Best Lotus Flower Tattoo Ideas To Express Yourself

According to Berlin-based tattoo artist, Rachael Ainsworth, minimal, fine-line lotus designs seem to be very popular, as well as small micro-realism lotus designs. But hyper-saturated, over-the-top lotus flowers are also stunning in their own right. Orange or red ink is a great alternative to basic black if you’re looking to make your tattoo pop.

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Realistic Lotus Flower

@mox.ink

This lotus tattoo was done in a realistic style, aided by the gradual shading and close details (like the stamens in the middle). The black outlines stand in contrast to the shading, and the petals are drawn in a way that suggests movement.

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Triangle and Lotus Flower

@rachainsworth

If you want to make your lotus flower tattoo feel personalized, add different elements to customize it. This one has a geometric background with vertical lines and circle detailing.

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Bold-Lined Lotus Flower

@tattoo_money / Instagram

This takes the basic lotus flower tattoo idea and adds a bit of simple flair to make it seem like a more intricate design. The flower is highlighted as the center of the ink, but the decoration makes it feel more designed. "If you decide to go for a symmetrical design, then I would advise picking a fairly symmetrical part of the body: forearm, tricep (above the elbow), back of ankle, sternum, or chest," says Ainsworth.

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Ankle Lotus Flower

@jaykushtattoos / Instagram

This tattoo is a minimal design, but the tapered and delicately rounded petals make it feel realistic. The simplicity of the outline makes it pop, and its placement above the ankle isn't super prominent but makes for a nice surprise when the legs are on display.

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Finger Lotus Flower

@_stephhunt / Instagram

Prefer a smaller reminder of a lotus flower? This finger tattoo is simple enough not to overwhelm the small space but bold enough to be interesting.

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Stemmed Lotus Flower

@tattooist_aromi

A lotus flower doesn’t have to float on its own. Utilize negative space in your design by adding a long, slender stem (and a small leaf, if you’d like)—the contrast will make your tattoo feel dainty instantly .

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Egyptian Lotus

@humblebeetattoo

The Egyptian lotus tattoo is based on the Sacred Blue Lotus of the Nile, which is referenced a lot in ancient Egyptian culture. Their petals are a little thinner and more pointed. "Not only are they such a beautiful flower, but they were also seen amongst ancient royalty, in art with deities such as Osiris, and even used in burials," Toronto-based tattoo artist, Brittany Randell, says. Lotus flowers are also said to have some healing powers for certain conditions such as anxiety and insomnia.1

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Hindu Lotus Flower

@jettaturas

This lotus flower tattoo mimics a Hindu design style with the dotted lines and the shape of the petals. This makes sense, considering the lotus flower is related to several Hindu gods, so it does have religious significance.  

Byrdie Tips

Before getting a lotus flower tattoo, you can find out what a lotus design means in different cultures and religions to make sure it’s in keeping with your idea. Even if you’re getting a lotus design purely for aesthetic reasons, it’s still very important to research the design and make sure you’re happy with the style you’re going for.

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Elemental Lotus Flower

@jorgemcarvalho / Instagram

Align your lotus flower tattoo with the elements by getting their geometric symbols inked around the flora. By keeping the design basic and using the same line thickness for every part of the design, the tattoo feels minimal and chic.

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Buddha And Lotus Flower

@jorgemcarvalho / Instagram

The lotus flower isn’t just a beautiful thing to look at; in Buddhism, it holds significance as a symbol of purity and beauty. Connect the flower and the religion by getting a small Buddha tattooed right next to the flora.

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Fingernail Lotus Flower

@ilwolhongdam

Love the idea of tattoos but want something a little less permanent? This lotus flower tattoo was inked directly onto the fingernail. It’s an almost painless process and grows out with your nail.

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3D Lotus Flower

@ilwolhongdam

Give your lotus flower tattoo a realistic look with thin line detailing on the petals and the addition of stamen in the center of the design. The contrasting darkness of different areas also gives the illusion of light on the 2D ink.

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Back Of The Arm Lotus Flower

@rachainsworth

"The tricep (above the elbow) is a popular placement but not just for lotus designs, [for] small tattoos in general," says Ainsworth. A lotus flower tattoo on the back of the arm is meant to be seen outwardly by the world rather than by the person getting the ink, emphasizing its importance to everyone. The overlapping lines and dots add elements of design.

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Armband Lotus Flower

@hexandslash

Instead of a simple flower, why not incorporate the lotus flower into an armband of sorts? This design uses the entire width of the forearm, making it seem like part of the body. The mirroring of the lotus flower makes it feel balanced as well.

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Shaded Lotus Flower

@lebontattoo / Instagram

Add depth to a lotus flower tattoo with a shaded effect. This design uses just one color (black), but the lighter hues and simple outlining make it appear almost three-dimensional.

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Multi-Shade Lotus Flower

@_sebastian_tattoos / Instagram

Instead of adding a singular color, opt to get outlines done in a darker shade of the hue rather than black. This makes it feel more artistic, as does the additional shading on the petals and below the flower. Or ask your artist to use various shades, for a watercolor effect. "Watercolor is a difficult technique, which you should only trust someone to do if they have lots of experience in this style. Generally, color can take a long time and therefore could be more expensive than other designs with no shading, color, or details," says Ainsworth.

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Blackwork Lotus Flower

@danielgaldinotattoo / Instagram

Want a blackwork lotus flower, but don’t want it to look simple? This ink adds inner lines, light shading, and varying thickness of outlines to give whimsical detail to the larger overall design.

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Colorful Lotus Flower