When someone wants a hot new tattoo, but only wants to show it when she really chooses to, what does she do? Although it’s taken on some serious stigma over the years, the lower back is a fine spot to use for self-expression and on one’s own terms.
Whether that be in the privacy of home or out on the beach or in a pool, the lower back area remains a secret and sexy way of showing off one's style. However, we also know full well the reputation the lower back tattoo has dealt with over the years, and we won’t be using that awful nickname that has no doubt already crossed some readers’ minds.
There are plenty of ways to display a lower back tattoo that rise above the slurs and sneers. From tiny celestial designs to even some for laughs, there is plenty of creative space for the lower back tattoo that allows for ink that isn’t overbearing.
With that in mind, we’ve scoured the depths of Instagram to find 15 of the tiniest, most delicate, and classiest lower back tattoos out there. May these beautiful pieces of body art inspire tasteful bits of ink on ladies’ lower backs as their next — or even their first — tattoo.
The Moon & Stars in the Sky
This lovely number by Edmonton, Canada, artist Nicholas Ernst Padlecki features a stylized crescent moon surrounded by twinkling stars and blue clouds. For the star gazers or fans of astronomy (or even astrology), this is the perfect lower back tattoo.
Ooh, Ooh, Witchy Woman
For those that consider themselves to be on the witchy side of life, this might be an excellent inspiration for a lower back tattoo. We’re unable to see exactly who produced this magical piece of art featuring a pentagram at the center of a flower, but we’re nevertheless impressed.
This One Is for the 'LOLs'
This one may be a little on the nose, but for the funny people out there, it’s certainly a fantastic joke. This is one of those double lower back tattoos, featuring the infamous peach emoji — and we all know what that means these days. This one comes from Seattle artist Dan Stender.
A Tattoo With Some Duality
The Chinese yin and yang have served as a symbol of the natural duality of the human condition for a long, long time. While most would easily just go straight with this, artist Maria Arjona from Gainesville, Florida, put a cuter spin on it, shaping the yin and yang like a heart.
Abstract Lotus
This design by artist Carlos Gomez is much more abstract than those before it on this list. It features a lotus pattern beset on both sides by some filigree and with some beads dangling from the entire arrangement. It’s a fine example of both class and mystique.
Pointed Geometry
This piece of ink by artist Vikas Surjit Singh Thakur takes the lower back tattoo in a different direction — literally. Featuring an upward pointing arrow traveling up the back, bedecked by geometric shapes, this tattoo actually draws attention away from the backside, which is a neat idea.
The Classic Butterfly
Sometimes, people just want to go with something tried and true. This piece by artist Stewart Chino captures just that with this butterfly piece, but levels it up with and additional butterfly to draw some attention away from the posterior. Very classy indeed.
Wordly Inspiration
For those who want to remember where they were when they, say, got engaged, or their favorite hangout spot on Earth — exactly — that can be done with a tattoo. This one found by Little Tattoos and belonging to user Darya (@dsafai) does that literally with coordinates. What a gloriously geeky idea.
Like a Painting on the Best Canvas
This little piece of ink by artist known only as Kevin Custom Tattoos may be simple, but it’s understated nature may be just enough for a lot first-timers getting a tattoo. Though, we also love the almost calligraphy-style outlining of the flower here that makes it look like a painting.
Tasteful Design
We wouldn’t call this tattoo tiny exactly, but it’s certainly delicate, in our humble opinion. The interesting design doesn’t demand too much attention, but is nevertheless intriguing and we’d even say classy.
Keeping It Basic
For those who don’t want to set the world on fire, but still want to show off something attractive, this work by Tibetan artist Tenzin should do the trick. There’s nothing wrong with simple for someone’s first-ever tattoo, after all.
Nothing Like a Fancy Font
This lovely little quote lower back tattoo by Mexican artist known only as @nmk.ur on Instagram, should serve as inspiration for all sorts of pithy or inspirational quotes.
Give It a Little Heart
Perhaps the most “tiny” and “delicate” lower back tattoo on this list, Los Angeles artist Konstantin Noskos is probably the most expertly executed of its kind. But, with an artist this high-profile, you could probably book him for something a little more involved.
The Life of a Rose
We adore this tattoo because it’s not only beautiful, but it defies the expectations of a lower back piece of ink in that it’s vertically oriented. Pennsylvania artist Rachel Machinist can be thanked for this inspiration.
A Lovely Lotus
This tiny lotus flower is understated and made even more interesting by the curving line patterns beneath. This tattoo comes courtesy of an artist known as Dalia in Israel.
