Rose shoulder tattoos are a classic design – particularly in women’s body art – that have enjoyed immense popularity since the 1960’s and 70s.
Gender norms surrounding these tattoos have broken down as the skill and artistry has risen to provide every collector with the choice of a brilliant rose design.
Rose tattoos often embody romantic or platonic love, but themes have expanded along with the color range of the beautiful bloom – whether it’s the blue of mystique or the black of grief and mourning there’s a rose shoulder tattoo for everyone’s purpose.
This gallery of the top 50 rose shoulder tattoo ideas features numerous artistic expressions and applications you can incorporate into a new tattoo design, while towards the end of the article there’s some timely FAQs to help further narrow down your design choice.
1. Traditional Black and Gray Rose Tattoo Ideas
2. Multiple Flower Tattoos
3. Black Ink and Linework Tattoo Ideas
4. Tattoos for Women
5. Realistic Tattoo Designs
6. Innovative Tattoo Ideas
7. American Traditional Tattoo Ideas
8. Single Flower Tattoos
9. Large Tattoo Designs
FAQs
What does a rose shoulder tattoo symbolize?
Rose shoulder tattoos have enjoyed immense popularity since the 1960’s and 70s.
The idea may be an older one, but the level of thought, style and skill utilized to bring these tattoos to life have been constantly developing as the gender norms surrounding these tattoos have broken down.
Whether it’s for a realistic themed rose, traditional black and gray bloom, or a detailed group of flowers, a rose tattoo can bring the ideals of love and romance to the fore with precision or simplicity.
Are rose shoulder tattoos popular?
Getting tattoo work done across the top of the shoulder and upper chest is becoming a more frequent standalone tattoo placement.
Previously this part of the body was a transit area for designs – a link point for chest and upper arm tattoos.
The flat part of the shoulder blade is often the site of first tattoo designs, as it’s a simple, reasonably pain free space that can cover or display a tattoo in different situations.
Do shoulder tattoos hurt?
Outside of the edge of the shoulder blade and nestled close to the collarbone shoulder tattoos lie in the low range of the tattoo pain scale.
The collar and point of the blade can hurt when ‘nicked’ accidently, like when you’ve jarred your funny bone but without the enjoyment (for some).
Shoulder tattoo are generally straightforward for healing, although for women it is important to make sure that the friction of a bra or tank top strap doesn’t cause too much pain or rubbing against the artwork.
How much do shoulder tattoos cost?
A simple rose shoulder tattoo or shoulder blade tattoo etched in black and gray can be done for as little as $150-$200USD for an experienced tattoo artist.
A good-sized single needle rose shoulder tattoo or a larger piece incorporating the shoulder cap, upper bicep, and chest may cost in the range of $1000USD.
$150 per hour is standard for an experienced professional, while the best artists charge well north of $250 per hour.
Also, be advised that a 15-20% tip is expected for good work across most tattoo shop set ups in the USA.