35 Water Lily Tattoo Ideas
The water lily is a unique and elegant ornamental plant belonging to the family Nymphaeaceae.
Water lilies, which are a water-growing plant that can bloom in mud, are the July birth flower and a popular motif for colorful and intricate tattoo art.
In Buddhism, the water lily symbolizes enlightenment for its ability to bloom from the mud, while for Hindus the plant means resurrection because the flower petals close at night and reopen again during the morning sunlight.
Water lily tattoos are also linked to happiness, purity, and divinity/nobility, which is why there are many purple colored water lily designs.
This collection of the top 35 best water lily tattoos showcases entrancing color flower tattoos as well as more simplified black and gray or linework body art, demonstrating technical versatility you can incorporate into your next piece.
1. Water Lily Back Tattoo Ideas
2. Classical Black and Gray Water Lily Tattoo Art
3. Colorful Water Lily Tattoo Designs
4. Purple Water Lily Tattoos
5. Realistic Water Lily Tattoos
6. Technical Water Lily Tattoo Ideas
7. Small Water Lily Tattoo Designs
Water Lily Tattoo FAQs
Water lily tattoos are often associated with happiness, purity, and divinity/nobility, which is why there are many purple colored water lily designs.
In Buddhism, the water lily symbolizes enlightenment for its ability to bloom from the mud and thrive in water, and are linked to the similar lotus blossom.
In the Hindu religions, the water lily represents resurrection because the flower petals close at night and reopen again during the morning sunlight.
While predominantly used in feminine tattoo designs, the universal themes of enlightenment and resurrection also make the water lily a viable flower type tattoo for men to incorporate into their artwork.
Also, choose the type of flower tattoo that appeals to you for any reason, whether it’s aesthetic, your birth month flower, or something more deeply personal. Tattoos are art for everyone and should be treated as such.
While both are water blooming plants with seemingly similar symbolic meanings, they are not the same – they come from two different families of plants.
In addition, water lilies are hardier and more widespread than the lotus that tends to dwell in more tropical areas.
Water lily flowers and leaves are thick and waxy while the lotus’ are thin and papery. The water lily petal is pointed and creates a star-like bloom; the lotus petal is more rounded, sometimes ruffly.
With the increased artistic focus of tattooers and collectors, flower tattoos such as water lilies can now be etched in a variety of contemporary eye-catching styles.
Realistic tattoos are popular for the photo quality use of crisp lines, vibrant colors, and flowing imagery, while detailed black and gray ink continue to be the focus for many who prefer more subdued shades.
For others, abstract use of color and line is becoming more sought after, combining cool technical work with interesting ideas meant to evoke feelings, moods, and behaviors.