A thistle tattoo is a great choice with deep meaning. Known as the national emblem of Scotland, the thistle stands for bravery, endurance, and strength. This tough plant can thrive in harsh conditions, symbolizing resilience and protection.
For placement, you have lots of options. If you want a detailed design, go for larger areas like the upper arm, thigh, or back. Smaller designs look great on the wrist, ankle, or behind the ear.
The cost varies with size and detail. Small thistle tattoos might cost $50 to $150, while bigger, more detailed ones could be $200 to $500 or more. Always choose a skilled artist to get the best result.
Check out the 30 thistle tattoo design ideas I’ve shared to find your perfect match!
1. Artistic Thistle Tattoo
Thistles symbolize bravery and strength. Do you have something symbolic to say with your tattoo or would you still tattoo such a beautiful flower just because it is aesthetically beautiful? The way this tattoo is done, like a beautiful painted picture is an added plus and something that would be 100% unique!
2. Thistle Tattoo on Upper Back
The upper part of the back is spacious and offers possibilities for various things. Such a beautiful flower can find its place exactly on this part of the body, and with all that, a simple lineart of black colour is a beautiful way to prove the beauty of this plant!
3. Thistle Tattoo on Forearm
Do you think big tattoos are only for bad guys who get some scary stuff tattooed? We can convince you if you take a good look at this photo. Such a beautiful flower can be found on different people, so why not on men’s arms?
4. Side Rib Long Thistle Tattoo
A beautiful way and extensive tattoo that certainly did not take a little time to do in such detail fit the entire left side of the body beautifully. The plant is shown in its entirety, from root to tip, giving its beauty a special emphasis.
5. Thistle Tattoo on Face
A good idea is to use the colour of this flower with your hair colour! A creative way. Face tattoos are an absolute hit lately, so if you want to be trendy, you’ll have to hurry! 😉
6. Thistle Underboob Tattoo
Tattoos on this part of the body can be fascinatingly made and with a good wardrobe can be perfectly displayed. It is a genius idea to find such a delicate flower on a woman’s body, and the tattoo and its details are beautiful enough in themselves!
7. Thistle Tattoo with Dagger
The dagger relates to a strong, dark side, and flowers symbolise love, joy, and beauty. You’re not the only one who thinks these two go fantastically well together. They are often shown together, whether with roses or some other flowers, but the idea itself is very ingenious!
8. Tiny Thistle Tattoo on Ankle
Small symbolic tattoos are never enough, especially when they are found on the ankles or in some inconspicuous places where you are surprised when something this beautiful is found. Minimalists would surely be delighted!
9. Knot-Work & Thistle Tattoo on Chest
Do you want to remember someone or mark them on your skin? This way you absolutely can. It doesn’t matter if you lost someone or maybe you want to highlight the birth of someone important to you on your skin, this way is a very wonderful gesture and certainly causes admiration!
10. Thistle Tattoo with Wolf and Barbed Wire
This flower signifies knowledge, power and courage. In combination with the wolf, you get independence, courage, and a strong personal journey. This assembly is ideal, isn’t it?
11. Colorful Thistle Tattoo with a Bird
Where there are plants and flowers, there are birds, it has always been like that. This cheerful and colourful tattoo is striking and can mean summer or springtime, as well as freedom because birds are always free.
12. Thistle Tattoo Design with Snake
A snake tattoo is a personal journey of transformation, a commitment to knowledge or healing, or a connection to divine power. Snakes are the most common occurrence among tattoos and you can often meet them.
13. Colorful Thistle Tattoo on Hand
A multi-coloured tattoo on the chest is a real hit with which you cannot go unnoticed. The details are framed in black and you can clearly see where everything is, and the colours are beautifully blended and make a real little oasis of this thistle flower.
14. Thistle Tattoo on Neck
Mandala + thistle = perfect tattoo. Mandalas symbolize the balance of body and mind. As tattoos, mandalas can be representative of so many things: your internal balance, your soul and eternity, or something unique. This combination is beautiful, and it can be in black and white or in colour, depending on who prefers it.
15. Leg Sleeve Thistle Tattoo
Tattoos of this size can be a great way to cover up scars or something you have on your legs or arms. The size of this tattoo can cover everything, and you choose the colour yourself. It can be in black and white as in the photo, and you can add colors to make it even more interesting.
16. Vibrant Thistle Tattoo
The colour of this flower is always the same – purple. Its flower has a specific shape, as well as its leaves. The plant is recognizable, and it can always be stuck to your pants or sneakers 😉
17. Simple Blackwork Thistle Tattoo
You can do black tattoos, on a smaller scale. This tattoo is located on the leg, and it can also find a place on your forearm.
18. Elegant Thistle Tattoo
We can consider this tattoo as a slightly more elegant tattoo, and this light royal blue colour and this purple colour contribute to that. These colours are truly regal and elegant, so you won’t go wrong with this choice.
19. Blackwork Thistle Tattoo with Bird
Among this flower is a dead bird. The symbolism of dead birds is multi-faceted and can carry both positive and negative meanings. While the death of a bird can represent grief, failure, and hopelessness, it also signifies the potential for change, transformation, and rebirth. As sad as this tattoo may seem, it can still have a positive meaning.
20. Low-Key Thistle Tattoo on Forearm
This beautiful tattoo can belong to modern tattoos or minimalist tattoos. Due to its size and colour, it can be elegant.
21. Black Inked Thistle Tattoo on Face
If you are looking for something for your face, you can use this example. It is small and covers the part of the face near the ear, it can be black or it can be coloured, the choice is yours.
22. Thistle Tattoo with a Frog
Frogs symbolize fertility, wisdom, purity, protection, perseverance, renewal, longevity, rebirth. The thistle tattoo represents resilience, protection, and pride. Often in nature, you can find a frog next to this plant.
23. Bouquet Thistle Tattoo
Another creative idea for a tattoo. In this bouquet, there is a thistle among all the other flowers. It fits perfectly with all the other flowers and it’s all different colors, but the differences often go together.
24. Thight Thistle Tattoo
Another tattoo on the leg, like one of the previous ones. This tattoo has found its place on the thigh, so you can easily cover it when necessary when it comes to some work or some other event.
25. Portrait of Thistle Tattoo Design
This small portrait contains a thistle in the frame, giving the effect of a small framed photograph. This example is unique and creative.
26. Neo-Traditional Design Thistle Tattoo
Traditional thistle flower tattoo. It has a bright colour and is very striking, wherever it is it will be noticed.
27. Blackwork Thistle Tattoo with a Wolf
Another thistle flower tattoo and wolf with it. We said the meaning in that previous photo, and the only difference between these two tattoos is the size and position of the wolf.
28. Colorful and Symmetric Thistle Tattoo
A very symmetrical and accurate tattoo, the tips and all parts of which match. This work is precise and accurate, so you can achieve this effect with the help of your chosen tattoo expert.
29. Dotwork Thistle Tattoo
Continuation of stardust and planets in the form of a thistle flower. This dotwork tattoo certainly required a couple of hours of production, but all the effort paid off because this kind of tattoo looks clean.
30. Colorful Thistle Tattoo Design with Flowers
Another form of tattoo with flowers, but this time not in the form of a bouquet. These flowers complement each other and their colors are different and each is striking in its way.
I hope you found some inspiration from these amazing thistle tattoo designs! Each one captures the unique beauty and symbolism of the thistle in its own way. Remember, a tattoo is a personal journey, so take your time to choose a design that truly resonates with you. When you’re ready, find a talented artist who can bring your vision to life. Happy tattooing!
