60+ Peony Tattoo Ideas That Will Practically Blossom on Your Skin!

From simple designs to tattoos with mystical creatures, I have rounded up the loveliest peony designs for you!

Although the peony is a fairly common request from my clients, I have to admit that I haven't gotten tired of inking this design yet. This is because there are so many different ways to get creative with it. And I can't wait to share these with you!

Here, I have found a wide variety of peony tattoo ideas for you and given you some insight into how to make these designs your own!

The Best Peony Tattoo Ideas

Here are the top peony tattoo designs that you should consider for your own tattoo:

Minimalistic Peony Tattoo Ideas

Peony tattoos can often seem detailed and complex as this is a truly magnificent flower. However, if you have a simpler sense of style, then you may want to consider a more minimalistic peony design.

If this is the kind of tattoo that you are interested in, then the above peony tattoo will serve as good inspiration. As you can see, the peony is just made up of an outline. However, make sure that those voluminous petals are on full display so that you can identify the flower more easily as a peony.

Traditional and Neotraditional Peony Tattoo Ideas

You are probably aware of what a traditional tattoo style is but let me cover it for you anyway. The trademark elements of a traditional tattoo are thick black outlines and bold colors. This creates a more classic or vintage look for your peony

In the case of a neotraditional design, there is a bit more variation in the thickness of the outlines. Also, there is a wider array of colors used in such a tattoo.

Now, the reason that I combined traditional and neotraditional peony tattoos into one peony tattoo category is that when it comes to the peony design, the differences aren't as notable.

Sure, some of the peony tattoo designs do sport the classic elements found in traditional and neotraditional tattoo designs. However, it is just as likely that the lines are a bit more blurred with this kind of peony tattoo.

Due to this, you may find that peony tattoo designs with traditional colors tend to have thinner lines or have a bit more variation in thickness. On the flip side, tattoos with neotraditional colors may have slightly thicker lines.

Of course, you have the option to choose to opt for a peony design where traditional or neotraditional features are a bit stronger.

Blackwork Peony Tattoo Ideas

If you are looking for peony tattoos that are somewhere in between traditional and minimalistic, then you may want to consider a blackwork peony tattoo. This peony tattoo is a great design for someone who wants a bit more detail in their tattoo but doesn't want anything too bold or bright.

A blackwork peony tattoo is essentially one where the tattoo is done in black ink, sometimes with a little bit of grey thrown in with the peony for good measure. Now, if you imagine that this kind of tattoo sounds a little boring or simplistic, this isn't the case at all!

These kinds of tattoos can have a great deal of detail for their peony. Also, with proper shading, you can add depth to this already gorgeous design and add an additional level of realism to your tattoo.

Also, this design fits anyone who is looking for a more classic or timeless style with their tattoo. Check out the peony design options above to see if this is a suitable look for you!

Realistic Peony Tattoo Ideas

Well, this category is pretty self-explanatory - these peony design ideas are ideal for someone who is a gardener, a fan of nature, or whose favorite flower is a peony!

Or, you may love the meaning behind peonies and want to showcase this with a gorgeous and realistic-looking tattoo. Also, keep in mind that peonies are one of the birth flowers for the month of November. Due to this, a peony tattoo done in this style can be a great way to commemorate a loved one.

One of the things that I love about a realistic peony design - apart from how gorgeous it is, of course - is how many different design options there are for your tattoo. You can choose to go with a detailed sketch for your tattoo.

Or, if you want something a bit more vibrant, then you can consider using a watercolor style for your tattoo. You can add depth, detail, and realism by using different shades of pink, for instance, to highlight the various portions and elements of the peony flower. This can work well for someone who wants something a little different and elegant but doesn't want to be too bold.

The only thing that you don't have to stick to when inking a realistic peony design is the color. While pink flowers are the most common, red, white, and yellow can be found as well. However, blue isn't a naturally occurring color, but you don't have to let this stop you!

So, you can feel free to go with any hue or shade that you want. You can even choose different colors for each of the petals if you want to add a bold or dramatic element.

Just bear in mind that with this kind of peony design, you will need a talented tattoo artist to help create a more realistic concept.

Life of Stages Peony Tattoo Ideas

This is another gorgeous peony design that can also have quite a bit of meaning as well. For these kinds of tattoos, you have the peonies in different stages of bloom. So, you can have one peony bud, one that is in mid-bloom, and one in full bloom.

It is up to you to decide how many stages to include in your peony tattoo. While three is a more common number, you can certainly go with more or even fewer!

This kind of peony design can be a great way to depict your own stages in life. Such a tattoo can be an indication of what you have been through or how far you have come.

As an added bonus, this is quite a beautiful tattoo to get. Many of these tattoos are feminine and delicate although you can certainly come up with your own concept and even go bold or vibrant if you wish.

Also, although you are including two or more peonies in your peony tattoo, you actually have the option to make your tattoo fairly compact if you want. Therefore, you can arrange the size according to where on your body you want to get your tattoo.

Japanese Peony Tattoo Ideas

These peony tattoo ideas are based on Japanese tattoo designs known as Irezumi although they may sometimes be inspired by traditional Japanese artwork as well.

Now, one of the reasons that you may want to get a Japanese peony tattoo is because this is a gorgeous style to be inspired by. At the same time, a Japanese peony tattoo can have a rather positive meaning as well.

So:

What does a Japanese peony tattoo mean?

Well, a Japanese peony tattoo can be associated with good fortune and wealth. At the same time, the peony tattoo may also be linked to bravery and honor. The peony tattoo may also be linked to female beauty.

If you do want to get a more traditional Japanese peony tattoo, I would suggest using a tattoo artist who has some experience with these designs. They can be quite intricate and if you do want a more authentic tattoo, then there are certain elements and shading techniques that need to be included in your peony tattoo.

Some of the design elements that you can include in a traditional Irezumi tattoo can include waves. If you want, you can also include koi fish, animals, and even mythological creatures, depending on the effect that you are trying to create.

Butterfly and Peony Tattoo Ideas

This kind of peony tattoo is great when you want a gorgeous tattoo but also want to add some meaning to your peony tattoo concept. On the one hand, a peony and butterfly go really well together as they can be found in the same habitat. Also, the peony and the butterfly can also have a symbiotic relationship as they rely on one another.

The other reason that such a peony tattoo can be a good option is because butterflies are associated with transformation. If you feel that you have transformed in some way or if your life has changed in some form, then your peony and butterfly tattoo can commemorate this

Bird and Peony Tattoo Ideas

If you are looking for a tattoo that is a bit more bolder or vibrant but is as equally as gorgeous as the butterfly and peony tattoo, then you may want to consider a bird instead. Once again, birds can feel like a natural fit for your peony tattoo.

What's more, a bird can add its own meaning to your peony tattoo. See, birds can be associated with the concept of freedom as they can fly away. Also, each type of bird can have its own meaning. So, you can choose a bird that works best for you or your situation.

Another nice thing about this kind of peony tattoo is that it can look good almost anywhere on your body. This includes your arm, shoulder, back, etc. As such, you have a few more options as to where you can place the peonies and the bird.

Snake and Peony Tattoo Ideas

On the surface, a snake and peony can seem like odd elements to combine in a tattoo. However, it is precisely because of this contrast that I quite like this peony tattoo design. There is also the fact that there is something rather sensual and gorgeous and this tattoo concept as well. Especially if you decide to place it on a part of your body like the sternum.

The other thing to bear in mind about a peony tattoo such as this is that a snake isn't always considered a negative thing. In fact, in some cultures, a snake is associated with transformation. This is due to its ability to shed its skin.

So, including a snake in your peony tattoo isn't just about style and aesthetic, it can also be about adding significance to your peony tattoo.

If you want to minimize the contrast between these two concepts in your peony tattoo, then you can do both the snake and the peonies in black ink. You can also do them in a similar style.

In case you do want to create a contrast, then you can go with a harsher design for the snake and a more delicate concept with the peonies. Also, you can switch things up with the colors. The snake can be done in black while the peonies can be inked in red or pink.

Animal and Peony Tattoo Ideas

If you are looking for a slightly different kind of peony tattoo, then this kind of tattoo concept is something that you may want to consider. Now, you can choose any animal that you want for such a peony tattoo.

If you want your peony tattoo to be associated with power and strength, then a big cat like a lion, leopard, or tiger is a good option. On the other hand, if you would rather your peony tattoo be associated with cunning, then a wolf may be a better option for you.

In case you are looking for a more adorable peony tattoo concept, then you may want to consider including your pet in the tattoo! Adding your pup or kitty to your tattoo can be a wonderful way to customize it. You can even place their face in the middle, surrounded by petals!

These tattoos of flowers and animals will give you all the inspiration you need!

Dragon and Peony Tattoo Ideas

In case you want a more mythical or mystical approach to your peony tattoo, then you may want to consider adding dragons into the mix. Keep in mind that in some Asian cultures dragons can be associated with good luck, wisdom, and power. So, if you want your peony tattoo to have a positive meaning, then this is a good element to add.

Of course, there is also the fact that including a dragon in your peony tattoo will make for a gorgeous design. There are a few different peony tattoo options that you can opt for here. If you want, you can create a contrast between the peonies and the dragon. Or, draw the peonies and dragon with a similar style.

Keep in mind that a dragon's appearance can vary from one culture to another. So, you will need to determine if you want a more Westernized dragon or an Eastern one. If you would like the tattoo to have a more cohesive design, then you should ensure that the peonies match the form and technique of the dragon or vice versa.

Fan and Peony Tattoo Ideas

I haven't actually seen too many tattoos like this so if you are looking for a more unique tattoo design, then this is certainly one that you should consider. As an added bonus, this delicate and elegant tattoo is absolutely stunning and will look good anywhere on your body.

Here, the peonies are inked onto a traditional Japanese hand fan. You can choose to follow the traditional patterns found in these fans or you can create your own concept. You can also choose to only have peonies or to include some other flowers in the design as well.

Skull and Peony Tattoo Ideas

I actually really like these tattoo designs as they are creative and I also like the fact that you put two contrasting elements together. Peonies can be all about romance and love while skulls are typically associated with death.

Of course, if you have recently experienced a tragic end to your relationship, then these may be the right tattoos for you. This kind of tattoo design can signify the end of relationships or even a marriage. Or, this tattoo could even mean that you have given up on the idea of love.

Now, there are many different concepts to consider with this tattoo design - as is evident by these tattoos. A really cool concept, though, would be to have a skull surrounded by the petals of the peony flowers.

To create an even greater contrast, you can have a black or grey skull with pink petals! Check out these tattoos here for more ideas!

Mandala Peony Tattoo Ideas

If you are looking for an aesthetic and intricate tattoo, then here are some of the tattoos that you should consider for yourself. Now, while they are referred to as mandala tattoo designs, this isn't exactly the case.

Mandala refers to the designs used in Hinduism to help you focus during meditation and to help you reach a higher plane of consciousness. While the tattoo designs may be a bit similar, it may be more appropriate to describe them as ornamental.

Now, these tattoos can go anywhere on your body, but they do look good on your upper arm or upper thigh. Also unlike more colorful designs that use pink for the petals and the flowers, these designs are largely done in black.

Script Peony Tattoo Ideas

If peonies are your signature flower or if they have a special significance to you, then you may want to pair them with an equally meaningful word. In this case, these are the tattoos that you can consider:

Well, there you go - the top designs for peony flowers! Go ahead and check them all out and pick the one that is just right for you!

What Does the Peony Tattoo Mean?

Before you get a peony tattoo you probably want to know the meaning or symbolism behind this flower. There are actually a few different meanings associated with the peony.

In particular, there is a myth regarding this flower. It is said that Paeon was a student of Asclepius who was the Greek God of healing and medicine. One day, Paeon cures a god using the peony but this angers Asclepius. In order to save Paeon from the wrath of Asclepius, Zeus turns him into a flower.

On a more positive note, peonies like the classic rose, represent love and romance. They are also said to represent a happy marriage. This is why it is a common flower in some bride's bouquets. The peony is also considered a traditional symbol for a 12th wedding anniversary.

Peonies actually have a rather positive meaning in Asian cultures. They are associated with honor, respect, nobility, good fortune, respect, and even bravery.

So, if you are looking for a tattoo that can be a positive symbol for you, then a peony tattoo is the way to go.