60+ Inspirational Rose Tattoo Design Ideas: The Complete Guide (Updated 2022)

The rose tattoo is an undeniable classic with endless rose styles to choose from - do you choose Beauty and the best closed rose or the blooming English cottage garden rose? Roses are also easy to zoom in and out, so you can do small rose tattoos and large detailed designs, which means you have a full range of placements.

The arms, upper thighs, chest and collarbone area are always popular, but you can find more unusual places in our catalog of rose tattoos.

But before we get into that, do you know the meaning behind a rose tattoo?

A Brief History of the Rose Tattoo

Roses originated in Persia (modern Iran) and have traditionally been a male symbol. We can see why - roses are quite bold and bright! Nowadays, roses are more often considered a feminine symbol (like all flowers), but this does not prevent both men and women from applying roses to their skin.

Rose tattoos have always been popular ever since the modern day tattoo was born. In the 1930s, when the American traditional style of tattooing was developed, men often tattooed their bodies with roses to symbolize love for a woman - a romantic partner or their mother!

The meaning of a rose is almost always love. But tattoos are usually more intricate than that. Choosing a specific rose color can have a deeper meaning:

• White - innocence
• yellow - friendship
• orange - passion
• Pink is sweet femininity.
• Red is true love.
• Lilac - royalty
• Greenpeace
• Blue is unrequited love.
• Black Death

Pairing pink ink with a different design also adds to the meaning. For example, a rose with a compass could mean "follow your heart."

60 Rose Tattoo Design Ideas

Like this! 60 rose tattoo ideas that will make you want to buy new ink.

wind rose tattoo

This rose and compass tattoo creates a full sleeve. The blackwork and scale of the tattoo really allowed the artist to work out a lot of the details! Such detailed shading works very well with rose designs due to the layered petals and velvety texture.

gypsy rose tattoo

The gypsy rose tattoo harks back to the traditional American tattoo movement with its bold colors and solid lines. Often these roses were paired with a pin-up portrait, anchor, or other symbol typical of the American traditional style. Red roses look best in this style.

Rose Black Tattoo

This is an interesting tattoo full of hidden meaning. Instead of drawing the rose in black ink, it was completely filled in. It's like the silhouette or shadow of a rose. It can symbolize lost love or the feeling that your heart is missing.

Rose Red Tattoo

We love this simple beautiful red rose tattoo. The addition of small green leaves is a nice touch that gives the tattoo a more natural vibe. We also really like the placement on the lower calf. The way it wraps around the foot brings the design to life.

Blue Rose Tattoo

Even with those blurry watercolors, you can tell right away that it's a rose. Blue often symbolizes unrequited or unattainable love, like a rose. Combined with that spiky stem and moon symbol, it's clear that this rose tattoo is full of longing. Amazing works of art!

rose tattoo

Having multiple rose tattoos on the body can change the meaning. For example, a pink rose for a sister and a yellow rose for a brother. Combining roses with names creates a very personal tattoo. You can also have a rose tattoo for every decade of your life.

rose tattoo on arm

The arm is a popular spot for a rose tattoo as the round shape makes a great canvas for a rounded, fully bloomed rose. We love this black and white one because it blends artfully with existing arm tattoos… without becoming a full sleeve.

rose tattoo on arm

A classic rose, but with a little more detail than usual. We love the bright reds used for the petals, as well as the muted black-green stem color - it adds a bit of gothic pink appeal without being too dark and overly death-focused.

rose tattoo on shoulder

The round shape of the blooming rose is great for rounded areas of the body, such as the shoulder. This tattoo example shows how the rose only fits well on the shoulder, but can also hang up the neck or down the arm.

Traditional rose tattoo

The traditional American style rose has some rules - a set color palette, thick bold lines, a blooming rose on top and spiky leaves. This is a true classic and looks great as part of a sleeve or on its own on the arm, hip, thigh or anywhere else.

rose tattoo sleeve

This is a perfect example of how roses can create a very durable sleeve on your arm. The rounded, full flower heads can overlap and come together, so there are no gaps in the design - apart from the obviously obvious cross in this particular rose tattoo example!

simple rose tattoo

This simple rose tattoo is also a line tattoo, but you can definitely add some shading and still call it simple! Roses are very versatile flowers: their petal shape changes dramatically from bud to full bloom, giving you a lot of freedom in style and arrangement.

rose tattoo on neck

Rose tattoos on the neck are usually medium in size and on the side of the neck or very small and curl behind the ear. This one is detailed and pretty awesome. It depicts a rose in various stages of growth. Perhaps it symbolizes love, which is only getting stronger.

Rose Money Tattoo

The meaning of a rose tattoo made up of dollar bills is simple - the love of money and a reminder that you need to work hard. This shows that you love what you do. After all, they say that if you truly love your job, you will not “work” a day.

Amber Rose Tattoo

There are so many meanings here. An amber colored rose, Amber Rose's female tattoo, or the tattoos that Amber Rose has. But let's take a look at Amber Rose's rose tattoo on her arm. It's part of her sleeve and looks great.

Yellow Rose Tattoo

The style of this tattoo is neo-Japanese and we really like it. The sharp edges and lines are nicely set on top of the slightly washed out colors underneath. The foot and ankle area is a bit more unusual, but it works really well here.

rose tattoo on elbow

As with the rose tattoo above on the shoulder above, the elbow is a great spot for roses. Spiderwebs are another option here, but perhaps you could combine them to create gothic rose tattoos on the elbows! Keep in mind that this place is quite high on the tattoo pain scale.

grayscale rose tattoo

The black white gray design is really beautiful with roses. The way the petals fold and fall apart creates more depth and dimension for your tattoo artist. We love this simplistic style because it looks great zoomed in or out.

Matching Rose Tattoos

Matching roses can be great tattoos for a friend, relative or lover. Change the color of the rose to symbolize it, or get a simple line tattoo like this couple's. The hand placement is really good, but behind the ear is great too.

Rose and Skull Tattoo

Often with rose skull tattoos, the rose grows out of the skull or the skull is part of the rose flower. And that's why we really like this idea. That's not a lot different best case scenario. The lack of color works very well here.

Botanical Rose Tattoo

Botanical prints are a very popular trend. They are on T-shirts, bags, and now on our bodies. This rose is designed to be realistic. It's not perfect, with missing petals, but the style itself is very attractive. Add latin name pink at the end.

Rose and Heart Tattoo

This evocative tattoo is beautifully located on the inside of the forearm! The stem of the rose piercing the heart is also true symbolism. It represents your heart captured and pierced by love. Who does the rose represent? Only this guy knows! It will look great in color.

rose and sword tattoo

A sword entwined with roses is a beautiful image that can have many meanings. We love delicate work - usually the roses are quite big and bold, but here they are subtle. Perhaps this means that they are fighting for love, or it gives strength.

Rose Tattoo

This is a gorgeous rose tattoo that would look great anywhere as long as the tattoo can be large. Wide gaps and thin lines create a network of roses, but somehow it looks cohesive. Without color, this tattoo will go with any outfit.

Spider Web Rose Tattoo

This autumn rose is beautiful and completely unique. Mustard yellow is a classic this time of year, and the cobwebs just add to the aesthetic. We think this tattoo was designed to be taken at face value, but it might make sense.

Red and black line rose tattoo

Something about this tattoo reminds us of Beauty and the Beast! Rose in the shape of a heart with reflections of sparkling light. It's very romantic and a little Disney-esque. It looks great in scale on the forearm or even on the shoulder.

rose tattoo for men

This line of art is beautiful. It is created with a single smooth line that goes back and forth to create the outline of a rose. This is real tattoo art and we love it. You can also add red and green watercolor splashes behind the lines.

Gothic rose tattoo

Black rose tattoos are on a completely different level. We love that this example of a rose tattoo blends in with other gothic tattoos in the same style. It also shows how the lower leg can be a great place for a rose tattoo or even a sleeve tattoo.

Middle Back Tattoo

The Geometric Snake Botanical Rose is an eclectic mix of styles, but it works very well. This was done by a very talented tattoo artist! We also like the location - the middle back can be a great canvas for larger tattoos.

Minimalist rose tattoo

A lush blooming rose sits beautifully behind the ear. It is easy to cover with hair or show if desired. We love it! The talented tattoo artist also managed to work out an impressive amount of detail. We would like to see it in color.

Stained glass rose tattoo

The stained glass effect looks truly amazing with rose tattoo designs. This one is encased in a simple heart shape. You can wear it around your wrist, ankle, or even turn it upside down and place it just below and between your breasts. Really amazing!

Rose and snake tattoo

The snake wrapped around a rose comes from traditional American and Japanese styles, but has since been adapted to many different tattoo styles. Blackwork is popular for pink snake tattoos, as is line work. This is a great example of a successful pink snake tattoo.

Continuous line rose tattoo

You might think that tiny rose tattoos measuring only 2.5 inches cannot add much detail. It's not exactly like this rose line tattoo proves. An unbroken line unwinds to form a beautiful rose shape that fits snugly against the collarbone on one side.

rose tattoo on forearm

The forearm is perhaps the most popular place to get a tattoo, and it's also perfect for roses. The long oblong shape of the handguard is good for long designs. One rose and a stem or bouquet of roses, as you can see in this romantic tattoo example.

Heart shaped rose tattoo

These are not roses and a heart, but a heart-shaped rose! We love that it's not a perfect heart. The outer form descends and curves, while the rose blossoms inside. The pink tint might just be because the tattoo is fresh, but we love it anyway.

Cartoon Skull Rose Tattoo

We love the cartoon style of this gothic rose! It has beautiful rounded petals and a pretty skull in the center. Take a closer look - did you notice that the petals are actually money? This is a brilliant example of a blackwork Japanese rose tattoo.

Rose tattoo on chest (male)

Many chest tattoos sit right in the center of your chest, but this rose tattoo shows you how to do something a little more out of the ordinary. A bouquet of roses falls gracefully at an angle to the chest and heart area. Nipple piercing is not required!

Rose and Date Tattoo

This is a cute minimalist rose tattoo. It consists of two numbers. Dates? Lucky numbers? Age? Who knows! This rose tattoo is full of meaning and is in a sensual, private place. If you don't want everyone to see your tattoo, this is a good idea.

Rose Butterfly Tattoo

Isn't that amazing! The little blue butterflies are adorable. Blue roses are romantic. Combine them and you are on the winner. This tattoo is very feminine and looks great on the wrists, ankles, forearms and maybe even on the inner thighs. You can choose any color, not just bright blue!

pink ice cream ink

This is a great example of how you can take a classic like the rose flower and turn it into something completely new and unique. Bouquet of roses in the form of an ice cream cone. Genius! The botanical style looks good, but the cartoony style can work too.

All boxed

Roses are naturally flowing, with curved petals and elegant lines. But if you want a geometric or rose tattoo that won't look out of place next to geometric art, then this is a neat solution. The simplicity of a rose in a box attracts attention.

neon glow

Another amazing use of colors! The almost neon fluorescent quality of this rose tattoo is so attractive and very modern. Make sure you take good care of your tattoo so that it stays bright and fresh for as long as possible. Buy lots of coconut oil!

flaming rose

If you want a rose tattoo as a symbol of passion, then set it on fire! This burning rose tattoo looks great with the combination of red and orange. Flames are hard to capture in a tattoo without looking cartoony, so choose a rose with a bold outline.

patriotic rose

God bless America, am I right? This tattoo won't be to everyone's taste, but there's no denying it's a bold statement! You can use anything to create a rose petal tattoo, from the American flag to dollar bills and playing cards… the list goes on.

rose tattoo on inner thigh

This single line tattoo is elegantly placed along the inner thigh bone. It's romantic, a little sexy, and really suits your body. This is a great place for very small tattoos. If you want a medium sized rose tattoo, consider the outer thigh.

Geometric rose tattoo

Is it a rose? Is that a martini? Is it just a set of forms? This tattoo really makes you think. It's as mysterious as the person who received the ink. There are many ways an artist can create a rose without painting a rose.

Watercolor rose tattoo

Is he on fire or bleeding? We're not entirely sure, but we know it's beautiful and full of meaning! The way the watercolor hues blur behind the elegant black outline of the rose that stands out against this man's skin. The location of the clavicle is ingenious.

Pocket watch and roses

We really love this tattoo! It reminds us of Alice in Wonderland with a pocket watch (white rabbit) and red roses (Queen of Hearts). Whatever the meaning behind it, the tattoo artist did an incredible job bringing it to life.

rainbow rose

Can't stop at one color? No problem, just create a rainbow rose like this tattoo. We love how the colors start out bold and defined but drip like paint onto the bottom of the tattoo. This is a neat style that is very popular.

Tattoo with floating rose petals

The way the petals flutter in the wind is our favorite thing about this rose tattoo. It really has life and movement with every stroke of ink. Placed on the back of one shoulder, but we think it looks divine on the collarbones too.

Rose and Bird Blackwork

A little bird peeking out to say hello really brings this black rose tattoo to life. When it comes to roses, the blackwork style can sometimes add an unintentional gothic touch, but the little bird contrasts this with a fresher, more natural vibe.

Rose and moon tattoo

The rose is romantic, of course, but so is the moon! Rose under the moon? Fainting worthy. We love the elegance of this black tattoo, but we can't help but wonder if it would look even better in color! The shape is great for the forearms.

peach rose

This calf tattoo features a soft pink rose, a detailed skull, and diamond-framed foliage. It's great! If you want a truly unique rose tattoo, talk to your tattoo artist. They usually have great ideas about what will work.

Simple Rose Tattoo

The twisted stem of this rose is what really caught my eye! Usually rose stems are spiky and drawn at sharp angles, but this one really flows. You can even wrap a rose stem around your wrist or ankle to accentuate your body shape.

Tattoo Rose Money

Get rich or die trying. Preach! We love this tattoo of twin roses and words to live. One rose is made from dollar bills, the other from playing cards. This is a great idea for those who like to work hard and play even harder.

Red Rose Tattoo

Look how red and bright the red rose tattoo is! No leaves or stems are needed to complete this design. The detail on the velvety petals is incredible. If you want a tattoo like this, you need to find a tattoo artist with experience in this style.

blue rose tattoo

These tattoo ink colors make us swoon. Blue mixed with muted mauve, yellow and hints of pink. It's absolutely great! This is a great example of how you can mix rose petal colors to create a range of different vibes and hidden meanings in your body art.

Rose tattoos on the sleeve

An ombre effect with roses fading into color looks absolutely stunning in this forearm tattoo. Roses are great for sleeves as they have a rounded shape that fills in gaps perfectly. If you have a patchy sleeve or need something to cover up, roses are a good option.

Rose Traditional Tattoo

Another traditional rose tattoo is here, this time with an added stem and a small rose bud. It can symbolize parent and child or siblings. A large rose and a small rose intertwined together. It's really pretty and the assertive American traditional style works really well.

Black Rose Tattoo

A tattoo with fine lines and flawless hue makes this tattoo a true masterpiece. We like the darkness of the images, contrasting with the realistic/botanical style and the rather light ink work. The blade crossed behind a rose is a popular emblem for men and women.

Rose tattoo: answers to frequently asked questions

Should I get a rose tattoo?

Yes! Rose tattoos look elegant and are classic. A good rose tattoo will have a timeless beauty and unlike some tattoos (like names) you are less likely to want to remove it later. If you later regret your rose tattoo, modern laser hair removal can erase it.

What do rose tattoos mean?

Roses traditionally signify romance, love and passion. Combining roses with other items or changing the color of the petals can change this meaning. Roses became significant tattoos when the American traditional style was created.

What is a rose tattoo band?

Australian rock band Rose Tattoo formed in the 1970s. Obviously, you don't have to be a member of a band to get a rose tattoo!

Where is the best place to get a rose tattoo?

Forearms are very popular. Any placement at the heart or hip can additionally symbolize love and passion, respectively.