Birth flower tattoos are having a massive moment right now. Honestly, it’s not hard to see why. People are moving away from those giant, abstract tribal pieces and leaning into something more personal, delicate, and frankly, meaningful. But if you’re looking into a july flower of the month tattoo, you might realize pretty quickly that things aren’t as straightforward as just "picking a flower."
July is unique. It doesn't just have one floral representative; it has two that couldn't be more different if they tried. You’ve got the Larkspur and the Water Lily. One reaches for the sky with sharp, jagged edges, while the other floats peacefully on the surface of a pond. Choosing between them—or figuring out how to ink them both—is where the real art happens.
The Larkspur: More Than Just a Pretty Purple Spike
Most people see a Larkspur and think "pretty." But in the tattoo world, the Larkspur is a bit of a rebel. It’s part of the Delphinium family, and while it looks soft, it’s actually toxic if ingested. There’s a metaphor in there somewhere about beauty having a bit of a bite, isn't there?
When you get a july flower of the month tattoo featuring the Larkspur, you're usually leaning into themes of strong bonds and an open heart. But the color matters. A lot. Traditionally, pink Larkspurs represent fickleness—sorta like that summer fling that didn't last past August. Purple represents first love. White? That’s about a happy-go-lucky nature.
Tattoo artists like Zaya, who specializes in fine-line florals, often point out that the Larkspur's verticality is its best asset. Because it grows in a long, tall spike (a raceme, if we're being nerdy), it fits perfectly on the forearm, the spine, or the side of the calf. It follows the natural lines of the body. You don't want a Larkspur just floating in the middle of your back; it needs to "climb."
Water Lilies and the Hidden Depth of July
Then there’s the Water Lily. If the Larkspur is the fire of July, the Water Lily is the ice. It’s the secondary birth flower for the month, and it’s deeply rooted in ancient symbolism, particularly in Egyptian and Buddhist cultures.
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The Water Lily represents rebirth. It’s a bit of a cliché to say it "rises from the mud," but that’s exactly what it does. Every night it closes and sinks, and every morning it re-emerges clean and perfect. If you’ve had a rough year and you’re looking for a july flower of the month tattoo that signifies a fresh start, this is the one.
Design-wise, Water Lilies are tough. They’re round. They’re wide. They don't have the "flow" of a rose or a lily. To make a Water Lily look good as a tattoo, you usually need a bit of "water" around it—maybe some negative space ripples or a soft blue wash. Without context, a Water Lily can sometimes look like a random cabbage if the artist isn't careful with the shading. That’s just the truth.
Composition: How to Not Regret Your July Tattoo
Here’s the thing about birth flower tattoos: people often try to cram too much in. You want the July flower, but then you want your mom’s August poppy and your kid’s October marigold. It gets messy. Fast.
If you’re sticking strictly to July, you have to decide if you’re a "bold color" person or a "black and grey" person.
- Fine Line and Micro-Realism: This is huge right now. Think of artists like Dr. Woo. Very thin needles, lots of detail. A fine-line Larkspur looks incredible because you can see the tiny individual petals. The downside? They fade faster. You’ll be back for a touch-up in five years.
- American Traditional: Imagine a Larkspur but with thick black outlines and saturated purples. It’s not "delicate," but it’ll last until you’re ninety.
- Illustrative/Woodcut: This style mimics old botanical sketches from the 1800s. It’s timeless. It looks like it belongs in a museum.
A lot of folks are starting to experiment with "floral bouquets" where they mix the Larkspur and the Water Lily. It’s a bit of a stylistic clash—one tall, one flat—but a talented artist can bridge that gap using stems or "filler" greens like baby’s breath or ferns.
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The Science and History (Because Context is Cool)
The Larkspur gets its name from its spurred sepal, which apparently looks like the claw of a lark. People used to think these flowers could drive away scorpions. Honestly, they probably can't, so don't try it. But that history of "protection" is a cool layer to add to your tattoo's personal meaning.
In the Victorian "Language of Flowers" (Floriography), giving someone a Larkspur was a very specific message. You weren't just saying "I like you." You were saying something about your "attachments." It was a high-stakes floral game.
Water Lilies, or Nymphaeaceae, have been around for about 125 million years. They are literal dinosaurs of the flower world. When you put that on your skin, you’re wearing a design that has outlasted almost everything else on Earth. That’s a pretty heavy thought for a Tuesday afternoon at the tattoo shop.
Placement and Pain: The Reality Check
Look, tattoos hurt. But some spots hurt more than others, especially with floral designs that require a lot of "stippling" or shading.
- The Ribs: If you’re putting a long Larkspur here, get ready. It’s a beautiful spot, especially following the curve of the ribcage, but it’s high on the pain scale.
- The Inner Forearm: The gold standard for a july flower of the month tattoo. It’s flat, it takes detail well, and the pain is totally manageable. Plus, you get to look at it every day.
- The Sternum: Water Lilies look incredible here. The circular shape of the flower fits the "center" of the chest perfectly. But man, the vibration on the breastbone is no joke.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't go too small. That’s the biggest piece of advice any reputable artist will give you. Flowers have intricate parts—pistils, stamens, delicate petal folds. If you try to shrink a Larkspur down to the size of a quarter on your wrist, it’s going to look like a purple smudge in a decade. Ink spreads under the skin over time; it's just biology. Give the design room to breathe.
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Another thing? Watch the "stem." Beginners often draw stems as straight, boring lines. In nature, stems curve. They have knots. They lean toward the light. A "perfectly straight" flower tattoo looks fake and static. You want movement. You want it to look like it’s growing out of you, not just pasted on.
Why July Tattoos Stand Out
July is the heart of summer. It’s associated with heat, vibrancy, and life at its peak. Whether you choose the Larkspur for its height and "haughty" beauty or the Water Lily for its serene, "enlightened" vibe, you’re capturing a specific energy.
I’ve seen people get these tattoos to commemorate birthdays, sure. But I’ve also seen them for "sobriety birthdays" or the anniversary of a major life change that happened in July. The flower becomes a symbol of that specific time. It’s a marker.
Making It Yours: Actionable Steps
If you’re ready to pull the trigger on a july flower of the month tattoo, don't just walk into a shop and point at a wall.
- Research your artist's specialty. If you want a soft, watercolor Water Lily, don't go to an artist who only does bold, traditional skulls. Check their Instagram. Look for healed photos, not just fresh ones.
- Decide on the "variety." There are dozens of species of Larkspur. Some are more clustered; some are more spread out. Print out photos of the actual plant to show your artist.
- Think about the "meaning" versus the "aesthetic." Sometimes the flower that "fits" your birth month isn't the one you like looking at. That's okay! You can always incorporate elements of both or use the July flower as a small accent to a larger piece.
- Consider the longevity of color. Purples and blues—the common colors for July flowers—tend to hold up better than yellows or light pinks, but they still need sun protection. Buy some high-SPF sunscreen. Seriously.
The most important thing is that the piece feels like you. Whether it's a tiny, hidden Water Lily behind your ear or a massive Larkspur sleeve, it's a piece of your story. July is a month of high sun and deep water; pick the flower that matches your own current.
Once you have your reference photos ready, book a consultation. Most artists won't charge for a quick 15-minute chat to see if your ideas align. It’s the best way to ensure that what’s in your head actually ends up on your skin in a way that looks good for the next forty years.
Next Steps for Your Tattoo Journey:
- Identify your preferred style: Do you like the "sketchy" look or "clean" lines?
- Collect 3-5 reference images: Use photos of real flowers, not just other tattoos, to give the artist a unique starting point.
- Verify the flower type: Ensure you're looking at Consolida (Larkspur) and not its cousin the Delphinium if you want strict botanical accuracy, as they are often confused.
- Choose your placement: Consider how the verticality of the Larkspur or the circularity of the Water Lily fits your body's natural anatomy.
- Find an artist: Search for "botanical tattoo artist" in your city and review their portfolio specifically for floral work.