73 stunning back tattoos

1) Curiouser and Curiouser

There’s nothing like your favorite book to inspire you to beautifully mark your body. Or perhaps, a hundred of your favorite books! The detail on the shoulder brings this one all together.

2) In My Native Tongue

Foreign language inscriptions are so in and so powerful. Though in this case, this flower is inscripted in this woman’s native tongue, done by a Russian tattoo artist.

3) Off to Neverland

This girl wanted the Peter Pan siblings and the young man himself on her upper back. This just goes to show you that spine tattoos don’t have to extend to your tailbone.

4) Pining for Tattoos

This abstract pine tree is everything. She wears it so beautifully too! The green and blue watercolors, the dark crevice, and the sharp lines of the lovely pine! It is all a work of art.

5) Back to Nature

Plants are quickly becoming one of the most popular spine tattoos. Their natural shape works well and they have an earthy aura that makes you feel at one with the world.

6) More Planets

There’s something about the planets on your back that’s super stellar, or perhaps interstellar. This time, the sun is visible and all nine planets are included yet again. Way to go!

7) Lives in Her Hair

This may seem creepy to some but it is more beautiful than you’d imagine. Not only is the Black Widow so well done, but that mark on the spider’s back is done in pink to honor this girl’s mother who battled breast cancer.

8) And Let Them Begin

This is where our love of watercolor tattoos shall begin. Not the easiest task but it does turn out beautiful. The buds here droop in an emotional way while the deep red blossoms bloom!

9) Just Imagine

This is a fan favorite. It’s both deep and whimsical. Every detail matters and each one makes us smile. From the sweet boy with the scarf to the moon the rose grows on, it’s perfect!

10) New Life

These beautiful cherry blossoms do a lot of good for this woman’s back. Cherry blossoms, or Sakura, represent new beginnings, the fleeting nature of life, and natural beauty.

11) The Whole System

Since you have your whole back to work with, getting the Solar System on it is a marvelous idea. In this case, the head acts as the sun and the planets follow. They even added poor old Pluto.

12) Music to My Spine

We all love music and there’s a part of each of us that smiles when we see sheet music like this. Especially in such a pure form of art as a tattoo. So well executed too!

13) Taken Literally

Let’s hope this wasn’t a mix-up of someone coming in and asking for a “spine tattoo” because they will be shocked of they didn’t want a literal spine. Nevertheless, this looks boss.

14) Do You Believe?

This is a little bit of magic and a lot of creativity. The simple wand hold so many stories and so many spells it wishes to share with this woman, and the world she loves.

15) In Remembrance

This pretty little idea can be done in remembrance of a lost canine friend or your best friend you hope stays with you for years to come. Either way, he definitely left his mark on her heart.

16) How Koi

The Yin and Yang Koi fish paired with this dreamcatcher merge two of the most spiritual cultures on earth. The Japanese and Native American. Does it get any more beautiful than that?

17) Never Stop

Dragonflies are beautiful creatures. They represent change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization. In the end, it all adds up to a understanding of the deeper meaning of life.

18) Do You See Them?

This abstract tattoo is one side of his and hers tattoo where the faces stare at each other. Her back mirrors his and the two are one. Though each of them is a complete pair on their own.

19) Life Source

There are two meanings to this tree. The evergreen lives forver, and it is our life source, as the life line suggests. But the life line also shows a reflection of the tree, one of nature’s greatest wonders.

20) Stages of Life

Though there are different trees represented here, they all show growth, how it happens, and how important it is to the seasons, and to our lives. Trees never cease to show us something important.

21) Tulips to Love You

This tattoo was called “Tulips Bloom” and the tattoo artist enjoyed doing it so much that she said she missed it whenever she was finished. Why not bring her another one?

22) You’ll Never Understand

This is an intense scientific symbol with a spiritual aura to it. The complex neutron wishes for you to dive into the center. This is exactly what should go on a spine.

23) The Last Peony

Obviously, peonies are pretty popular because of this tattoo artist tires of doing them. She asks us all to think about all the different plants in the world and try to be unique. But peonies are so pretty!

24) Where the Fern Grows

Ferns are very popular and very pretty. They already look like a spine so it makes sense why people are constantly adding them to their back. This photography is also perfect with real ferns around the work of art.

25) The Black Rose

Is there a more perfect pair than black and pink? The pink color is soft, genuine, and serene while black is deep, meaningful, and hearty. Together, the balance each other out much like a rose and its thorns.

26) To Every Whole

This spine tattoo is almost as amazing as this model’s arm tattoo. But we are here for the spine, and those simple spheres have more depth than we’ve seen on any back.

27) A Lot Going On

This might just be the most intricate design that we’ve seen and how can you not fall in love with it? This must have taken so much time and dedication, this artist deserves an award.

28) Soft and Sweet

This sweet flower seems to match this woman’s personality and that’s what tattoos are all about. Self-expression! This goes a long way in helping decide which tattoo you want to get.

29) Water Colors At Their Best

Like I said, water colors never cease to amaze! Though this one isn’t a flower or a butterfly, it just means that is its own inspiration. It defines itself just as we do.

30) Upstream

This beautiful Japanese Beta fish is about as beautiful as it has ever been on this lady’s back. The stream along with it makes this a struggle, but she will always overcome.

31) Moscow Wonder

This cornflower represents a, “positive hope for the future, the Cornflower is a humble reminder of nature’s simple beauty and the fullness of life’s cycle.”

32) An Adventure Awaits

Is there anything like a compass to get you itching for adventure? This one points North, and we know what that means! Keep moving forward, and don’t let life get in the way of living it.

33) A Simple Life

These are words to live by. Life doesn’t need to be full of variety, but simple. If variety is what you want, make it a simple sort. This woman wants simplicity, yet gets a rainbow tattoo. That is a lesson that we all need to learn.

34) Your Gift

We are all a gift, and this bow reminds us of that. Not only is it her gift bow though, but it’s also the most adorable anime bow that we have ever seen! That dimensional art is on point.

35) Never Cover Them

This brave woman had lower back surgery and that did little to discourag eher from getting the tattoo of the century. She even made sure not to cover her battle scars like the champ she is.

36) Belgian Beauty

This tattoo of water lilies makes us remember how much we love those flowers. They represent everything pure in this world such as innocence, purity, fertility, pleasure, celebration, hope, rebirth, wellness, and peace.

37) Two Halves of a Whole

This reminds me of the balance Yin and Yang represent. The flower is a whole together, but still so beautiful apart. They need each other, yet when as long as they are touching, they are one.

38) Hardly a Drop

There’s barley a drop of color here as the deep purple touches blend it so well with the black. It suits the deep, dark, and meaningful aura of the canvas wearing the tattoo.

39) Mesmerizing

This took quite the concentration. You don’t see many spine tattoos on men so it’s really refreshing to see someone like this take the plunge. It was a good choice and is as unique as can be!

40) Her First

Yes, this is her first tattoo. Her name is Jazmin and she wanted to represent with her namesake. She took it all like a champ and maybe for round two, she’ll color it all in!

41) Every Rose Has Purpose

These numbers mean more to her than you’ll ever understand. And each vine is void of thorns as she’s already picked them all in order to prevent any others from getting pricked.

42) Never Forget

This simple flower is perfect right down to the end of the stem. Each bud has a purpose and each leaf will turn over. This is another one of those simple yet intricate beauties you will yearn for.

43) Dotted to Perfection

The dot work here is excellent, symmetrical, and intricate. The symbols are simple yet meaningful and truly represent the style of the canvas.

44) Another Plum

These Chinese flowers are called plum blossoms and they represent ultimate virtue, perseverance and hope, as well as beauty, purity, and the transitoriness of life.

45) Imagination

In this case, the art becomes the artist. You can imagine this brush drawing whatever you like along this beautiful woman’s spine. It’s all up to you and your imagination.

46) Fire and Ice

Game of Thrones fan or simple want to open your mind? This spiritual art shows the coming together of nature. The fire may burn down the tree the water protects, but without it, the water would simply be nice.

47) Wanderlust

This beautiful simple flower is done in black and white, showing us that it isn’t neccessary to add color to make a statement. This beauty drips down the spine as perfect as can be.

48) A Changing of Seasons

Whether you’ve lost the weight, want to show your pride, or have made a promise to yourself to become more of who you were meant to be. These leaves represent the best changes in our lives.

49) The Subtle Love

This sweet daisy is so subtle, that we feel like it whispers the word written with its stem. This is a wonderful piece of inspiration for those who love the sweet whisper a tattoo can bring.

50) Make a Wish

Dandelions are for dreamers. If you don’t like them, you should work a little less and dream a little more. Seize the day and make the most of the life that you have left.

51) Wheat for Me

With hair like golden flax, she matched her tatoo to her prettiest features. Not really, she’s a brunette, but that sure is a great idea for a spine tattoo!

52) Simple Rose

A simple rose just might be the most beautiful spine tattoo one can get. It’s not only pretty and calming, but will go with absolutely anything that you wear!

53) Old Meets New

Rememeber when those heart tribal tattoos were super in? This soul hopped on that wagon and has now just hopped on the spine tattoo wagon. Boy, are we glad they did or we’d never be able to see this gorgeous creation.

54) Never Stop Lavender

Lavender is still one of the most popular flowers in tattoos and in general. That’s because lavender simply smells good, has a good aura, and is gosh darn pretty!

55) Her Own Beauty

These Chinese flowers meant something to this beautiful woman and to us, they appreciate their beauty. The way the stem extends all the way down the back is something we need to see more of.

56) Origami Cuties

What’s your favorite animal? Can’t decide? Get them all! And what better way than the origami way? It take skill to create origami out of paper, but what about ink?

57) Standing True

There’s nothing more wholesome than representing your own beliefs in your tattoo. In this one, each symbol connects, showing us this woman’s hope that humanity can one day too.

58) More Than Moon Phases

These aren’t just phases of the moon. If you look closely, you’ll see little worlds on each of these moons. A unique flower on each and every one, letting you know there’s always more than meets the eye.

59) Blackwork

This is a pretty tattoo! The symbolic sun shines down on all nine planets again, never forgetting our little Pluto. The cresent moons and dreamcatcher outline in the background holds many dreams indeed.

60) What are Colors?

Have we said how much we love watercolor tattoos? It seems impossible to do with a needle but somehow they pull it off every time. Such an accomplishment!

61) Bathed in Sunlight

This has to be my favorite. It may be because the picture is so well taken on the beach and it may be because the flowers accentuate everything we love about our backs.

62) To Each Their Own

Each of these butterflies has their very own flower to call home and the helix shape of the vine does nothing but soothe the soul. This is defintiely one to keep an eye on.

63) Transform Yourself

There’s nothing quite like a butterfly to represent chanage in the best way. A butterfly doesn’t change who she is, but rather she transforms into a better version of herself.

64) That Perfect Blue

This color of blue is more than perfect for her skin tone and in general. This olive branch represents so much and should be cherished just as the line work executed in this design.

65) Released

You can tell these birds are significant to this woman. They are being released from some planet. And underneath, a symbol that you just can’t ignore. Have you ever met a bird tattoo that you didn’t like?

66) Stunningly Simple

This flower is one of the best we’ve seen when it comes to single stem creations. Not to mention, Japanese Kanji only makes tattoos more unique and beautiful.

67) The Stars Agree

These celestials bodies feel light years away yet they sit right in front of us on this human back. Each and every detail here is gorgeous, and that color was perfectly chosen.

68) A Dripping Beauty

If you’re beauty doesn’t leak, you aren’t doing it right. This rose is every bit as beautiful as the next, but it is bleeding love liek ther’s no tomorrow with so much grace.

69) The Spine Tree

This tattoo artist claims that this is a “spine tree” and we think that is about as clever as you can get! This pine follows the same path and is the backbone of not only forests, but our very breath of air.

70) Not a Phase

You can stare at this one for hours and not truly understand every meaning this holds to the person wearing it. The cottage, Vancouver, British Columbia, the dots, the circles. This is a special tattoo.

71) More Sakura

Cherry Blossoms are the number one flower used in tattoos for women. Their popularity never ceases to rise and we see why. They are a big hit every time.

72) Little Beauties

This Baby’s Breath flower is rightfully named as it is as soft and sweet as the breath of a newborn baby. It is the perfect tiny flower to add to your spine as it gives off an aura of sweetness and serenity.

73) The Dot Work!

This tattoo has everything. The dot work is absolutely insane and tedious. The lines are perfectly straight. It has an abstract depth that one can’t explain, and the overlapped shading is done so well.