Bow Tattoo Meaning: Ribbons, Femininity, Bonds and Garter Bows

Short answer: a bow tattoo usually means femininity, playfulness and self-love, and the ribbon also stands for a bond: something tied together, such as friends, sisters or a couple. A bow can also mean a gift, for example a child or a new chapter in life. On the thigh, a garter bow is a flirty, vintage pin-up design. A looped ribbon without a bow is different: it is usually an awareness ribbon, and its colour shows the cause.

Bows have become one of the most requested small tattoos of the last few years. Here is what they mean and how to design one that keeps its shape.

Femininity and playfulness

Bows have decorated hair, dresses and shoes for centuries, so they are a classic symbol of femininity, softness and fun. Around 2023 the “coquette” style, with pink bows, pearls and lace, made bows popular again on social media, and bow tattoos followed. For many people the bow is less about a trend and more about enjoying their own feminine side without apology.

A bond tied together

A ribbon ties things together. That makes a bow a gentle symbol of connection:

• Matching bows for sisters, best friends or a mother and daughter.
• A bow tying flowers into a bouquet, for a family or a group of friends.
• A bow joined with a heart, for love that holds.

A gift

A bow on top means something is a present. Some parents get a bow for a child they see as a gift, and some people use it for a second chance, a recovery or a life they are grateful for.

Garter bows and the pin-up look

A bow on a band around the thigh copies a lace garter. It comes from pin-up and burlesque style and from the bridal garter tradition, so it reads as confident, flirty and vintage. Lace, pearls, small hearts or sparkles are common details.

Awareness ribbons

A ribbon folded into a simple loop, with crossed ends, is an awareness ribbon rather than a bow. The colour matters:

• Pink: breast cancer.
• Red: HIV and AIDS awareness.
• Yellow: waiting for someone to come home, and support for soldiers.

These ribbons are often tattooed with a name or a date for a survivor or someone who died. Ribbons and banners carrying names are also classic in American traditional tattoos.

Design and placement

• Style: fine line gives a delicate, drawn look; soft black and grey shading makes the ribbon look like real fabric; pink or red colour suits the coquette style.
• Long ribbon tails: they follow the body well. Let them run down the spine, the shoulder blade or the back of the arm.
• Placement: the back of the thighs (often a matching pair), the nape, the shoulder blade, the ankle or the wrist. Thigh and spine pain is different; see our pain by placement guide.
• Garter bands: a band around the thigh has to be drawn around the leg’s real curve, and it can change shape if your weight changes, so place it with care.
• Size: very small bows lose their folds. Leave room for the loops and the knot; our size guide explains why.

At GOAT Tattoo Studio

Our gallery includes a pink bow garter on the thigh with a heart knot and small sparkles, a black and grey bow shaped like a butterfly with a long flowing ribbon on the shoulder blade, and fine line tulips tied with a red bow on the nape. See our butterfly guide if you like the mixed bow and butterfly idea. At your consultation we can help you choose the size, the colour and the right placement.

Planning a small or fine line tattoo in Hanoi? Our fine line and small tattoo page shows prices, the artists who do this style and recent work.