Friendships are some of the most important relationships we cultivate in our lives. They offer support, joy, and a sense of belonging. What better way to celebrate these special connections than with friendship tattoos? Getting inked together is a meaningful and lasting way to commemorate your bond.
Whether you’re looking for matching tattoos with your childhood bestie, your soul sister, or your entire squad, the options are endless. From cute and minimalist designs to bold and symbolic artwork, friendship tattoos can reflect your unique relationship and shared experiences. Let’s dive into some inspiring Friendship Tattoo Ideas that go beyond the ordinary.
Matching But Make It Unique
The beauty of friendship tattoos lies in their ability to be both unified and individual. You don’t have to get identical tattoos to express your connection. Consider “same but different” designs, where the core element is shared, but personalized details make each tattoo unique to the wearer.
Take inspiration from tattoo artist Miryam Lumpini’s sister tattoos. The octopus motif unites the tattoos, but each friend sports an octopus with different colors and intricate details, showcasing individual personalities within a shared theme. This approach allows for personal expression while maintaining a clear connection.
Teeny Tiny Tattoos for Besties
For those who prefer subtle expressions of friendship, tiny tattoos are a perfect choice. Minimalist designs can carry significant meaning without being overtly large or attention-grabbing.
E-nal, a tattoo artist based in LA, demonstrates the charm of tiny matching tattoos. These delicate designs are perfect for friends who want a discreet yet constant reminder of their bond. Think tiny hearts, stars, or symbols that hold personal significance for your friendship.
Cheers to Friendship: Wine Glass Tattoos
Do you and your bestie bond over a glass of wine and heartfelt conversations? Wine glass tattoos can be a fun and quirky way to represent your shared love for good times and good company.
Shibumi from Shibumi Tattoo in Spain created adorable small wine glass tattoos perfect for friends who enjoy unwinding together. This playful idea is a testament to shared joys and the simple pleasures of friendship.
Celestial Connections: Sun and Moon Tarot Tattoos
For friendships that feel written in the stars, consider symbolic tattoos like the sun and moon. These celestial bodies represent balance, harmony, and complementary energies – qualities often found in deep friendships.
Tattoo artist Sarah Louise of Sacred Coven in Nottingham tattooed matching Tarot cards – The Sun and The Moon – for two friends. She highlighted that the tattoos, though matching in theme, were placed on different body parts, emphasizing that meaningful tattoos don’t require identical placement to be impactful. This showcases individuality within the shared experience of friendship.
Matching sun and moon tarot card tattoos, symbolizing balance and harmony in friendship.
Close up of a moon tarot card tattoo, part of a friendship tattoo set.
Matching sun and moon tarot card tattoos on different body placements.
Feminine Energy and Growth: Floral Friendship Tattoos
Floral tattoos are timeless and universally appealing, making them a wonderful choice for friendship tattoos. Flowers can symbolize growth, beauty, and the blossoming of relationships.
Twin sisters opted for matching feminine floral tattoos to represent their bond and shared journey of growth. These tattoos evoke a sense of grace and enduring connection. Consider flowers that hold specific meanings, like roses for love or lilies for friendship, to personalize your design.
Matching floral tattoos on twin sisters, representing feminine energy and growth.
Soulmate Symbols: Moons and Kind Hearts
Sometimes, friendships feel destined. For soulmate friendships, consider tattoos that represent deeper connections and shared values.
Amber Carnegie, a tattoo enthusiast, has matching moon tattoos with her best friend Jess, celebrating a decade of friendship. These moon tattoos, designed by Meg Langdale, symbolize enduring and celestial bonds.
Matching moon tattoos held up by a hand, symbolizing a decade-long friendship and soulmate connection.
Amber also shares “Be Kind” heart tattoos with her friend Aimee, designed by Becky Pope. These tattoos embody their shared ethos of kindness and resilience. The adaptability of Becky Pope’s style allowed for different tattoo preferences to be accommodated within the matching design, proving that friendship tattoos can bridge diverse tastes.
Matching "Be Kind" heart tattoos in black dot work, representing shared values and ethos of kindness.
Matching "Be Kind" heart tattoos in bold color, showcasing adaptability to different tattoo styles within a friendship tattoo.
Overcoming Together: Drowning Girl Tattoos
Friendships often provide strength and support through challenging times. The “Drowning Girl” tattoo, popularized by Glasgow-based artist Fidjit, has become a symbol of resilience and solidarity.
These tattoos represent “keeping your head above water” and overcoming adversity. For some, they symbolize battles with mental health, trauma, or difficult experiences. Getting “drowner” tattoos together can signify shared struggles overcome and unwavering support for one another. Becoming part of the “Drowning Girl Club” creates a sense of community and shared experience.
Drowning girl tattoo in black ink, a symbol of resilience, overcoming adversity, and solidarity.
Cute and Collaborative: Ant Tattoos
For a truly adorable and collaborative friendship tattoo idea, consider ant tattoos. These tiny creatures symbolize community, hard work, and loyalty – all wonderful qualities of strong friendships.
Amie Culver, working at Good Company Tattoo Studio in Brighton, created charming ant tattoos for a mother and son. Ant tattoos are a sweet and unique way to celebrate a bond, whether familial or between friends.
Friendship tattoos are more than just ink; they are lasting symbols of love, loyalty, and shared experiences. Whether you choose matching designs, complementary pieces, or unique symbols that represent your bond, the most important aspect is the meaning behind the ink. So gather your besties, brainstorm ideas, and embark on the meaningful journey of getting friendship tattoos together!
