sunflower and sun tattoo

20 MOTHER-DAUGHTER TATTOOS THAT’LL INSPIRE YOU 

Thinking about getting a new tattoo? Why not honor your mother-daughter bond with some fresh ink? For inspiration, consider meaningful quotes, beloved Disney characters, cherished song lyrics, or anything that brings back special memories. With countless designs to choose from, we’ve gathered ideas from real mother-daughter duos. Their matching tattoos range from small, simple inscriptions on the wrist or ankle to delicate flowers, hearts, infinity symbols, and other expressions of a mother’s love. No matter the design, each one beautifully represents the unbreakable—and permanent—connection they share.

DOVES

Deonah, 25, and her mom, Ana Cendejas, 50, chose matching dove tattoos to honor their late grandmother, who adored doves. “Whenever we see a dove, it reminds us that she’s watching over us,” Deonah shares.

KEEP ME WILD / KEEP ME SAFE

Best friends Lena, 20, and her mom Christina, 47, embraced the idea of mother-daughter tattoos. Christina’s tattoo reads “keep me wild,” symbolizing Lena’s impact on her youthful spirit, while Lena’s says “keep me safe,” reminding her of her mom’s unwavering support. They’re already planning their next tattoo!

BIRDS AND FEATHERS

Jess, 35, and her mom April, 57, decided on matching tattoos to signify their shared courage and strength, despite living apart. It represents their freedom and journey in life.

DUMBO

Meredith, 19, and her mom Echo, 52, finally got their long-planned matching elephant tattoos inspired by Dumbo and his mother. “It symbolizes our bond through tough times, especially with my heart condition,” Meredith explains.

CELTIC SYMBOL

In Canada, Kelly Dubé, 20, and her mom Sylvie Lizotte, 48, chose a Celtic symbol to represent their mother-daughter bond. “She’s my best friend and the most important person in my life,” Kelly says.

FORGET ME NOT

Lindsay, 28, her sister Melissa, 18, and their mom Linda, 56, got matching tattoos of the forget-me-not flower, a family favorite that connects them to their grandmother’s garden.

LIGHTBULBS AND SUNFLOWERS

Anita, 37, and her daughter Alexis, 17, celebrated Alexis’s birthday with intricate sunflower tattoos, a long-awaited project for the mother-daughter duo from Columbus, Ohio.

SIMPLE COORDINATES

Alejandra, 27, and her mom Alicia, 56, wanted a tattoo that represented their roots in Venezuela. They chose the coordinates of their childhood home, a place filled with fond memories of their grandmother.

FINGERPRINT HEARTS

Kim, 22, and her mom Sonja, 50, opted for tattoos of their fingerprints in a heart shape, symbolizing their strong bond. “We’ve been through so much together, and we’re always there for each other,” Kim states.

HARRY POTTER ANKLE TATTOOS

Marissa, 25, and her sister Emma, 19, along with their mom Marilyn from Fairfax, Virginia, got matching Harry Potter tattoos on their ankles. “Mom finally decided to get a tattoo, and we made it a family affair,” Marissa shares.

SMALL CHICKS ANKLE TATTOO

July Backx, 40, and her daughter Inge, 20, from the Netherlands, chose small chick tattoos to express their mother-daughter relationship. “Inge is my baby chick, and I’m the mother hen,” July proudly states.

“A BUSHEL AND A PECK” FEET TATTOOS

Pie, 37, and her daughter Anna, 19, from Southern California, share a special bond through their matching tattoos that echo a loving bedtime phrase. “It brings me joy, especially with Anna now in college,” Pie reflects.

TOGETHER FOREVER

Darlene Butterworth, 63, and her daughter Dallas Martin, 37, were inspired to get matching tattoos after Darlene’s health scare. “We wanted to seize the day and honor our bond,” Dallas recounts.

EVIL EYE

Angelica, 29, her sister Francesca, 25, and their mom Mary Ann, 54, finally settled on an evil eye tattoo combined with a heart and a cross to symbolize protection, love, and blessings.

MUSICAL NOTES

Andrea, 51, and her daughter Addison, 24, chose matching musical note tattoos to celebrate their shared love for music, which has kept them connected despite the distance between them.

WILD AND WONDERFUL

Maribeth, 23, and her mom Shannon, 49, got matching tattoos of West Virginia’s motto to celebrate their home state and their close friendship.

ZODIAC SIGNS

Texas native Tosha, 39, and her biological family members Beverly, 59, and Shaunda, 41, chose zodiac tattoos to signify their connection and shared birthdays, celebrating their bond against all odds.

HUMMINGBIRDS

Las Vegas residents Macie, 16, and her mom Erin, 32, selected hummingbird tattoos, inspired by their shared memories of making bird feeders and watching them together.

FRIENDS QUOTE

Aryana, 34, and her daughter Gissele, 18, grew up watching “Friends” together. Their matching tattoos reflect their unique history and bond as they navigated life side by side.

CATS

Marissa, 22, and her mom Chandra, 44, from Indiana, chose cat tattoos to celebrate their lifelong love for their feline family members, representing their close relationship.

CONCLUSION

These tattoos serve as permanent reminders of love, connection, and the enduring strength of this unique relationship, offering inspiration for creating a lasting tribute that resonates with your own special story.

MEMORIES IN COLORS – TATTOOIST OVENLEE INTERVIEW

Beautiful tattoos are everywhere, but finding ones that genuinely make you smile is rare. That’s why I had to interview South Korean tattoo artist Ovenlee. Her designs are pure joy, bringing warmth and cheer to anyone who sees them.

With over 170k Instagram followers, Ovenlee embodies the essence of Korean tattoo culture, where delicate fine lines and vibrant colors blend seamlessly. Whether she’s inking an animal, a favorite food, or a cherished family portrait, her work always has an irresistibly adorable charm.

TATTOOIST OVENLEE INTERVIEW

  • Hi Ovenlee, can you tell us about yourself and your tattoo style?

I am a calm painter. I tend to capture the serene moments of my objects because painting keeps me grounded. Most of the objects of my drawings are about places and moments in life. And I also tattoo blooming flowers in fields and curvy, sophisticated plants.

  • I am curious, is Ovenlee a nickname or your real name?

It’s my nickname. This one time, I wanted to translate the warmth of an oven into a painting. So that’s why I brought with me an oven. And I added my last name, “Lee” to create my nickname Ovenlee.

  • Can you tell us how did you become a tattoo artist?

Actually, I didn’t plan on becoming a tattooist when I was in college. I was only uploading drawings to my Instagram. But then, someone wanted to get a tattoo of one of my drawings.

My friend, who was a tattooist at the time, gave him a tattoo based on my drawing. And it made me feel so proud. That was when I realized tattoos could be a permanent medium for my art. This concept was so fascinating that it encouraged me to start tattooing.

  • How do you come up with a tattoo idea? Where do you find inspiration?

I get inspired by my experiences and the photos I take.

I have been to places where nature was just gorgeous. And I couldn’t help drawing them down or taking photos of them. These precious memories become my fountain of inspiration.

  • Do you design the tattoos ahead or on set with the clients?

Most of my tattoos are based on stories and memories. So when a customer tells me their story, I draw it and send it to them by e-mail in advance. And they make some tweaks to their liking.

  • You have tattooed several cartoon characters or Disney characters. Which one is your favorite?

I like Disney movies very much, especially Winnie the Pooh. I’ve been working on a Pooh painting recently, and I like it a lot.

  • Can you share with us a tattoo and the inspiration behind it?

This question reminds me of Debussy’s music. The work is a painting I drew while listening to Debussy’s Moonlight. I’ve put all the emotions I had then into the painting, and it captured the moment perfectly. That’s why this tattoo holds a special place in my heart.

  • Which placement will you suggest for most people?

I will recommend the upper arm because it has enough space and it’s easier to take care. Thus the tattoos maintain better.

  • Do you have a tattoo yourself?

Yes, I do. I got it from my teacher Sol. It’s a tattoo of Prague Castle based on a photo I took. I went there with my mom, and thus, the tattoo reminds me of the happy time we had together.

  • What is the most challenging tattoo you have ever done? What makes it so difficult?

The most challenging tattoo I’ve done so far is a cover-up tattoo. The client wanted a tattoo to hide her Mongolian spots. The challenge is to find a pattern in proper colors that matches the spots. But it turned out to be a beautiful design.

  • In your opinion, what is a good tattoo?

I think a good tattoo has to be personal. That means the design carries a meaning that is special to the wearer. After all, no matter how others see it, if it’s a meaningful tattoo, it’s a good one.

  • Have you tattooed yourself?

I’ve only done it once. It isn’t easy because, usually, tattooing requires both hands.

This tattoo is my first self-tattoo. It was an experiment, and I was very nervous in the process. Luckily it turned out to be a beautiful tattoo.

  • What design will you suggest as a first tattoo?

I highly recommend flower tattoos. They are versatile because they can be big or small and still be beautiful. It will be even better if the flower holds a special meaning. For example, birth flowers are a good idea.

  • Does the pandemic change your life and work as a tattooist?

Yes, it does.

Before the pandemic, I had a lot of international clients. But as overseas traveling becomes more difficult now, the number of international tourists decreases. So does international bookings.

Moreover, fewer domestic clients are getting tattoos as well. Covid has been very severe in South Korea recently, and many are infected. That resulted in canceled or postponed reservations.

But I try my best not to be discouraged by the situation. On the contrary, the more difficult the time is, the more I want to give strength to others through my art. That’s why I have focused on drawing bright and uplifting paintings lately.

  • Besides tattooing, what are your hobbies or things you love to do?

My hobby is making pottery. I majored in ceramics in college. (My major has become a hobby. haha )Sometimes I draw my pictures on pottery and make cute motifs.

  • What is your goal as an artist? Any plans recently?

I always enjoy meeting new people, especially those from different cultural backgrounds. And maybe I will do guest work or live in another country in the future.