Florals, specifically roses, are easily one of the most popular tattoo ideas out there due to the endless customization possibilities and longstanding history.
Back in the day, soldiers and sailors used to ink themselves with blood-red blooms to symbolize a loved one. And now, whether you get a minimalist design hidden behind your ear or a string of shaded stems on your shoulder, roses still make a gorgeous (and timeless) tattoo design choice.
As they are so favored, you may need some help narrowing down the tattoo style in which to get your rose from the thousands of options out there.
For that, we present 50 rose tattoos below that range from hyper-realistic and traditional to creative and abstract.
Floral Cover-Up on Inside of Arm
![rose tattoo on inside of arm](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/diGGkuXSTJyZ8nDZONqqG_e2KaI=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/ScreenShot2022-09-10at9.12.41AM-a67f8856580548eeb977cc036c172675.png)
“Tattoos are often designed to flow with and complement the shape of the body,” says cosmetic tattoo artist Shaughnessy Otsuji. But in addition to complementing, they can also work to hide old work you’d like to cover up. This piece, for instance, was actually intended as a way to hide an old script tattoo. The result pairs a variety of florals for a piece that doesn’t lack style.
Hands and Roses on Forearm
![rose forearm tattoo](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/UwaMMFvn-0ym4IsB5I0vhUaCtAM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/ScreenShot2022-09-10at12.10.39PM-aae71062d19a4c0e9112a87b3bdfaf28.png)
Hand tattoos are very on-trend right now, and the thin outline in this design adds to the delicate and feminine feel of the rose. “I’ve seen some incredible rose tattoos in my lifetime but often most of the designs are pretty traditional,” notes tattoo artist Dillon Forte.
Spine Stem
![A close up of a rose stem tattoo on the spine.](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/eAaK2uGNRo461tb-lqKZjsaJKD4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/spinerosetattoo-bd9367cbcb014c9d84c6e32ab1d52803.png)
Elegance is the name of the game with this single rose back tattoo. For a touch of customization, this piece includes a name written in cursive, hidden within the long stem.
Rose Arm Sleeve
![rose arm sleeve](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/PIAp921SBalbTQywdK8yx0vglO8=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/ScreenShot2022-09-10at12.10.02PM-41046afb91cd401497b3b1a7afc64474.png)
Here, it’s all about being bold. Weaving the black rose tattoo into a full sleeve adds so much impact. “I like it when people and artists think outside of the box. There’s infinite possibilities with any piece of artwork,” Forte says.
Back-of-the-Arm Sailor-Style Rose
![back of the arm sailor style rose tattoo](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/1RNzZdlzd4d_xmaBP54zek4idR8=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/ScreenShot2022-09-10at12.11.52PM-f1bf2f7a87f542a0adfcb07cf4b5e3fe.png)
This retro style is such a throwback, thanks to its bright hues and classic style. The “Mama” in the middle is really what seals the deal, though.
Forearm Rose Head Wrap
![rose head wrap forearm tattoo](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/2OmzrwKCFLbmSMH6QXQytQUAI3M=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/ScreenShot2022-09-10at12.12.41PM-e4031ed6c2754668a344e92841904976.png)
This design showcases a woman wearing a rose-accented head wrap. It’s a simple, no-color style that still manages to be intricate and artful.
Rose Hand Tattoo
![rose hand tattoo](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/C4iR8bEvvvFGv_-PBz61EvMWRzI=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/ScreenShot2022-09-10at12.52.05PM-18a826de01c0466b9f58ee5a5678a327.png)
The classic rose tattoo gets an upgrade with deep details and hand placement. This is an ideal piece for someone who wants art that covers nearly their entire hand.
Classic Rose Shoulder Tattoo
![classic rose shoulder tattoo](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/kZvJ5RoZJChrudgUdAz4WNu1T5E=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/ScreenShot2022-09-10at12.17.15PM-70f6a37b5ec5458eba00ea2f53c86d85.png)
The rose tattoo here is done in American traditional style, giving it a cartoonish look due to the thick black outlines, the thorn elements, and the extra line detailing. This is a great way to break the rose down to its simplest shapes but still achieve a complex tattoo. “Tried and true is a good option if you are unsure of the direction you want to take with your tattoo,” Forte says. “It’s best to find an artist whose style you like, then workshop the idea with them. Every tattooer generally has their own take on common themes.”
Ankle Rose Heart Tattoo
![Ankle Rose Tattoo Ideas Heart](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/HKCVmQ-naJROab3UJQPYY5jK1vY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/69035989_129695318290315_7430916945709020817_n-2686d462651e40e089af3ab7d56859a2.jpg)
Getting a few basic, black-outlined roses in a heart shape gives a bit of whimsy to the design and adds to the roses’ natural romanticism. The additional leaves and dots add to the personalized, hand-illustrated vibe.
Upside-Down Sternum Bouquet
![upside down bouquet tattoo on sternum](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/7ML9PhldujJvZ1stBBbUBYIw-sY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/ScreenShot2022-09-10at12.18.31PM-09840fe99845488389ecaa32be719e0e.png)
This piece spans within the rib cage, as if this family of roses is growing within. One of the interesting aspects is that it mimics an upside-down bouquet, as if the roses are being hung to dry out.