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Top 63 Best Monarch Butterfly Tattoo Ideas – [2022 Inspiration Guide]

Top 63 Best Monarch Butterfly Tattoo Ideas – [2022 Inspiration Guide]

  • Next Luxury / Tattoo Ideas
  • by — Jono Elderton

Animal Tattoos Butterfly Tattoos

Monarch butterflies are arguably the most popular insect tattoos for men and women, whether inked in color, black and gray, or simple lines. 

They echo other butterfly designs in meaning freedom, beauty, and transformation; they also suit frequent travellers and those with an affinity for realistic design. 

The Monarch, as the name suggests, is often associated with royalty, and is symbolic of souls returning during Dia de los Muertos, the Mexican Day of the Dead. 

The following collection of top 73 best monarch tattoo ideas showcase a range of design ideas that your tattooist can use as inspiration to draw up your next killer piece of body art. 

1. Monarch Butterfly Back Tattoos

Back Monarch Butterfly Tattoo alexinkcuba

Source: @alexinkcuba via Instagram

Back Monarch Butterfly Tattoo billysarno

Source: @billysarno via Instagram

Back Monarch Butterfly Tattoo kaleijawstattoos

Source: @kaleijawstattoos via Instagram

Back Monarch Butterfly Tattoo nanetattoo

Source: @nanetattoo via Instagram

Back Monarch Butterfly Tattoo taradactltattoo

Source: @taradactltattoo via Instagram

Back Monarch Butterfly Tattoo theyogiandthedragonfly

Source: @theyogiandthedragonfly via Instagram

Back Monarch Butterfly Tattoo tinta_machete

Source: @tinta_machete via Instagram

Back Monarch Butterfly Tattoo villustrated

Source: @villustrated via Instagram

2. Ankle and Lower Leg Monarch Butterfly Tattoo Ideas

Ankle Monarch Butterfly Tattoo bambi.tattoos

Source: @bambi.tattoos via Instagram

Ankle Monarch Butterfly Tattoo bkuhltattoos

Source: @bkuhltattoos via Instagram

Ankle Monarch Butterfly Tattoo kittenbytes

Source: @kittenbytes via Instagram

Ankle Monarch Butterfly Tattoo lozzarachtattooer

Source: @lozzarachtattooer via Instagram

Ankle Monarch Butterfly Tattoo robertoguerreroart

Source: @robertoguerreroart via Instagram

Ankle Monarch Butterfly Tattoo rudy_tattoos_

Source: @rudy_tattoos_ via Instagram

Ankle Monarch Butterfly Tattoo tattootribe

Source: @tattootribe via Instagram

Ankle Monarch Butterfly Tattoo tiarne.hook

Source: @tiarne.hook_ via Instagram

3. Black and Gray Monarch Butterfly Tattoo Ideas

Black Monarch Butterfly Tattoo amystattoos

Source: @amystattoos via Instagram

Black Monarch Butterfly Tattoo artkaylarose

Source: @artkaylarose via Instagram

Black Monarch Butterfly Tattoo gracietattoos

Source: @gracietattoos via Instagram

Black Monarch Butterfly Tattoo justotattoos

Source: @justotattoos via Instagram

Black Monarch Butterfly Tattoo martinkellytattoo

Source: @martinkellytattoo via Instagram

Black Monarch Butterfly Tattoo melbootstattoo

Source: @melbootstattoo via Instagram

Black Monarch Butterfly Tattoo tattooingbyap

Source: @tattooingbyap via Instagram

4. Monarch Butterfly Forearm Tattoo Ideas

Monarch Butterfly Forearm Tattoo boldtgym

Source: @boldtgym via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Forearm Tattoo hornedqueen_ink

Source: @hornedqueen_ink via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Forearm Tattoo madimargs

Source: @madimargs via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Forearm Tattoo mat_tattoo

Source: @mat_tattoo via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Forearm Tattoo minnietattooart

Source: @minnietattooart via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Forearm Tattoo virginiamarting

Source: @virginiamarting via Instagram

5. Realistic Monarch Butterfly Tattoo Art

Realistic Monarch Butterfly Tattoo 2 paulhenrytattoo

Source: @paulhenrytattoo via Instagram

Realistic Monarch Butterfly Tattoo audreymello1

Source: @audreymello1 via Instagram

Realistic Monarch Butterfly Tattoo paulhenrytattoo

Source: @paulhenrytattoo via Instagram

Realistic Monarch Butterfly Tattoo sarahink

Source: @sarahink via Instagram

Realistic Monarch Butterfly Tattoo tattoosbyeddieparsley

Source: @tattoosbyeddieparsley via Instagram

Realistic Monarch Butterfly Tattoo wesmartin82

Source: @wesmartin82 via Instagram

6. Rib and Side Monarch Butterfly Tattoo Ideas

Monarch Butterfly Rib Tattoo brennanwalkertattoo

Source: @brennanwalkertattoo via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Rib Tattoo electricink09

Source: @electricink09 via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Rib Tattoo rama_fisson

Source: @rama_fisson via Instagram

6. Monarch Butterfly Shoulder Tattoos

Monarch Butterfly Shoulder Tattoo 1eleventattoo

Source: @1eleventattoo via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Shoulder Tattoo hillmaninktattoos

Source: @hillmaninktattoos via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Shoulder Tattoo house_of_owls_art

Source: @house_of_owls_art via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Shoulder Tattoo jcarlos_duenas

Source: @jcarlos_duenas via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Shoulder Tattoo liathetattooer

Source: @liathetattooer via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Shoulder Tattoo nedtattoos

Source: @nedtattoos via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Shoulder Tattoo stefanotattooist

Source: @stefanotattooist via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Shoulder Tattoo tom_pru_tattoo

Source: @tom_pru_tattoo via Instagram

8. Small Monarch Butterfly Tattoo Ideas

Small Monarch Butterfly Tattoo ironiketattoos

Source: @ironiketattoos via Instagram

Small Monarch Butterfly Tattoo merpied

Source: @merpied via Instagram

Small Monarch Butterfly Tattoo ms.j_tattoo

Source: @ms.j_tattoo via Instagram

Small Monarch Butterfly Tattoo parisjoelletattoos

Source: @parisjoelletattoos via Instagram

9. Upper Arm Monarch Butterfly Ink

Monarch Butterfly Upperarm Tattoo black_pig_tattoo

Source: @black_pig_tattoo via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Upperarm Tattoo casper.corduroy

Source: @casper.corduroy via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Upperarm Tattoo man_made_tattoo

Source: @man_made_tattoo via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Upperarm Tattoo rehtser

Source: @rehtser via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Upperarm Tattoo rudo_tattoo

Source: @rudo_tattoo via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Upperarm Tattoo vladninjamonkey

Source: @vladninjamonkey via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Upperarm Tattoo watchtowertattooco

Source: @watchtowertattooco via Instagram
Source: @jessimummbles via Instagram

10. Monarch Butterfly Tattoos for the Wrist

Monarch Butterfly Wrist Tattoo alexivantattoos

Source: @alexivantattoos via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Wrist Tattoo amyshawtattoo

Source: @amyshawtattoo via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Wrist Tattoo bxnloquito

Source: @bxnloquito via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Wrist Tattoo ghost_tats

Source: @ghost_tats via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Wrist Tattoo gordienumber9

Source: @gordienumber9 via Instagram

Monarch Butterfly Wrist Tattoo johnnybee_art

Source: @johnnybee_art via Instagram

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Monarch Butterfly Tattoo FAQs

What do monarch butterfly tattoos symbolize?

The Monarch butterfly symbolizes freedom, beauty, and transformation, which is in line with the general depiction of butterfly tattoos. 

They do have an extra layer or two of symbolism, being connected to the Mexican day of the dead – where they are associated with the souls of the departed returning to meet with their family.. 

As the name suggests, the monarch butterfly is an insect often connected with ideas of royalty and prestige. 

Monarch butterfly tattoos also suit frequent travelers and those with an affinity for realistic design concepts, due to their vivid color and expansive migratory practices. 

Where should I put my monarch butterfly tattoo?

The most popular places for butterfly tattoos are on the chest, neck, lower back or shoulder, although Contemporary tattoo placements where you’ll often see a monarch resting or on the wing include: 

  • Behind the ear 
  • At the top of the shoulder 
  • On the wrist and forearm 
  • The hands and fingers 
  • The foot and ankle 

They are also popular for visible tattoos due to their associations with beauty and positivity. 

What style monarch butterfly tattoo should I get?

Despite the fact collectors choose an actual – rather than heavily stylized – species of butterfly, the Monarch shows great design versatility. 

It’s popular for realistic tattoos and 3D body art, where the ink can make it look like the butterfly is resting on or hovering above your skin. 

You may want to personalize your butterfly tattoo in some way that uniquely represents you, through the addition of flowers, script, or other supporting imagery  

Some individuals add symbols that uniquely bring out personality, such as zodiac sign, initials, or favorite musical symbols.  

How much do monarch butterfly tattoos cost?

There’s a wide range of pricing to consider when choosing a monarch butterfly tattoo. 

Small, simple designs can cost as little as $100-$150 when etched quickly with only black ink. 

With many seasoned professional artists charging $150-200 per hour, you’ll likely pay in the region of $300 (black and gray shaded) to $500 (flat color) for a mid-sized monarch butterfly tattoo, before tips. 

For complex monarch tattoos utilizing precision techniques or a broader color palette, the price could reach $1000 before tips. 

Jono Elderton

Writer

Jono writes about booze and tattoos for Next Luxury, having spent nearly two decades experiencing both in a variety of situations around the globe.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) from the University of Canberra and a Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing from Deakin University.

Jono writes about booze and tattoos for Next Luxury, having spent nearly two decades experiencing both in a variety of situations around the globe.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) from the University of Canberra and a Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing from Deakin University.

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