120+ Palm Tattoo Ideas for a Daring New Tattoo!

With designs like florals, birds, skulls, and more, finding the right palm tattoo for you should be a breeze!

I know that a lot of tattoo artists don't like inking palm tattoos and I do understand why. These tattoos can be tricky to do and there isn't always a guarantee about how long they will last. Still, I enjoy the challenge of a palm tattoo and am always happy to see clients requesting it.

In this post, I will introduce you to the top palm tattoo ideas and give you some insight into how to make them work for you!

The Best Palm Tattoo Designs

Here are the top palm tattoos for women and men that you should check out:

Floral Palm Tattoos

Flowers are pretty popular designs so it only makes sense to consider them for a palm tattoo design as well.

One of the cool things about a floral palm tattoo is that there are so many flowers to choose from. This makes it a lot easier to create a unique palm tattoo, just for you.

Also, each type of flower has its own meaning. So, you can choose a meaning that feels right to you. Or, you can get a tattoo of the birth flower for you or someone else.

The only thing I want to remind you of here is to avoid intricate designs. It is better to go with designs that have thicker lines and where there is enough space between each curve or line to make the tattoo look better.

You can have your flower positioned front and center on your palm or you can have a portion of it on your palm and the rest of your fingers. If you like, you can also have the petals on the palm and the stem on the wrist.

Vine Palm Tattoos

This kind of body art is a slightly different take on the floral tattoo design. Here, you have vines - with or without flowers - winding their way up your palm.

This kind of palm tattoo works really well if you like the botanical aspect of tattoos but also want something a little different.

A vine tattoo on the palm is also a great option if you want the tattoo to go all the way up to your fingers as well. The winding nature of the vine palm tattoo makes this easier to design and orchestrate.

Moth and Butterfly Palm Tattoos

This is a great palm tattoo design to get if you would also like the tattoo on the palm to have a bit more meaning.

This is because butterflies and moths are typically associated with transformation. So, if you are going through a transformation process or have changed quite a bit in the recent past, then this can be a good tattoo for you.

Now, for this kind of palm tattoo, there are a couple of options for you. You can choose to get the moth or the butterfly in the center of your palm. Or, you can choose to split the design in half, with each section going on a different palm.

Bird Palm Tattoos

If you are looking for a more unusual palm tattoo idea, then you can consider getting a bird! In general, birds can represent freedom due to their ability to fly.

At the same time, different species of birds can have different meanings. For instance, eagles are associated with power and victory. Storks, on the other hand, can be associated with rebirth and reinvention.

So, if you do want a more meaningful tattoo on the palm, then choose a bird with a meaning that feels right for you.

Eye Palm Tattoos

Now, the eye in a tattoo on the palm can be just that. Or, the eye could also be a depiction of the evil eye. This is a symbol that does look similar to the human eye. It is meant to be a protective symbol and is said to ward off evil spirits and bad intent.

Despite being rather simplistic designs, such tattoos may also have an additional meaning. They can be used to represent the hamsa - a symbol that is found in Muslim and Jewish cultures. This is a hand-like symbol except there are two thumbs on either side of the three fingers in the middle.

For both cultures, the hamsa is a sign of protection, meant to ward off evil. However, in Muslim culture it is also sometimes known as the Hand of Fatima, implying that it is a symbol of one of the Prophet's daughters.

Many hamsas contain the eye in the middle of them and are also considered a symbol of protection. These are great tattoo designs for men and women alike.

Heart Palm Tattoos

A heart can be a great symbol to get as a tattoo on the palm. This is because tattoos on your palm can be associated with honesty and openness. So, getting a heart as a palm tattoo can be another way of saying that you wear your heart on your sleeve.

Of course, you don't have to go with a boring, plain heart if you don't want. There are so many designs for you to choose from. You can opt for more artistic designs like giving the heart a face or adding other design elements like arrows and daggers.

Moon and Sun Palm Tattoos

For this kind of palm tattoo, there are a few different options available to you. You can choose to either get the sun or the moon as a tattoo on the palm. Or, you can decide on getting a moon palm tattoo on one hand and a sun palm tattoo on the other hand.

Now, the sun is associated with energy, power, and positivity. It is also considered a masculine symbol. The moon, on the other hand, is associated with transformation, change, and mystery. It is also a symbol of femininity.

If you feel like you resonate with either the sun or the moon over the other symbol, then you should certainly get that one. However, by getting both symbols as a tattoo on the palm, you are depicting balance between two opposing forces.

Skull Palm Tattoos

A skull palm tattoo can certainly make a powerful statement - it doesn't necessarily have to be a negative one, though.

To some people, skulls can represent death. That being said, this is not the only meaning ascribed to this palm tattoo. Some people just see it as the end of something - and remember, without an end, there can be no beginning.

Of course, there is no denying that this can be a rather visceral palm tattoo. So, it works well if you want to get a reaction out of your tattoo on the palm.

Ornamental Palm Tattoos

This is a good palm tattoo if you are looking for more delicate designs. There is no specific definition for ornamental tattoos but they are simply decorative patterns.

One of the cool things about a palm tattoo like this is that it is rather easy to create your design, making your tattoo unique to you.

You can also make the tattoo as complex or as minimalistic as you like, depending on your desired aesthetic.

Script Palm Tattoos

If you have something to say, getting the word or words as a tattoo on the palm is certainly one way to make people sit up and take notice!

That being said, your palm tattoo doesn't have to have a political or important message if you don't want it to.

Now, if you don't want your palm tattoo to be an illegible mess, make sure to choose the right thickness for the outline of the letters and to create enough space between each letter as well.

Symbol Palm Tattoos

A symbol as a palm tattoo works quite well too. You can choose to utilize a symbol that has meaning to you or can choose one that has a style or design that you really like.

If you don't mind an edgier palm tattoo, then you can actually consider symbols that are typically associated with the occult.

It is a good idea to do some research into any symbol that you do want to get as a palm tattoo, particularly if it is one that is borrowed from another culture. This way, you will be able to understand the true meaning and significance of the tattoo before you commit to it.

Do Tattoos on Palms Last?

One of the issues of getting a tattoo on the palm is that the skin can shed and regrow at a faster rate on this part of the body. This means that the ink on the skin can be extremely prone to shedding. This may happen even more quickly if you work with your hands all day or expose your skin to water for long periods of time.

This shedding can complicate the healing process as well.

So, if you do get a palm tattoo, then you should be prepared to get touch-ups on your tattoo every few years to keep it looking good.

What are the Cons of Palm Tattoos?

Well, the first downside is the pain. When compared to other body parts, the pain level for palm tattoos is moderate to high, depending on the person. This is due to the sensitive skin in this area. However, they may not be quite as painful as hand tattoos or other locations on the hand.

The other thing to keep in mind is that the skin on your palms has a tricky texture. So, it can be difficult to evenly tattoo each section. If you have callused skin, this can be even more difficult to manage. It can often be multiple passes until the artist is able to distribute more pigment in the area and get the thickness just right.

For this kind of tattoo, it is always a good idea to go to an experienced tattoo artist. Also, ask them to try saturated dot work instead of traditional shading styles or the whipping technique. These will not work as well with palm tattoo designs.

What Does the Palm Tattoo Mean?

Well, the meaning behind your palm tattoo is largely down to the design that you have chosen. However, some people do see palm tattoos as being signs of honesty and openness. Some also see it as a sign of peace.

Well, there you go - here are the top palm tattoos that you should check out. It doesn't matter what your aesthetic is, you will be able to find the right fit for you easily!