Heartfelt Mother-Daughter Tattoo Ideas for Bonding
The bond between a mother and daughter is one of the most powerful relationships in the world. More people are choosing to commemorate this profound love with a matching tattoo or linked designs.
Mother daughter tattoos can come in many forms, but the love remains the same. From a simple heart, to elaborate script work, the possibilities for matching mother daughter tattoos are only limited by the imagination of the pair and the skill of their tattoo artist.
While the idea of a mother and daughter getting matching tattoos might have sounded unlikely only one generation ago, the growing popularity and changing attitudes about tattoos have created the opportunity for these permanent mementos of filial love.
The pieces in this gallery are just a brief glimpse into what is possible when a mother and daughter’s love is the inspiration.
1. Watercolor
A growing trend in the tattoo community sees artists using vibrant colors and a loose technical approach to recreate the effect of watercolor paintings. By incorporating bold outlines and then allowing the colors to break free from them, this “coloring outside the lines” effect is made even more dramatic.
What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day and this eternal bond than with a matching mother daughter infinity tattoo?
2. Black and Gray
For some folks, the understated elegance of black and gray work simply can’t be beat. The precise lines and smooth shading that is characteristic of the style can be applied to any number of concepts and designs, and for mother and daughter duo that appreciates this aesthetic, the choice is clear.
From a matching flower tattoo that gently wraps around the wrist, or a detailed marching elephant tattoo, the classic appeal of black and gray work is undeniable. These excellent pieces are just a taste of what is possible with black and gray ink, a tattoo appointment and a mother’s love as inspiration.
3. Minimalist
For some people even the shading and gradation of tones in a black and gray mother daughter symbol can be a bit too much. Many people are choosing to use stark black ink to create a matching tattoo design with great results.
One common minimalist tattoo that uses this restrained approach takes black ink and creates the stark outline of birds flying, although this approach isn’t limited to silhouettes. Yin and yang tattoo signs, sunshine tattoo linework, infinity symbols and many other great mother daughter tattoos can be created using black ink.
4. Butterfly Mom and Daughter Tattoo
Butterflies are some of the more popular designs for matching mother daughter tattoos, and for good reasons. Butterflies symbolize transformation and rebirth, and few things can rearrange life like bringing a child into the world. Butterflies also provide artists with the perfect opportunity to incorporate the vibrant colors that so many feel represent their personalities.
Whether as standalone pieces or incorporated into a larger design, a butterfly tattoo is a great choice for cute mother daughter tattoo art. These excellent pieces are just an example of what is possible with this profound relationship as inspiration.
5. Colorful
Color ink doesn’t just look good in flowers and butterflies; in fact the use of vibrant colors can enhance a unique matching mother daughter tattoo . Some people choose a tattoo idea that takes an illustrative approach reminiscent of animation, while others create realistic designs that depict scenes from life.
Mandala tattoo, animal designs and portraits can all be completed using bright colors and it’s the perfect way to commemorate that childhood oath, the pinky promise. These great mother daughter tattoos show just how diverse color ink can be when a skilled tattoo artist picks up the machine.
6. Delicate
Source:@markcosgrove_tattoo via Instagram
Source:@crossedoutart via Instagram
When heading to the tattoo parlor, many first-timers may be intimidated by the large designs an ink covered artists, although today’s tattoo shops aren’t the rough and tumble places they were in the past. These days the tattoo parlor has more in common with fine art galleries than smoky back rooms. Delicate tattoo work is just as respected as bold lines and bright colors.
This subtle approach has become very popular—especially among ladies looking to get the same tattoo. A tattoo artist can create a cool tattoo design using delicate lines. Whether a simple wrist tattoo, or the foot; vibrant flowers, subdued line work or a beautiful butterfly tattoo; delicate ink is the perfect way to commemorate the love between a mommy daughter duo.
7. Heart
Source:@colorfaststudios via Instagram
Instantly recognizable, the heart tattoo has been a staple of permanent body art for generations. From classic American traditional renditions, complete with piercing arrow, to more modern interpretations, there is just something appealing about the heart tattoo.
They are especially appropriate when it comes to matching tattoos dedicated to the love between a mother and daughter and hearts can be utilized in a unique tattoo.
Some people prefer a standalone heart tattoo, while others incorporate different elements – mom’s handwriting, mother’s day, an infinity tattoo, and other’s handwriting script are popular- to create an even more compelling tattoo idea.
8. The Innovative
A good artist is always pushing the boundaries of what is possible in their tattoo design. There are few art forms where this constant innovation is more apparent than in the world of permanent body art. In fact, the level of technical skill that is on display in modern tattoo work would make some of the artists from just twenty years ago gasp.
From hyperrealist designs, to the intricate mandala tattoo utilizing complex geometric patterns, the endless quest for new and exciting designs is staggering.
These technical fireworks can be applied to mother daughter tattoos as successfully as any other design, and these expert tattoos are great examples of what is possible in the world of matching tattoo.
9. Beautiful Tattoo Examples with Linework
The single most important element required to create a successful tattoo is the linework. In fact, when examining another tattoo artist’s work, the lines are the first thing that will be noticed, and for good reason. Without precise and consistent line work tattoos have the tendency to become amorphous blobs as the age, which is why the old tattoo adage “bold will hold” remains close to many artists’ hearts.
The role of lines in a tattoo is so integral that many artists choose to create designs that eschew any color or shading and rely completely on lines to carry the piece. This is a growing trend with many successful examples across the industry, and these great mother daughter tattoos are just a taste of the style.
10. Mother Daughter Script
Script has been a major component in tattooing for decades, and for good reason. Some people want to skip the ambiguity of other designs and cut right to the point by inscribing names and important words on their bodies.
One trend that is on display in these matching mother daughter tattoos is to take samples of each other’s handwriting and use this as a template for the tattoo. Few things could have such personal significance than having your mom’s handwriting permanently inked on your body.
11. Simple
Source: @bishoptattoo via Instagram
Source: @a_place_to_print_and_sew via Instagram
Source: @ariana_lorraine93 via Instagram
Source: @cjwarrant via Instagram
Source: @zebratattooz via Instagram
Some people choose large elaborate designs to express themselves. Others prefer a more subdued and simple approach to the body art they choose. There is an understated appeal to a small tattoo or simple designs that skip intricate details in favor of a minimalist approach. From simplified Celtic knots, to stylized mother daughter symbols, clean matching ink can show that sometimes less truly is more. These excellent tattoos are great examples of what is possible with a talented artist and a subdued approach.
Mother Daughter Tattoo FAQ
What are the symbols for mother and daughter?
A mother brings her daughter into this world, and acts as the guide in her life. The power of this role is transmitted into a variety of meaningful tattoo styles symbolizing the profound role they play in each other’s lives.
The cross with a hoop at the top, known as an ankh, is a symbol with its origins in ancient Egypt. The ankh represents the breath of life, which is one reason that it is commonly associated with the mother daughter relationship.
Carnation flowers are also interesting symbols of a mother’s love. Said to have sprung from the Virgin Mary’s grave, carnations are the most ordered flower on Mother’s Day.
These—along with many other subjects—can make for excellent mother daughter tattoos that represent the importance that they play in each other’s lives.
What is the Celtic symbol for mother and daughter?
Numerous Celtic knots that have become associated with the relationship between a mother and daughter, but the most common is a stylized triquetra, often incorporating a heart into the design.
Another popular Celtic knot design is a four sided one, with the top and bottom portions longer than the lateral sections and all connected with elaborate knot work at the center. Both designs represent the bond that ties mother and daughter together.
Celtic knot work is a perfect way for displaying a cute mother daughter tattoo thanks to the visual appeal and opportunity for customization into the same tattoo.
Looking for more inspiration in planning you new tattoo? Click on the links below for more cool tattoo galleries:
