Dandelion tattoos have been incredibly popular in recent years. They are very popular with atmospheric designs of their seeds blowing off in the wind.
If you’re considering getting one yourself, look no further. In this article, we’ll explore the meaning behind various dandelion tattoos, as well as sharing the best dandelion tattoo ideas.
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What are dandelions?
Let’s start with the basics. They are bright yellow flowers that are so common in gardens that they are considered a weed.
Their name comes from French, meaning ‘lion’s tooth’ – so named after the shape of the long, narrow, pointy petals.
After several days in full bloom, dandelions change their form and turn into white ‘puffballs’. This is the way that the plant can disperse.
The wind quickly grabs the white fluff, and takes it with him in all directions.
Meaning of dandelion tattoos
Because dandelions are technically a weed – so, an unwanted plant that’s not being actively cultivated – they were never really given as a gift.
As such, there hasn’t been much opportunity for specific symbolism to develop.
Unlike standard ‘gift’ flowers, such as lilies or roses, dandelions never received a meaning in Victorian flower symbolism – which is the source of most of today’s flower meanings.
There are still many symbolic meanings for these flowers in tattoo art. They are just not as well-known, however.
The meaning of a dandelions tattoo depends on whether the flower is in bloom or not.
Blooming dandelion tattoo
When dandelions are in bloom, they typically symbolize happiness and joy. This is most likely due to their color – you’ll find that most yellow flowers, whether they’re roses, daisies, or indeed dandelions, represent either joy or friendship.
Dandelion tattoos that are adorned with blooms can be used as a symbol of overcoming obstacles, the ability to persevere through difficult times, or the ability to heal. These flowers are extremely resilient and can be spread quickly, so they can survive by themselves.
Blowing dandelion tattoo
This is a far more common way for dandelions to appear in tattoos. This is their unique ability to turn into puffballs.
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We’re all familiar with the image of dandelion seeds being carried off by the wind, and many of us have childhood memories of blowing dandelions.
This tattoo image’s significance is often very personal and may not be immediately apparent. There are however a few common meanings.
One of these meanings is to grant wishes or bring luck. It comes from the old superstition – if you make a wish while blowing a dandelion, it’ll come true. This belief has a common interpretation: you need to blow all the seeds in a single breath.
A closely related meaning is the one of love, especially unrequited. This superstition is again behind it. Folklore says that if you can blow out all the seeds from a dandelion in one breath and think about the person you love, you will get back your love.
This design could also represent mindfulness. Because of the fragile nature of the puffballs they become, and the temporariness of the blooming dandelions flowers, this design can be symbolic of mindfulness. It can be a reminder that you should live in the now, appreciate the present and focus on the future.
Many people associate dandelions and childhood. That’s usually thanks to having personal memories of blowing at the fluffy seeds as a kid. Sometimes, dandelion tattoos serve as a reminder that you should be hopeful, curious, and never stop dreaming.
Dandelion seeds are believed to carry your thoughts and dreams to loved ones if you blow them. This design is a popular choice to be a remembrance ink, as it represents the idea that you can keep a connection with your loved ones who have passed away.
Design ideas for dandelion tattoos
For such a simple flower – at both stages of its appearance – there is a surprising variety in the tattoo designs that it inspires. These are some of our most loved ideas for tattoos that incorporate dandelions.
Watercolor dandelion tattoo
If you’re looking for colorful dandelion tattoo designs, watercolor may well be the way to go.
Watercolor tattoos are, as the name suggests, similar to watercolor paintings. Instead of being restricted to a set of outlines, watercolor tattoos are fluid and more vivid. This results in more delicate, contemporary tattoos.
This style is perfect for dandelions, particularly blowing ones. The watercolor tattoos have a light, gentle feel that is reminiscent of dandelion seed in the air.
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For more definition, watercolor tattoos often have black outlines. Dandelion designs often include black outline of the stem and seeds. The background can be colored with splashes of color.
Blowing dandelion with birds
A popular and modern variation on the theme of a blowing dandelion, in this design, ss the seeds are blown away, they gradually turn into miniature birds.
This symbolises creativity and imagination. This is a return to the idea of dandelion seed as a symbol for hopes and dreams. If they become birds, they can go further and achieve more.
Swallows are a popular choice for this design. Swallows are a symbol of hope, happiness, love and freedom. They also fit well with the rest.
Dandelion tattoo with a quote
For many people, blowing dandelions make for a highly evocative image. It could remind them of their childhood, their lost love, their dreams or those they hold dear. They can be a symbol for hope and the possibility of overcoming obstacles.
Because these images and ideas are so emotionally charged, it’s not uncommon to add meaningful quotations to dandelion tattoos.
Whether it’s a single word or a whole sentence, the addition of writing clarifies the personal meaning that the tattoo holds for you. It can be used to express yourself, or as a reminder of your most important moments.
Light fonts are best for aesthetic purposes. Both italicized calligraphy and handwritten fonts are popular options.
As we’ve already seen, the image of a blowing dandelion is usually light and delicate – so it makes sense to choose a matching font. For example, a heavy font in Gothic style would be too distracting and clash with the image of gentle flying seeds.
Small dandelion tattoos
Because blowing dandelions are immediately recognizable and quite simple in structure, there’s no need for including lots of detail in tattoo designs. Dandelions are well-suited for small, simple tattoos.
A simple dandelions tattoo should only include a thin, black outline. Depending on whether you want the seeds to be blowing away, it’s possible to fit this design on a very small area of the skin.
Consider getting a tattoo that only contains one dandelion plant. This will allow you to keep it simple. While it will still have the same meaning and significance as the original tattoo, it will be less obvious. A single seed, unlike a whole dandelion will fit on even the smallest spaces like your finger or your ears.
Large dandelion tattoos
On the other end of the scale, we have the larger, bolder designs.
Dandelions don’t lend themselves easily to very large tattoo designs. Because the flowers are small, they can look odd when enlarged to tenfold their size.
It’s hard to incorporate a blowing dandelion into a large, illustration-style design, such as a sleeve or a full back tattoo. You’d need other elements to fill out the space, and since dandelion seeds are so thin and delicate, they will likely be lost.
A larger surface area allows for a more detailed blowing dandelion tattoo.
You could try an upper back tattoo. The dandelion is on the back of one side and the seeds spread out across the other.
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For larger dandelion tattoos the common location is the forearm. This area has the largest portion (nearly the elbow), with the seeds appearing along the length of your arm, to the wrist.
Wrist dandelion tattoos
Lately, a dandelion design spread over two tattoos on the wrists has become a popular trend.
Essentially, it’s a single image that has been split into two tattoos. This usually includes a full-blown dandelion tattoo on the one wrist and a few dandelion seed on the other.
This idea is interesting because it works on multiple levels. The two tattoos become one when you combine them. However, the tattoos look amazing and make perfect sense.
For example, if someone only sees the wrist with the seeds, they will still be able to understand what the tattoo is.
This concept works equally well for the forearms and the calves.
Final words
Dandelions make for light, delicate, and incredibly meaningful tattoos. A picture of a blowing dandellion is something that many people can see and instantly associate with a memory, person or mood.
You may have your own interpretation of what a tattoo of a dandelions means to you. Check out the gallery for more inspiration.
