37 pretty butterfly tattoo ideas to inspire your next ink

Given butterflies symbolise growth, hope, freedom, femininity and more, it’s easy to see why the butterfly tattoo is so popular. The emblem continually resurrects itself and it’s an enduring symbol of transformation and metamorphosis – which is why it’s been an important motif in many cultures for generations. 

But it also offers up a little nostalgia, given its popularity in the nineties and noughties. Mariah Carey dedicated a whole 1997 album to the insect (“spread your wings and fly, butterfly”), teensy butterfly clips decorated our hair and jewel encrusted butterflies bedazzled our tinted sunglasses. Now, it’s become the emblem of a whole new generation as Gen Z reclaim the Y2K butterfly, which is probably why “butterfly tattoo” has over 460 million views on TikTok.

We love the double-whammy union of a classic and trending symbol in one beautiful design, especially when it comes to something you plan on inking on your body for eternity – or not, as was the case with Ariana Grande (perhaps the most famous stan of butterfly tattoos) whose duo of butterflies down her arm mysteriously disappeared over the space of a summer. Even so, her delicate inkings still provide pretty inspo.

Other famous fans include Vanessa Hudgens who has a butterfly on the back of her neck.