August birth flower tattoo
August birth flower tattoo ideas
Design ideas, placements and meanings for gladiolus and poppy tattoos, plus how to work in the peridot birthstone.
Why the gladiolus
Gladiolus is a dramatic vertical design. Its sword-like leaves and stacked blooms look striking down the spine, on a forearm or along the ribs.
Meaning: strength of character, integrity and remembrance. The poppy adds remembrance, imagination and peaceful sleep.
Design shown is a reference illustration. Take it to your artist as inspiration, not as a stencil.
August tattoo design ideas
Single-stem fine line
One gladiolus stem in single-needle black ink. Subtle, ages well, and usually fits in 2–4 inches on the wrist, ankle or inner arm.
Watercolor wash
Soft color behind the linework, using the August palette: #E8607A, #F2A3A6. Watercolor fades faster, so ask your artist for a fine black outline to hold the shape.
Gladiolus & poppy bouquet
Use both August flowers. A red poppy with a dark center is bold and readable at any size. It is often used for memorial tattoos.
Gladiolus + peridot accent
Add a tiny peridot-colored gem or dot (a #9BBF3B tone) at the base of the stem to combine your flower and birthstone in one piece.
Name or date in the stem
Work a name, initials or a August birthday into the stem line. It's a popular way to honor a child or a loved one.
Not ready for ink? Wear it instead
Gladiolus necklaceThe same flower, as a dainty pendantShop on Amazon →August birth flower printFine-line art to frameShop on Amazon →
Peridot necklaceAdd the August birthstoneShop on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
Best placements
- Inner forearm: suits long-stemmed designs and is easy to show or cover.
- Wrist or ankle: best for a single small bloom, about 1–2 inches.
- Ribs or spine: good for tall bouquets and stacked month flowers, but more painful.
- Behind the ear or collarbone: delicate sprigs and tiny buds.
- Shoulder blade: enough room for a full family bouquet.
Color notes
The August palette:
Pale colors like white and yellow fade fastest on skin, so many artists outline them in soft grey. For a birthstone touch, a small peridot dot or gem shape works in any style.
August birth flower meaning All months
Questions, answered
What is the August birth flower tattoo?
August birth flower tattoos feature the gladiolus and poppy. Gladiolus symbolizes strength of character, integrity and remembrance.
Where should I put a August birth flower tattoo?
Tall, slim designs suit the forearm, spine or ribs, and single small blooms suit the wrist, ankle, behind the ear or a finger. Gladiolus is a dramatic vertical design.
How much does a small birth flower tattoo cost?
In the US, small fine-line flower tattoos typically cost $80–$250 depending on the shop minimum, size and detail. Larger color or bouquet pieces cost more.
Do fine-line flower tattoos fade?
Very thin lines can soften and blur over the years, especially on hands and feet. Choosing a slightly bolder line and a skilled fine-line artist helps them last.
Your birth month, in your inbox
Get your flower & stone card
One pretty email a month: that month's flower and birthstone, plus a heads-up before family birthdays. No spam.