80+ Best Bee Tattoo Designs You’ll Fall in Love with

Busy bees have a lot to admire. These yellow-black hard-working insects produce beeswax, pollinate crops, make honey, and so much more. Bees are smart and crucial for our environment. They also happen to be a major tattoo trend. You’ve probably come across people rocking bee tattoos here and there. Since it’s impossible not to like bee tattoos, this ultimate guide shows tons of designs and styles you can choose. Read on to see them all and learn about the meaning behind bee tattoos.

80+Best Bee Tattoo Design Ideas

Probably the best thing about bee tattoos is that everyone can rock them. Regardless of your style preferences, it’s possible to find an ideal bee tattoo. And our ultimate bee tattoo guide has a lot of ideas to inspire you. A lot! Check out the edgiest, prettiest, or even the most elegant bee tattoo ideas below.

1. Queen bee tattoo

The queen bee is crucial in the hive because she’s the only female bee with fully developed ovaries. So, her importance is immense for the survival of the colony because she can lay eggs and produce chemical scents that regulate the unity of the colony.

For that reason, the queen bee tattoo stands for power, feminine energy, growth, fertility, and motherhood. She’s the most powerful figure in the hive and oozes these positive vibes you can emulate through a tattoo. Some people opt for an actual representation of the queen bee, a realistic tattoo. Others decide to make it creative and include a tiny crown to go with the bee itself.

And no, you don’t have to be a part of Queen Bey’s fandom to get this tattoo 🙂

2. Beehive tattoo

When we’re talking about bee tattoos it would be impossible to overlook beehives. In these enclosed structures bees live and raise their young. Finding a beehive near home was believed to be a good sign.

Beehive was associated with wealth and prosperity. That’s why many people still believe honeybee nests shouldn’t be removed from their place. If the ideas of wealth and prosperity speak to you, then a beehive tattoo is a great choice. Whether you appreciate your wealth or strive to achieve and increase it, a beehive tattoo can represent these goals perfectly.

Also, you can adapt the beehive to your style. Besides realistic beehive ink, you can add flowers and other forms of imagery for an out-of-the-box approach. Each imagery you choose has its own meaning that can complement the symbolism behind the beehive.

3. Honeycomb tattoo

Honeycomb is where a bee stores her honey. The first thing you notice when looking at a honeycomb is its structure. The whole thing is perfectly shaped, structured, and clarified. It’s all thanks to bees whose intelligence is absolutely brilliant. Honeycomb tattoos usually symbolize fertility, because that’s where bees mate. You can also rock this tattoo if you are proud of your femininity.

Men and women alike can wear honeycomb tattoos. For instance, if you love everything to be in order or you are a calm person who’s found (or looking for) inner peace, a honeycomb tattoo can be a good choice. Just like with beehives, it’s easy to adapt honeycomb tattoos to your preferences, passions, likes, and dislikes. You can easily combine it with other motifs.

4. Bumblebee tattoo

Bumblebees are bigger and fuzzier than bees. We usually see them over summer and it’s impossible to deny they look great on tattoos. This type of tattoo can stand for a lot of things, but they’re usually tied to loyalty and peacefulness.

While bumblebees may seem scary to some people, they’re actually quite friendly. If you pair a bumblebee with a flower you send a message related to renewal and growth. Of course, the more specific meanings depending on the type of flowers.

One thing is for sure – bumblebee tattoo is a great choice for someone who finds values of honor and duty close to their heart.

5. Traditional bee tattoo

Traditional tattoo style emerged in the 1930s. At that point, traditional tattoos represented a rejection of the “American dream” and symbolized living a life outside the box, without constraints and everything that seemed mainstream. You can recognize the traditional tattoo style easily. This type of ink has bold lines and bright colors.

Sometimes they include a single image or figure, but in other instances, they have multiple characters on a single tattoo e.g. bee and flowers, or bee and fruits, options are endless. Vintage bee tattoo represents bees in all their glory and adds a dash of classic, old-school vibe to your look.

6. Bees and fruits tattoo

Bees and fruits are the perfect match. You have the freedom to pair your busy honeybee tattoo with any fruit you like. It can be your favorite fruit, something you find cute, or a fruit whose meaning you find relatable.

For example, a strawberry tattoo represents peace and feminine ideal but also depicts temptation and passion. The meaning of berries tattoos depends on the type of berry, but usually revolves around strength, protection, and power.

Peach often symbolizes immortality, peace, softness, renewal of life, virginity, and purity. Apples, on the other hand, represent knowledge or temptation. Options are truly endless.

You can consult your tattoo artist about the best fruit to go with the bee, should you choose this type of ink.

7. Bees and flowers tattoo

Bees and flowers have a special bond that’s worth emulating in a tattoo as well. If you don’t want your bee to be alone, adding a flower is a good idea. When it comes to the actual selection of flowers you just need to be creative and think about the vibe you want to achieve with a tattoo.

One option is to choose a flower whose petals complement the yellow-and-black appearance of a bee. But, you can also go for the flower in a color that contrasts the bee. Every flower has its meaning so you can also take that into consideration.

For instance, the sunflower symbolizes romance and represents hope and everlasting love. Your tattoo artist can help you learn the meanings behind different flowers and assist you in choosing the ideal kind for your bee and flower tattoo.

8. Black bee tattoo

Most people go for colorful bee tattoos which perfectly showcase well-known yellow and black patterns. What happens if you’re not a fan of multicolor tattoos? You can still rock bee ink in black only. Black tattoos can be more demure, but also add a dose of edginess depending on the design.

9. Multiple bees tattoo

One bee isn’t enough? Then you can opt for two or even more. Not only do multiple bees amplify the meaning of this tattoo, but also make the image seem more complete. To get the best results, you need a talented tattoo artist who will draw, align, and create these bees perfectly. You can go for equal bees, or have one bigger or smaller than the others. The choice is yours.

10. Tiny bee tattoo

You want a bee tattoo so bad, but don’t want it to be too noticeable? Tiny bee is the solution. What we love the most about tiny tattoos is that they’re small and delicate, but powerful at the same time. Don’t let a miniature design fool you, these tattoos carry deep meaning and a bee image is a perfect example. A small bee tattoo can still send a powerful message. Plus, it’s easy to conceal a tiny tattoo should it be necessary.

11. Huge bee tattoo

You are adventurous and fearless? If so, a huge bee tattoo suits your character perfectly. Whether you place it on the chest or some other body parts or choose black or multicolor, the tattoo is bound to look amazing on you. The big tattoo shows you’re creative, fierce, and aren’t afraid to speak your mind. Keep in mind a big tattoo requires a lot more work and details. Choosing a talented tattoo artist is vital.

12. Unique bee tattoos

Bee tattoos are trendy and their versatility is the main culprit behind the ever-growing popularity of this ink. Besides standard designs, you can opt for edgier styles. Instead of bees on flowers or fruits, you can have them placed on a skull, jar, in a light bulb, and so on. Each of these objects can carry a special meaning.

For instance, skulls represent death and being aware of it, bees symbolize life. These two figures complement one another perfectly. When it comes to unique designs you just have to remember one thing – there are no rules and limits. A good tattoo artist can transform any unique idea you have into a mesmerizingly beautiful tattoo.

13. Manchester bee tattoo

The bee is, actually, the symbol of the city of Manchester, England. Its history traces back to the Industrial Revolution where Manchester played an important role. The worker bee perfectly reflects the fact Manchester was built by the people, hard workers, and proud Mancunians.

The Manchester bee tattoo symbolizes energy and a sense of community. Many Manchester-born people get this tattoo to show their love for the city and how proud they are to live (or come from) there. But you don’t have to be born in Manchester to get this tattoo. You can also rock it to represent your hard-working personality.

Also, many people got a bee tattoo to pay tribute to victims of the terrorist attack in Manchester in 2017. Ariana Grande got bee tattooed behind her ear to pay respects to her fans who lost their lives at the concert.

14. Bee tattoo behind ear

Most people choose an arm or leg for a bee tattoo. The bee tattoo behind ear is also a great option. Bee tattoos in this small space are relatively small and delicate, but they look incredibly attractive. If you work in a place where tattoos are frowned upon it’s easy to conceal a tattoo with your hair.

15. Bee tattoo on the chest

Chest tattoos are associated with attributes of power and strength. Your bee can look exceptionally great on the chest, whether you opt for a big or small design. Chest tattoo is an amazing way to be edgy, but demure simultaneously.

16. Bee neck tattoo

The neck, particularly the throat, is associated with the communication. That’s why for many people neck tattoos symbolize the openness about emotions, thoughts, experiences, and everything else in life. So, a bee tattoo on your neck could indicate you are a sincere and honest person. Bee neck tattoo also shows you’re courageous.

Meaning of Bee Tattoo

The bee tattoo meaning oftentimes depends on the wearer. You see, a bee can represent different things to different people. Generally speaking, a bee tattoo stands for loyalty. These tiny insects are loyal to other members of a beehive and the queen. Your tattoo could show you are a loyal person in general, or to a specific individual. In some cases, it can also indicate your honor and duty regarding your life passion or work.

Bee tattoo is also a symbol of unity and family. These tiny creatures stick together and have their own unique language through which they communicate. For that reason, a bee tattoo is suitable for a family-oriented person too.

The tattoo featuring the bee also symbolizes hard work and sacrifice. You don’t have to be an expert to know the bees work hard and without them, our planet would not be the same.

Bees can sting and that’s why many people are afraid of them. However, they only do so when they feel threatened. In other words, they sting to protect themselves or others. That’s why a bee tattoo also represents the protective values of a person.

For a long time bees have been associated with sexuality and fertility, especially the queen. She’s also a symbol of leadership. It’s easy to think queen bee doesn’t do anything and other bees have to do everything for her. However, everything in the beehive is under the queen bee’s care. She regulates and controls everything, guides other bees, and supports them so they can continue to provide for each other.

Basically, queen bee does what every good leader should do. Many people get a bee tattoo because they seek guidance or help someone find their own.

In other words, a bee tattoo represents these values:

• Sexuality and fertility
• Honor, loyalty, and duty
• Creation
• Wisdom and knowledge
• Wealth and prosperity
• Defense and protection
• Spirituality
• Family and sense of community and/or unity

If any of the above-mentioned values are relatable to you, you can show them off through a bee tattoo.

Bee Tattoo: More FAQs

Why is everyone getting bee tattoos lately?

Bees have become a popular trend in the tattoo industry for several reasons and they are all the abovementioned meanings. Also, some people choose a bee tattoo to pay tribute to their hometown, others because they love bees, some men and women love the meaning of bee tattoos. Additionally, some people get bee tattoos because they want to raise awareness of their importance to our planet.

Where should I get a bee tattoo?

The only accurate answer here is – you can get a bee tattoo wherever you want on your body. But, if you’re looking for a few ideas, women usually go for ankle, wrist, finger spaces, hands, shoulder blades, arms, and behind the ear. Men prefer having their bee tattoo on the chest, legs, biceps, neck, back, and forearms. If you’re not certain where to get a tattoo, a tattoo artist can help you choose the perfect spot.

Read More: 75 Best Tattoo Placement Ideas for Inspiration

Are bee tattoos expensive?

Not necessarily! The costs of a tattoo depend on numerous factors ranging from the tattoo artist’s hourly rate to size, and other details. A small bee tattoo can cost about $50 while bigger ink around $400. During the consultation with your tattoo artist, you can learn more about prices.

Read More: How Much Do Tattoos Cost: 6 Tips For Getting The Best Price For A Tattoo

Which celebrities have a bee tattoo?

Besides Ariana Grande, celebrities rocking bee tattoos include Kelly Osbourne, Brenda Song, Madison Beer, Emilia Clarke.

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