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While red roses often symbolize love and romance, black roses tend to represent more mysterious and darker themes.
Some black rose tattoos are associated with grieving the loss of a loved one or even a time of great change and new beginnings.
No matter what you want to get a tattoo of this symbol for, we’ve rounded up some amazing designs to give you some ideas.
what do black rose tattoos mean?
Because the color black is associated with death, black rose tattoos are often associated with mourning. People often get a black rose tattoo in memory of a loved one who has died, so the design encapsulates both love and sadness.
while black is the hue associated with sadness in the west, it is not in eastern nations like cambodia, where people wear white while mourning a loved one. The black rose tattoo can also represent revenge, as shown in numerous old movies. in these films, a person’s body was marked with a black rose, indicating that revenge had been exacted and “justice” served.
inspiration for black rose tattoos
minimalist black rose tattoo
This first tattoo has a simple yet elegant design. a single solid black rose is enclosed in a slim rectangular frame, along with the word “loneliness”. this tattoo design is ideal for those who like to keep it simple and straight to the point.
black rose tattoo on the back
If you’re willing to sit down for a long tattoo session, check out this large, intricate back piece. black roses on vines climb up the back to create a beautiful piece of art. show your love for nature with this unique design.
rose tattoo on the sternum upside down
sometimes love or pain can turn your life upside down. This simple black rose silhouette tattoo is delicately placed on the sternum. it is a nice tattoo idea that is just for you, or you can display it if you want.
black roses silhouette tattoo
Check out this simple and cute tattoo idea. a pair of black roses are placed in an x at the nape. It is a simple design that can also fit perfectly on the shoulder, ankle, wrist or other small areas.
traditional black rose tattoo
If you’re a fan of the traditional American tattoo style, check out this black rose tattoo. a black rose is surrounded by shaded leaves with clean outlines. Though simple in design, this bold tattoo is sure to make a statement.
shaded black rose hand tattoo
This next tattoo is perfectly detailed with black and gray shading. the rose is beautiful, with a touch of sadness. It’s a great tattoo if you’re celebrating the life of a loved one who has passed away.
single black rose tattoo
In this tattoo, a single black rose is placed on the side of the neck. the design is simple without shading, just the silhouette of the flower, its stem and leaves. customize this design to your liking by changing the location or size.
bold traditional american rose
Here is another traditional rose tattoo. this rose design is bold as there is no shading but just a deep black color. it is a deep and heavy design that can tell a story. Combine this tattoo with others on your sleeve, or leave it alone.
flaming rose tattoo
Make a statement with this flaming black rose tattoo. the rose petals have minimal shading and are topped with simple gray flames. this could represent a fiery passion for a lover or even a bad breakup.
black and gray gradient pink
If you love a tattoo with detailed shading, this is for you. This black rose tattoo is brought to life with intricate details that make it look like the real thing. Place this tattoo wherever you like, such as on the chest, back, or leg.
black rose tattoo on the forearm
Here’s another simple yet bold black rose tattoo idea. the silhouette of this beautiful flower is completely colored with black ink. the shape and length of the tattoo make it a great choice for your arm or leg.
black and gray rose tattoo
This rose tattoo design is drawn with slightly less detail and is shaded in grayscale. the beautiful rose petals are surrounded by many leaves. it’s softer and more delicate than some of the more daring designs on this list.
heavy black rose hand tattoo
If you prefer a bold tattoo, check out this idea. The design is inked with heavy black ink so this tattoo is easy to spot from afar. Due to its darkness, this tattoo is sure to evoke a lot of intense emotions or tell a story.
black rose silhouette on the calf
For those who prefer the simplicity of a silhouette, this tattoo is another great option. the black rose appears to almost bow, which could indicate sadness, pain, or sorrow. could work well placed on the calf, sleeve or torso.
small rose silhouette tattoo
Here’s another cool silhouette of a rose. the single stem is detailed with a handful of leaves. The bold coloring of this tattoo creates a simple and easy design. Its small size can be placed virtually anywhere on the body.
black rosehip tattoo
want a sexier and sassy tattoo idea? consider placing your simple black rose silhouette on your hip. It’s a flirty piece that could catch the eye of that special someone.
double black rose fire tattoo
This intense tattoo design features two flaming roses. however, the petals of a rose are represented as a dollar bill. This interesting tattoo idea definitely has some symbolism in it. sure to be a topic of conversation.
dark black rose tattoo
Be bold and strong with this dark rose tattoo design. this black rose is heavily shaded in black and grey. Due to its boldness, you will have a feeling of pain and sadness when you look at it. at the same time, the beauty of the petals leaves room for hope.
black rose minimal outline
For a simple, toned down design, consider this rose outline tattoo. it has no shading but uses crisp, clean lines. its small size makes it an excellent design for the hand, foot or neck.
small black rose silhouette with leaves
Rose petals are beautiful, but you should also pay homage to the leaves of these sweet flowers. This black rose tattoo features small petals and lots of bold leaves. place this small design anywhere on your skin.
detailed dark rose tattoo
This black rose tattoo has tons of details that are interesting to look at. petals, stem, and leaves well shaded with black and gray color scale. The detailed work on this tattoo is sure to have great longevity throughout the years.
black rose and leaves tattoo
Check out this symmetrical black rose tattoo. the rose petals are strongly tinted black and the flower is surrounded by greyscale shaded leaves. this tattoo design creates a symmetrical effect, making it look great on the center of the back.
single rose and portrait tattoo
Here is one more daring idea of a unique black rose tattoo. the rose is transformed into the portrait of a face with penetrating eyes. the shading was done very well which makes this tattoo look intricately detailed even without color.
single rose tattoo on the back
For more back inspiration, here’s a great rose silhouette tattoo. Although the design is simple, the sheer size of this tattoo certainly makes a statement.
traditional rose hand tattoo
This traditional black rose was placed on top of the hand for a front and center tattoo. pay tribute to your loved one or remember to keep hope alive when you look at this bold and beautiful tattoo.
black rose with snake tattoo
Create your own story and symbolism with this next tattoo idea. a simple black rose silhouette is being coiled by a fierce snake. could represent temptation or even betrayal.
black rose in diamond tattoo
Here’s another great minimalist style. this rose silhouette is placed in a simple diamond frame. It’s pretty and stylish – a great tattoo for your arm, leg or torso.
black rose with text
For a unique twist on the rose silhouette tattoo, check out this design. the simple and bold rose has a stem that flows into the written text. personalize it however you like, like including the name of a loved one.
greyscale rose tattoo
Check out this detailed rose tattoo. it is beautifully shaded with black and grey, with the initials of a loved one within the design. here, it looks great on the forearm, but this design can also work well on the torso or a calf.
half sleeve of traditional dark roses
Dark tattoos like this one are a great cover-up job if you have a tattoo that is no longer your favorite. These heavy, dark traditional roses are a great way to express your individuality and uniqueness.
black rose tattoo with white reflections
This little rose tattoo takes grayscale to another level with white highlights. they light up a rather bold and dark tattoo. This design is quite small, so you can place it on areas like your wrist, neck, or feet.
beautiful rose silhouette tattoo
For fans of minimalism, try this beautiful and simple rose silhouette tattoo. delicate rose petals, expressive leaves and a slender stem create a beautiful design. sits perfectly on the back of the upper arm.
shaded rose tattoo with long stem
Here is a simple yet pretty black rose tattoo. its design features gray and black shaded petals and a long stem that runs down the back. this delicate design is an excellent option to pay tribute to a loved one.
rose silhouette with loose petals
Although this is a stagnant tattoo design, this rose comes to life. the petals, leaves and stem are drawn with curves and angles to give the tattoo movement. This small tattoo looks great on an ankle or wrist.
shaded gray and black roses
Check out this beautifully detailed tattoo design. two roses are placed on the shoulder and shaded in gray and black ink, with detailed leaves in the background. consider getting this design if you’re looking for something dainty and pretty.
what does your black rose tattoo represent?
Black rose tattoos are truly beautiful and delicate works of art. you can get one that is a simple silhouette, or you can try a more detailed and intricate design. the possibilities are endless. what story will you tell with your rose tattoo?
