{[10]
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- Yellow: hope, joyfulness, positivity
- Purple: spirituality, transformation, rebirth, mysticism
- Green: growth, fertility, nature^{[11]
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- Blue: serenity, calm, positive change
- White: purity, innocence, peace^{[12]
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If you’re getting a butterfly tattoo as a symbol of romantic love, consider getting matching butterfly ink with your partner. Each of you can get one wing tattooed, so that when they’re placed side-by-side, they make a beautiful, symmetrical butterfly!

Section 3 of 6:

Combining Butterfly Tattoos with Other Designs

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Try incorporating other symbols into your butterfly tattoo to truly personalize your design. For example, if you’re getting a tattoo to represent resilience in the face of mental health struggles, consider adding a semicolon. Semicolon tattoos are powerful symbols of hope for those who have overcome depression, addiction, or self-harm.^{[13]
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Research source} This makes them an especially poignant and meaningful add-on to your butterfly tattoo!
Lotus flower tattoos carry many of the same symbolic meanings as butterfly tattoos. They represent transformation, rebirth, and blooming in the face of adversity, which makes them the perfect addition to your design. Ask your tattoo artist to depict a butterfly landing on top of a lotus to really amp up the themes of metamorphosis and renewal!
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Butterfly landing on a flower of your choice If you want to incorporate different themes and symbolism into your butterfly tattoo, add flowers of your choice to your design. Different flowers carry different symbolic meanings, so you can truly personalize your tattoo’s message!
- Baby’s breath: everlasting love
- Daisy: innocence
- Lilac: youthfulness
- Rose: romantic love^{[14]
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- Dandelion: faithfulness and happiness
- Blue hyacinth: constancy
- White lily: purity^{[15]
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Section 4 of 6:

Butterfly Tattoo Placement

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These tattoo placements are the perfect choice if you want your ink to be discrete, but still visible to you. You can choose to conceal your tattoo or show it off, depending on the setting or your mood!^{[16]
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These placements are a bit more visible, but still subtle. If you choose to place your tattoo behind your ear, you can wear your hair in an up-do to accentuate your ink. Or, if you opt to place the tattoo near your collarbone, you can draw attention to it by wearing a lower-cut top or a beautiful necklace!
This is a great option because the stem of the flower can extend however long you need it to. You can even choose a type of flower that carries special significance for you, to make the tattoo more personal and meaningful!
These areas have enough space for more complex designs, so let your creativity run wild. Maybe you want to fill the butterfly’s wings with beautiful patterns. Or, maybe you want to set your butterfly against a detailed, intricate background. The options are endless!

Section 5 of 6:

Butterfly Tattoo Healing and Aftercare

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Keep the tattoo covered for the first several hours. After getting your butterfly tattoo, your tattoo artist will likely apply a thin layer of ointment and cover the area with a bandage. They may tell you to leave the bandage on for up to 24 hours to protect your tattoo as it starts to heal. Follow your tattoo artist’s instructions and leave the bandage on for however long they tell you to.^{[17]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- When you’re ready to remove the bandage, wet the area with warm water so that it will soften and peel off gently.
- Next, wash the tattoo with a mild, scent-free soap. When you’re finished washing, gently pat the area dry with a clean, soft wash cloth.
To prevent infection and aid in the healing process, wash your tattoo twice a day with water and gentle soap. Don’t scrub too harshly, and don’t rub a towel on the area to dry it. Instead, gently pat it with a clean, washcloth until it’s completely dry.^{[18]
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Mayo Clinic
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Apply a mild, scent-free moisturizer to your new tattoo 2-3 times per day.^{[19]
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Mayo Clinic
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Go to source} To avoid over-moisturizing the tattoo, use a very thin layer of lotion, and opt for a water-based product like Lubriderm, rather than a petroleum-based product like Vaseline.^{[20]
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Avoid sun exposure and swimming. While your new tattoo is still healing, try to keep it out of the sun, and don’t go swimming in any pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, or the ocean. This protects your skin and prevents infection as your tattoo heals.^{[21]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Wait until your tattoo is fully healed and no longer scabbing to swim or expose the area to the sun. This usually takes 2-4 weeks.^{[22]
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Section 6 of 6:

How to Choose a Tattoo Artist

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Find a licensed tattoo artist who specializes in the style you want. After picking your design, search for tattoo artists who specialize in the type of tattoo you want online. For example, if you want a fine-line butterfly tattoo or a watercolor butterfly tattoo, look for artists who are experienced with these styles. If you have friends who have tattoos, you can also try asking them for recommendations.^{[23]
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- If you find an artist you’re interested in working with, try following them on Instagram or Facebook. This will allow you to look at pictures of their previous work and read comments and reviews from customers.^{[24]
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- Always make sure to go to a reputable tattoo studio that has properly trained employees and a valid license to operate in your city or state.^{[25]
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  Mayo Clinic
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