What can be more touching on Mother’s Day than getting matching mother and daughter tattoos? Whether you already have a tattoo or it’s going to be your first one, this experience will be remembered for sure. It is a gift that stays with you forever and will always warm your heart. However, there is one common problem: It can be difficult to choose a design. That’s why we’ve prepared this article with a variety of ideas to help you out. Read on and pick easily!
Types of Tattoos for Mother and Daughter
First things first, there is no need to be too serious about selecting the tattoo design. Although it is a symbol of your everlasting bond, it still can be simple and cute. The main purpose is doing something amazing together, and a tattoo is just a nice way to commemorate this day. So, it may be highly meaningful, detailed, and colorful or small and uncomplicated depending on your own preferences. Below, you’ll find various examples organized by type.
Matching Tattoos
Fully matching tattoos for mother and daughter are the most popular option. In this case, you choose the same picture for both of you. These are also called “twin tattoos” because they are identical and are made on the same place: on the wrist, forearm, collarbone, etc.
When it comes to designs, there are a lot of ideas to choose from. For example, such tattoos can be a symbol of the hobby you have in common, a favorite animal, a place, and much more. Alternatively, sometimes, people choose generic signs like infinity, which can be supplemented with flowers, butterflies, or birds. If you choose an animal as a design, the most popular ones are elephants and penguins as they are associated with love and a family bond.
Complementary Tattoos
This type of mother-daughter tattoos is trendy too as it shows how well you complement each other. It gives more room for your imagination as your choice is not limited to just one picture. The main thing, in this case, is an idea that should be realized via the same tattoo style. Here, you can pick from several options:
Opposite symbols: the sun and the moon, a butterfly and a flower, a lock and a key, a cup of coffee and candy, a tree and an apple, etc.
Animals with their babies: the above-mentioned elephants or penguins with their babies, as well as bears, cats, giraffes, and others.
Zodiac signs and constellations: these can be the Big and Little Dipper or any other beautiful group of stars you like.
Split Tattoos
This category is similar to the previous one but has some differences. In this case, you choose a design that is split into two identical parts. Most often, it is a heart, a butterfly, or a mandala. However, the options are unlimited, from flowers to animals and funny sketches to geometry.
One thing to take into account when selecting such a mother and daughter bond tattoo is the final look of the image. Remember that, unlike complementary tattoos where you get a full image, split tattoos give you only half of the design. It becomes complete only when connected, so the process of selecting a proper sketch becomes trickier.
Tattoos of the Same Design
If you are not a fan of complementary or split mother-daughter tattoos, you can choose two different designs of the same style. These can be:
Diverse images of the same color palette and style.
Diverse designs connected by one idea and realized by the same artist.
Highly similar designs with a few distinctive details.
Subtle Tattoos
No doubt, it can be challenging to agree on making a big and vibrant matching tattoo with your mom. But it is much easier when it comes to subtle designs. Be it just an elegant geometry of a few lines, a flower, or a sign, small mom and daughter tattoos are still meaningful and much more convenient in everyday life.
Signs and Symbols
If you prefer metaphors to obvious words and pictures, symbolic tattoos would be the best option. Most often, people choose to make small hearts, birds, or trees. However, others choose tiny watercolor symbols of any foreign culture like dragons, Japanese koi carp, stylized ancient Egyptian signs, and other ideas.
Such a design can illustrate a cute secret or an inside joke you have, or it can be an Asian symbol. One thing to remember when choosing a hieroglyph or, for example, a Celtic symbol for a mother and daughter tattoo, is that you have to be sure about its meaning. Don’t hesitate to ask a native speaker for help with the translation so as not to waste your time later covering the failed tattoo with a new one.
Words and Sayings
It is not a big surprise that tattoos with sayings are less popular than standard pictures. Still, there are many amazing ideas to choose from. It seems that the main problem, in this case, is not choosing the words themselves but the font: handwritten, calligraphic, old style, gothic, etc. And once you are done with it, the result will be impressive!
Among the most common options, the honorable place is taken by “like mother like daughter”. However, you can choose from a variety of sayings and either make the same tattoos or complementary ones.
Meanings of Popular Tattoo Motifs
Another step you may want to make before going to a tattoo salon is defining the meaning of the image you’ve chosen. Below, you’ll find the most common examples of matching tattoos and their description. Maybe you’ll become more sure about your decision or will pick something more interesting instead. Note that we didn’t include small, simple, or obvious tattoos but focused more on the hidden meanings.
- Birds — Just like there is a difference between a white dove and a raven, the same difference is in their meanings. Still, if your tattoo is just a general symbol of any bird, it is usually associated with infinite life and freedom. Sometimes, they represent children who “left the nest”.
- Roses — This is a sign of beauty, wealth, and strength considering the thorns the rose has along with flowers. However, most often, it is seen as an ancient symbol of mystery and endless love.
- Arrows — Even though it seems to be simple, an arrow is a powerful sign. It represents independence and a triumph after going through life struggles and the readiness to protect yourself and your loved ones.
- Mandalas — Being a religious sign originally, today mandalas are also a symbol of inner strength, calmness, and the balance of your body and mind.
- Bees — Bee tattoos have various meanings, from Hinduism gods to power to hard work. But they also symbolize a strong family bond, devotion, and teamwork, which makes such an image an ideal choice.
- Lions — Lions are not a common option as they mostly represent masculinity. But there are also other meanings like courage, stability, and energy.
- Owls — These birds are always associated with deep wisdom, mystical knowledge, and great skill of foresight. In addition, owls often represent the afterlife.
- Foxes — Just like owls, foxes are often associated with wisdom too. Still, they also represent the ability to get away with complex life situations, beauty, and elegance, as well as the care of the family members.
- Compasses — Compasses mostly represent guidance through life, a search for the right direction, and protection during the life journey.
- Whales — Whales are symbols of family, love, and protection. They are also associated with wisdom and power, and at the same time, with kindness and mystery.
- Wolves — Wolf tattoos are quite popular as they represent intelligence and friendliness. At the same time, it is a highly mysterious symbol as it’s associated with both life, death, spiritual strength, and rebirth.
To Sum Up
Making matching mother and daughter tattoos is an experience that makes you closer on all of its stages. Starting from choosing an image, making the tattoos, and looking at them from time to time in your daily life, all this strengthens your bond. Moreover, it is a common thing when a mother and two daughters or in-laws make matching tattoos to improve or represent their connection. Now, you know the most popular designs as well as their meanings and pitfalls, so you are ready to plan the next step of selecting the image and visiting the tattoo salon! Check out our gallery for more cool ideas!
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