Reviewed & updated: October 19, 2022 by Jamie Wilson BA
Thinking about getting a new bee tattoo? This will save your time if you are bee-zy, because we have listed some of the mind-blowing tattoos.
Bees are known for the crucial part they play in the process of pollination and production of honey.
However, these tiny creatures have had major significance in different cultures throughout the history of mankind and this is why bee tattoos are one of the popular choices. The imagery or symbolism associated with bees can vary according to civilization.
In ancient Egyptian civilization, honey bees symbolized a reliable and trustworthy society also it was believed that from the tears of Ra (the Egyptian Sun God) worker bees came to be. Bees also symbolized birth, death, and resurrection in Egypt. The importance of bees cannot be confined within the boundaries of symbolism as they have prominent medicinal, economic and ritualistic purposes. In Ancient Greece, bees were referred to as ‘birds of muses’ because bees were associated with melodies and articulateness even ‘honeycomb’ is contemplated as one of the symbols of Aphrodite. In Christianity, the imagery of bees is attributed to chastity, wisdom, courage, and spirituality.
Now the question is what does a tattoo of a bee mean? well, the meaning of a bee tattoo may have different meanings. Nevertheless, the bee tattoo may represent unity, family, loyalty, and other things contrary to the wasp tattoo that signifies independence, aggressiveness, and rejection of parasitism. We have listed some of the amazing bee tattoos that you should check before getting inked.
Minimalist Bee Tattoos
The tedious part of getting a tattoo is to decide which tattoo designs to opt for as there are plenty of layouts to choose from. But what is more important is to get a tattoo that reflects your personality and brings out the best in you such as this minimal cute bee tattoo design that is simple yet chic.
The tattoo represents independent choice and getting a bee tattooed to your arm such as this minimal outlined tattoo could be a symbol of loyalty and dedication. The bee tattoo meaning may vary a lot as it can be a symbol of unity and family as well. If you are a newbie then you can go for a minimal bee tattoo.
If you want to flaunt your bee tattoo then check this little bee tattoo with slight shading that can be an appropriate option for you. Bees are very hardworking and also represent hard work and dedication in a person. Minimal tattoos do not require a lot of space and can be easily noticed.
The best part about getting a bee tattoo is they are extremely cute like this bee tattoo design. Tattoos do not have to be extremely detailed or practical to convey their meanings. A minimal tattoo can perfectly accentuate the elegance in your personality.
Now the question could be where to put a bee tattoo? well, minimal bee tattoo ideas can be easily implemented on the shoulder, neck, arms, chest, ankle, wrist, behind the ears, and other places as they do not require a lot of space.
Traditional Bee Tattoo
Traditional tattoos have evolved but they can be easily identified because of the bold lines and colourful ink that is being used in the process such as this traditional bee tattoo that has the classic yellow and black colour, this bee tattoo may represent courage in a person. Traditional tattoos may also have elements other than just one bee like the bright colour flowers or flowers surrounding the bee.
Neo-traditional tattoos draw a lot of inspiration from traditional tattoos as both of the styles are related. This style is an amalgamation of the classic and new just like this neo-traditional bee tattoo that is more illustrative than the traditional tattoo and if you want to cover your entire forearm then you should give this tattoo a shot.
Another design that can be added to the list of neo-traditional tattoos could be this bee tattoo on the wrist which is bound to catch a lot of eyes because of its bright yellow colour. It perfectly blends with the flamboyant disposition and is such a great piece of art.
Traditional tattoo designs are a great way to show respect to the existing art form with prominent symbolic significance.
Bumble Bee Tattoo
Bumblebee is comparatively bigger than the honey bee and fuzzier. They can control their temperature unlike honey bees and it symbolizes positivity, obligation, and ordinance. A bumblebee tattoo such as this one may accentuate the inner positivity of the person. If you are planning to get a moderate to big size bumblebee tattoo then a tattoo such as this one on the back is appropriate.
If a solo bumblebee tattoo may seem a little bland to you then you can check this idea where a cute bumblebee tattoo is paired with the amazing succulent on the sternum. A succulent tattoo is the symbol of growth, renewal and is frequently associated with good luck therefore it is a great idea to incorporate the succulent element along with the tattoo. It can be done on the back or on the sternum which is trending as celebrities like Rihanna and Ruby Rose are seen sporting a sternum tattoo.
Getting a matching tattoo with your dear ones is a great idea to create an invincible bond that will remind you of one another. A matching bumblebee tattoo such as this one is really cool. The symbol of the bumblebee is also associated with loyalty and unity so you can consider this design before getting inked.
Bumblebee differs from honey bee and has different symbolic values it is also believed that it enlightens us to remain focused. Hence, be very specific about the bee tattoo designs that you are planning to get.
Small Bee Tattoo
Small bee tattoos can be extremely cute, easy to carry, and can be tattooed on the wrist, leg, ankle, finger, collarbone because they can easily fit in a small area such as this tiny little bee. Although the size of these tattoos may be tiny yet the significance is big and they carry deep meanings. This cute bee tattoo can symbolize peacefulness, individuality, health, and prosperity.
One can always decorate a tattoo and make it more personal by adding little details to it like birth date or any special number just like this one that has a number or date next to it. A tiny bee tattooed near the digit may refer to love, compassion, honour, hope related to it which is a great idea to make the bee tattoo even more beautiful.
Another prototype of this dainty work of art would be this tiny bee tattoo on the chest which can be easily noticeable even though the size is small. If you are not an enthusiast of big tattoos or stick to basic design then this could be a suitable tattoo design for you.
Tiny Tattoos are a subtle way to deliver a more powerful message. It is universally known that tattoos can hurt so if someone has low pain tolerance then these tiny or miniature bee tattoos are a big yes. If the primary concern is how much would a small bee tattoo cost? Then it depends on the parlor or the tattoo artist, however, a small tattoo like these won’t cost much and will fit in your budget.
Honeycomb Tattoo
Honeycomb is such a beautiful creation of nature, these hexagonal structures are made of wax to contain honey from these we can comprehend how nature amazes us. Thus honeycombs represent deep symbolic meanings such as fertility, unity, and organized thoughts. As the honeycomb has a hexagonal structure it provides a great scope to experiment with this style such as this perfectly outlined honeycomb tattoo so uncomplicated and meaningful.
Honeycomb tattoos are popular amongst sleeve tattoos as they cover a major area and most people prefer covering their entire forearm or the arm, for instance, this honeycomb tattoo covers a major portion of the triceps it also signifies intelligence and awareness.
A vibrant yellow honeycomb tattoo with tiny multicolour flowers around it as this one is a unique tattoo design if you don’t want a monotone tattoo. The tattoo itself radiates the inner positive energy which makes it even more expressive.
Honeycomb tattoo designs are unusual and it is often done to create an awareness regarding the protection of the bees. Also, the distinctive shape makes even the simpler structure looks extraordinary even if it is just a minimal outlined tattoo.
Queen Bee Tattoo
The Queen bee plays an integral role in the beehive because she is the only one who can reproduce. She is the embodiment of power, royalty, hope and honour. A Queen bee tattoo such as this one is a realistic blackout tattoo that spreads out positivity. To make the Queen bee tattoo more accurate, a crown can be added to it. Getting a tattoo like this one will always remind you to never back down in any situation as the queen never gives up. The white ink that is used to highlights different parts gives more definition to this beautiful work of art.
If you wish to add a little colour in the background of a blackout Queen bee tattoo then this could work perfectly. There are so many segments in this tattoo including the cute queen bee, the yellow and orange honeycomb structure in the background, and some branches of flowers on both sides. There is a strong bond between bees and flowers that is obvious therefore adding flowers can be very influential. You can modify the type of flowers that you wish to get because different flowers carry different connotations. The honeycomb behind the Queen bee can elevate the entire tattoo as it signifies unity, intelligence in a person.
Watercolour tattoos are a major buzz because of their aesthetic charm, just a splash of colour can change the complete tone of a tattoo similar to this Queen bee watercolor tattoo on the back that has a yellow color with a light orange tinge. The Queen bee is presented with a crown and is placed in a triangle. Triangle is affiliated to association, intuition, and love.
The Queen Bee tattoos signify other things as well such as femininity, fertility, motherhood, development, and positive energy. It may bring out the best in you being one of the primary sources of inspiration.
Manchester Bee Tattoo
Since the Industrial revolution worker bee was the symbol of Manchester and the symbol can be discovered in various public buildings and other places scattered all over Manchester. The symbol of the bee carries the true spirit and importance of community in Manchester. You may also have seen the ‘#manchesterbeetattoo’ sometimes back trending on a social media platform and created a buzz that is because in 2017 at a concert that was held in Manchester became a spot of suicide bombing.
Tattoos are not just some ink it has its own expression and people came together in solidarity to pay homage to the victims of this attack by getting worker bee tattoos such as this one which even has the date of this unfortunate event with a very inspiring line ‘and the bees still buzz’.
Fun fact an 80 years old grandma named Ann Banks also got a tattoo as a tribute to the Manchester victims.
This was the venue for Ariana Grande’s concert in Manchester, even Ariana Grande got a tiny worker bee tattoo behind her ear.
Honey Bee Tattoo
The honey bee is not only economically important because of the production of honey but also it has other significances. It has its individuality and can be easily distinguished from the bumblebees as they are not alike physically. It has a more slender body and is less fuzzy. The role of a honey bee is not limited to the conservation of nature there is much more to learn from them such as cooperation, management, and hard work. A honey bee tattoo on the leg like this one is an incredible way of expressing the natural and carefree spirit in a person. Honey bee and flowers have a special relationship therefore one can intensify the initial meaning of the tattoo by incorporating a flower or flowers such as a branch of sunflower that represents romance and love.
Beehive tattoo
Bees in their hive is contemplated lucky in various cultures. It is widely believed that beehives bring good luck and prosperity and thus beehives became a part of the tattoo culture as well just like this tattoo that is super fun and cute tattoo.
A small hive tattoo below the shoulder similar to this one would look superb if you are into minimal-looking cute tattoos. It also signifies good health and vitality.
Floral tattoos are always aesthetic just like this beehive tattoo which is a cool way to cover a substantial portion of the body. Honey bees are very protective of their beehive and they would go to any extent for its protection. A beehive tattoo may also enhance the protective nature, love and dedication for one’s family.
If intricate art ideas interest you, then detailed tattoos are the way to go. One of the best tattoos that one will come across depends on the level of details that have gone into making a flower and bee tattoo and it becomes largely responsible for its superiority. This beehive tattoo is very symbolic because it is shaped like a heart, that can be noticed with ease. The flowers on the top and the hive towards the end give an illusion of heart and the bees surrounding it makes it even more beautiful.
Realistic Bee Tattoo
Realistic tattoos are particularly influenced by the realism art movement of France. This technique involves contrasts and shading to achieve a more realistic result. This bee tattoo lacks bold outlines. Instead, shading gives the fuzz and bee a photorealistic feel that is visually fascinating.
A more colorful version of a realistic bee tattoo would be something, where the bee and the flower are both prominently defined. The genuine refinement of this tattoo is its best feature: looking at it lifts the whole mood. Tattoos like these are energizing therefore if you desire something lively then you can go for this kind of bee tattoo.
The art of capturing original color is known as color realism that is very evident from this bee tattoo. The colour, shading, and contouring are exactly how this bee would be if placed in natural light.
Realistic bee Tattoos can be risky as it requires extremely skilled tattoo artists to obtain this level of realism but once done successfully it is awe-inspiring. It can bring out the more striking and genuine aspect of your personality.
Celebrities like Maya Stepper has a bee tattoo on her right upper arm, Brenda Song has one such bee tattoo on her wrist, Emilia Clark got a cute one on her finger while Madison Beer is seen flaunting one tiny bee tattoo on her ankle. Thus Bee tattoos can be a key source of inspiration because of their rich symbolic implication. However, the point is not just the representational connotation that they have become primary tattoo design ideas but also bee tattoos are being done to generate awareness about these creatures. The commercialization of Bees to obtain honey is leading to the death of a massive number of bees at a huge rate in the world. By getting a bee tattoo one can raise awareness about them because tattoos are a strong medium of expression. Nevertheless here are some suggestions that you can go for:
- Bee with fruits tattoo
- Bee and hummingbird tattoo
- Funny cartoon character stung by bee tattoo
- Geometric shaped bee tattoo
- 32-bit pixellated bee tattoo