So, you're thinking about getting an august flower of the month tattoo. It's a vibe. Honestly, August is one of those rare months that feels both like a beginning and an ending, and the flowers associated with it—the gladiolus and the poppy—reflect that weird, beautiful tension perfectly. Most people just walk into a shop, point at a pretty picture of a red flower, and call it a day. But if you're going to put permanent ink on your skin, you should probably know that these two blooms carry some heavy historical baggage and surprisingly deep symbolism that goes way beyond "it's my birth month."
The Gladiolus: More Than Just a "Sword Lily"
The gladiolus is the primary birth flower for August. Its name comes from the Latin word gladius, which literally means sword. If you’ve ever seen one in a garden, you get it. They’re tall, sharp, and look like they’re ready for a fight. In Ancient Rome, these flowers were actually associated with gladiators. Legend has it that some gladiators wore gladiolus corms around their necks as a sort of protective amulet to keep them from dying in the arena.
When you choose a gladiolus for an august flower of the month tattoo, you aren't just getting a floral design. You're getting a symbol of strength and integrity. It’s a "backbone" flower. Because they grow on a tall spike, they represent standing your ground. It's a great choice if you've overcome something massive lately.
The color matters too, obviously. A yellow gladiolus usually signals joy or a "sunny" disposition, while purple ones lean into grace and royalty. If you go for red, you're talking about deep, heart-felt infatuation. Most tattoo artists will tell you that the verticality of the gladiolus makes it a nightmare for small spaces. Don't try to cram this on a wrist unless you want it to look like a green stick. It belongs on a forearm, a calf, or running up the side of the ribs.
The Poppy: Sleep, Death, and Memory
Then there’s the poppy. This is the other august flower of the month tattoo option, and it’s arguably more popular because of its aesthetic. It’s delicate. It’s moody. It’s got that paper-thin petal texture that looks incredible in a fine-line or watercolor tattoo style.
But the poppy is complicated.
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Historically, the red poppy is the symbol of remembrance, specifically for those lost in WWI, inspired by John McCrae’s poem "In Flanders Fields." It grew in the churned-up earth of battlefields. It’s a flower of resilience, sure, but it’s also a flower of mourning. If your August birthday feels like a bittersweet time, or if you’re honoring someone who passed away in August, the poppy is a heavy-hitter.
On the flip side, the Greeks and Romans linked poppies to sleep. Morpheus, the god of dreams, lived in a cave surrounded by poppies. If you're someone who values peace, rest, or even the "dreamy" side of life, a poppy tattoo hits that mark. White poppies are often used to symbolize consolation, while yellow poppies (like the California variety) represent wealth and success.
Mixing Both Flowers into One Piece
Why choose? A lot of people are starting to combine both for their august flower of the month tattoo.
It’s a cool contrast. You have the rigid, upright structure of the gladiolus clashing with the drooping, fragile silhouette of the poppy. It’s a "strength vs. vulnerability" narrative. In terms of composition, having the gladiolus act as the "anchor" or the background while the poppies weave around the base creates a lot of movement.
I talked to a tattooist in Brooklyn last year who mentioned that August tattoos are some of her most requested because the visual language is so diverse. You aren't stuck with just a rose or a daisy. You have architectural options.
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Style Guide: Which Technique Should You Use?
- Fine Line: Poppies were made for this. The way the stems bend is super elegant in a single-needle style.
- Traditional (Americana): Bold red poppies with heavy black outlines are timeless. The gladiolus is harder to pull off in Trad because it's so detailed, but a simplified "sword" version works.
- Neo-Traditional: This is probably the "sweet spot." You get the vibrant colors—think deep magentas for the gladiolus—with enough detail to make the petals look realistic.
- Blackwork: Don't sleep on all-black. A black and grey gladiolus looks like a vintage botanical illustration. It's sophisticated.
The Reality of Placement and Pain
Let’s be real for a second. Rib tattoos hurt. If you want a full-length gladiolus, you're looking at a multi-hour session on a sensitive area. The "August flower" theme often leads people toward the "birth flower bouquet" look, where they add flowers for their kids or partners.
If you're doing a bouquet, put the gladiolus in the center. It’s the "tall" one. It provides the height. Wrap the poppies around the bottom to fill the negative space.
One thing people get wrong? Thinking poppies have to be red. They don't. A blue Himalayan poppy is stunning in a tattoo, even though it's not the "traditional" August color. It adds a bit of mystery.
Common Misconceptions About August Flowers
People often think the poppy is "only" for veterans or that the gladiolus is "only" a funeral flower. While it's true that gladioli are common in funeral sprays because of their height and elegance, that shouldn't stop you. In a tattoo context, the meaning shifts to whatever you want it to be.
Another mistake? Ignoring the foliage. The leaves of a gladiolus are sword-shaped (hence the name). They are just as important as the petals for identifying the flower. If your artist draws generic round leaves, it’s not a gladiolus anymore; it’s just a tall flower. Make sure they get those sharp, pointed leaves right.
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Things to Tell Your Tattoo Artist
When you go in for your august flower of the month tattoo consultation, bring photos of real plants, not just other tattoos. Look at botanical prints from the 1800s. They show the anatomy of the flower better than a filtered Instagram post. Tell them if you want the "strength" aspect of the gladiolus or the "remembrance" aspect of the poppy to be the focal point.
Also, ask about ink longevity. Poppies have very thin petals. If you go too light on the shading, it’ll look like a red blob in five years. You need those "breaks" of skin or dark contrast to keep the shape defined.
Next Steps for Your August Tattoo
Before you book that appointment, do these three things:
- Check the species: Look up "Oriental Poppy" versus "California Poppy." They look completely different. Figure out which silhouette you actually like.
- Map the flow: Look at your body. A gladiolus needs a "long" canvas. A poppy can fit almost anywhere. Decide if you want a vertical piece or a cluster.
- Color test: If you’re going for color, talk to your artist about how reds and purples heal on your specific skin tone. Red ink, in particular, can be tricky for some people's skin to hold.
Take your time with the design. An august flower of the month tattoo is a permanent piece of your personal history, so it's worth getting the botanical details right. Look for an artist who specializes in "botanical" or "illustrative" styles to ensure the flowers look like they could actually grow out of your skin.