Lotus Tattoos

Few flowers have such a clean shape. A lotus reads well at any size, from a single outline on a finger to a layered mandala across the upper back, and in blue-black jagua ink every petal comes out sharp.

Styles you'll find

Lotus mandalas come in many shapes: round or pointed, stacked in tiers, sometimes hung with beads or teardrops in the chandelier style. Dotwork and geometric versions build the petals from fine dots and straight lines. Fine line and minimalist lotus flower tattoos keep it to a few strokes. There are also lotuses paired with an unalome or a crescent moon, plus bolder blackwork and tribal takes. For more round, symmetrical pieces, see our mandala tattoos; other blooms live in flower tattoos.

Where to put a lotus tattoo

Let the shape of the design decide. Chandelier lotuses, with their hanging drops, are made for vertical spots: the sternum, the spine, between the shoulder blades. Wide mandalas sit best on the upper back or the nape. Long, narrow unalome designs follow the forearm or the side of the ribs. And a tiny fine line lotus? Inner wrist, behind the ear or the ankle.

Placement changes how long it lasts, too. Forearm, shoulder, nape and upper back hold the color longest, up to two weeks; hands, fingers and feet fade sooner because they get washed and rubbed all day.

Application takes two minutes at most. It starts out pale, which is normal, then darkens to blue-black over 24 to 48 hours. Avoid water and rubbing for 8 hours. After that it's waterproof, so shower, swim and train as usual. It's also a low-stakes way to test a spot before you commit to ink for good.

For many who wear it, the lotus stands for growth and fresh starts; our lotus tattoo meaning guide explains where that comes from.