So, you want to get a back tattoo. It’s hard to blame you, considering all the possibilities back tattoos can bring, from bold full-back designs to small and simple ones. Of course, all the variety out there can quickly get overwhelming.
If you want to find the right design that you wouldn’t mind wearing forever, then take a look at these beautiful back tattoos for women.
1. Moon Phases Tattoo
The phases of the moon are easy to display along the spine, and each one allows you to show the beauty of the night sky wherever you go.
2. “She Is Art” Tattoo With Abstract Faces
The abstract linework in this tattoo is gorgeous, and I also love the text that reminds us we’re beautiful works of art, too.
3. Phoenix Tattoo
Phoenixes are beautiful, symbolically speaking. While they burn up into ashes, they also rise again and become new. The Phoenix is associated with transformation, rebirth, and new beginnings. It also looks beautiful artistically speaking. I love how the phoenix is represented in this tattoo — the red flowers really stand out against the phoenix’s dark colors.
4. Lotus Tattoo With Abstract Linework
Lotuses have an elegant look to them, which is magnified in this design thanks to the beautiful abstract linework.
5. Simple Ornamental Tattoo
If you’re looking to make a simple yet beautiful statement, ornamental tattoos may be the right choice for you.
6. Snake Weaving Through Flowers Tattoo
Large back tattoos are great for a dramatic look. I love all the detail put into the florals for this botanical scene, and the snake weaving through is a nice touch.
7. Tiger and Roses Tattoo
This tattoo design stood out to me when I first saw it. Not only are the roses in this design gorgeous, but I also love the contrast between the ferocity and strength of the tiger and the beautiful delicacy of the roses.
8. Spine Ornamental Tattoo
Spine tattoos are among the most difficult ones to get, but they come with a whole variety of unique design options that accentuate their natural shape. This tattoo, in particular, has a beautiful delicacy to it with the small dots between the minimalistic shapes.
9. Dragon Tattoo
Dragon tattoos often look powerful and intimidating, which is, of course, a great look. But I love the way the dragon is portrayed in this design. The little charms and chains hanging off the back of the dragon’s wings add a cute look. The minimal use of color also allows certain parts of the design to pop.
10. Red Snake and Roses Tattoo
Red tattoos are great for a bold, stand-out look, just like this red snake and roses tattoo design.
11. Lioness Tattoo With Feathers, Jewels, and Flowers
Lioness tattoos are symbols of female strength. They can also be symbols of power and authority, a meaning that is accentuated by the feathers, jewels, and flowers decorating the design.
12. Butterfly Ornamental Tattoo
Ornamental tattoos are always beautiful. While they are often a series of abstract shapes and lines, I like how this one incorporates butterflies, a sunflower, and a crescent moon to give it more meaning and depth.
13. Simple Black Butterfly Tattoo
Butterflies are a popular tattoo for many reasons. Not only are they beautifully feminine, but they also represent transformation and the transition from one season of life to another.
14. Abstract Breaking Butterfly
I love this design since it showcases the beauty of breaking free from the past and moving forward into the future, just like the caterpillar transforms into the magnificent butterfly.
15. Red Dragon Tattoo
Dragons make for a bold design, especially with the red ink used in this one.
16. Calla Lily Tattoo
Calla lilies have many positive meanings attached to them, from resurrection and rebirth to purity and innocence.
17. “Unique” Tattoo With Star
Never forget how unique you are with this cute little back tattoo.
18. Birds and Flowers Tattoo
I can’t help but appreciate how much detail was put into this tattoo. From the flowers to the birds, everything has a realism to it that makes it look like you’re viewing a peaceful nature scene.
19. Crane Tattoo
Cranes have many positive meanings, many of which are tied to their elegant appearance. They can represent grace and beauty. In many cultures, they are also considered signs of good luck and happiness.
20. Dragon Full-Back Tattoo
Full-back tattoos are a dramatic and bold choice for sure, especially when you use that space to showcase an intimidating dragon in great detail.
21. Star Ornamental Spine Tattoo
Ornamental tattoos are made to be aesthetic by nature, and the aesthetics of this one truly stand out. The celestial notes in the design give it a beauty that is unmatched.
22. Mandala Tattoo With Flowers
Mandals look beautiful by themselves, but they also work well in a beautiful nature scene surrounded by flowers.
23. Colorful Red and Blue Flowers Tattoo
For a cheerful tattoo, opt for a design that has many colors, like these red and blue flowers.
24. Sun and Moon Tattoo
The sun rules over the day and the moon over the night, but that doesn’t mean they can’t find unity in a tattoo design like this one.
25. Fern Tattoo
Fern leaves work perfectly with the spine’s shape. Along with that, they symbolize youth and moving on from the past, among other meanings.
SEE ALSO: 21 Bold Full Back Tattoos for Women
26. Flower Tattoo With Butterflies
This tattoo is flattering because it works along the spine — and besides that, you can’t go wrong with a cute and feminine flower and butterfly design.
27. Red Snake Tattoo With Roses
Roses have their thorns, and snakes have their fangs. Putting them together can represent the duality of life — the beauty in the pain found in a rose and the symbolism of both death and rebirth in snakes.
28. King Cobra Tattoo
Lions might be considered the kings of the jungle, but we certainly shouldn’t forget about king cobras. They’re well-known for their distinctive neck hood and their venomous bite, so they can represent power, royalty, and strength. Adding the royal crown here helps to emphasize that meaning.
29. Lotus and Moon Tattoo
Many elements come together in this one design, like the lotus flower and the moon, and it all has an air of peaceful reflection.
30. Wildflowers Tattoo
Wildflowers are symbols of cheerfulness and happiness that are sure to make your day a little brighter.
31. Ornamental Floral Tattoo
The intricacy and elegance of this design speak for themselves, from the floral motifs to the abstract linework.
32. “Keep Pushing to See It Through” Tattoo
Life comes with many difficulties, but this tattoo is a good reminder to keep on fighting.
33. Dragon Tattoo With Red Flowers
I really love the contrast of this great tattoo for women, between the black dragon and the red flowers. The flowers are in such a vibrant shade that they make the entire design stand out.
34. Tiger Tattoo
You can show off your true strength with this tiger tattoo, as it symbolizes authority, courage, and bravery.
35. “Fight on Fighter” Cancer Ribbon Tattoo
This is a beautiful tattoo for cancer sufferers to encourage them to keep on going and see the fight through.
36. “Let the Music Be Your Guide” Tattoo
If you love listening to music, playing an instrument, or singing, this “let the music be your guide” tattoo might be for you.
37. Black Dahlia Tattoo
Large colorful tattoos like this black dahlia are perfect for when you want to stand out.
38. “I Am Always With You” Tattoo
In this tattoo, flower stems swirl into a gorgeous calligraphy message that reminds us we are never alone.
39. Butterfly Wings Tattoo
Butterflies are symbolic of transformation, as I mentioned earlier. But putting butterfly wings on your back gives it a more personal touch like you grew your wings and are ready to fly.
40. Lotus Tattoo With Dot Details
Lotus flowers are symbols of peace and meditation. I like how this lotus tattoo is accented with little dot details for a minimalistic flair.
41. Floral Tattoo and Snake
I mentioned earlier how a rose and a snake can represent duality, but snakes and flowers, in general, can represent the same thing, like a symbol of death slithering around a symbol of growth and life.
42. “Life Is Tough, My Darling, But So Are You” Tattoo
This is a beautiful message to remind yourself that as difficult as life can be, you have the ability to overcome it.
43. “Normal Is Boring” Tattoo
Being weird often leads to being made fun of, but let’s be real — being perfectly normal is boring. Embrace your weird by telling the world that normal is boring.
44. “Our Backs Tell Stories No Books Have the Spine to Carry” Tattoo
This is a popular quote from Rupi Kaur’s poetry book “Milk and Honey” that shows how that we have a meaningful story to tell through what we have on our backs, through scars or otherwise, that writing can never display in full detail.
45. Lioness Tattoo With Fern Leaves
Back tattoos give you the opportunity to display whatever you want in fine detail, like this lioness with fern leaves.
46. Dragonfly with Forget-Me-Not Wings
Dragonfly tattoos are great in and of themselves, but I like how the artist added beautiful forget-me-not details in the wings to make the design unique.
47. Leopard Tattoo With Blue Flowers
Much like tigers and lions, leopards represent strength and power. They also represent intelligence due to their hunting skills.
48. Colorful Ornamental Flowers Tattoo
I’ll take realistic flowers any day, but ones with an artsy flair tend to have a more fun feel, especially when they’re combined with bright colors.
SEE ALSO: 110 Small Hand Tattoos Women are Obsessed With
49. Geometric Tattoo
Besides artistic renditions of nature and ornamental tattoos, another popular category is geometric tattoos. They have a very precise air to them, and they can also feel futuristic.
50. Butterflies Tattoo
Rather than using color to contrast one butterfly from another, this tattoo uses design differences. Most of them look like realistic butterflies, but the one at the top stands out due to its fantasy sun and moon design.
51. Blue Butterfly Tattoo
The vibrant colors on this butterfly make it pop, and the swirl details also add visual interest. This is one back tattoo that you just don’t want to look away from.
52. Watercolor Rose Tattoo
I love the watercolor effect used for this tattoo — it gives the opportunity to blend shades and is the perfect reminder that tattoos are works of art.
53. Space and Nature Tattoo
I love how this tattoo combines different scenes from the sun and Saturn to the moon in the starry night sky and a gorgeous landscape down below. At the same time, it feels cohesive, thanks to the circular motif.
54. Delicate Flower Tattoo
Flowers with bold black lines and dark shading are great for making a bold statement, but I do always appreciate the refined elegance of flower tattoos that have delicate linework.
55. Blue Dragonfly Tattoo
Dragonflies are almost always positive symbols. They usually represent change and transformation, which can be great when you’re moving on from the past and headed into a new future.
56. Snake Tattoo
I love how the snake is twisted in this one, giving the design depth.
57. Butterfly Tattoo With Roses
Butterflies and roses are a truly elegant combination that makes for a lovely feminine tattoo like this one.
58. Watercolor Poppy Tattoo
The lack of outlines in this poppy tattoo gives it a loose and artsy feel, like a painter throwing paint onto a canvas.
59. Cherry Blossom Tattoo
Cherry blossoms most often represent temporal beauty in life. They are beautiful when they bloom, but they fall quickly. It can be a lesson to appreciate where you are in this moment because nothing lasts forever.
60. Koi Fish Tattoo
Koi fish are perhaps the most elegant of fish, and it shows in this tattoo, especially with the delicate linework.
61. Blue Butterflies Tattoo
The abstract lines behind the butterflies here make them feel more dynamic, as they suggest movement.
62. Colorful Watercolor Horse Tattoo
I love the abstract use of color in this tattoo. It contains just about every shade, from blue to orange to pink, giving it almost a dreamy or fantastical look.
63. Colorful Dreamcatcher Tattoo
In Native American cultures, dreamcatchers were created and put over beds. They believed that it would catch nightmares in the webbing, filtering out the bad dreams from the good ones.
SEE ALSO: 80 Gorgeous Spine Tattoos for Women
64. Compass Tattoo
Compass tattoos can represent finding your direction in life, as well as the joy of adventure.
65. Pink Peony Tattoo
Like most other flowers, peonies come with all kinds of positive meanings that can make them great tattoos, like good luck and romance.
66. Flowers Tattoo
Combining many flowers in a wondrous display can make for a varied and visually interesting tattoo.
67. Triangle Tattoo
With only three sides, triangle tattoos are about as simple as you can get. They’re a great tattoo for minimalists.
68. Mandala Tattoo
Mandalas represent perfection and balance, although I like how this design gives it a unique twist by making the middle off-center.
69. Watercolor Rose Tattoo
The pink in the leaves gives this rose tattoo a dreamy look, while the speckles of color around it make it artistic looking.
70. Gemstone Moon Tattoo
If you’re a fan of brightly colored things, then you may want to consider a tattoo like this one. With their saturated colors, the gemstones make this design stand out.
71. Flying Dreamcatcher Tattoo
This variation on the classic dreamcatcher tattoo looks unique with the winged dreamcatcher, and the flowers add an elegant accent to the whole design.
72. Black and Gray Peony Tattoo
This peony tattoo looks striking due to the amount of detail in the flower and the monochrome color palette.
73. Flowing Line Tattoo
Not all tattoos need to be detailed and complicated, as this tattoo shows. This flowing line tattoo has a distinctly modern look and creates a lovely minimalist statement.
74. World Compass Tattoo
If you love to travel the world, this tattoo might be for you. The compass on the globe represents how infinite adventures and possibilities await.
75. “Walk on the Wild Side” Tattoo
Life can be a little monotonous sometimes. Never be afraid to break it up with some fun and adventure by taking a walk on the wild side.
76. Floral Moon Tattoo
Moon tattoos symbolize feminine energy, light in the darkness, and change. This beautiful symbol looks even more so when accented with some lovely flowers.
77. “We Gain Strength From the Madness We Survive” Tattoo
Some people think that certain individuals are born strong, but this tattoo shows that being a survivor through difficult situations is how we gain true strength.
78. Abstract Woman Tattoo With Flowers
Abstract linework tattoos are both striking yet distinctly minimalist since they reduce the human form to an outline. The flowers also add an elegant touch.
79. Blue Butterfly Tattoo With Flowers
Small back tattoos are great because they’re easy to cover up or show off, depending on what clothing you’re wearing. But personally, I’d love to show this cute little tattoo off.
80. Spine Bone Tattoo
Bone tattoos are edgy while also being incredibly intricate, making them interesting to look at. I also love the flame-like accents on the side, which remind me of a rock and roll aesthetic.
81. “Floral Year Tattoo
People get year tattoos for all sorts of reasons, from a memorial tattoo to an anniversary and even someone’s birth year.
82. Red Butterflies Tattoo
I love how the butterflies in this design are shown in many different positions and pointing in different directions. It makes it feel like you’re looking at a beautiful butterfly garden, watching all the butterflies flit about.
83. Green Sunflower Tattoo
I don’t often see green sunflower tattoos, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a beautiful design to get. It adds a more muted twist to one of the most optimistic-looking flowers.
84. Black Moon and Cat Tattoo
This tattoo has a distinctly gothic aesthetic with the ornamental details on the moon and the elegant chains coming off it. The black cat adds a cute twist to this design.
85. Watercolor Flowers Tattoo
I love the beautiful mix of colors in this flower tattoo, especially the flower on the left with the mix of blue and purple tones.
86. Gingko Leaf Tattoo
Gingko leaves are traditionally symbols of longevity and changelessness, unlike cherry blossoms. It shows there are some good things in life that last rather than all being temporary.
87. Cherry Blossom Tree Tattoo With Moon
I love this beautiful cherry blossom tattoo with the moon in the background — there was clearly so much detail put into every aspect of the design, making it a stunning tattoo option.
88. Cute Butterfly Tattoo With Flowers
Between the butterflies, flowers, and little sparkle details, this is a cute back tattoo option.
89. Birds Tattoo
Birds often represent freedom since they fly in the sky, free to go anywhere they like rather than being bound to the world. They’re simple yet inspiring tattoos.
90. Lily Tattoo
Besides looking beautiful in tattoo designs, lilies are also symbols of purity, innocence, resurrection, and renewal.
91. Colorful Butterflies Tattoo
Butterflies are great by themselves, but I love this colorful butterfly tattoo design. All of the colors are saturated and vibrant, making the design look full of life.
92. Tulip Tattoo
Tulips tend to represent true love, and they can also represent rebirth since they bloom in the spring.
93. Poppy Tattoo
Poppy flowers represent sleep, peace, and dreams. They’re also commonly used as symbols of remembrance since they’re traditionally placed on graves.
94. “Be Patient, Everything Comes to You in the Right Moment”
Waiting for our dreams to come true can be difficult, but this tattoo reminds us to wait for the right moment. The lotus flower also adds to the meaning since it represents peaceful reflection and patience.
95. “Accept What Is, Let Go of What Was, and Believe in What Will Be” Tattoo
This is a beautiful tattoo reminding us what to do with each part of our lives — to let go of the past, to live in the present, and have hope for the future.
96. Death Moth Tattoo
Death moths have an edgy look to them, but they can also be more than that. It can be a reminder that death is inevitable, reminding us to live in the present moment. It can also represent change and putting past things in our life “to death,” so to speak.
97. “To the Moon and Back” Tattoo
“To the moon and back” is a phrase representing infinite love. It’s a great tattoo for showing the love you have for your family, and some use it as a memorial tattoo to show how much someone meant to them.
98. Ornamental Dot Tattoo
This tattoo design is intricate but still manages to make a minimal statement thanks to being made of mostly dots.
99. “Never Grow Up” Tattoo
This is a great tattoo for Peter Pan fans and general Disney fans. It’s a great reminder that we can (and should) keep our childlike side and sense of wonder intact.
100. Snowflakes Tattoo
Snowflake tattoos might seem like they’re only great for the winter, but they can also work well if you love snow-related activities like skiing or snowboarding or have fond winter memories you want to remember all year long.
101. Blue Floral Moon Tattoo
I love the unique style of this tattoo — it’s practically dripping with elegance between the blue roses, the butterflies, and the gemstones hanging off the moon.
102. Large Butterfly Tattoo
Butterflies are traditionally smaller tattoos or a small part of larger ones, but in this one, the butterfly steals the show. Its large size gives the opportunity to show it in great detail, leading to a stunning look.
103. Sun Tattoo
This cute little tattoo can represent cheerfulness, optimism, and a positive attitude.
104. Hummingbird Tattoo
Like most birds, hummingbirds symbolize freedom. More than that, though, they can also represent joy, happiness, and healing.
105. Mandala Tattoo Covered in Flowers
This elaborate botanical mandala covered in flowers with ornamental details is just what you need for a super-elegant back tattoo.
106. Tiger Tattoo With Sword
This tiger tattoo with a sword emphasizes the tiger’s symbolism of being a strong protector and warrior.
107. Blossoming Daisy Tattoo
This blossoming daisy tattoo can represent how there is beauty in all stages of growth.
108. “Take These Broken Wings and Learn to Fly” Tattoo
“Take these broken wings and learn to fly” is a reference to the Beatles song “Blackbird.” The song doesn’t have a single meaning and has many interpretations according to both the songwriter and listeners. Whatever you take it to mean, it represents moving on from the past and flying into a new future.
109. Dotted Spiral Tattoo
Despite being simple, spirals have a lot of associated meanings. Some interpret it as things in life that start small and gradually grow wider as you go along. It’s like the journey of life where you gain new experiences and grow as you go along.
Some also interpret it the opposite way to refer to things that start outwards and go back to the center, like going back to the basics and what matters most. Ultimately, it is what you make it.
110. “Yesterday is Heavy, Put it Down” Tattoo
This tattoo is a beautiful depiction of how letting go of the past allows you to feel light and free again.
111. Purple Flowers Tattoo
Purple is the color of royalty, rarity, and elegance, which makes it a great color option for floral tattoos. I also like the abstract lines around the design, which naturally draw your eyes to the flowers.
112. Large Mandala Tattoo
One of the great things about mandala tattoos is that you can make them as simple or as complicated as you want. A large design like this one allows you to go into far more detail than you could with a smaller tattoo design, giving it an eye-catching appearance.
113. Monarch Butterfly and Colorful Flowers Tattoo
A colorful flower and butterfly tattoo allows you to keep the joy and beauty of spring with you all year long.
Summary and Top Picks
Did you enjoy taking a look at all these back tattoo designs? There are truly endless possibilities — colorful and vibrant ornamental tattoos, monochrome floral tattoos, intimidating tiger tattoos, and so many more. I loved the variety of these designs and the artistry they all conveyed.
If I had to pick, I’d say that these three were my favorites:
- #3 Phoenix Tattoo: I love the symbolism of new beginnings and rebirth that the phoenix conveys, as well as the color contrast of this design in particular.
- #14 Abstract Breaking Butterfly Tattoo: The symbolism of breaking free from the past is beautiful, as well as the geometric breaking effect on the butterfly itself.
- #77 “We Gain Strength From the Madness We Survive” Tattoo: The meaning behind this one is beautiful, showing that true strength comes from survival.
Would you rather get a bunch of small tattoos on your back or a single large one, and why? Let me know in the comments below!
