Flowers are powerful design elements with various symbolic meanings and one of the most significant of these blossoms is the violet.
It isn’t surprising then, that so many people choose to get a violet tattoo to commemorate different life events, family members and express their personal style.
While flower tattoo concepts have been common for over a century, the violet tattoo ideas in this gallery demonstrate why this purple flower is becoming a perfect tattoo idea for many around the world for its symbolism in tattoo culture.
1. Animal Motifs
Some of the most successful tattoos use animals in their designs, and every violet tattoo in this gallery is a great example of how well these charming purple flowers can be incorporated into animal motifs.
Taking a neo-traditional approach, each violet tattoo uses bright colors and bold lines to produce a compelling design with nature’s creatures as their subject. Whether a cunning fox or a regal cat, the violet flower and petals are a great addition to any animal inspired tattoo design.
2. Arm Placement
Thanks to the size and variety of canvases available – the forearm, wrist and bicep are all options – tattooed arms provide popular placements for violet ink.
Here, each tattoo artist uses their skill, both in application and design, to produce a unique violet tattoo that perfectly aligns with the wearer’s tastes and sensibilities. The arm is also a great choice for those that want the option to cover their violet tattoo but still be able to show it off simply by rolling up a sleeve.
3. Bracelet and Band Designs
One popular trend in tattoo shops and ink design sites uses repeating designs to create bands that wrap around a part of the body, commonly on the arm or wrist.
The violet flower is especially suitable to this approach thanks to the way that many varieties send up “runners” that enable the violet to wrap around features like fences and trees. Each violet tattoo in this collection demonstrates how successful a bracelet or band approach can be when applied to these little flowers.
4. Bouquet Tattoo Designs
Grouping different flower types together into a bouquet is a great way to let the colors and smells of different blossoms interact and complement each other.
This collaborative effect is just as compelling for bouquet tattoos. Each violet tattoo is enhanced by the incorporation of shade and different flowers – peony petals, cherry blossom and daisy tattoos – provide contrast with the vivid purple of this striking African violet.
5. Abstract Tattoo Designs
For some people, a straightforward and realistic approach to design simply is not in line with their personal tastes.
Thankfully, the sky truly is the limit when it comes to what a talented tattoo artist is capable of and each violet tattoo in this gallery demonstrates the conceptual versatility of this lovely flower. An especially compelling effect is created when a realistic approach is combined with a truly surreal concept, like a violet bursting from the head of a human figure.
6. Full Color Tattoos
Just as some people prefer blackwork ink, for some folks a tattoo isn’t complete without a splash of color. Thankfully, flowers and color go hand in hand and each violet tattoo in this collection shows off just how exciting flower designs can be when vibrant colors and intelligent compositions are utilized.
Whether it’s a small design on the wrist or an entire sleeve devoted to the violet, bright color ink takes these flower tattoos to the next level.
7. Unique Placement Ideas
In many ways, the placement of a tattoo is just as important as the design and meaning behind a piece. Each violet tattoo in this gallery shows that, while ink on the arms and chest is great, a unique location like behind the ear or across the foot can make for a more unique and interesting violet tattoo design.
Also, if you’re struggling to get your head around the ideal placement for your African violet, don’t be afraid to try a test run with a temporary tattoo. A temporary tattoo stencil can give you short term insight, particularly regarding visible tattoo design, small tattoo ideas or tiny concepts.
8. Geometric Inspirational Ink
Geometric designs have become increasing popular in recent years and every violet tattoo here demonstrates that you don’t need complex Fibonacci inspired designs to successfully incorporate geometric shapes. Sometimes, just a large, solid shape is enough to frame a design and make for a more interesting and unique composition.
9. Leg Placement
The leg is one of the larger canvases on the body, making it a great choice for those folks that want a bigger, more complex violet tattoo to complete their look. Here, each tattoo artist uses the size of the leg as well as the lines provided by the musculature and natural shape to create exciting, one of a kind violet tattoos.
10. Tattoos on the Ribs
Not for the feint of heart, the ribs are notoriously painful when tattooed. However, the effect created by a large, vibrant rib piece is undeniable and every violet tattoo in this collection perfectly demonstrates why so many people choose to get these purple flowers inked on such a painful location.
11. Small Tattoo Design Ideas
For many people a tattoo is meant to be an accessory; something that highlights and enhances their style, not dominates it. A small violet tattoo is a great choice-especially for women-thanks to the flower’s elegant shape and delicate appearance and these are great examples of how successful a small violet tattoo can look when expertly applied.
12. Watercolor Inspired Tattoo Designs
Another approach that continues to gain popularity and is perfectly suited to a violet tattoo, recreates the effect of watercolor paintings. In the hands of a skilled tattoo artist, using bold outlines, vibrant colors and a loose composition, this approach can make for some truly inspired violet designs. Whether large tattoos that stretch the length of the wearer’s torso or more modest pieces that choose vibrant colors over size, a watercolor violet tattoo is a great choice.
FAQs
What do violet floral tattoo ideas represent?
Like most flowers, the violet has a variety of meanings associated with it in a number of different cultures and these are some of the most common.
Violets are often used to represent humility which stems from their role in the Christian tradition as the flowers that blossomed when Mary was told she would be the mother of Jesus, and to signify Mary’s devotion to God.
In other traditions they are used to represent faith, spirituality and are considered powerful symbols of mysticism.
Middle Age monks also associated them with the Holy Trinity thanks to their triad-purple, green and yellow-coloration.
Is a pansy a violet?
The pansy is a member of the family Viola, and is known as the viola tricolor. This specific variety of violet represents the love and admiration of one person for another and they are often given as gifts between courting lovers.
Did you enjoy this gallery of violet tattoo art? Click on the links below for more beautiful tattoo concepts relating to birth flower design, beauty and symbolic meaning.