The variety of tattoo ideas never seize to amaze us. They are incredibly many and versatile. However, every tattoo is a commitment you should weigh out properly, especially when it comes to such a large canvas as your back. These days, back tattoos for women are becoming incredibly popular, which is understandable. Yet, if you consider joining the ranks of tattooed folks, you need to be sure that you know every potential downside and critical detail. We will help you succeed with the task effectively and in no time!

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Eugena's Note:
Eugenia Solodovnichenko
Expertise: Editor
Back tattoos are one of my favorite topics among tattoos, since the back provides a lot of space for imagination and creativity. But in this article I selected not only visually beautiful tattoos, but also took care of the meaning they carry. Continue reading the article to learn about the hidden meanings behind these tattoos.

Moonlight Serpent

The Moon with Snake Tattoo Design
by @ehae.ink

There’s something inexplicably captivating and beautiful about a cold-blooded snake cradling a moon. If you think about it, both the serpent and the moon bear the same mythical allure that many find attractive. But there’s more where it comes from. These two elements are highly symbolic. While the snake stands for wisdom and rebirth, it also remains one of the most powerful signs of feminine strength and endurance. The moon, in its turn, signifies intuition, which means that these two complement and complete one another.

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Watercolor Koi Fishes

Watercolor Koi Fish Tattoo
by @koray_karagozler

In Japanese culture, the koi fish symbolizes good fortune and strength. The Japanese have it that these creatures can swim against the stream, which means that they are super resilient and determined. A popular Berlin artist, Koray Koragozler, who works in an abstract style, depicted these fish in contrasting shades, which makes the design twice as noticeable and impressive.

Advice: I suggest you to play around with the design to make it suit your personality. A lotus flower would stand for your thirst and love for life. A different shade in koi fish could symbolize a different time in your life or any other meaningful detail.

 
Ask an expert: What are the dos and don'ts for someone who already has a tattoo?
Agnieszka Brzozowska
Expertise: Tattoo Expert
If you want to enjoy a beautiful tattoo for many years, avoid the sun! Do not sunbathe your tattoo and cover it with clothes or apply a cream with the highest 50SPF filter whenever you are exposed to sunlight. I also recommend moisturizing your tattoo every day with a good balm or, preferably, body oil. A properly moisturized skin will make the tattoo look more contrasting, expressive and colorful.

A Dragon with Poppy Flowers

Japaneese Dragon Tattoo Design
by @lukovnikovtattoo

Dragons symbolize many things. However, in Chinese culture, dragons are a sign of good luck, strength, and health. Even though sometimes dragons are referred to as the symbol of the male element – Yang, Andrey Lukovnikov, a double-exposure tattooist who lives in Poland, ensures that it is an utterly feminine piece. The smooth and elegant transition from a fierce dragon into blooming poppies creates a powerful yet captivating impression.

Advice: You can customize the design so that it corresponds with your worldview and taste by adding your favorite flowers to the design.

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Tender Peonies with Lettering

Flower with Lettering Tattoo
by @uyenle.tattoo

Peonies are gorgeous but fragile flowers. Very often, they symbolize the fragility of life. However, these beautiful flowers also bear the meanings of prosperity and wealth. I suggest intensifying the desired sense of your tattoo by spicing it with a powerful quote, personal affirmation, or individual guidance.

Floral Raven

Back Tattoo Design with Raven
by @lukovnikovtattoo

Ravens are among the most mythical birds of all time. Where there is magic, wisdom, and something secretive – the ravens are there. Not to mention the visual appeal of the bird. If you combine these traits with the potent symbolism of flora, the delicacy of which emphasizes delicacy, beauty, and fragility, you will get a meaningful piece as the outcome. Don’t forget that the back allows it to use your imagination to the fullest since there is a lot of space to fill in. At the same time, your ink will remain hidden from the prying eyes.

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Sacred Mandala

Mandala Style Back Tattoo
by @veronicalilu

If you refer to Buddhism, you will learn that mandalas are the symbol of perfect balance. The balance of body and mind, the universe, and all things in general. Thus, if you are looking for harmony and stability, a secret mandala may be a great tattoo idea to consider. Yet, it takes an expert tattoo artist, like Veronica Krasovska, a popular Ukrainian tattoo artist who created this work of art, to succeed with an ideal result.

Pisces Tattoo

Koi Fish Tattoo with Sun and Moon
by @firstjing

Most of you know that Pisces is the twelfth astrological sign. However, there’s much more to the symbol than one’s birth sign. Pisces usually stands for the duality of things, including human nature. You can use the symbol to interconnect with the cosmos, or you can use the sign to reflect your outstanding features or the traits you want to acquire.

Watercolor Flowers

Floral Tattoo on a Back
by @koray_karagozler

Watercolors are known for their fragility and gentleness. That is why the style is often associated with flowers and beauty. Watercolors allow it to capture a flower in an almost-realistic manner, which intensifies the romantic and somehow innocent flair. On the other hand, the style presents a lot of room for experimentation and personalization. I would recommend coloring your favorite flowers in your fave shades and effortlessly entitle them to individual meaning.

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Galactic Theme

Watercolor Planet Tattoo Design
by @koray_karagozler

The vastness and enigma of the cosmos serve as a perfect source of inspiration and self-expression. You can create the most unusual galactic design, spice it up with your favorite hues and individual connotations, and etch it on your skin. You don’t have to disclose the encoded message unless you want to and keep the ink to yourself. However, it may take a while to find an experienced artist to revive the cosmic sketch, yet the outcome will be worth the fuss.

A Dark Dragon

Gothic Style Back Tattoo
by @ehae.ink

Dragons are mythical creatures that seem to have been captivating the human mind since the dawn of days. A dragon is an all-powerful and majestic creature that can symbolize one’s personal persistence and strength. A dragon back piece is a potent statement that can highlight your confidence, wisdom, resilience, and enigma.

Butterfly Wings

Butterfly Wings
by @firstjing

Free as a butterfly. That is a powerful motto to use as a daily inspiration and roadmap. Butterflies are exceptionally beautiful, but they go through a complex transformation to become that gorgeous creature. So, such a colorful back piece can also become a personal tribute to the changes and challenges you have come through to become the individual you are now.

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Personal Message

Personal Message
by @jhenifer_duartee

Very often, a back tattoo is associated with something complicated and spacious. However, a simple quote, even a single word, can bear the weight of the most intricate and symbolic piece. Choose the word that drives you forward, inspires, or keeps you away from making a mistake, and decorate your body with it. You may not be able to see it at will, but mere awareness of it will suffice.

Buddha

Buddha Tattoo
by @ivanruotolo.ink

Buddha is a well-known and powerful symbol of religious beliefs and spirituality. If you share the wisdom and teachings of Buddha, you can etch it on your back and refer to the spiritual guide in times of need. This art made by Iván Ruotolo, a Barcelona tattoo artist, reflects the tranquility and wisdom sealed within Buddha anyone can feel with as much as a glance.

The Little Prince Picture

The Little Prince Picture
by @tattooist_banul

A Little Prince is much more than a child’s story written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. It is a life guide full of wisdom, love, and creativity. It is never a waste to seek the correct answers in childhood innocence. The world is a much better place if you can see the beauty around you.

 

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Find the Right Tattoo Artist

Back Tattoo with Flowers
by @veronicalilu

Whether these are hand tattoos for women, leg tattoos for women, or back pieces, one of the main things to do is to find a skilled and experienced tattoo artist to fulfil the task. Yet, if with a simpler tat you can book a session with a wider variety of artists, a large piece implies a specialist who is on the same page with you. Often, tattoo artists have a style they prefer to work with, and you should look for one who is trained in yours. Some people prefer floral pieces. Others choose portraits and some stick to geometrical patterns. After you locate the specialist who shows the necessary experience in the style you like, it helps to book a consultation to decide that you understand each other perfectly and then carry on with the tattoo session itself.

Choose the Design

Deer Silhouette Tattoo with Cherry Blossom Flowers
by @koray_karagozler

The moment you start browsing through cool back tattoos, you will surely be overwhelmed by the number of designs available. All due to the fact that your aback is the largest canvas to work on. A professional artist would recommend you weigh all the pros and cons of the back design you are about to ink on your body. For starters – it is permanent. However, you may change your mind over the course of years and decide to implement a larger design, but the previous pattern may not leave the opportunity. Thus, it isn't the best idea to start with your back as you are diving into the pool of tattoos. It helps to start with something smaller as you find your personal style.

Size and Placement

Owl Tattoo Design for Back
by @veronicalilu

Another vital factor in evaluating before you schedule your séance would be where and how large the piece should be. You can choose from lower back tattoos for women, full back tattoos for women, and upper back tattoos for women. Each area comes with a set of benefits and drawbacks, but in the majority of cases, it is a matter of personal style and taste. Yet, you should know that some places would hurt more than others, so you should inquire about that before finalizing the decision. Keep in mind that your daily activities, work, and other tattoos can predetermine the size and placement. In either case, the new tat should be in perfect sync with all the other potentially involved elements.

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Average Costs

Phoenix Tattoo Design
by @alisa_tesla_art

It is difficult to compare forearm tattoos and back shoulder tattoos for women in terms of different aspects, cost included. No artist will tell you the precise cost for the back piece since it depends on many aspects. Firstly, the size of the design matters. While a small tat may cost around $200, a full-back coverage ranges between $200-$5000 and higher. You should realize that a black outline will cost less than a complete colored piece. Lastly, every artist has a fee that they decide on personally. The more requested the artist is, the more expensive their services will be.

Pain Level

Galaxy Tattoo with a Cat
by @koray_karagozler

With sexy back tattoos for women in mind and a salon to book, an appointment at you may still be reluctant as to whether to get the tat because of the pain. All tattoos hurt, and that is the statement. However, some body parts are less pain sensitive than others. For instance, the back of neck tattoos and spine tats are quite painful since there is little muscle in the area. Yet, the rest of the back will hurt, ranging to moderate pain. Nevertheless, you should consider your personal sensitivity before deciding on unique back tattoos womens.

How to Care About Back Tattoos

Peacock Back Tattoo Design
by @alisa_tesla_art

No matter if these are small back tattoos, upper back tattoos, or lower back tats, you have to follow your aftercare routine precisely so that the design heals well. There are a few tips you can add to your to-do list after you get a back tattoo:

  • Don't remove the plastic or foil coverage for as long as the tattoo artist recommends it.
  • Wash your tattoo daily but without harsh care products and scrubbing.
  • Keep away from pools, saunas, lakes, and swimming in general. The same refers to sunbathing.
  • Wear loose and pleasant clothes, at least when it concerns your back.
  • Moisturize the tattooed area well and often.

Back tattoos for women come in all colors, shapes, and sizes. However, no matter how insatiable the urge to get one is, you should weigh all the pros and cons and schedule a consultation with an artist to finalize your decision.

Back Tattoos for Women: FAQ

Koi Fish Back Tattoo
by @koray_karagozler

Are back tattoos a good idea?

Back tattoos women are popular for a reason. Your back is the largest canvas of all. If you have a multi-element piece in mind, then it is surely an excellent placement to consider. Besides, you can always keep the tat hidden from prying eyes.

How painful is a back tattoo?

The back isn’t the most painful area to get a tattoo on, except for the spine. The spine is the most painful region, while the rest of the back ranges on the scale from painless to moderate pain.

What does a back tattoo represent?

Depending on your design, you can breathe an individual connotation into your tattoo.

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