There’s a reason why so many people sport butterfly tattoos: these ethereal winged wonders are not only stunning, but they are also powerful symbols of transformation and freedom. And, just as in nature, the variety of butterfly designs is endless—they can be simple or super detailed, bold and brightly colored, or delicate and monochromatic. The classic style also makes for a great first-time tattoo design or one to get with your best friend.
Whatever your reason for wanting a butterfly tattoo, the most important part is to be sure of what you want it to look like. If you’re still searching for that perfect something, keep scrolling for 35 butterfly tattoo ideas that will help you design your next piece of ink.
Knee Butterfly Tattoo
The shape of the butterfly’s wings looks great around circular bones like the knee. Keep the design otherwise simple to play up the shape.
Minimal Butterfly Tattoo
Butterflies designs are great because they can be stylized in a number of ways. If you prefer a minimal tattoo, stick to a few lines—maybe even just one.
Playful Butterfly Tattoo
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Placed behind the ear, butterfly tattoos gain a sense of playfulness, as they can only be seen from certain angles or when longer hair is pulled back. The white detailing adds to the whimsical feeling as well.
Line Art Butterfly Tattoo
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Because butterfly wings tend to be intricate, line art is a really interesting and creative approach to the design. If you plan on adding a lot of lines, keep the other decoration and coloring simple.
Dynamic Butterfly Tattoo
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Butterflies come in a variety of colors and designs, so they can easily match any aesthetic. This butterfly tattoo uses subtle shading and white ink to create a dynamic sense of light and dark.
Shoulder Butterfly Tattoo
The shoulder is a great location for a butterfly tattoo, as the amount of surface area means you can make it any shape and size that you’d like. The extra space also allows you to add more drawn-out details, like the shadow under the butterfly in this design.
Arm Butterfly Tattoo
The more the merrier. Placing a few butterflies along the arm gives the impression that they’re flying upward. Using a fine line style guarantees a sense of daintiness, and spacing out the butterflies adds to the weightlessness.
Red Butterflies Tattoo
Butterfly tattoos don’t have to be super minimal or super maximal—feel free to play around with elements to find your perfect design. Here, the intricate butterfly line design is customized with a gradient of red and purple ink to add visual interest.
Colorful Butterflies Tattoo
Can’t decide on just one color for your butterfly duo design? This rainbow combination makes the fliers feel fun and youthful.
Shattered Butterfly Butterfly Tattoo
Geometric designs work well for butterfly tattoos because of the ornate designs that normally appear on their wings. Sharp, straight lines don’t ruin a butterfly’s image—instead, they add a sense of contrast that feels organic. We love the duality of this design that features a traditional wing on the left and one with sharp jagged edges on the right.