Spine tattoos for women are sexy, elegant, and classy. Some yoga enthusiasts also get spine tattoos to symbolize strength as they are quite painful tattoos to get! The meaning behind each tattoo is unique to its wearer and the choice of placement will be too.
Personally, I have the whole top of my back tattooed and it was one of the most intense tattoos I have ever gotten. So I decided to have a look at what other people had done in the same spot:
1. Dainty Heart
This style of tattooing is becoming increasingly popular, especially in my country. An amalgamation of all sorts of symbols, numbers, and even braille, it’s hard to make it not look too cluttered.
But this artist worked it all out perfectly! I love the focal point of the heart growing flowers out of it and the little bird. It is perfectly placed, and the line work is so soft and delicate.
2. Pattern
These ornamental pattern tattoos are simply stunning. From experience, I know how hard it is to get each side perfectly symmetrical and this artist did such a good job!
I love that each dot is exactly the same size, and the black areas are well-saturated. I especially like how it flows with the spine going from thin, to a large design in the center to thin again.
3. Flower spine tattoo
I will always love these ornamental-meets-organic tattoos. They are so clean and simplistic while still being interesting to look at.
The placement of this tattoo is perfect for the design. I really like the solid areas of black contrasting the fine line work. The artist really paid attention to the symmetry and I see almost zero flaws in this woman’s spine tattoo.
4. Koi
Koi tattoos represent perseverance, strength, and overcoming battles and this tattoo captures those traits perfectly.
I enjoy the asymmetry in this design, with the fish swimming toward each other and the different geometric shapes behind them. The design flows beautifully on the spine, and I especially like the soft grey shading and the complimentary fine lines.
5. Japanese Dragon
Dragons are becoming increasingly popular tattoos to get on the spine. They are usually done in red ink so this one stood out for me for being in black.
I absolutely love the anatomical aspects of this tattoo. Dragons are notoriously difficult to draw with their twirling bellies and expressive claws. I love the bold line work, deep shading, and super tough face. If you’re also a fan of dragon tattoos, I suggest you check out our list of 20 Chinese Dragon Tattoos.
6. Soft Wolf
This is such a unique take on a wolf tattoo! I love that the artist chose to use a wolf looking to the side instead of a forward-facing one.
The flowers soften the tattoo and flow beautifully along the client’s back. The line work is super fine and dainty, and the dot work shading adds a nice texture.
7. Reed
A simple and clean tattoo that still makes a statement! I love the contrast between the dark, flowing reed flower and the use of open skin and fine lines in the stem.
The placement of this tattoo fits the body perfectly, with long flowing leaves coming onto the sides of the back. If you like this tattoo, I recommend you check out our list of 22 Beautiful Plant Tattoos.
8. Watercolour Flower
This is such an interesting take on a watercolor tattoo, it almost looks like it was painted right onto the client’s spine.
I absolutely love the absence of line work in this tattoo, it works perfectly with the style! The opaque greys and the soft painterly textures are a beautiful touch. This tattoo is so feminine and flows perfectly with the body.
9. Fern
This tattoo is a real statement piece and I’m loving it.
Natural elements like leaves fit the body so well, and I really like that the artist chose a fern that is not symmetrical. The line work is very fine and I love the soft whip shading in the leaves. This tattoo will be timeless!
10. Abstract
Abstract tattoo designs are unlimited, and each is usually unique to its wearer. They symbolize moving away from the norm, and I think this tattoo captures that perfectly.
I like how the artist chose to do this tattoo in a more shaded style so that it almost looks like a flowing ring of smoke. It fits the body beautifully and has a feminine element to it. A truly unique and abstract tattoo!
11. Spirited Away
Spirited Away is one of my favorite movies of all time and this tattoo perfectly captures everything about it.
I love the use of a panel in the background, with the iconic colors from the film. Having Haku in the forefront overlapping with the panel makes it the focal point of this tattoo which is so perfect. The artist saturated the colors very well, and the thinner black line work speaks well to this style of tattooing.
12. Peony
Another example of a really dynamic and interesting dragon tattoo! The peony flower has so much movement to it, and I love how the dragon interacts with it.
The artist used just the right line weight for this tattoo. It is thin and clean, and the heavy black in the leaves and the dragon contrast so well with the light shades in the peony. The placement and flow with the body is spot on!
13. Red Ink
This tattoo stood out to me because it is not the usual red dragon you often see on Pinterest and Instagram.
I like that they chose to use a floral element and much bolder lines. I think that this tattoo will stand the test of time! If you enjoy this tattoo, I suggest you check out our list of Red Ink Tattoos.
14. Neo-Tribal
Neo-Tribal is a fairly new style in the tattoo world. It takes the idea of old school Tribal and merges it with a Bio-Mechanical element. Instead of the usual solid black shapes, artists use shading and thinner line work.
What I love most about this tattoo is how perfectly it flows with the body. It looks like a spine with a set of wings coming off of it. It is organic and almost ethereal, and the line work is so precise and symmetrical. A really cool and dynamic tattoo!
15. Strawberry
I love strawberries so much that I have two strawberry tattoos and one strawberry scarification piece so naturally, I had to include this one on the list when I saw it.
It is so dynamic and unique! I love the dot work style that the artist used for this tattoo and the dripping element that it has. The leaves are so cool and expressive, and I really like the subtle use of white on the strawberry seeds.
If you like tattoos like this, I recommend checking out our list of 25 Wild and Wonderful Mushroom Tattoos.
16. Panel
This was such an interesting tattoo that I had to include it on the list. I like the Eastern pattern vibe that its got going on.
It fits the body extremely well, and the straight lines on the sides of the panel are perfect! I really like the use of dark black shading juxtaposed with the heavy use of open skin. A perfectly symmetrical, striking, and unique tattoo.
17. Mandala spine tattoo
In Buddhism, mandalas are used to symbolize the balance of body and mind which make them the perfect tattoo to get on your spine!
I like how simple this mandala is, it has a lot of breathing room and a gorgeous natural element to it. The fine line work is so clean and everything looks symmetrical which is difficult to achieve.
18. Moon Phases
Moon tattoos symbolize magic, dreams, and growth.
This tattoo perfectly captures the essence of those things, especially with the beautiful soft shading and the gentle transition from the waxing moon to the waning moon. I love how it sits perfectly in the middle of the back, guiding the eye from the neck down the spine.
19. Butterfly spine tattoo
This tattoo makes such a bold statement! I love the use of different butterflies as opposed to just replicating the same one. I like the heavy use of black and the fine detail lines in the wings
20. Text
Script tattoos along the spine are extremely popular – I’ve done two in the past week alone! The spine is a beautiful spot to put your most treasured sentences.
I really like the choice of font for this tattoo and the beautiful saying. The artist showed great consistency as each letter is perfect, and the contoured thicker lines are clean and precise.
21. Elegant spine tattoo
This is another example of how perfect text can look on the spine.
I love that the artist chose to make the stem of the flower the word. The flower sits beautifully on the top of the spine, and I love the choice of just doing line work with no shading. The line work is so clean and fine! A beautiful, feminine tattoo.
BONUS: Lotus Flower
I got to do this tattoo for a very brave and strong person. I really like that she chose to get a lotus flower which symbolizes rising above temptation and becoming a better person. I especially love the softer shading in the flower and the font that we decided to use. The whole tattoo suits her beautifully
