I’ve got three butterfly tattoos. Each one came with a story, a feeling, and a bit of pain. I didn’t plan them. They kind of found me. You know what? I’m glad they did.
If you want to read another person's step-by-step account of what these designs can represent (and feel like) in real life, swing by this detailed butterfly tattoo story from Tattoo Road Trip.
So, why a butterfly?
Change. That’s the short answer. But it’s not just that. Butterflies feel soft, quiet, and brave at the same time. They show up after hard stuff. For an even deeper dive into the many personal and aesthetic motivations people have, check out these five beautiful reasons to get a butterfly tattoo. They look light, but they work hard to get those wings. I clung to that idea during a rough patch. And then another. And then, well, number three happened.
Also, they’re pretty. Let’s be honest. Art that heals and still looks sweet? Sold.
My three butterfly tattoos, with the real stuff
1) The small blue morpho on my inner wrist
- When: 2019
- Where: North Star Tattoo, Minneapolis
- Artist: Maya R.
- Size: about a quarter
- Time: 45 minutes
- Cost: $120
- Pain: 4/10
I had panic attacks that spring. I kept a list of “little wins” in my phone. Drink water. Step outside. Breathe. My therapist said, “Mark change with a mark.” So I booked the wrist.
Maya used a crisp stencil and soft shading. The blue has a cool shift in daylight. It’s tiny, but it still pops. I wore Saniderm for three days, then switched to Aquaphor two times a day. It healed fast. Some itch, no scabs. I was careful with sleeves and watched for snagging.
Meaning? This one says, “Keep going.” It’s my quick tap on the brakes when my heart races. People in line at Target ask about it. Funny how a little wing can start a real talk.
2) A monarch with milkweed on my left shoulder blade
- When: 2021
- Where: Sparrow & Finch, Milwaukee
- Artist: Luis G.
- Size: palm and a half
- Time: just under two hours
- Cost: $280 (+ $80 touch-up in 2024)
- Pain: 3/10
My grandma loved monarchs. She kept stickers in a cookie tin. She’d press one on my hand and say, “They know the way.” She passed that winter. I booked this in fall, during the big migration. It felt right.
Luis built up orange tone in layers. He added milkweed pods and a tiny curl of stem. The placement sits right where a bag strap hits, so I had to baby it. I slept on the other side for a week. It healed clean, but the yellow faded faster than the orange. I got a light touch-up this year. SPF 50 helps a ton. I use Supergoop’s stick before runs. Tiny habit, big save.
Meaning? It’s a map. It’s a memory. It’s grief that learned how to be soft.
3) A linework butterfly with a semicolon in the body, behind my ear
- When: 2022
- Where: Paper Tiger Tattoo, Chicago
- Artist: Jae
- Size: thumbnail
- Time: 30 minutes
- Cost: $90
- Pain: 7/10 (spicy)
This one is simple and quiet. Just lines. The semicolon sits in the thorax, small but clear. If you know, you know. If you don’t, it still looks like clean art.
Healing was awkward. I slept on my other side and avoided headphones. I used H2Ocean spray because washing hair got messy. It flaked by day five, then settled flat by week two. On Zoom, it hides under hair. In person, people spot it and smile. The right people ask. Those talks mean a lot.
Meaning? A pause, not an end. A soft cheer for folks still here.
What they’ve meant across cultures, in plain talk
I’m not a scholar, but I read and I listen.
- In Greek stories, Psyche means both “butterfly” and “soul.” That hits deep.
- In Mexico, mariposas show up around Día de Muertos. Some say they carry spirits home. My grandma would have liked that.
- In Japan, two butterflies can stand for marriage or home joy. One can also mean a young woman. It’s sweet, simple.
- In Chinese art, butterflies can mean love and long life. Old stories tie them to spring and luck.
Meanings shift by place and person. I try to honor that. If you’re curious about still more interpretations, this UK-based overview of what butterfly tattoos represent lays it out clearly. When I wear one on my skin, I carry the weight with care. Art is never just art.
If you want to see how other artists capture butterfly symbolism in stunning healed pieces, scroll through the gallery at Tattoo Road Trip for a quick hit of inspiration.
Pain, placement, and aging: the stuff I wish I knew
- Wrists: sharp at first, then fine. Easy to hit on cuffs.
- Shoulder blade: chill, almost cozy. Stretch your back before you sit.
- Behind ear: hot and buzzy. It’s quick, though. You’ll be okay.
Color talk: blues and oranges hold up well. Yellows fade fastest. Pastels are cute, but they need shade and sunscreen. Black lines are the long game. Thin lines near joints can spread a hair. It’s not bad, just real.
Aftercare that worked for me: Saniderm for the first days, then Aquaphor, then plain, scent-free lotion like CeraVe. For tiny spots near hair, H2Ocean spray kept things clean. I wash with warm water and a gentle soap, pat dry, and try not to fuss. Less picking. More patience.
For a blow-by-blow look at what normal scabbing should look like as your ink settles, this straightforward tattoo scabbing review breaks it down with photos.
What people ask me the most
- Do they hurt? A bit. It’s like a cat scratch with a mini buzz. The ear was the worst, but it was fast.
- Do you regret them? No. Some days I forget they’re there. Then I catch a mirror, and it’s like a small nod to my past self.
- Can you get one and still be “professional”? I work in marketing, and no one cares. I keep the ear one tucked if I want. The wrist gets smiles on client calls. Your field may vary, but the world feels softer now.
I’ve found that visible ink is the ultimate ice-breaker—strangers turn into stories in a snap. If you’d rather connect online with people who already appreciate tattoos and straightforward conversation, swing by JustHookUp for a quick, no-pressure way to meet open-minded singles who might turn that next “nice tattoo” compliment into coffee, adventure, or something more. And if your freshly healed butterfly is ready for an in-person cameo and you’re kicking around Massachusetts, peek at the local listings on Backpage Cambridge where you’ll find last-minute coffee invites, art-walk companions, and other nearby folks who value good ink and good conversation in equal measure.
A weird tip: bring a snack. I bring gummy bears. Sugar helps if you get shaky.
A few things I wish someone had told me
- Bring a clear photo of the exact butterfly species if that matters. My blue morpho looks right because I did.
- Ask for sun talk. A good artist will tell you which colors age faster.
- Budget for a touch-up later, especially with color. It’s not a fail. It’s upkeep.
- Names matter to you, but not to everyone else. So pick meaning you can hold when no one asks.
Pros and cons, real quick
Pros:
- Strong, simple symbol of change and hope
- Looks good in color or linework
- Easy to scale small or big
- Conversation starter, when you want it
Cons:
- Yellow and pastel tones fade faster
- Fine lines near joints can soften
- Behind-ear placement hurts more
- Needs sunscreen, always
Tiny style note (because people ask)
Butterflies pair well with florals, stars, or a short quote. I stacked mine with milkweed. If you go linework-only, ask for clean, even pressure. Wonky lines show fast on small pieces.
Clothes? A white tee makes color pop. A black dress makes linework look crisp. I throw a denim jacket over the shoulder piece, and it peeks out just enough.
What I tell friends who are on the fence
Start small. Pick a spot that doesn