Bee Tattoo, the Complete Guide with All the Meanings for this Wonderful Animal

If I tell you getting inked with a bee design is a wonderful thing, I hope we agree, isn’t it?

Bees are one the most beloved animals in the world and a trend in the tattoo industry, and I do hope this trend continues for a long, long time.

On this guide, I want to show you:

• First, all the main meanings for a bee tattoo.
• Then, the meanings for a bee with something else tattooed.
• Finally, I want to show you a lot of different bee tattoo designs.

Let’s go!

The Bee Tattoo Meaning, At Least, the Top Ones

Bee tattoos have a lot of different meanings, but I’m going to introduce you to only the Top 5 because, you know, I think that is more than enough, isn’t it?

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Micro Realism Bee Tattoo

Here you can see the first example for a bee tattoo meaning an, as you can see, micro realism is a huge trend.

In fact, micro realism is a huge trend in all the tattoo world but, specially speaking, about animal tattoo.

And here you can see a very nice example of two micro bees tattooed with a very nice detail level and done like a real master.

This tattoo is done by Kris Svansson, a magnificent woman tattoo artist working in Sarasota, Florida, very focused on illustration and realism tattoo. You should follow her.

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First One, a Bee Tattoo is for Hard Work

The first thing when you think about bees is they are working all the day for the hive, isn’t it?

And this is completely true.

Because of this, the first meaning for a bee tattoo is about hard work and diligence, you know, to make the things work fast and well done.

Second, a Bee Tattoo Is for Protection

And, of course, the second feature for a bee is the sting, you know, bees die after they sting another thing and they do it to protect the hive.

Because of this, bees can be a self-defense symbol so, if you want to show your beloved ones this protection feeling, you can always have a bee tattoo!

But a Bee Tattoo Is for Community

Yes, a bee tattoo is about community and loyalty and, if you think about it, it has all the sense.

You know, in the hive, each bee and each kind of bee have their role, and all roles are very important to make the hive work perfectly.

Because of this, a bee tattoo can be about community, teamwork, loyalty or unity.

Bee Tattoo Is for Strength Too

Bees are small (in fact, there is a Red Hot Chili Peppers about that concept), but they are really strong creatures.

You know, bees are always passing through obstacles, the first one is to fly, for example, and they have a lot of inner strength and perseverance.

So, if you want a tattoo for telling the world you are a persevering person, you should try a bee tattoo!

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Cute Cartoon Bee Tattoo

And this is another spectacular bee tattoo, made in a complete cartoon style and truly fantastic.

I love this cute tattoo, especially because of the color palette and the happy wings, they are amazing.

This tattoo is done by Jana Kleinhutt, a stunning woman tattoo artist working in Berlin, Germany, in a tattoo studio called Stick & Stones tattoo, and she is focused on illustration style, but with her own personal tattoo style.

And yes, you should follow Jana too.

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And Yes, Bee Tattoo Is for Power

In some cultures, bees are a symbol of power and, moreover, a king symbol.

For example, back in Ancient Egypt, bees were the symbol for the king, queen, emperor or whatever people who really ruled the Egyptian people.

But, in France, it is the same, because it was the symbol for loyalty (you know, it ended badly in France, but…).

And, because of this, a bee can be about power, nobility and leadership.

Bee Tattoo Meaning with More Things

Now, let’s see what happens to the meaning for a bee tattoo when the bee has something more.

Bee with a Crown Meaning

Talking about the last bee meaning, the nobility and power one, when you get inked with a bee tattoo with a crown, is something like this too.

Because a bee tattoo with a crown meaning is about power, but about leadership and nobility. You know, you are getting tattooed with the queen bee!

Bee with a Honeycomb Meaning

Moreover, one of the most tattooed designs for a bee is with a honeycomb and, if you think about it, it makes all the sense, because they are at home.

So, a bee tattoo with a honeycomb is about family, structure and home, very nice meanings for all of them.

Here you can find an example about a bee tattoo with some honeycombs and, moreover, some flowers.

Flowers in a bee tattoo usually are to represent to grow.

And, talking about the tattoo, look at the honeycomb, done in geometric style but with a little bit of sketch too.

I do love the way it’s done and, moreover, the illustration with realism bees design.

This tattoo is done by Kessy, a marvelous woman tattoo artist, owner of OC Ink Tattoo Studio, in Oschersleben, Germany.

Bee with a Dagger Tattoo Meaning

But, specially in the Classic American tattoo style, a very usual tattoo is a bee with a dagger (or with a stinger, you know, with some kind of knife or sword-like weapon).

This tattoo about a bee with a dagger is about protection and defense, of course.

And Now, a lot of Bee Tattoo Designs for You!

I hope you get inspired with that:

Realism Color Bee Tattoo

Just in the middle between realism and micro realism you can find this tattoo.

The design itself is simple, just a bee from a bird’s eye vision, but the result is magnificent.

I love this design because it has realism with color technique, without lines, just pure color and, moreover, the wings shadowing effect.

This perfect work is done by Hoze, a tattoo artist focused on micro realism based in Melbourne you should follow.

Simple Bee Tattoo Design

This is the perfect example you can have a very simple tattoo design but eye-catching and perfect.

Because, as you can see, this tattoo design is very simple. Just some lines and spots defining the path of the bee, and a small illustration bee.

Just it.

This tattoo is done by Justin Turkus, an impressive tattoo artist, owner of Rabbit Ear tattoo, in West Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania, of course.

Bee Sketch Tattoo in Black and Gray

Here you can see another very nice example of a simple tattoo made a masterpiece, isn’t it?

This tattoo is just another bee, this time with only black ink, some shadowing and a perfect sketch style that I do love.

But the finish is amazing, because you even can feel the movement, not only for that bee-wings, but for the way the shape of the body and the lines are done.

This tattoo is done by BK, a terrific and very well-known tattoo artist based in Seoul, South Korea, but travelling all around the globe. And yes, you should follow him.

Micro Realism Minimalist Bee Tattoo

Look at this tiny bee, it is cute and fantastic, isn’t it?

And yes, as you can see, micro realism is really a trend here, in bee tattoos, and I celebrate that, because the final result is astonishing.

This wonderful realistic bee tattoo, with a lot of detail due to the fineline work is done by Alex Caldeira, an spectacular woman tattoo artist working at Sans Patrie Tattoo, in France, and you should follow her.

Bumble Bee Tattoo

And here you can see the complete opposite for a micro realism tattoo.

These two bumble bees (or maybe just bees, I don’t really know), colorful, very, very bold, in both legs.

A wonderful work, isn’t it?

I do like the color palette, the moon detail in the back, the linework and shadowing in the wings, and the geometric detail, just amazing!

This piece of work is done by Graham S White, a remarkable tattoo artist working from Kelowna, British Columbia, in Canada.

Geometric Bee Tattoo

And now, something different.

As you can see, this is a bee tattoo but with a lot of geometric patterns and details that I love so much.

On the one hand, you have a bee with some honeycomb and, on the other hand, a bumble bee, but presented like they were in a video game.

This wonderful tattoo is done by Ejin, an incredible tattoo artist working at Tattoos By Strangers, in Edmonton, Canada, and you should follow him.

Bee Tattoo with Some Flowers

And now, we turn back to realism, this time in the forearm, for this wonderful tattoo.

As you can see, a bee in a bird’s eye perspective, with a very detailed and a very nice fineline work, all in black ink, with some flowers and geometric pattern.

I want you to notice the linework made in fineline for the flowers and for the bee itself, it is just amazing!

This tattoo is done by Daniela Giorgione, a brilliant woman tattoo artist based in Italy but with some guest spots all around Europe.

More Micro Realism Bee Tattoo

And another micro realism bee tattoo, but, another time, is different from the other ones, isn’t it?

First, because this micro realism is very, very micro, you know, really tiny.

But, on the other hand, this tattoo has a lot of details in some small skin space, and you even can feel the hairs of the bee, it is magnificent!

This wonderful tattoo is done by Ira, an impressive woman tattoo artist focused on micro realism and color tattoo based in Düsseldorf, Germany, and you should follow her.

Bee Pollinating a Flower Tattoo in Micro Realism

Yes, another micro realism tattoo, but this time with some more details.

First, the bee is going to pollinate the flower, and the bee and the flower are done with a huge detail level for this small piece.

Please, look at the daisy and the detail level for all, the petals, the branch, and everything, is just amazing!

This tattoo is done by Hee Son Eun, an exceptional tattoo artist based in Nabi Studio, in Düsseldorf again, in Germany.

Illustration Bee Tattoo

Please stop here for just a moment.

This tattoo has almost everything.

First, about the composition, you may see a bee with a crown, symbol of power and nobility, and, moreover, it is flying to some flowers.

But notice something more, the tattoo style, with a complete illustration and realism style with tons of perfect shadowing in dotwork and fantastic linework.

This masterpiece is done by Zee, a remarkable tattoo artist working at Bang Bang tattoo studio, in New York City, and you should follow him.

Some FAQs About Bee Tattoo Meaning