The rose symbolizes:

• perfection
• completion
• the mystery of life
• the heart center of life
• the unknown
• beauty
• grace
• happiness
• passion
• sensuality and seduction

In the symbolism of the heart the rose occupies the central point of the cross, the point of unity. As the flower of femininity it represents love, life, fertility, beauty, verginity, and creation. The thorns of the rose represent pain, blood, and martyrdom. The rose also represents eternal life and eternal Spring.

The different rose colors also have meaning:

Gold/yellow rose: perfection
Red rose: desire, passion, beauty, consummation, joy, charity
White rose: innocence, virginity, spiritual unfolding, charm
Red & white rose together: the union of fire and water, the union of opposites
Blue rose: unattainable, the impossible

The rosette and the Gothic rose also have wheel symbolism, denoting the unfolding of power, making the rose an emblematic equivalent (in Western culture) of the Asian Lotus. A secondary meaning of the rose is discretion.

Rose Symbolism & Mythology

Egyptian: roses were sacred to Isis because they symbolized true love free from any carnal ties.

Hebrew: the center of the rose is the sun and the petals are infinity.

Graeco-Roman: symbolizes love, joy, beauty, desire, and was an emblem of Aphrodite/Venus. Roses were brought at the Rosalia festival and scattered on graves. The Roman Emperor wore a crown of roses. The red rose was believed to grow from the blood of Adonis and was a symbol of Aurora, Helios, Dionysos and the Muses. Additionally, Cupid allegedly stopped gossip about Vanus’ indiscretions by bribing the god of silence with a rose. This led to the hanging of live roses or painting of roses above Roman council tables as a sign that conversation within the room was private or confidential.

However, not all cultures embrace the popularity of lower back tattoos on women. Some cultures deem women with tattoos in that area to have lower moral standards. In Australia for example, lower back tattoos on women have been given the slang name “arse antlers.” In some parts of America these tattoos are called “tramp stamps”. In towns that border Mexico they’re sometimes referred to as “Tijuana License Plates.”

Why to Choose Lower Back Tattoos

There are several reasons why the lower back is often chosen to display tattoos. For one, the lower back has a lot of horizontal space, which makes it a nice area for showcasing fairly wide tattoos. Women of all sizes can get tattoos in this area. The lower back can accommodate tattoo designs of different types and look very attractive. Usually, tattoos in the lower back area follow this pattern, i.e., narrow on each side and larger (or fuller) in the middle. Here are some free lower back tattoos examples:

Additionally, tattoos located in the lower back area can easily be covered up. They aren’t as easily visible as those on the next, hands, or arms, so they don’t pose a concern for those seeking employment in more conservative environments or public settings.

Also, if the tattoo wearer gains or loses weight, the chance that the tattoo design may become distorted or “faded” is decreased.

However, there are some other issues you should consider before getting a tattoo in the lower back area. The most prevalent issue is pain. If you are someone that already suffers from lower back pain, do you really want to have someone poke a needle into that area? Also, people with lower back pain often find it painful to lie on their stomach for long periods of time. Getting a lower back tattoo can take hours to complete depending on the complexity of the design. This also makes them fairly expensive because of the size of the design.

Lower Back Tattoo Safety Concerns

Some practitioners warn against administering epidurals to pregnant women with lower back tattoos because they believe there is a risk of infection or they believe some of the tattoo ink could be introduced into the epidural space. As such, some anesthesiologists may give an epidural block to women in labor that have lower back tattoos. It is important to note that there have been no studies linking tattoo wearers to delivery complications but women may want to err on the side of caution. Pregnant women with lower back tattoos should discuss these issues with their doctors.

When properly (symmetrically) drawn and inked, lower back tattoos can be very sexy and stylish on women and can last for many years. However, as with any tattoo, consider how you’ll feel about it when you’re much older!

Several celebrities have lower back tattoos. Here are a few to check out:

Angelina Jolie

Dave Navarro

Eva Longoria

For more information on lower back tattoos and to see additional photos of designs see the articles below:

Lower Back Tribal Tattoos

Lower Back Tattoos of Butterflies

More recently people get tattoos for cosmetic, magical, or sentimental reasons. Think of the number of celebrities that get tattoos that spell out the name of their spouse or significant other! Another recent trend is to get tattoos that indicate one’s association with a criminal organization, like a gang. And, in some cultures tattoos provide a link to one’s heritage, tribe, or ethnicity.

During World War II some Jews were forcibly tattooed with identification numbers while in concentration camps. Some Jews still wear those tattoos as a symbol of their struggle during that tragic time.

On some college campuses fraternity or sorority students get their greek symbols tattooed onto their bodies as a way of expressing their lifelong devotion to upholding the tenants of their fraternity or sorority.

Recent technology has made it easy to use tattoo techniques to replace traditional cosmetics. For example, some women get their eyebrows tattooed. Eyes can also be tattooed to remove the need for eyeliner. Dark moles can be covered by getting a tattoo the same color as one’s skin pigment. You can even get your lips permanently tattooed!