Small Symbol, Big Meaning: 60+ Beautiful Small Tattoos For Girls

by Maria Konou
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Ever since I can remember, I have always found tattoos to be fascinating. Every intricate design I see, from delicate flower designs to minimalist symbols, makes me wonder what story is behind them. For years, I’ve wondered what type of tattoo I should get one day, but one thing has always been certain: it must be small. There’s something immensely alluring about a small piece of art with deep meaning. Despite my fondness for tattoos, the prospect of committing to a major design is scary. Small tattoos, on the other hand, are like whispered secrets, personal and private. It’s a way to keep a piece of your story with you, subtly carved into your skin. After numerous hours of searching for inspiration and following tattoo artists on social media, I’ve compiled a list of concepts that hit home. In this article, I’ll show you some stunning small tattoos for girls.

Choose a design that speaks to your heart

The History of Tattoos

Contrary to popular belief, tattoos have been around for a very long time. Scientists at the Smithsonian have studied Ötzi the Iceman, a mummified body from 3250 BCE found with 61 tattoos. Nowadays, the symbolism and impact of tattoos can vary depending on places, culture and religion. They can be used to provide medical information for patients with Alzheimer, for example. Most commonly, though, tattoos are used to commemorate something or someone special. So, they can be a beautiful accessory and a memory all at the same time. If you have decided that you want a tattoo, you have come to the right place.

Tattoos have been around for thousands of years

The Best Placements For Small Tattoos

When it comes to minor tattoos, proper placement is essential for ensuring that your art looks good. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends tiny tattoos for regions where the skin is less likely to stretch or change considerably over time. Popular locations include the wrist, ankle, behind the ear, and collarbone. These locations not only showcase the delicate nature of little tattoos, but also make an ideal canvas for detailed designs. The wrist is perfect for little, significant symbols or words, making your tattoo more apparent and personalized. Ankles and behind the ear provide inconspicuous sites for little designs that can be displayed or hidden as desired. The collarbone’s inherent curve improves the elegance of little tattoos, allowing them to stand out nicely. Choosing the appropriate placement ensures that your little tattoo is a timeless work of beauty.

Consider these popular locations for a modest, meaningful design

Great Ideas For Small Tattoos For Girls

When it comes to expressing yourself via ink, small tattoos for girls are an excellent option. They are subtle but powerful, providing a lovely way to take a work of art and its significance with you. Whether you choose something delicate and minimalist or a design with rich connotations, there is a little tattoo concept that will suit your own taste. From delicate flowers and celestial symbols to meaningful statements and sophisticated geometric forms, the options are limitless. Small tattoos are not only easier to commit to, but they are also more versatile in terms of placement, allowing you to choose the location that best suits your lifestyle.

Check out these super cool small tattoo ideas

Arrows

One of the most common small tattoos you can see is an arrow. An arrow symbolises different things, depending on how it is portrayed. A single arrow, for example, represents defence and protection from harm. An arrow is also a symbol of direction and movement. So, if you are the kind of person who is always chasing something and always moving forward, a little arrow might be the right fit for you.

bow and arrow, tattoo on shoulder, white blouse, small tattoos for girls

Crossed arrows signify friendship

two crossed arrows, small tattoos for girls, tattoo on the wrist, black background

crossed arrows, north west south and east directions, tattoo on the ankle, leg in the sand, meaningful tattoo ideas

arrow with a heart, tattoo on the finger, black background, tattoo ideas for women

arrow and flowers, tattoo on the back, tattoo ideas for women, orange top

Butterflies

Butterflies are also very common. They are a symbol of beauty, freedom and growing. If you have ever had a life-changing experience, a butterfly tattoo can be a beautiful way to commemorate it. The butterfly goes through a few stages – from an egg, through a larva and pupa, it becomes a beautiful butterfly. It can also be seen as a metaphor for the life cycle of a human being. What’s more, butterflies have wings and can fly anywhere, therefore – a symbol for freedom.

Beautiful butterfly tattoo with blue and purple wings

purple and blue butterfly, tattoo on the neck, small tattoos for girls, white background

Butterfly tattoo ideas for women

butterfly tattoo on the forearm, tattoo ideas for women, black background

butterfly tattoo on the back, white background, tattoo ideas for women, short dark blonde hair

black blue and purple butterfly, tattoo on the shoulder, back tattoos for girls

butterfly tattoo on the ankle, white background, back tattoos for girls

two yellow butterflies, back tattoos for girls, tattoo on the forearm, white background

Dandelions

Dandelions are another piece of nature that, when tattooed symbolises life. It reminds you to enjoy every moment. A gust of wind can make the fluffy white dandelion seeds fly away. Same as in life, if you don’t appreciate the moments that make your life extraordinary, they can easily be taken away from you. So, if you are looking for something to make you remember to “carpe diem”, but you don’t want to be a cliche and tattoo the phrase, a dandelion tattoo is just right for you.

Beautiful dandelion tattoo

back tattoos for girls, dandelion tattoo on the forearm, white background, black top

four dandelions on the wrist, back tattoos for girls, red nail polish, grey blanket

dandelion tattoo on the neck, brown hair in a bun, cute tattoos for girls

Music-inspired

Music lovers decide to show their love for music with tattoos very often. Tattoos with musical notes and keys are very beautiful and can be found in many different shapes and forms.

Beautiful musical key without colour

union jack nail polish, small tattoos for girls, nude music note, tattoo on the wrist

Heart made out of music

musical notes in the shape of a heart, tattoos for girls, tattoo on the forearm

Unique tattoos for the music lovers

music key tattoo on the arm, blurred background, cute tattoos for girls

music notes in the shape of a heart, cute tattoos for girls, tattoo on the wrist

musical notes tattoos on the fingers, cute tattoos for girls

black background, cute tattoos for girls, music key, tattoo on the wrist

Roses

Roses symbolise beauty and love. These flowers are often considered to be the most desired thing by women on Valentine’s day, for example. That is why many women get roses tattooed on their bodies to commemorate the love that they feel for someone. Another symbol might be the blooming of a rose. It slowly opens up to show its beautiful colours and petals.

Tattoo of a blooming rose

stages of a blooming rose, tattoo on the forearm, tattoos for girls

Beautiful ankle rose tattoo

rose tattoo on the ankle, white sneakers, tattoos for girls, grey background

Rose tattoos for girls

rose tattoo on the forearm, unique tattoos, plaid shirt, black background unique tattoos, flowers tattoo on the wrist, white background

rose tattoo on the wrist, tattoos for girls on wrist, blurred background rose tattoo on the ankle, unique tattoos, black background rose tattoo on the wrist, unique tattoos, white background and top, rings on the fingers rose tattoo behind the ear, brown hair in a bun, arm tattoos for girls

Seahorse

In some cultures the seahorse is a symbol of good luck. It also symbolises the beginning of a next chapter. So, if you need luck with something you have set out to do, the tattoo of a seahorse is a perfection option.

Small seahorse in beautiful colours

purple and pink seahorse, tattoos for girls, tattoo behind the ear, black hair in a bun

seahorse tattoo on the thigh, arm tattoos for girls, short jeans and black top  seahorse tattoo above the elbow, arm tattoos for girls, black background

Celestial signs

The sun and the moon is probably one of the, if not the most, common tattoos. Many couples choose to get these tattoos because they symbolise an everlasting relationship. The sun is always followed by the moon and vice versa. They can’t exist separately. It is also a good symbol for friendship.

Couples choose the symbols of the sun and the moon to show their love and appreciation for one another

sun and moon, tattoos on the wrists, tattoos for girls, watches on the wrists

Meaningful tattoo ideas with the sun and the moon

sun and moon tattoos on the wrists, arm tattoos for girls, bracelets on the wrists blue moon and orange sun, tattoo on the forearm, arm tattoos for girls, grey background, long black hair

sun and moon tattoo on both arms, white top, tattoos for girls on wrist

sun and moon, tattoo on both wrists, rings on the fingers, chest tattoos for females

Fun small tattoos

Small tattoos are an excellent way to add some whimsy and fun to your ink collection. These fun designs can express your personality and make you smile every time you see them. There are numerous methods to convey your playful side, ranging from charming animals and funny symbols to light-hearted statements and little cartoon images.

Smile 🙂

smile tattoo on the finger, black keyboard, tattoos for women

A little something for all the dog lovers

dog smelling a flower, tattoo on the neck, tattoos for women, brown hair in a bun

lotus flower, tattoo on the ankle, tattoos for women, white fluffy blanket

purple flowers, tattoo on the ankle, tattoos for women, white bricks background

The bird is a symbol of freedom

small bird tattoo on the shoulder, tattoos for women, black and white chevron background

think positive inscription, chest tattoos for females, tattoo on the wrist, mountain in the background

chest tattoos for females, love me more inscription, white sneakers, tattoo on the ankle

elephants in love, tattoo on the shoulder, denim jacket, tattoo designs for women, white background

blonde hair in a ponytail, tattoo designs for women, moon tattoo behind the ear

safety pin tattoo on the hand, flowers phone case, tattoo designs for women, grey blouse

angel wings, tattoo on the ankle, white sneakers, tattoo designs for women, white trousers

geometrical flower, tattoo on the forearm, tattoos for girls on hand, white background, grey blouse

flower tattoo on the hand, long brown hair, tattoos for girls on hand, ring on the finger

small bike tattoo on the wrist, girl holding a bottle in her arms, tattoos for girls on hand

wave tattoo below the ankle, ankle bracelets, tattoos for girls on hand, legs in the sand on the beach

believe in yourself inscription, tattoo on the shoulder, blonde hair, meaningful tattoo ideas

meaningful tattoo ideas, bird tattoo on the shoulder, silver necklace, grey blouse

lightning tattoo on the wrist, meaningful tattoo ideas, black and white striped blouse, white background

Small tattoos for girls who love cats

cat tattoo on the neck, blonde hair in a bun, white background, tattoos for women with meaning

dots and arrow tattoo on the hand, white shirt, blurred background, tattoos for women with meaning

tattoos for women with a meaning, black hair in a bun, evil eye tattoo on the neck, black and white striped shirt

faith inscription, tattoos for women with meaning, pink nail polish, tattoo on the wrist, white fluffy blanket

geometrical hearts, tattoo on the forearm, small tattoo ideas for women, his and hers tattoo

pink flower and inscription, tattoo on the shoulder, small tattoo ideas for women, golden necklace

The lotus is a symbol of purity and beauty

lotus flower, tattoo above the elbow, white top, small tattoo ideas for women, black background

geometrical dog tattoo, white and wood background, tattoos for girls on wrists

A small plane for the travelling adventurer

plane and a heart, tattoo on the chest, black and white top, tattoos for girls on wrist, black nail polish

brown hair in a bun, triangle tattoo on the back, female tattoos gallery, black straps, white background

It takes a lot of courage to get yourself tattooed. After all, it is something that stays with you for the rest of your life. Although tattoos can be removed, it is usually costly and painful, and they are never really fully gone. So, before you get a tattoo, make sure it is the right one for you. What’s more, if you have decided that you want something small just for you, there are many beautiful small tattoos, which are just as beautiful as the big ones. Plus, a small tattoo is less noticeable and easier to remove, just in case you decide you don’t want it anymore.

There are many small tattoos you can get

white knitted bathing suit, create inscription, female tattoos gallery, tattoo above the elbow

 

Maria Konou

Maria Konou is a specialist in the field of digital marketing and fashion. However, she has always had a way with words. That’s what led her to her dream job here at Archzine. She has worked in many different fields over the years, but according to her, being an author has been the most rewarding. Maria is a huge plant enthusiast, loves everything fashion-related, is very sustainably aware, and is always open to learning about new things.