Rose Tattoos and Their Hidden Meanings: What You Need to Know

Rose tattoos seem to never lose their popularity as they are chosen by both women and men worldwide. Why do people keep embellishing their bodies with the rose tattoo art?

Well, first of all, there is no doubt that a rose is among the most beautiful flowers. Plus, it has a symbolic meaning, and we will discuss it later on in this post. Also, a rose is a versatile flower when it comes to combining it with other designs and messages. Are you looking for the best tattoo ideas? Then you came to the right place! Let’s go!

Rose Tattoo Meaning and Symbolism

Roses, especially when we are talking about red roses, have been symbols of love, affection, romance, and beauty for a while already – since the 1200-s. And few people know that in the 1600-s, rose tattoos were peculiar to criminals. Those were difficult times for the reputation of rose tattoo designs. But eventually, negative associations disappeared. Being cherished in art and poetry, roses have become an essential part of many cultures.

Beauty and the Beast Rose

The magnetic charm of rose-inspired ink has captured the hearts of many, and many more will fall victim to its magic. Should you be interested in a fantasy take on a classy rose tattoo, a Glaminati expert – Deborah Genchi, knows a way. The artist has created an artful piece inspired by a beautiful fairytale – Beaty and the Best. Although you won’t see the main characters, there’s no mistake in guessing where the primary attribute belongs. If you care to add a little drama and personal flair to the design, you may ask the artist to shatter the glass, use your favorite colors, or even add meaningful initials to the tattoo.

Rose with a Snake Tattoo

We all know that a snake tattoo is known for its chilly and slightly intimidating aura. However, you can beat the odds by combining a dark and confident snake with a gorgeous and delicate rose. The outcome will symbolize your beautiful but dangerous nature. Moreover, as the rose is a sign of passion and love, a snake signifies its full complexity it. When placed on the arm, such a design showcases your elegant nature and edgy soul.

Rose with Geometric Elements

Geometric style has been rocking the ink industry for a while now, and there’s more than one reason for this. Geometric elements can introduce harmony, balance, and strictness to any design. A real-life red rose intertwined into a sleek triangle vibrates with structure and symbolism. Besides, the palpable contrast between organic and mathematical forms makes such ink deeply personal and unique.

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Thigh Rose Tattoo

Thigh tattoos possess an intimate flair that is hard to coat in words. A realistic red rose inked by the Glaminati expert Mariana Silenzi is an ideal combination of beauty and edginess. Such a design can express classy meanings such as passion, love, and beauty, or it can delve deeper into the personal feelings and motifs of the wearer.

Minimalist Ankle Rose Tattoo

Minimalistic tattoos are known for their profound symbolism and subtle appeal. If you are interested in a design that is simple, delicate, and elegant, an ankle rose would be a great choice. In case you want a miniature copy of a real rose etched in your skin, it may take a while to find an artist who specializes in realistic ink. An ankle rose is a timeless choice that is both discreet and visible.

Rose and Lotus Flowers

Lotus flower tattoos symbolize purity and spiritual growth. However, when you combine these delicate flowers with an elegant pink rose, you will throw in some bits of love, passion, and devotion to the mix. In case you are all-in for a harmonious combo of wisdom and deep emotions – a lotus and rose tattoo union is the one to consider.

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Small Purple Rose Behind the Ear

Usually, those who choose behind the ear tattoos seek out subtle yet meaningful tats that complete their individualities. A purple rose is a sign of mystery. Thus, when placed behind the ear, it serves as an elegant tribute to one’s complexity and the secrets one bears. Let’s not forget the aesthetic appeal of the purple rose projects, which will become a perfect addition to any ink collection.

Rose with Dream Catcher

The general meaning behind classy dream catcher tattoos implies protection and positive energy. Going back to Native American culture, dream catchers were hanged above the bed to ward off evil spirits and bad dreams. When etched in one’s skin, such a tattoo serves as a safety guard. Besides, you can intertwine various elements to make the design genuinely appealing and individual. In this case, the rose as a centerpiece brings love into the mix and makes the piece twice as powerful.

Roses and Moon

Moon tattoos are widely recognized as mystical and elegant. When combined with such symbolic details as flowers, roses in particular, such designs represent passion and change, along with the fleeting nature of life. A moon and rose is an excellent duet for your arm, back, or chest, although other locations are more than appreciated.

Mandala with Roses

If you are fond of mandala tattoos, a rose mandala is a precise and captivating combo of natural beauty and geometric strictness. Such tats look absolutely stunning as mere outlines, or you can color them in hues that you associate yourself with. Besides, such a design contains multiple tiny elements that can become a complete puzzle if you know how to read between the lines.

Neck Tattoo

As gorgeous as neck tattoos for women are, they are so challenging to deal with. Your neck is a delicate area that requires a lot of patience on your part and meticulous precision and skill on the tattooer’s. Yet, once the design is done, it will attract adoring glances anywhere you go. Fine lines with just a touch of expert shading will accentuate the pattern perfectly.

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Hand Rose

A hand tattoo is always a bold move due to its constant visibility and higher pain level. Since a rose is the ultimate symbol of passion, devotion, and love, you can place it on your hand to let those around you know about your feelings. Besides, it is possible to make the design even more elaborate by adding leaves and thorns to it.

Sleeping Cat with Roses

Cat tattoos are always cute and inspiring. However, if you want to double the beauty and elegance of the feline grace, surrounding them with roses would be more than a wise choice. You can immortalize your favorite pet in the design. To make things as personal as possible, add the name of your cat to the tattoo.

Geometric + Watercolor Styles

Watercolor tattoos are striking and bright, yet if you combine the style with strict precision of geometry, you will get a modern masterpiece. Blue roses in watercolors spread the vibe of serenity and charm while surrounding triangles and graphs coat it with dynamics and movement.

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Rose with a Cross Tattoo Design

Cross tattoos are usually entitled with powerful spiritual meaning. You can use it to show your faith, or you can wear it as a symbol of protection or a sign of hope and sacrifice. A cross entwined with a rose bush acquires the additional meaning of unconditional love, passion, and devotion. While some people prefer to be more secretive about their values, you can wear them on your sleeve and ink the design onto one of the most visible locations – your neck.

Rose And Barbed Wire Heart

For a long while, barbwire tats remained among the classiest designs of all time. It stands for strength, protection, and defense. However, when combined with a gorgeous rose pattern, the barbwire acquires a softer side. These two powerful and quite opposing symbols signify that there’s room for love in life, no matter the challenges.

Rose Butterfly

If you wonder what comes out of the union of beauty and grace – look at this magnificent butterfly design. Gorgeous real-life roses in full bloom placed on the wing of a butterfly look captivating and unique. Besides, the overall message that the tattoo conveys can inspire you to accept all the changes that come and enjoy the freedom and joy they bring no matter what.

Finger Tattoo

Finger tattoos are on the top of popularity for a variety of reasons. They are subtle but meaningful. They are minimalistic yet noticeable. They complement your style and emphasize your individuality ideally. A rose piece etched on the finger spreads an aura of beauty and serves as a permanent piece of jewelry that you can carry with you without even noticing it.

Realistic Rose

When you think about a realistic rose, you imagine a vibrant red rose with each leaf and petal skillfully outlined. Yet, there’s another side to realism, and this black and white rose tattoo showcases it perfectly. Surely, it takes time, effort, and skill to complete such a gorgeous design, but all the means spent will be worth the stunning outcome.

‘Brave’

It is incredible how powerful a word can be. A neat and simple outline that forms the word ‘Brave’ and ends with a delicate rose can be the most potent inspiration that reminds one of their beauty and worth. Don’t be afraid to highlight your strength and courage, even if in such a subtle way!

Rose Tattoo Color Symbolism

Have you noticed that some rose tattoos are black and grey while others have different colors? In these pics, you can notice that a single rose tattoo looks adorable in any color. Still, whether you go for a more intricate or a classic rose tattoo, you need to be aware of the meanings of hues.

• White: it is a symbol of purity and innocence. Sometimes it means that the wearer admires someone secretly or has such an admirer.
• Red: red roses stand for passion, memorial, romance, and immortal love. The meaning originates from Greek mythology. It was believed that a white rose turned red when the blood of Adonis was spilled on it.
• Pink: a pink rose stands for motherly love, elegance, grace, innocence, femininity, and Sometimes when a person gets a pink rose tattoo, it means that he or she has won the battle against cancer.
• Yellow: usually yellow roses mean devotion, joy, and jealousy.
• Black: a black rose often stands for rebellion and strength. There are cultures where soldiers get such a tattoo when they come home. They do so to complete and commemorate that arduous and long journey. A black rose can also represent the loss of a beloved person.
• Blue: there are no blue roses in nature. So, such a tattoo will stand for something unattainable, some kind of a fantasy that is unlikely to come true.
• Purple: purple colored roses are a symbol of wealth, royalty, an instant crush, or enchantment.
• Orange: orange roses are symbols of new beginnings, excitement, and enthusiasm.

Rose Meaning in Different Cultures

Do you know that rose tattoos have different meanings in various beliefs and cultures?

1. If we are talking about Christianity, a rose is a symbol of God’s Mother.
2. As for Tarot cards, a rose is present on the following cards – the Magician, the Fool, the Death, and the Strength. When combined together, the 4 cards create equilibrium and balance.
3. If to consider Greek mythology, roses are linked to love goddesses Aphrodite and Venus.
4. In England, this flower is a symbol of the nation. Back in the 1500s, a red rose was peculiar to the Lancasters, while a white rose represented the Yorks family. When these important families had a war, it was even named after these symbols – The War Of The Roses.
5. In Ancient Egypt, people used roses to honor Isis – one of the most powerful goddesses.

Aftercare for Fresh Rose Tattoo

Aftercare is crucial to ensure the longevity and vibrancy of your rose tattoo. Following proper aftercare practices will also help prevent infection and promote faster healing.

1. Leave the bandage on for the recommended time: Your tattoo artist will wrap your new tattoo in plastic wrap or bandage after finishing. Leave it on for at least two hours to prevent any bacteria from entering the wound. After this time, remove the bandage and gently wash the tattoo with mild soap and warm water.
2. Keep the tattoo clean: Wash the tattoo gently with soap and water twice a day using your hands, not a washcloth or loofah. Rinse with cool water and pat dry with a clean towel. Avoid using hot water as it can cause irritation.
3. Apply ointment or lotion: Once the tattoo is dry, apply a thin layer of ointment or lotion to keep the skin moisturized. Use a product recommended by your tattoo artist or a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic product. Do not apply too much ointment as it can clog the pores and slow down the healing process.
4. Avoid direct sunlight and water: Avoid exposing your new tattoo to direct sunlight or soaking it in water for at least two weeks. Water can soften the scabs and cause the ink to fade, while sunlight can cause the skin to peel and scab.
5. Wear loose clothing: Tight clothing can rub against the tattoo and cause irritation. Wear loose, breathable clothing that does not cling to the tattooed area.
6. Do not pick or scratch: Picking or scratching the tattoo can cause scarring and infection. Let the scabs fall off naturally, and do not force them.
7. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol, as it can dehydrate the body and slow down the healing process.

By following these aftercare tips, your rose tattoo will heal properly and remain vibrant for years to come. If you experience any unusual symptoms such as excessive swelling or pain, seek medical attention immediately.

Here you can see how nicely black roses work for a sternum. Rose tattoo designs are often tattooed there because it’s a place that is close to one’s heart. Plus, you can always cover it with clothes if you need. Whether you want a single stunning rose or two, go for it! As for the number of rose flowers, one rose stands for individuality, love, independence, and courage. And two bloomed roses often symbolize mutual love, the fact that your partner is your soul mate.

Now you know what you can show to your tattoo artist next time you have an appointment. Looking for more inspo? We have a lot on our blog!

FAQ: Rose Tattoos