The periwinkle, known for its striking color, has been assigned many meanings throughout cultures over centuries. Additionally, the flower has been used as a symbol for many endearing qualities, while also being used for medicinal and decorative purposes.
It’s no surprise that a flower that has both beauty and meaning has been the inspiration for tattoos. These flowers might be small, but they are mighty in terms of what they mean to people.
What Is The History Of Periwinkle Tattoos?
Periwinkles, with their signature five small petals and star-like shape, were first found in Madagascar. They can also be found growing in the wild in Europe, Asia, and Africa. These flowers are typically recognized by their blue-purple hue, which is known as the color periwinkle. However, periwinkles also come in pink and white varieties.
The periwinkle flower was also an important flower for ancient medicinal practices a long time ago. For instance, they were purported to have properties that could help alleviate symptoms of cancer, as well as different properties that are believed to help those with dementia.
Various meanings and forms of symbolism have been attributed to periwinkle over time, especially depending on the color. Thus, they have been used in tattooing for many years. They not only make pretty tattoos, but can be the subject of tattoos that hold deep importance to those who choose them.
What Do Periwinkles Symbolize?
Periwinkles have had many qualities attributed to them. These flowers have been considered a symbol of trust and everlasting love.
Furthermore, periwinkles have been known to commemorate new beginnings or the start of a new life journey. These flowers bloom in spring; the season of new life.
Periwinkles found in different colors can symbolize different attributes.
The signature periwinkle blue flower is representative of a sense of serenity and peace.
The white flower symbolizes innocence, and the pink and red varieties are commonly associated with love of all kinds. Many cultures also associate their own meanings to various colors.
On a sad note, periwinkles used to be referred to as the flower of death. This is because periwinkles used to be woven into headdresses placed on the heads of criminals who were on their way to being executed, or placed on the heads of young people who had passed on. While this isn’t done anymore, the symbolism is still associated with the flower by some.
There was also a belief throughout the medieval era that periwinkles grew in certain areas to be a beacon of hope. For instance, if people who were in jail stumbled upon a periwinkle outside, if they picked it and smelled it, it was said that it could lead to their freedom.
What Do Periwinkle Tattoos Mean?
A periwinkle tattoo can mean a commemoration of a strong bond between you and someone important to you. The term periwinkle was derived from the Latin word pervincire which means intertwine.
Thus, the periwinkle floral tattoo can showcase the intertwining of a friendship or a relationship. It’s not uncommon to see periwinkle tattoos shared between friends to represent their deep bond. With periwinkles associated with protection and loyalty throughout the years, the flower is all the more fitting to be shared among those with a very strong bond.
In some Christian religions, the periwinkle means purity. It is often shown in art forms that depict the Virgin Mary. Whether or not someone is religious, they might resonate with the ideology of periwinkles meaning a person is pure; perhaps pure of heart or pure of evil and temptation.
A periwinkle tattoo can also be a symbol of a particular memory that you are fond of. The color, more than the flower, is often associated with nostalgia and fond memories. Thus, this flower could be a physical reminder of a personal memory that you hold close to your heart. This has also led many to choose periwinkle tattoos in memory of a loved one that they have lost.
For those who may hope to manifest a sense of peace and calm in their lives, they might choose a periwinkle tattoo for its common association with those two states of being. If someone also feels a deep connection to nature, this tattoo has all the more meaning to them and their passions.
Where Do Periwinkle Tattoos Usually Go?
Periwinkles make very gorgeous tattoos. As with many floral tattoos, the arm is the most common placement. Depending on the size of the tattoo, it may adorn the wrist, the inside of the forearm, or the shoulder.
Alternatively, these tattoos in smaller form can be found on the ankle or the foot, as well as behind the neck. One really lovely placement that some choose for these tattoos is along the shoulder, stretching from the edge of the neck to the edge of the shoulder. These tattoos may also fall along the clavicle.
It’s not common to see these particular floral tattoos incorporated into another tattoo, such as a sleeve or collection of flowers. They tend to stand on their own, either as single flowers or a bouquet with stems and leaves intact.
Characteristics And Styles Of Periwinkle Tattoos
Given that periwinkles are so vibrant and striking in their colorways, having these flowers tattooed in color is often preferred over black and white styles. The authentic periwinkle color or blueish-purple hue are the most popular colors chosen for these tattoos. Periwinkles that are tattooed in black and white will often incorporate shading techniques to add some dynamic detail to the tattoo.
These flowers are also typically tattooed in clusters with their greenery attached. Regardless of whether or not they are colored in, more simplistic, modern styles featuring fine linework are also more commonly chosen for periwinkle tattoos.
Final Thoughts
Periwinkles are anything but ordinary when it comes to what they have stood for over the years, their memorable colorways, and their simplistic beauty. A periwinkle tattoo can either be an appreciation for the beautiful floral, or it could mean so much more to the person who wears it.
