Whether needing to go on a rant about the in-laws, chit chat about the latest celeb news, complain about the exploding to-do list, get advice on asking for a raise, or just need a shoulder to cry on, that someone who understands and listens — that’s a true best friend. A best friend doesn't necessarily have to be a childhood friend; it can be a brother or sister, mom or dad, or cousin. Essentially, friends are the family we choose.
Because the bond between besties is solid, and won’t likely end, one might consider getting a matching best friends tattoo. Nothing says "friends til the end," like a friendship tattoo. There are so many different types of friendship tattoos that one could choose to symbolize that love and bond. We’ve seen elaborate drawings with friends getting each other's faces tattooed on each other, but sometimes the most significant gesture comes through with an uncomplicated tattoo. Here are some simple friendship tattoos that will inspire besties to mark their friendship forever.
Yin & Yang
True friendship is knowing one is the yin and the other is the yang. The yin-yang symbol holds its roots in Taoism/Daoism, a Chinese religion and philosophy, describing how seemingly opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary, interconnected, and interdependent. The yin, the dark swirl, is associated with shadows, femininity; the yang, the light swirl, represents brightness, passion and growth. We also love the back of the calf placement of these tattoos.
Butterflies
These butterflies are even more beautiful because they are in color. When we find our twin free spirit, a friendship tattoo like this one means so much. Many people and cultures think of butterflies as a representation of resurrection, change, renewal, hope, endurance, and courage to embrace the transformation to make life better.
Wine Glasses
There’s nothing like a glass of wine with the bestie. These cute red wine tattoos are a symbol of an unbreakable bond, with the glasses tilted in a way to say “cheers!” forever.
Three Hearts
These red, yellow, and orange simple tattoos seem like they serve as a sweet memento for these three friends. They’re a tiny symbol of the memories, celebrations, and life-changing experiences shared together.
Tiny Suns
Friends that tattoo together, stay together. These friends didn't get the same exact tattoos, but similar variations of the sun. The sun is a symbol of a new day and light, this is a great tattoo if light is exactly what the BFF brings to one's life.
Waves
Here’s a great tattoo for twins. This congruent wave sign means moving in harmony. In simple words: When two people look alike or act alike, but both shine in a completely different and unique way. Does this simple friendship tattoo describe a relationship with our bestie?
Pisces
Sometimes, simple makes a big statement, like these beautifully drawn matching tattoos for a couple of best friends. Pisces, a water sign, is symbolized by two fish swimming in opposite directions, representing the constant division of Pisces's attention between fantasy and reality. This makes these fish the most psychic, empathetic, and compassionate creatures of the astrological wheel.
Love
All we need is love … and awesome tattoos like this! This is a beautiful tattoo for best friends, but also best friends who are also a couple. It’s so cool how it's impossible to finish the “LO” without the “VE.”
Pizza
If the besties have a sense of humor about this plan to get a matching friendship tattoo, how about getting something fun? This graphic, abstract drawing of pizza is a delicious reminder of the heart-to-heart conversations with the bestie over a slice.
Four-Leaf Clovers
A good friend can make us feel lucky in ways no one else does, and these tattoos symbolize that perfectly. The leaves of four-leaf clovers are said to stand for faith, hope, love, and luck. It's often said that Ireland is home to more four-leaf clovers than any other place, giving meaning to the phrase “the luck of the Irish.” For those lucky enough to find a four-leaf clover, look for more!
Mother & Daughter
Here’s another sweet and simple friendship tattoo, this time for a mother and daughter. Though the design is simple, the birth year etched in the heart for each of them says it all: born with love. Instead of the birth year, other best friends could mark the year they met, or any other symbolic year of their lives together.
'You Are My Person'
When we know someone is our person, we just want to mark the occasion. It’s a simple tattoo in typewriter print, and the phrase cannot be finished without the other person. This is a sweet tattoo for a couple to get before or after getting married, too!
Floral Hearts
These flowers shaped into a heart are just a pretty matching friendship tattoo. For those who can’t think of a symbol or phrase that makes sense for both besties, something beautiful is always a great reminder of a beautiful friendship.
No Matter Where
A favorite phrase (or part of a favorite phrase) is a meaningful way to seal the importance of a friendship. That phrase could be something the besties always utter at the same time; a phrase that sends the BFFs into fits of laughter; or a few words that let the other know they're always thinking of them.
Dotted Hearts
Here are more hearts, and they’re worth copying because they’re so pretty and simple. If it’s just all about love, hearts are the best way to seal the friendship in tattoos like these.
Sun & Moon
The sun and moon represent different things in different cultures, but the one thing that is common in all of them is their polarity. The sun symbolizes firmness, strength, and power while the moon represents calmness, beauty, nurturing. If the besties are opposites, this might be a nice tattoo choice.
The Tiniest Hearts
For those looking for something subtle to symbolize friendship and love, this tattoo is a great one. The hearts are so tiny, but the placement on the wrist means it’s likely that the person will see it often and be reminded of that special person throughout the day.
Avocados
If the two besties are peas in a pod — or two parts of the same avocado — maybe a food tattoo would be a cute way to seal the deal. Two halves of an avocado is a fun reminder of … fruit and friendship!
