51 Black Butterfly Tattoo Ideas
A butterfly tattoo symbolizes freedom, change, and transformation.
The versatility and allure of butterflies is multiplied by the fact they can feature in any color palette or tattoo style, including black ink design styles.
Whether simple small linework or complex shaded sleeve pieces, black butterfly ink is a popular aesthetic and economic decision.
Tattoos are highly personal symbolic tattoos, and for some people bright colors just aren’t true to their personality.
A black butterfly tattoo gives you the chance to personalize your design in combination with other elements, such as your favorite flowers, different shades, lettering and symbols.
The following gallery of top 51 best black butterfly tattoos depicts tremendous versatility and innovation within this simple butterfly topic that you’ll be able to use as inspiration for your next tattoo.
1. Black Butterfly Tattoo Ideas for the Back
2. Forearm Black Butterfly Tattoo Art
3. Heavy Black Ink Butterflies
4. Realistic Black Butterfly Tattoo Ideas
Source: @mcmike20 via Instagram
5. Semicolon Black Butterfly Tattoo Designs
Source: @sam_smith_tattooing via Instagram
6. Tiny Black Butterfly Tattoo Ideas
7. Upper arm Black Butterfly Tattoos
8. Black Butterfly Wrist Tattoo Designs
9. Black and Gray Gradient Butterfly Tattoo Ideas
Black Butterfly Tattoo FAQs
People who wear butterfly tattoos are usually seekers of independence and liberty. A butterfly tattoo also symbolizes balance after transformation.
The use of black ink is generally an aesthetic or economic choice on behalf of the collector.
Combinations of significant images with the butterfly – such as a flower, animal, or even a 3D image – on a tattoo allow the creativity of the artist to be highlighted.
Tattoos are deeply personal, and for some people, bright colors just aren’t true to their personality, even for a generally bright and positive butterfly design.
Many people still prefer the striking nature of these blackwork tattoos, and the cheaper option to go get striking pieces.
Tribal tattoo designs are primal in their appeal, while script work, cross-hatch shading, gradient black and gray, and clever composition can all be utilized to create black butterfly tattoos that are unique.
Combining a powerful semicolon symbol with a butterfly shows the collector has ‘freed’ themselves from many issues depression and suicidal thoughts create.
The semicolon tattoo reflects that the battle is not over, that self-harm and suicidal ideation can be fought against by sufferers, their supporters, and the wider community.
The person has been able to free themselves and start again or keep fighting to still be standing, beautiful and strong.
The most popular places for butterfly tattoos are on the chest, neck, lower back or shoulder, although they also are popular for visible tattoos due to their beauty and positive associations.
Visible tattoo areas include:
- Behind the ear
- The hands and fingers
- The wrist
- The foot and ankle
- The neck and nape
Your black butterfly tattoo can be combined with other elements of nature, such as your favorite flowers, animals and other insects, or script and lettering.
You may add symbols that uniquely bring out your personality, such as your zodiac sign, initials, or favorite musical symbols.
Gradient black and gray shading is a popular choice for those looking for larger, more nuanced pieces, while other prefer the solidity of simple black ink linework.
