Mother’s Day is a time to reflect on and celebrate the unique connection between mothers and daughters. This bond is often cherished and marked in many ways, and for some, tattoos offer a beautiful and permanent way to express this love. As a tattooed mother myself, and after sharing my passion for ink with my daughter, Avery, I’ve been contemplating the special significance of mother-daughter tattoos. Perhaps, as she grows older, we might even share this intimate form of connection ourselves.
The desire to commemorate this special relationship through matching or complementary tattoos is not uncommon. To explore this further, I’ve spoken with several mothers and daughters who have chosen ink to celebrate their unique bond. Their stories reveal the heartfelt meanings behind their Mother And Daughter Tattoos, offering inspiration for those considering a similar tribute.
Alice and Jenni: A Shared Piece of Tattoo Magic
Matching forget-me-not mother and daughter tattoos symbolizing remembrance and a deep bond.
Alice and her mother, Jenni, share delicate forget-me-not tattoos, a poignant symbol of remembrance and their close relationship. Alice recounts how her own passion for tattoos inspired her mother, Jenni, to explore body art. Jenni’s first tattoo, a 60th birthday gift from her daughters, opened her up to the world of ink. This initial experience paved the way for a deeply meaningful second tattoo – a matching design with Alice.
Alice explains, “I don’t think my mum would have ever got tattooed if I weren’t so into it… She wanted a little piece of her own tattoo magic.” They chose delicate forget-me-not flowers, inked by Tracy D, as a tribute to a beloved family friend, Annemie, who had passed away. Annemie herself had a forget-me-not tattoo shared with her children, a symbol of enduring love and remembrance. For Alice and Jenni, their tattoos became more than just a mother-daughter symbol; they became a lasting memorial to Annemie.
Jenni adds, “Obviously, I only got interested in tattoos because of Alice! The matching tattoos came about when our dearest friend Annemie in the Netherlands died… to remind us of her and our special friendship.” Their shared forget-me-not tattoos serve as a constant reminder of their bond and a cherished friend, highlighting the profound emotional depth that mother and daughter tattoos can represent.
Tayler and Lisa: Growing Together, Inked Forever
Linework tattoo depicting holding hands with floral accents, representing the enduring mother-daughter connection and growth.
Tayler and her mother, Lisa, opted for a touching linework tattoo of holding hands intertwined with flowers. This design, a birthday gift for Tayler, beautifully illustrates their journey of growing together. Tayler shares the heartfelt meaning behind the tattoo: “The idea behind it is that my mum was 20 when she had me, she always said to me that mothers will hold their daughters’ hands for a while but their hearts forever.” This sentiment deeply resonated with their relationship, which Tayler describes as being “like best friends more than mother and daughter.”
Their matching tattoo, created by @dip.dip.draw, is one of four shared tattoos between them, further cementing their family bond through ink. Tayler emphasizes the enduring significance of their tattoos, stating, “It’s nice to be able to look at it and always remember my mum even if I do speak to her multiple times a day. When she isn’t here anymore it will be even more special.” For Tayler and Lisa, their mother and daughter tattoo is a permanent emblem of their evolving relationship and unwavering support for each other.
Lois and Carey: Ink as a Shared Language of Love
Close-up of chest tattoos on a woman, showcasing black ink designs created by her daughter as a symbol of their artistic bond.
Lois and Carey’s story is unique, as tattooing itself is a central part of their mother-daughter connection. Lois, a tattoo artist @lois.spooked, has not only shared matching tattoos with her mother, Carey @c.s.marvin, but has also tattooed her extensively. Their first matching tattoo, a quote from the Egyptian Book of the Dead about motherhood, holds deep personal meaning. Lois explains, “The quote is about motherhood and I grew up seeing it on different paintings and embroidered artworks so it felt ingrained into me before I even got it tattooed: ‘My heart, my mother; my heart, my mother! My heart whereby I came into being.'”
Their shared love for tattoos extends beyond just matching designs. Carey has been Lois’s canvas, allowing her to practice and hone her skills, filling her arms, back, chest, and legs with ink. One particularly cherished matching tattoo is a vintage flash heart with “NYC,” a piece they chose together at Daredevil Tattoo in New York. Lois reflects on the special honor of creating mother-daughter tattoos: “It always feels like such an honour and beautiful responsibility to create tattoos that connect mothers and daughters.” For Lois and Carey, tattoos are not just art but a shared language that strengthens their artistic and familial bond.
Mother and daughter standing side-by-side, hands subtly touching, displaying their close relationship and shared artistic passions.
Kylie and Colleen: A Bouquet of Family Love in Bloom
Kylie and Colleen’s mother-daughter tattoo story is a beautiful example of family inclusion. Their shared bouquet tattoo represents not just the two of them but also Kylie’s grandmother and aunt, incorporating each woman’s favorite flower into the design. Kylie recounts the collaborative process: “I had the idea of a bouquet in mind, and as soon as I pitched it, my mom was on board, and we decided to go through with it together.” The bouquet features a lily of the valley for Colleen, a daisy for her aunt, a chrysanthemum for her grandmother, and an anemone for Kylie.
Their tattoo artist, Heather Mellor @heathermellor, captured their vision perfectly and even created additional artwork for Kylie’s grandmother and aunt to display at home. Colleen fondly remembers the experience: “I was so excited when she told me her idea of the bouquet as it would be personally special to the two of us but also include the influential women in my life as well.” For Kylie and Colleen, their bouquet tattoo is a vibrant and lasting tribute to the influential women in their family, a symbol of their interconnected love and support.
Choosing Your Mother-Daughter Tattoo: Ideas and Inspiration
Inspired by these heartfelt stories, you might be considering a mother and daughter tattoo of your own. Here are some ideas to spark your creativity:
- Matching Symbols: Choose a symbol that represents your shared interests or values. This could be anything from a heart or infinity symbol to a favorite animal or celestial body.
- Complementary Designs: Opt for two tattoos that are related but not identical. For example, one person could get a sun and the other a moon, or two halves of a quote or image that complete each other when placed together.
- Birth Flowers: Similar to Kylie and Colleen’s bouquet, you could use birth flowers to represent each person’s birth month, creating a personalized and meaningful floral design.
- Quote Tattoos: Share a meaningful quote that resonates with your relationship. This could be split between two tattoos or each person could get the full quote in a different style or location.
- Fingerprint or Handprint Tattoos: For a truly unique and personal touch, consider fingerprint or handprint tattoos. These can be miniaturized and placed discreetly, serving as a constant reminder of your connection.
- Location, Location, Location: Consider placement carefully. Matching tattoos look beautiful in symmetrical locations like wrists, ankles, or shoulders. However, don’t feel limited – unique placements can also add to the personal meaning.
Remember to choose a reputable and experienced tattoo artist who can bring your vision to life. Consulting with your artist about design, placement, and aftercare is crucial for a positive tattoo experience.
A Lasting Tribute to an Unbreakable Bond
Mother and daughter tattoos are more than just ink on skin; they are symbols of love, connection, and enduring relationships. As these stories illustrate, the meaning behind each tattoo is deeply personal and reflects the unique bond between a mother and daughter. Whether you choose matching designs, complementary art, or symbolic imagery, a mother and daughter tattoo can be a beautiful and lasting tribute to a truly special relationship. Perhaps one day, my own daughter and I will add our story to this collection of inked bonds.
