peony tattoos
In the world of tattoos, florals are always in style.
Flower tattoos are a beautiful way to mix the bold attitude of a tattoo with the delicate feminine qualities of a flower.
Sometimes floral tattoos are chosen as “filler” on larger pieces, to make the space around the main tattoo design more attractive and ornate.
One flower that has been fully embraced by the tattoo community is the peony.
Peony flowers have large, extravagant blooms that are sure to turn heads in any garden.
They are a popular choice for tattoos, either alone or as a complement to a larger design, especially in Japanese tattoos.
Many cultures claim this beautiful flower.
As a result, the peony tattoo has many meanings, in some cases even to a contradictory degree.
Let’s take a deep dive into the delicate petals of the peony flower and explore the wisdom this perennial has to offer.
peony tattoo meanings
Because there are so many meanings in so many cultures, the meaning of a peony tattoo is up to you.
In Japanese tattoo art, they are often used to symbolize a bold and masculine personality.
Due to their popularity in Edo period woodblock prints, they have become ubiquitous among Japanese tattoos.
In a Japanese-style tattoo, a peony would represent nobility and courage.
When considering a peony tattoo design, you may find some common combinations.
Not coincidentally, the symbolism of one powerful tattoo motif often changes when combined with another.
In the case of a peony, you can clarify the intention behind your tattoo by including other images in your tattoo design.
These are some of the most common themes in peony tattoos and what they represent.
dragon & meaning of the peony tattoo
In Japanese tattoos, the peony takes on a whole new meaning when combined with a dragon tattoo.
As mentioned above, the peony tattoo often represents male strength and bravery on its own in Japanese tattoos.
but, next to a dragon tattoo, its delicate qualities shine.
In tattoo art, especially when it comes to Japanese designs, there should be a sense of balance and flow.
The dragon and peony tattoo play off each other, representing both brute strength and a softer, more intellectual sense of bravery.
The message of a dragon and peony tattoo is to be strong and brave, but to do it with a sense of style.
strength without grace doesn’t accomplish much or persuade many people.
snake & meaning of the peony tattoo
also in this tattoo design, the peony takes on traits that we consider feminine.
There is an undeniable parallelism between snake tattoos and peony tattoos and masculine and feminine.
They resemble each other in the artistic sense and this is often what a snake and peony tattoo design represents.
Snake and peony tattoos can represent procreation on a larger, more universal scale.
This may be a symbol of the natural cycle of life-end-renewal that exists in all things, giving us a sense of unity.
In short, this tattoo design usually represents sacred sensuality.
hummingbird & peony tattoos
The hummingbird and peony tattoo pairing is very popular, especially for people with a more feminine style.
The tattoo design is beautiful on its own, and is used by some for purely aesthetic reasons.
If you’re someone who likes to dive a little deeper, a hummingbird and peony tattoo together represent gratitude.
Hummingbird tattoos most often represent a cheerful, playful and creative approach to life.
Because peonies have large, luscious flowers, they often represent blessings.
Together, these two tattoo symbols represent the joyful approach to life that comes from remembering to be grateful for what you have.
pink & meaning of the peony tattoo
Although roses and peonies are not related, many people associate these flowers because of the way they bloom and blossom.
as gifts, both are considered romantic.
Rose tattoos and peony tattoos look incredibly seductive and feminine.
a rose and peony tattoo design can symbolize:
- a celebration of romance
- a deep desire for lasting love
- to be in touch with your divine femininity
peony tattoo styles
There are so many beautiful ways to approach your peony tattoo design.
Take a look at our gallery below to see some of the most beautiful peony tattoo styles online.
black & gray peony tattoos
Black and gray peony tattoos are the perfect way to focus on the shape and delicate details of your design without distracting from the color.
The black and gray styling adds a soft, romantic touch to an already dreamy bloom, don’t you think?
peony tattoos in black
Unlike a black and gray design, black tattoos feature large sections of deeply saturated black ink.
This is often contrasted with negative space or “skin breaks” where your natural pigment becomes part of the tattoo design.
The bold sense of contrast gives peony tattoos in black a truly stunning effect.
illustrative peony tattoos
Illustrative tattoo designs can take many different forms.
Basically, these tattoos are meant to look “drawn” and artistic rather than photo-realistic.
these designs tend to be a bit more 2d and have a fun sense of color.
We love the vibrancy and artistry of these illustrative peony tattoos.
neo-traditional peony tattoos
Like illustrative tattoos, neo-traditional tattoos have a less realistic and more two-dimensional look.
They’re called neo-traditional tattoos because they incorporate the wall-to-wall color fills and bold contours of a traditional American tattoo style.
Where they differ from “old school” tattoos is in their liner style and color palettes.
A neo-traditional peony tattoo features curved lines that really bring the floral tattoo design to life.
The colors are often slightly muted and organic, making this tattoo style a popular choice for plant and animal life.
watercolor peony tattoos
here we see two examples of watercolor peonies tattoos.
one features a striking tattoo outline with cheerful, bold, and imperfect colors.
the other watercolor design fluctuates between clear outlines and the complete absence of them.
This shows the versatility of watercolor tattoos.
You can use this style of tattoo to represent any type of feeling you like.
single needle peony tattoos
Single needle tattoos take a similar approach to a pencil sketch, giving them the same aesthetic.
In a single needle peony tattoo, the artist will only use a thin needle to create the tattoo design.
In the above tattoo styles, many different types of needles are needed to achieve the overall effect.
A single needle tattoo gives you an end result that is both soft and subtle, yet bold and different.
Japanese peony tattoos
peonies feature prominently in Japanese tattoo design because the flower is greatly important to the culture.
Traditionally these tattoos are black and red.
Black can be a symbol of mourning in Japan, and also symbolizes enlightenment and formality.
red is the color of strong emotions, prosperity and the protection of spirits.
Together, they form a strong combination.
Japanese peony tattoos are a masculine and protective image.
graphic peony tattoos
Graphic peony tattoos feature innovative tattoo techniques and can take many forms.
The graphic tattoo style often uses a contrast between stark geometric tattoo forms and more organic forms of life to create visual interest.
This is a wonderful approach if you want a tattoo design that feels very of the moment.
realistic peony tattoos
It’s fun to play around with different interpretations, but flower tattoos are beautiful on their own.
In a realistic peony tattoo, the artist pays homage to the natural beauty of the flower.
The end result is a stunning tattoo that can remind you of the beauty of nature.
American traditional peony tattoos
American traditional tattoos will always be bold and somewhat masculine, but the peony tattoo design is softer.
There are no “wall to wall” sections, so the tattooed piece feels minimal and delicate within the style.
The traditional peony tattoos are perfect if you want an eye-catching old school tattoo design without much machismo.
peony tattoo ideas
Peonies are strong, long-lasting flowers with soft, delicate pastel-colored bloom powers.
The delicate strength of this flower tattoo makes them impossible to forget.
why not immortalize this beautiful flower in a tattoo?
If you’re out of ideas, take a look at our garden of peony tattoos for inspiration.
- small peony tattoos
- simple peony tattoos
- peony tattoo with bracelet
- large peony tattoos
peony tattoo placement
- peony tattoos on the forearm
- peony tattoos on the shoulder
conclusion
Peony tattoos can be as bold or subtle as you like, from small, delicate tattoo styles to big, bold pieces that showcase the flower as its own piece of tattoo art.
If you’re looking for a standout floral tattoo, the peony is one of the most distinct options available.
The large blossoms of the flower exude an impressive and striking vibrancy that is completely unique in floral tattoos.
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