Getting a tattoo is a deeply personal and often transformative experience. Sharing that experience with your closest friends by getting matching tattoos? That elevates it to a whole new level of meaningful connection. For many, friendship tattoos are a beautiful way to symbolize enduring bonds and shared memories. If you’re looking for inspiration for Matching Tattoos For Friends, you’ve come to the right place. From subtle and delicate designs to bolder statements, we’ve curated a collection of ideas to spark your creativity and celebrate your friendships in ink.
I’ve always cherished the tattoos I share with my loved ones. My sister and I have matching roses, a delicate and timeless design. With my mum, we opted for matching flowers, a tribute to a dear friend we both miss. And some of my most spontaneous and fun tattoo memories involve matching ink with my best mates. One of my favorite experiences was getting impromptu matching hair grip tattoos at the Brighton Tattoo Convention with three of my BFFs – a hilarious and unforgettable experience that’s now permanently etched onto our skin.
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The beauty of matching best friend tattoos is their versatility. You can choose designs that are cute and minimalist, large and impactful, vibrant with color, or classic blackwork. You can even opt for tattoos that are “sort of” matching, reflecting individual styles while maintaining a cohesive theme. To help you find the perfect inspiration, we’ve explored Instagram to bring you some of our favorite friendship tattoo ideas that celebrate the power of connection through ink.
Same but Different Sister Tattoos
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These captivating sister tattoos, created by Los Angeles-based tattoo artist Miryam Lumpini, also known as The Witchdoctor™, perfectly illustrate the “same but different” concept. The octopus designs share a common style and theme, yet each is unique with different colors and intricate details, representing the individuality within a close bond. This approach is ideal for matching sister tattoos or best friend tattoos where you want to celebrate both unity and personal expression.
Teeny Tiny Matching Tattoos
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Continuing with the subtly different theme, these delicate and tiny matching tattoos by LA-based artist E-nal are perfect for friends who prefer minimalist designs. Small symbols, fine lines, or simple shapes can be incredibly meaningful without being visually overpowering. These are great small matching tattoos for friends who want a discreet yet significant reminder of their bond.
Matching Wine Glass Tattoos
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Looking for fun and quirky matching tattoos for girl friends? These super cute wine glass tattoos by Shibumi from Lucky Horse Tattoo in Donostia, Spain are a toast to friendship and shared good times. Ideal for friends who love to unwind with a glass of wine and catch up, these tattoos are playful, unique, and perfectly represent a shared passion. Cheers to friendship and creative matching bestie tattoos!
Tarot Sun and Moon Friendship Tattoos
“I had the pleasure of tattooing Eve and Caitlin with matching Tarot cards,” shares tattoo artist Sarah Louise, owner of Sacred Coven in Nottingham. “The Sun and The Moon – it was such a joy to commemorate their beautiful friendship.” These meaningful matching tattoos represent balance and harmony, with each friend choosing a card that resonates with them and their personality within the friendship dynamic.
What’s particularly inspiring about these friendship tattoos is that Eve and Caitlin chose different placements on their bodies. This highlights that matching tattoos for best friends don’t need to be identical in placement to be deeply meaningful. Personalization is key to making your best friend tattoos truly special.
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Matching Feminine Tattoos
These elegant twin tattoos on twin sisters perfectly capture feminine energy and growth. Jade Cooper-Collins, art director at Cosmopolitan magazine, shared her matching tattoo with her twin, emphasizing their desire for a design that symbolized these powerful concepts. While the tattoo artist remains unnamed, the spontaneity and shared experience make these sister tattoos even more special and memorable. For those seeking feminine matching tattoos, delicate florals, flowing lines, and graceful symbols are always beautiful choices.
Matching Tattoos for Soulmates with Different Tastes…
Tattoo enthusiast Amber Carnegie has multiple matching tattoos with friends, showcasing how versatile this concept can be. Her first friendship tattoo, a moon held by a hand by Meg Langdale, celebrates a decade of friendship with her best friend Jess.
Her second, “Be Kind” hearts by Becky Pope with her friend Aimee, embodies their shared ethos of kindness and resilience. What’s remarkable is that Becky Pope’s adaptable style allowed them to get matching designs that suited their individual tattoo preferences – one in black dot work and the other in bold color. This proves that even friends with different aesthetic tastes can find beautiful matching soulmate tattoos that reflect their unique bond.
Meaningful Symbol Tattoos: Drowning Girl and Ants
The “drowning girl” tattoo, popularized by Glasgow-based artist Fidjit, has become a powerful symbol of resilience and solidarity. These “drowners” represent “keeping your head above water” and resonate with individuals who have overcome challenges. Getting matching drowning girl tattoos can be a profound way for friends to acknowledge shared struggles and offer mutual support.
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For a different take on meaningful matching tattoos, consider these super cute ant tattoos by Amie Culver from Good Company Tattoo Studio in Brighton. These tiny creatures can symbolize diligence, community, and hard work, making them a charming and unique choice for matching tattoos for friends.
Matching tattoos for friends are more than just ink on skin; they are a lasting testament to the bonds we cherish. Whether you opt for matching symbols, complementary designs, or “same but different” styles, the most important aspect is the shared experience and the meaningful connection they represent. So gather your besties, brainstorm ideas, and get ready to celebrate your friendship with beautiful, personalized matching tattoos.
For more tattoo inspiration, artist features, and aftercare advice, explore the Stories & Ink Journal.
