What Are Birth Flowers?
Birth flowers are flowers that correspond to each month of the year, much like zodiac signs, and are believed to carry symbolic meanings that align with the personality traits and characteristics of people born in that month. Each flower represents the month in which a person is born and is thought to symbolize qualities such as love, strength, beauty, or renewal.
Here’s a list of the traditional birth flowers by month:
January – Carnation
February – Violet
March – Daffodil
April – Daisy or Sweet Pea
May – Lily of the Valley
June – Rose
July – Larkspur
August – Gladiolus
September – Aster
October – Marigold
November – Chrysanthemum
December – Poinsettia
Each flower holds its own symbolism: for example, the lily of the valley for May represents purity and sweetness, while the rose for June is often associated with love and passion.
Why Have a Birth Flower Tattoo?
There are several reasons people choose to get a birth flower tattoo:
Personal Connection: Birth flower tattoos have a personal significance because they represent your birth month and can be tied to your identity and personality traits. Many people feel a sense of connection to their birth flower’s symbolism and meaning.
Celebrating Birth and Life: A birth flower tattoo can be a meaningful way to celebrate your birthday and the life you’re living. It serves as a reminder of your origins, personal growth, and the start of a new year of life.
Symbolism of Qualities: Since each flower represents a specific set of qualities, getting your birth flower tattoo can be a way to honour those traits, whether it’s strength, resilience, beauty, or love.
Commemorating a Loved One: People may choose to get the birth flowers of loved ones—family members, partners, children—as a tribute to them, with the flower symbolizing their unique qualities or their connection to the person.
Aesthetic Appeal: Birth flowers can be visually stunning. Many flowers have intricated, vibrant designs that can be beautiful and timeless in tattoo art. This makes birth flower tattoos appealing purely for their aesthetic qualities.
Customisable Design: Birth flower tattoos offer flexibility in terms of design. You can combine the flower with other elements, such as a zodiac sign, a name, or a meaningful quote, to make the tattoo even more personal and unique.
What Is the Best Style of Tattoo for a Birth Flower?
The style of tattoo you choose for your birth flower will depend on your personal taste, how prominent you want the tattoo to be, and the overall aesthetic you’re aiming for. Some popular styles include:
Realistic: A realistic style aims to capture the natural beauty of the flower with intricate details, shading, and lifelike colours. This style works well for capturing the delicate petals and textures of birth flowers, making them appear as though they’ve just been picked.
Watercolour: Watercolour tattoos use vibrant, flowing colours that often bleed outside the lines, giving a dreamy, ethereal effect. This style can enhance the beauty of flowers, allowing for a soft, colourful design that represents the free-flowing nature of the flowers.
Minimalist: If you prefer a subtle tattoo, minimalist designs are a great option. A simple, clean outline of the flower or a small, single flower without excessive detail can offer a delicate, understated aesthetic.
Geometric: Some people like to combine floral designs with geometric shapes, such as triangles, circles, or lines. This style combines natural elements with modern, abstract designs, making it unique and contemporary.
Blackwork: Blackwork tattoos are done entirely in black ink, often using shading and bold lines to create a more dramatic effect. This style can be effective for creating contrast, especially if you want a flower tattoo to be more striking without the use of colour.
Traditional/Neo-Traditional: Traditional or neo-traditional tattoos use bold lines, bright colours, and shading techniques to create a vintage, classic look. These tattoos are bolder and more graphic, with strong outlines and vivid colours.
Linework: Simple and elegant, linework tattoos use only thin lines to create a minimalist or stylized version of the birth flower. This style is perfect if you want something refined and subtle, without heavy shading or colour.
Dotwork: Dotwork tattoos rely on small dots to create shading and texture. This technique can give birth flower tattoos a unique, delicate appearance with a lot of visual depth.
What Is the Best Placement for a Birth Flower Tattoo?
The placement of a birth flower tattoo depends on the size of the tattoo, your pain tolerance, and how visible or discreet you want it to be. Here are some great placement options:
Wrist: A birth flower tattoo on the wrist is a popular choice for those who want a small, meaningful, and visible tattoo. It’s subtle but always within sight, making it a personal and accessible placement.
Forearm: The forearm offers more space, which is great for larger flower tattoos or for a design that includes other elements (such as a name, date, or other symbols). It’s also easily visible and can be shown off or covered up, depending on your preference.
Back of the Neck: The back of the neck is a stylish and discreet location for a small tattoo. A birth flower tattoo here can be personal, and it’s an ideal spot for a design that you want to keep private but still meaningful.
Ankle: An ankle tattoo works well for smaller designs, and a birth flower tattoo can look feminine and delicate in this area. This location is subtle but visible, especially when wearing shorts or skirts.
Shoulder or Upper Arm: The shoulder or upper arm can accommodate larger, more detailed flower tattoos. It’s a great spot for a design that wraps around the shoulder or arm, offering a larger canvas for intricate designs.
Ribs/Side: The side of the body, near the ribs, is another good place for a larger tattoo. A flower tattoo in this area can be more private, but when visible, it makes a beautiful statement.
Chest: The chest, especially near the heart, is an intimate and meaningful place for a birth flower tattoo. It symbolizes the personal connection you feel to your birth flower and can be very symbolic for someone celebrating their identity or life.
Finger: A small birth flower tattoo on the finger can be a chic, minimalist option for someone who prefers a more discreet design. It’s a subtle yet personal placement, and the flower can be just the right size for the finger area.
Foot: The foot is a great location for a smaller birth flower tattoo. It’s visible when wearing sandals or barefoot, making it a fun, feminine, and personal placement.
Thigh: The thigh is a great place for a larger, more elaborate flower design, particularly for those who prefer a tattoo that can be covered up or shown off at will.
Birth flower tattoos are a beautiful and personal way to celebrate your birth month, personality traits, and life. Whether you choose a minimalist, watercolour, or realistic style, birth flower tattoos offer plenty of room for creativity and customization. The placement can vary depending on how visible or discreet you want the tattoo to be, with popular areas including the wrist, forearm, and ankle. Ultimately, a birth flower tattoo is a meaningful way to connect with nature, express personal identity, and carry the symbolism of the flower throughout your life.