Want to know butterfly tattoo meaning? Check this post for butterfly tattoo meaning in different cultures, butterfly tattoo meaning with different colors, and the most beautiful designs.

Butterflies are beautiful creatures with bright colors and profound meanings. Because of this, butterfly tattoos have always been popular designs for tattoo artists and their clients.

Butterflies do not pursue eternity, but ephemeral beauty, and flutter when they emerge from the cocoon. Butterfly tattoos can be a graceful dancer, a smart elf, or an elegant princess. Butterfly tattoos are one of the most popular tattoos.

Usually, the process of a butterfly breaking its cocoon into a butterfly can often be used as a metaphor. Many people choose butterfly tattoos to commemorate memories and emotional moments in their lives.

So, what is the meaning of a butterfly tattoo design? What are the specific meanings of butterfly tattoos of different colors and styles of butterfly tattoos?

So scroll down to check the analysis and the 100+ most beautiful butterfly tattoo designs we’ve selected for you, and pick your favorite beautiful design for reference next time you go to a talented tattoo artist.

This post is all about butterfly tattoo meaning.

Butterfly Tattoo Meaning: Symbolic Meanings

Although depending on the shapes, colors, locations or different cultures, butterfly tattoos will symbolize different things. But before going into the details, you should consider the overall symbolism of the butterfly.

Beauty and Elegance

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The main meaning of this theme is beauty and elegance. Butterfly wings are full of color and delicacy. That’s why you can combine colors cleverly.

Transformation and Change

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Butterflies are symbols of change and spiritual transformation. If you are going through a profound change, this symbol of transformation is a great idea is for you!

Rebirth and Hope

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Butterflies are transformed from hairy cocoons, so butterflies have the meaning of rebirth/new life.

Despite many changes in the life cycle, butterflies spread their wings and reach the end of their journey. Therefore, butterfly tattoos are an inspiration for faith and a symbol of hope in facing challenges and difficult times in life.

Many girls encounter many lows on the way to pursue beauty. When they strengthen their hearts and become more and more beautiful with time, stabbing a butterfly on their body is like a life story record, and in Japanese culture, a butterfly’s beauty also means a symbol of girls reaching adulthood.

When you have started a new life, a butterfly tattoo is a perfect choice for you. If you encounter any setbacks in the future, seeing the butterfly tattoo on your body will remind you to live beautifully and strong.

Freedom and Independence

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Butterfly flight is considered a free, independent natural relationship with humans. If you are a freedom-loving person, you will love this symbol of freedom.

Symbol of Love

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Butterfly designs in Chinese culture are associated with symbols of love. There is a legend in ancient times that a young man met the true love of his life while chasing a butterfly in the garden. Therefore, in Chinese historical films, two butterflies often appear together, symbolizing true love.

Butterflies are loyal and only find one partner in their life. They are one of the most loyal animals. People with butterfly tattoos long for love, long for freedom, and hope to live a lifetime with their partner.

In Japan, butterflies are also considered a symbol of marital happiness. In addition, some states in the United States have a tradition of releasing butterflies after the wedding to bless the bride and groom.

Representation of The Human Soul

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The ancient Greeks believed that butterflies embodied the human soul. In Greek mythology, souls are born, live their own life’s journey, and come back to life. Therefore, the butterfly is considered a symbol of the journey of the soul.

Legend has it that in ancient Egyptian culture butterflies would wait for the dead in the afterlife. As for the Aztecs, the souls of the dead would turn into butterflies to visit their living relatives. Even to this day there is a concept that only flowers should be smelled from the side because the upper part is for the soul (butterfly)

Good Luck, Good Fortune and Longevity

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This concept originates from Chinese culture. The Chinese first character of butterfly is pronounced similarly to the first character of Fu. Therefore, the butterfly is also considered a symbol of good luck and longevity. Great things will happen soon!

Meaning of Butterfly Tattoos in Different Vibrant Colors

Blue Butterfly Tattoo

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Blue butterflies are known as animals that bring good luck and happiness to people. Therefore, many people regard the blue butterfly image as their lucky charm.

Also, this type of butterfly is rare in the world, so if you come across blue butterflies, regardless of their pattern, you are lucky to see them.

 

Black Butterfly Tattoo

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Black often reminds us of mystery and abstraction. Hence, the black butterfly tattoo is seen as a representation of time and life in tribal or Celtic tattoos.

On the other hand, black butterflies can also be harbingers of terrible things. However, not only symbolizing bad things, the black butterfly also brings a sense of reminding people that the passage of time and pain is part of life that makes us stronger.

 

Purple Butterfly Tattoo

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A purple butterfly tattoo is meant to show your strength to overcome all odds. In addition, people get this tattoo to provide support and encouragement to those with health problems.

 

White Butterfly Tattoo

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White usually symbolizes purity and innocence. This is also shown on the white butterfly tattoo. In the Christian religion, White butterflies are often associated with the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

 

Yellow Butterfly Tattoo

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According to the Chinese concept, the yellow butterflies are a symbol of happiness and joy. But the Irish and Scots believe that when a yellow butterfly lands on someone’s grave, their souls will be very peaceful and happy.

 

Red Butterfly Tattoo

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The red butterfly tattoo has two opposite meanings. On the one hand, it was seen as an important symbol of good luck, love or enthusiasm among Native Americans. In contrast, Scots see them as witches in disguise.

 

Pink Butterfly Tattoo

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Pink tattoos are definitely the version that many women like because of its femininity. These tattoos symbolize love and compassion. If a person chooses this tattoo, they are probably looking for a love in life.

 

The Meaning of Different Kinds of Butterfly Tattoos

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Besides the many unique colors, butterfly tattoo designs are also very flexible and can express different meanings. For example, they can be bold and aggressive, or very gentle and subtle.

Talented tattooists can make them look sexy and feminine, but they can also turn a seemingly fragile butterfly into a powerful symbol of masculinity. Below will be a uniquely designed butterfly tattoo with exciting meanings.

The most common and popular butterfly tattoos include the following:

 

Monarch Butterfly Tattoo

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Monarch butterflies have a sweetness that will melt anyone who loves beauty. The monarch butterfly tattoo not only shows the feminine and cuteness of women, but also exudes their charm and charisma.

This is a typical tattoo style and it shows deep meaning. Many people believe that the butterfly is an incarnation of an angel from the sky. So when you see a monarch butterfly, it probably means you are being protected and cared for by angels from heaven.

 

Blue Butterfly Tattoo On Shoulder

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Morpho butterflies are common in South America, Mexico and Central America. Their wings are lightfast, so they turn blue even if they don’t contain any pigment.

A big blue flash butterfly tattoo can have two opposite meanings: good luck and bad mood.

 

Semicolon Butterfly Tattoo

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Semicolon tattoos inherently have a deep meaning that a semicolon represents a continuation of a sentence that may have ended but then continues to tell the story.

So the semicolon butterfly tattoo represents this: losing someone is not the end. These expereicnes are just the new beginnings of their spiritual adventure.

 

Tribal Butterfly Tattoos

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Tribal tattoos symbolize how life changes over time. You can choose a tribal butterfly tattoo to represent a major changing event in your life.

 

Celtic Butterfly Tattoo Meaning

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The ancient Celts believed that the butterfly symbolized metamorphosis. This meaning comes from the process of the caterpillar becoming a butterfly. It has completely transformed from its ugly appearance into beautiful things.

From there, a Celtic tattoo of a butterfly involves a man who wants to completely transform himself.

 

 

In addition, combining butterfly tattoos, or elements of butterflies, with other various patterns with meaning, you can also create many different designs with a deeper meaning:

 

 

Butterfly Skull Tattoo

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Skull tattoos symbolize transience or death; combined with butterflies, can represent a person’s temporary destiny.

Butterfly skull tattoos are a popular choice. It takes on a vague meaning: life is a fleeting journey.

 

Rose Butterfly Tattoo

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Rose and butterfly tattoos represent beauty, attraction and love. This is a great option chosen by many girls as it represents femininity.

 

Butterfly Flower Tattoo

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Both flowers and butterflies are symbols of beauty; when these two combine, create a tattoo that symbolizes beauty and shows that you are a nature lover.

 

Infinity Symbol Butterfly Tattoo

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The infinity symbol represents the eternity of the soul and the change of life. Combined with butterfly tattoos, this symbol expresses a positive meaning: a chance to become a better person, and have a more positive new life.

 

Butterfly Wings Tattoo

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The colorful wings tattoos symbolize freedom, movement and positive change. This is also a great way to showcase the creature’s beautiful and striking pattern.

 

Meaning of Butterfly Tattoos on Different Positions of the Body

 

Butterfly Tattoo On Wrist

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Butterfly tattoos on the wrists are especially requested by the female. They offer a certain elegance, sophistication, and even sensuality.

 

Butterfly Tattoo On Neck

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The most common meaning of a beautiful tattoo of a butterfly on the neck is a representation of the life cycle. You yearn for freedom, love, and recognize that life-changing events have occurred in your life.

 

Meaning of Butterfly Tattoos on Women

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Butterflies are one of the most popular tattoo options for women. Traditionally, these butterfly tattoo designs represent femininity and devoted love, but they can also represent endurance, resilience, change, and hope.

 

Meaning of Butterfly Tattoos on Men

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It symbolizes life and spiritual rebirth. A butterfly tattoo is also a common choice for men. It was a popular symbol of love in ancient Greece. Butterflies represent psychology, which is love at its best.

 

Butterfly Tattoo Meaning and Mental Health

 

Butterfly Tattoo Meaning and Depression

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In the early stages of its development, the butterfly’s cocoon-like state resembles the depression and withdrawn mood that is prevalent in people whose lives are affected by mental illness.

In Christianity, butterflies also is a symbol of resurrection. For these reasons, many survivors choose to combine butterfly tattoos with semicolon designs to showcase their evolution. They were once depressed and suicidal, but have now come back to life.

 

Butterfly Tattoo Meaning, Self Harm and Butterfly Project

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Butterfly Project is a project where people simply draw a butterfly on their arm, leg or hand to remind the important people in their life. Those people love you and want to be with you.

You are special to them. Each butterfly symbolizes courage, hope and a fresh start for you to enjoy life to the fullest.

It can help people cope with depression and hopelessness. If you cut the place where the butterfly is drawn, it means you killed the person who loved you. But if the butterfly fades on its own, it symbolizes success and achievement.

This means that your loved ones are with you, they survived, and in a way, you managed to avoid your own tendency to get hurt.

When you want to do an act of self-harm, such as a cut or burn, you draw a butterfly in that area with a pen or marker. You can draw as many butterflies as you want.

You must name the butterfly after a loved one. It can be your family member or a close friend, spouse or any relative.

You have to let the butterfly disappear naturally without rubbing it off.

If you don’t cut or injure yourself, that means the butterfly is alive and has flown away. It gives you a sense of accomplishment. You will be reminded of your success when you see all the butterflies you have rescued.

If you cut or injure yourself while the butterfly is still visible, you can wash it off. Start over by drawing a new butterfly and follow the steps again.

This program teaches you stamina and strength during emotionally turbulent times. Those who self-harm who feel they cannot resist the urge to cut or hurt themselves are reminded that they are loved and cared for by family and friends.

It teaches you to love and respect yourself so that you can live a happy and worthwhile life.

 

Best Butterfly Tattoo Designs

Looking for more butterfly tattoo designs for inspiration? Scroll down to check the best designs we’ve curated for you. Whether you are looking for colorful butterfly tattoos or minimalist butterfly tattoos, you can find your ideals designs from our list.

Don’t hesitate to pin the designs you like!

 

Small Butterfly Tattoo Ideas

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Butterfly Tattoo On Lower Back

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Butterfly Tattoo On Shoulder Blades

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Watercolor Tattoos Of Butterflies

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Small Tattoo Of Butterfly

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Large Butterfly Tattoo

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Smaller Tattoos Of Butterfly

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Geometric Butterfly Tattoo

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Butterfly Tattoo On Upper Arm

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Bold Lines Butterfly Tattoos

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Butterfly Tattoos On Belly Button

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Butterfly Tattoo Behind The Ear Or On The Ear

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Pretty Unique Butterfly Tattoo Body Art Designs

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