When you’re searching for the perfect placement for your next ink, consider getting a back-of-the-neck or behind-the-ear tattoo, which can easily be hidden or shown off depending on your mood. Dainty and daring, neck tattoos are perfect for everyone. What about butterfly neck tattoos?
A butterfly neck tattoo might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s a reason why winged creatures are at the forefront of the most popular, prominent tattoo styles and stencils. Butterfly tattoos, whether they’re on the neck or anywhere on the body, are powerful symbols of transformation and freedom.
Whether you’re a first-timer or someone with a million tattoos on a million diferent parts of the body, we’re sure you’ll appreciate the beauty and simplicity of a butterfly tattoo. After all, butterfly tattoos can be simple or super detailed, bold and brightly colored, or delicate and monochromatic.
We’ve picked some of the best butterfly neck tattoos from Instagram as an inspiration or an idea of what a butterfly tattoo can look like – basic and boring are two words you’re *not* going to use when scrolling through our suggestions. What are you waiting for?
1. A dark, detailed butterfly neck tattoo
Starting with one of the more delicate designs we prepared, a dark, detailed butterfly neck tattoo might be the right one for you. With a bold, beautiful frame and a placement that allows you to conceal or reveal the tattoo, you’re guaranteed to get out of the tattoo parlor with a smile on your face.
2. A butterfly tattoo with lines
A similar design by the same artist, this butterfly neck tattoo tells a different story. With a few lines here and there, a few smudges, and a shambolic design, we’re even more taken aback by the beauty (and the symbolism) of this butterfly neck tattoo.
3. A purple butterfly tattoo
Black or black-and-white tattoos are the norm, but you might be on the hunt for something a little diferent. You can opt for a realistic butterfly with diferent color combinations and details or a butterfly that reflects your favorite color – this purple butterfly, for example, looks like a million dollars.
4. A butterfly neck tattoo with flowers
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned tattoo-getter, you might be scared of getting a big, bold neck tattoo – especially on the front side of the neck. With that out of the way, though, statement tattoos are always a showstopper and we salute your decision to play with different styles and designs.
5. A butterfly tattoo on the side of the neck
Getting a neck tattoo might not be “a walk in the park” because you need to figure out the placement that works for you, your personal preferences, and your restrictions.
A butterfly tattoo on the side of the neck might not be as easily concealable as a butterfly tattoo on the back of the neck. At the end of the day, you need to figure out whether that works for you or not.
6. A tattoo of a butterfly with eyes
When you’re getting a butterfly tattoo, you might think you’re being a little basic and boring – but that’s not the case. You can always work with your tattoo artist and add different elements to your tattoo to amplify or completely change the meaning. You can get a butterfly tattoo with eyes, for example.
A butterfly tattoo with eyes can represent transformation, spiritual awakening, and introspection. And the eyes can represent awareness, perception, and a sense of “knowing everything about everything.”
7. A tattoo of a butterfly with a spider’s web
Similarly, you can opt for a tattoo of a butterfly with a spider’s web. When combined with a butterfly, a spider web tattoo can be seen as a symbol of a period of struggle followed by a positive change, a transformation, or a start of something bigger and better.
8. A butterfly tattoo on the front side of the neck
A front-neck tattoo might be a thing of nightmares, but you’re probably more scared of them than you’re supposed to be. A butterfly tattoo on the front side of the neck can be a great way of pushing your own buttons and getting out of your own comfort zone.
9. A fine-line butterfly tattoo on the front side of the neck
A fine-line tattoo might not be as “grand,” but that’s up to you to decide. Whether you’re getting a tattoo for the first time or you simply don’t want to show off a big neckpiece when you show up for work on Monday, you might want to opt for a fine-line butterfly neck tattoo.
10. A front neck tattoo of a butterfly and a rose
A butterfly tattoo can be embellished with a myriad of elements that complement the beauty of the design without taking away from the meaning of the tattoo.
A flower, for example, can be a great way for you to add something more – opt for your favorite flower, your birth flower, or a flower you’re particularly fond of.
11. A tiny butterfly tattoo
A tiny butterfly tattoo might not be as “grand” as some of the other designs we raved about, but that’s not something you need to worry about.
At the end of the day, smaller, simpler tattoos are perfect for people who don’t want to spend hours and hours at the tattoo parlor – or pay hundreds and hundreds of dollars, for that matter.
12. A tiny butterfly tattoo on the back of the neck
If front-neck tattoos aren’t your thing, you might be interested in a back-of-the-neck tattoo. It’s a great way for you to play with diferent styles without sacrificing a lot of real estate.
13. A tattoo of two butterflies flying toward each other
When you’re planning on getting a butterfly tattoo, you don’t need to stick to one butterfly. You can add as many elements as you want, as long as you’re happy with the final look of the tattoo. You can get a tattoo of two butterflies flying toward each other, for example.
14. A statement butterfly neck tattoo
We’re obsessed with the intricate details and the incredible placement of the tattoo, that’s for sure. When you want to “go big or go home,” you might want to get a statement butterfly tattoo that takes up most of the space at the front of the neck. We’re more than happy to get matching tattoos with you!
15. A scary butterfly neck tattoo with a skull
Both men and women opt for butterfly tattoos, whether they’re playing with smaller, simpler designs or going all out with elaborate works of art. Before you decide on the style of the tattoo you want to get, consider getting a butterfly tattoo with sharp lines, a soft, smudged frame, and a central skull.
16. A floral butterfly tattoo on the neck
We’re obsessed with both flowers and butterflies and that’s why we’re more than happy to recommend a tattoo that consists of both. Whenever you’re unsure of what to add to a tattoo, consider adding a flower that means something to you – or a flower that works wonderfully with the design of the tattoo.
17. A tattoo of two different butterflies
When you do your research on tattoos that consist of multiple butterflies, you might notice that they’re typically the same butterflies flying toward each other or the rest of the body. While that’s a great option to consider, we’re pretty happy with the way two different butterflies work together, too.
18. A soft butterfly tattoo right under the neck
Whatever your personal preferences are, you might be happy with the way a softer, smudgier butterfly tattoo accentuates the beauty of the design and the elegance of the craftsmanship. With a soft, smudgy butterfly, you’re guaranteed to attract attention and turn heads.
19. A fine-line butterfly tattoo on the back of the neck
We already talked your ears off with fine-line tattoos, but that’s why we’re here. A fine-line tattoo of a butterfly on the back of the neck can be a great way to get creative and work with your tattoo artist to create something you’ve never seen before.
20. A colorful butterfly neck tattoo
If you’re a fan of colorful tattoos, you might be interested in getting a tattoo of a black-and-white fine-line butterfly embellished with red roses (or other flowers of your choice). It might seem like a strange idea, but combining the two opposite styles will bring out the beauty of the butterfly.
21. An iridescent butterfly neck tattoo
A colorful butterfly tattoo can be made to look like a gemstone, a piece of jewelry, or an accessory you might not want to take off at the end of the day. With the right tattoo artist, you can explore all the different ways in which you can make your butterfly neck tattoo different from the rest.
22. A fine-line butterfly neck tattoo
We’re ending the article with a simple, sleek butterfly neck tattoo perfect for modern minimalists. A minimalist tattoo can be eye-catching, too – add a couple of sparkles and watch the entire tattoo transform. After all, sparkles are always a great idea.
