The ink of roses is still popular worldwide, and its roots can be traced back to the first American tattoos on guys, for a good reason. There’s something unique about a rose tattoo. Rose tattoos can be delicate or bold; you can see them on Harley-riding bikers and Bay Area hipsters.
Rose tattoos look good almost anywhere you can find space, from the inside of the wrist to the middle of the neck or somewhere a little more out there. And this classic subject is just as open to different ways of being artistic as it is interesting.
The rose tattoos in this collection range from the classic yellow Sailor Jerry rose to a dead rose with daggers, skulls, and snakes around it. They will inspire you and help you find the right rose tattoo for your next appointment.
1. A TATTOO OF A BLACK ROSE
Roses are often used to show love and desire between two people, but when the traditional colors are changed to darker ones, the meaning changes, too. Black rose tattoos stand out, whether meant to show grief, death, or something else.
2. A SMALL ROSE TATTOO
Small rose tattoos are proof of this. Few things are more beautiful than a small rose tattooed in the right spot.
3. TATTOO OF A MONEY ROSE
“Cash rules everything around me,” Wu-Tang said it best. Have you got a money rose tattoo because your true love is green paper? Now, everyone will know where your heart lies.
4. A CLASSIC ROSE TATTOO
Since the first ships went to the east and brought back tattoos, people have been getting rose tattoos. Rose tattoos from the past are still popular, and this is the best design with a bit of background for someone who wants something clean.
5. TATTOO OF A BLUE ROSE
Most people think of red when they hear the word “rose,” but there are different types of these flowers, each with its meaning. The blue rose tattoos are a great new take on this classic design. Roses are often used to represent fantasy, vision, and mystery.
6. A TATTOO OF A YELLOW ROSE
Another color rose besides red that has its meaning is friendship, loyalty, and happiness. Sailor Jerry was one of the first artists to tattoo yellow roses, and they’re just as fascinating now as they were back then.
7. COMPASS ROSE TATTOO
A compass tattoo is generally a way for the person who has it to get back home or to someone they care about. When compass roses are added to these standard flowers, they often mean that love is essential in the wearer’s life.
8. ROSE VINE TATTOO
One rose isn’t always enough. One reason rose vine tattoos are so popular is that they can be used to extend a pattern and make it more interesting.
9. TATTOO OF A SKULL AND A ROSE
Eros and Thanatos represent love and death. Some people say that love and death are the two most essential things in life, and skull and rose tattoos are the best way to honor those two universal truths.
10. TATTOO OF A DEAD ROSE
Only some people find love easily. Dead rose tattoos are the right way for people who want to remember reckless love and lost relationships.
11. A NAME ON A ROSE TATTOO
Since almost everyone knows that roses mean love and marriage, adding some script to a rose design is a great way to make it even more unique. With a rose and their name tattooed, nothing says “I love you” like that.
12. A SIMPLE ROSE TATTOO
Simple rose tattoos are great when you only want a few ink lines. Their shape is easy to recognize, and they have a lot of meaning.
13. DRAWING OF A ROSE TATTOO
These pretty flowers are often drawn in bright colors, but a black-and-white style resembling a pencil on paper can also be fascinating. Rose tattoos show that color isn’t always needed to make a flower look great.
14. TATTOO OF A SNAKE AND A ROSE
For decades, people have loved getting tattoos of roses and snakes, which are both potent symbols of masculinity and mystery. In the hands of a skilled artist, this gives snake and rose tattoos a lot of symbolic weight and a vast amount of artistic potential.
15. TATTOO OF A ROSE AND A BUTTERFLY
It’s not a surprise that some people choose to get butterfly and rose tattoos. I chose these two topics because they are both about beauty and very important to each other’s lives.
16. TATTOO OF A PURPLE ROSE
Colors: red, yellow, blue, and purple. Purple rose tattoos are vital signs of endless love and devotion, often used to honor a deceased spouse.
17. TATTOO OF A GYPSY ROSE
For decades, artists have loved drawing gypsy girls. Their skirts, gold earrings, and mysterious beauty make some stunning designs. People who want to add more tattoos to their arms might find gypsy rose tattoos the right choice.
18. ROSE WITH STEM TATTOO
When most people think of rose ink, they think of the flowers. But the rest of the plant can be used to make more exciting designs. Tattoos of roses with stems can look clean and balanced if they are done right.
19. TATTOO OF A DAGGER AND A ROSE
Combining ideas that don’t seem to go together can lead to deep and exciting work. Tattoos of a dagger and a rose, which combine a blade’s violence with a flower’s beauty, show how appealing that approach is.
20. TATTOO OF A ROSE AND A CLOCK
Time keeps going by, and adding a clock to a design can make it more meaningful and one-of-a-kind. Rose and clock tattoos, which usually stand for love and devotion that lasts forever, are a great example of this.
21. TATTOO OF A TIGER ROSE
Tigers are one of the most well-known symbols of raw natural power, and the way they look next to flower tattoos is stunning. Roses and tigers make an excellent pair for people who want a fierce and delicate pattern.
22. TATTOO OF A TRIBAL ROSE
Tribal ink is back in style with its swirling designs and sharp lines. Adding a bit of fury to a piece is fun with this style, and tribal rose tattoos are no different.
23. TATTOO ON ROSE SLEEVE
With a full sleeve, you show you’re really into a pattern. There are many styles of sleeves, but roses look great with black and gray ones. Adding a rose or two can make Chicano tattoos, traditional American tattoos, and even trash polka patterns look better. But getting a full rose-sleeve tattoo on your arm takes this style to a new level.
24. A ROSE TATTOO ON THE HAND
Getting a tattoo on your hand, especially a rose tattoo, is an excellent way to draw extra attention to your design. On the other hand, these flowers also look great in this bright spot. If it’s made right, the rose’s shape can match the back of the hand and fit perfectly.
25. TATTOO OF A ROSE FOREARM
You can put a lot of different patterns on your forearm, like these classic flowers. Rose tattoos on the forearm are a standard design that looks great in this spot. They are easy to hide at work and will look great when you roll up your sleeves and let your ink breathe after work.
26. A TATTOO OF A ROSE FLOWER ON THE NECK
Some people don’t like rose neck tattoos, but something is exciting about them. A rose tattoo on your rose is a vital sign of style, freedom, and independence that waves the flag high for everyone to see.
27. TATTOO OF A ROSE THIGH
The thighs are significant areas that are great for big, exciting designs but are often forgotten in favor of more noticeable spots. Rose thigh tattoos look great on this part of the upper leg.
28. A TATTOO OF A ROSE ON THE FINGER
Rose finger tattoos are a bold way to show love and devotion without the commitment needed for a neck or face tattoo. They are a bit less prominent than a full-hand tattoo.
29. WRIST TATTOO OF A ROSE
The wrist is becoming a more popular place for stand-alone designs because it’s perfect for designs that don’t need as much room as the forearm or bicep. People with rose wrist tattoos look a little creepy when a piece of ink sticks out from under their shirt cuff.
30. TATTOO OF A ROSE ON THE CHEST
Since the chest is one of the body’s most prominent surfaces, it’s an excellent place for big, bold designs. Roses are a great choice for these kinds of tattoos because they are so vast. Since the pecs are split in half, they also make for some creative options for matching rose chest tattoos.
FAQS
HOW DO I UNDERSTAND A ROSE TATTOO?
A rose tattoo usually means some love, but the exact meaning relies on the flower’s color, style, design, and placement.
WHERE IS THE BEST INK TO PUT A ROSE?
These rose tattoos look great almost anywhere, which is excellent for people who want them. After getting a rose tattoo, it’s hard to go wrong. You can put it on your face, chest, or neck.
WHAT DOES A BLACK ROSE INK MEANS?
Many people get black rose tattoos as a sign of death or loss, but they aren’t always connected to a specific person. Instead, they often stand for lost love, broken hearts, and going through pain for love.
DO MEN WHO HAVE ROSE TATTOOS LOOK SEXY?
Some might think that flowers are only for girls, but rose tattoos show this is false. Since the design has its roots in the badass shore leave tattoo shops of the past, it’s clear that rose tattoos are hot for guys.
