December birth flower tattoo

Narcissus and Holly

Faithfulness and hope for the narcissus; protection and endurance through winter for holly.

How narcissus works as a tattoo

Holly gives sharp, defined leaf edges that hold up well in blackwork and age better than soft petals.

Where to put it

A single bloom suits a wrist, ankle or shoulder. Several flowers together — a family bouquet, for instance — need the space of a forearm, thigh or back. Check how much each placement hurts on the pain chart before deciding.

Styles that suit it

Floral work sits naturally in minimalist and fine-line, in blackwork where the silhouette carries the design, in watercolor when you want the colour to bleed, and in old school where bold outlines keep it readable for decades.

Other months