Cherry Blossom Tattoo, the Complete Guide for Sakura Tattoo!

It’s ok if I tell you Japanese cherry blossom tattoos are maybe the most elegant and delicate tattoos ever, isn’t it?

Because of this, I’m going to write this entire guide about it.

On this guide, we are going to see:

• All about cherry blossom tattoos meaning, in general.
• Their meaning in different parts of Asia.
• A lot of tattoos, placement and design ideas.

As you can see, we have a lot to do here, so let’s go!

The Meaning For Cherry Blossom Tattoos

Cherry blossom tattoos, usually called in the Japanese way, Sakura, has a lot of symbolism, and I want to introduce you some of the most common ones:

Cherry Blossom are for Impermanence of Life

Yes, this is a very Buddhist meaning (and Taoist too) about how life is seen on these latitudes.

For Buddhist or Taoist people, the life duration is just a breath because, with every breath, you, and everything, changes forever.

Nice one, isn’t it?

Well, cherry blossoms just stay for a few days, so they are the perfect example for this.

And For Rebirth Too!

Cherry blossoms are just before the beginning of the spring, so, they have a symbolism about yes, the winter is still here, but it’s going to end soon.

And, you know, spring is the season of new beginnings, about growing up, as well as the days.

Beauty and Love

If you want a tattoo calling for beauty and love, maybe the Japanese cherry blossom one is the perfect fit for you.

In fact, in Japan, sakura is about beauty and love in a feminine way, and we do love it, as well as elegance and romanticism.

But Cherry Blossom is for Samurai

Yes, Sakura are in Bushido code too, and maybe it seems a little weird, but it has its explanation.

For Samurai (or Bushido, you know, the way of the war), warriors do not know when they are going to die.

Well, this concept, another time, about impermanence of life, is the same as the cherry blossom and, moreover, Samurai (and Bushido people) do have a huge sense for beauty.

Cherry Trees Are for Strength

Yes, this is going to be very Taoist, but I have to write it.

Cherry blossoms are delicate and beautiful, but cherry trees can resist the hardest winter and bloom before the winter ends.

And, in my home, this is called strength, you know.

Because of this, cherry trees are usually about strength and resilience.

What about Cherry Blossoms or Sakura in Asia?

Well, Asia is very big, but I want to focus on Japan, China and Korea, because maybe are the three cultures with more cherry blossoms in their art.

What about Sakura in Japan?

Japan is the Sakura country.

Moreover, in Japan, the sakura has its own celebration called Hanami (literally, “flower viewing”) and a lot of people go to the cherry trees to see the bloom.

Just a quick one, in other countries, like Spain, this tradition is the same.

Moreover, in Japan sakura is for ephemeral beauty and bushido, of course!

Cherry Blossom in China

In China it is quite similar, but the meanings are different.

For example, in China, the cherry blossom is for feminine power (strength, grace and beauty, all in the same way), and with love or independence.

Moreover, cherry blossoms in China are more for rebirth and for Taoism, because it represents harmony with nature and the balance of forces in life.

Nice one.

In Korea is More About Patriotism

Yes, the first meaning for a cherry blossom tattoo in Korea should be about patriotism, because it’s a national symbol.

Moreover, and one more time, it is about new beginnings or rebirth, and for romantic symbolism and happiness in general.

As you can see, there is a lot of symbolism in a sakura tattoo!

Perfect Placement For a Cherry Blossom Tattoo

Well, the first thing is you can have a cherry blossom tattoo wherever you want, of course, but I want to show you maybe the most famous placements for this.

Shoulders Or Collarbone Is A Nice Placement

This one is a perfect example of what a collarbone with a cherry blossom tattoo can be.

It is a very traditional and realistic one, mostly in pink colors (as it should be), and we think it’s beautiful.

The tattoo is done by Ace Tattoo Garage, a tattoo studio in Japan you should follow.

Forearm Is Perfect Too

As you can see, here is a perfect traditional Japanese tattoo on the forearm, and we do think it is a fantastic idea for a sakura tattoo design.

This one is done by Xiaodan, a wonderful woman tattoo artist from Shenyang, in China, very focused on Irezumi tattoo.

Wrist Cherry Blossom Tattoo

Lovely, isn’t it?

We do like this tattoo design a lot, and the placement, right in the wrist and the forearm.

This delicate tattoo, a little bit abstract, a little bit illustration, and 100% art is maybe the perfect one to inspire you.

The tattoo is done by Letícia Toledo, a fantastic woman tattoo artist working in Brazil (Sao Paulo and Mogi Guaçu), very focused on custom and illustration tattoo, and we do think you should follow her right now.

Some More Cherry Blossom Tattoo Designs For You

And, last but not least, here you can see a lot of different sakura tattoo designs for you!

Sakura Tattoo in the entire Arm

Another nice example of a cherry blossom tattoo, this one, is on the entire arm.

We do love its design and how it’s finished and, moreover, coming from an apprentice tattoo artist!

Yes, this tattoo is done by Oline, working at Leap Ink & Piercing, in Stavanger, in the South of Norway, and we do love it.

Hikae Traditional Sakura Tattoo

Hikae is the name of this particular design covering the arms, shoulders, collarbone, some of the back and the chest.

And, this time, this tattoo is about a very traditional way, only with black ink, to give a perfect design of a Sakura tattoo.

And we do love it.

The tattoo is done by Bonten4Horiken, a tattoo studio based in Tokyo, in Japan, and, of course, they are focused on traditional Japanese Tattoo (and you should follow them, now!).

Cherry Blossom Tattoo in American Traditional Style

And, if you do not want to have an Irezumi tattoo for a cherry blossom design, don’t worry! There are a lot of options for you!

For example, this one is made in a completely American Traditional Tattoo Style, and we think it is a perfect example.

This tattoo is done by Raphael Tiraf, a wonderful tattoo artist working at Mulhouse, in France. He is very focused on traditional Japanese Tattoo, and we think it’s mandatory to follow him!

Cherry Blossom Illustration Tattoo

This one is lovely (and perfect), isn’t it?

We do love the color palette and the perfect finish of this tattoo, because it is much more difficult than you can imagine at first sight.

The tattoo is done by Lunie Chan, a wonderful woman tattoo artist based in Lieja (Belgium), owner of Coup de Foundre Tattoo Studio, focused on illustration tattoo and, of course, in doing just art!

Ankle Sakura Tattoo in Black Ink

Let’s try something different like this one.

This time, another cherry blossom tattoo, but in the ankle, and only with black ink, with a wonderful result, isn’t it?

And yes, we do like bold tattoos, bold designs and bold placements. Of course!

This tattoo is done by Thomas Krug, from New Hope Tattoo Club, in Bochum, Germany, and we do love the idea!

(Some) Abstract Cherry Blossom Tattoo

And, keeping this “something different” stuff, here you can see another piece of work, this time, mixing the abstract tattoo (we do love it) in the branches, with the more realistic one in the flowers.

The tattoo is done by Aseya Baranova, a fantastic woman tattoo artist working from Kiev, in Ukraine, with a lot of nice tattoos in a lot of different styles.

You should follow her, now.

Hip Sakura Tattoo

And now, another different placement, this time, in the hip.

This is a wonderful placement for a cherry blossom tattoo, but, you know, it is going to hurt, a lot.

And, this time, is an illustration of a Sakura tattoo with a very delicate and realistic style, mostly in pink and green colors, and a very nice color palette.

The tattoo is done by Sabrinink, a wonderful woman tattoo artist from Calgary, in Canada, working at Atticus Tattoo.

Cherry Blossom Mountain Tattoo

Yes, this is another cherry blossom tattoo on the forearm, but, as you may see, this is a unique tattoo too.

We do love the design, with the cherry blossom as the main character of the composition, and we like a lot the way the flowers are done.

Moreover, in the background, the mountains and the red sun, for a fantastic piece of work.

This tattoo is done by another fantastic woman tattoo artist, Ola Kotlarska, from Krakow, in Poland, working at Pain Ting Tattoo studio (fantastic naming).

Cherry Blossom Tattoos, perfect for anyone

As you can see, cherry blossom, or Sakura tattoos are perfect for anyone, because you have a lot of possibilities, different styles and a lot more things for that.

We hope you enjoyed this guide, see you!