If you are a November baby, you are represented by one of the most intricate and revered flowers in history: the chrysanthemum.
Often called the “mum,” this bloom is a symbol of joy, longevity, and optimism. In many cultures, specifically in Japan and China, it represents royalty and perfection.
Choosing a November birth flower tattoo is a sophisticated way to honor your birth month while embracing a design that is deeply rich in cultural history and meaning.
Getting a tattoo is a thrilling journey of self-expression. However, with so many styles and placements to choose from, narrowing down your options can feel overwhelming.
That’s why we have curated a list of 12 stunning chrysanthemum designs to spark your imagination.
Whether you want a sweeping, large-scale piece or a tiny, hidden gem, this guide is packed with inspiration.
We will walk you through the symbolism, placement ideas, and artistic styles perfect for your November birth flower tattoo.
Grab a cozy blanket and a hot drink—it’s time to explore the beautiful world of chrysanthemum tattoos.
The Powerful Meaning Behind a November Birth Flower Tattoo
Before we jump into the designs, let’s explore why the chrysanthemum is such a powerful choice for a tattoo.
While it is the birth flower for November, its symbolism goes far beyond just a calendar month.
The chrysanthemum blooms late in the year, signifying resilience and the ability to thrive even as winter approaches. It is a beacon of light and joy during the darker months.
Planning your tattoo is a creative process that should be enjoyed. It’s the perfect time to gather inspiration and start sketching your vision.
Using a dedicated sketchbook allows you to keep all your ideas in one place. The {Moleskine Classic Notebook} is a favorite among creatives for its durable cover and high-quality paper, perfect for jotting down placement ideas or sketching rough concepts to show your artist.
Symbolism of the Chrysanthemum
- Longevity and Rebirth: Because it blooms in autumn, it represents endurance and long life.
- Royalty: In Japan, the chrysanthemum is the symbol of the Emperor and the Imperial Family.
- Joy and Optimism: Its bright colors and full shape are associated with happiness and positive energy.
- Love: Red chrysanthemums symbolize deep passion and love.
12 Stunning Chrysanthemum Designs for Your Tattoo
Ready to find the perfect design? Here are twelve unique ideas for your November birth flower tattoo.
1. The Classic Japanese Style (Irezumi) Chrysanthemum
The chrysanthemum is a staple in traditional Japanese tattooing (Irezumi). This style features bold, thick outlines and deep, saturated colors, often paired with wind bars or water waves.
A large-scale Japanese chrysanthemum looks absolutely stunning on the shoulder, chest, or thigh. It is a powerful statement piece that honors the flower’s Eastern heritage.
To keep a large, colorful tattoo like this looking vibrant, skin health is paramount. Hydrated skin holds ink better and glows. Using a rich, daily moisturizer is key.
{Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion} is fantastic because it’s fragrance-free and contains colloidal oatmeal, which soothes the skin and keeps it healthy without being greasy.
2. Fine Line Minimalist Chrysanthemum
If bold and heavy isn’t your style, consider a fine-line interpretation. This modern technique uses single needles to create incredibly detailed, airy, and delicate designs.
A fine-line chrysanthemum captures the intricate layers of petals without feeling overwhelming. It looks beautiful on the forearm or the back of the neck.
3. Chrysanthemum on the Knee or Elbow
The round, radial shape of the chrysanthemum makes it the perfect design for circular parts of the body, like the knee or elbow.
The center of the flower aligns with the joint, and the petals fan out to cover the area. This placement is bold, unique, and moves with your body.
Tattoos on joints can be trickier to heal because of constant movement. Keeping the area moisturized with a protective barrier is essential.
{Aquaphor Healing Ointment} is the gold standard for this. It creates a breathable seal that keeps the tattoo from drying out and cracking while you move, ensuring a smooth healing process.
4. Watercolor Splash Chrysanthemum
Capture the joy and optimism of your birth flower with a watercolor-style tattoo. This artistic approach uses loose splashes of color—think vibrant pinks, purples, and golds—that bleed outside the lines of the drawing. It creates a soft, painterly effect that looks like a masterpiece on the skin.
5. Geometric Chrysanthemum
Combine the organic, flowing petals of the mum with rigid geometric shapes for a striking contrast.
Placing the flower inside a hexagon, or having the petals dissolve into geometric shards, creates a modern and visually interesting November birth flower tattoo. This style represents the balance between nature and structure.
Drafting geometric shapes requires precision. If you are sketching ideas yourself, a geometry set is incredibly helpful.
The {Mr. Pen Geometry Set} includes a compass and rulers that help you draw perfect circles and straight lines, allowing you to create a professional-looking draft to share with your artist.
6. The “Snake and Mum” Design
A very popular motif in tattoo art is pairing a chrysanthemum with a snake. The snake weaves through the petals, creating a dynamic sense of movement.
This combination symbolizes protection against bad luck and the cycle of life and death. It’s a fierce and edgy choice for a November birth flower tattoo.
7. Chrysanthemum and Skull
For a design that embraces the “memento mori” (remember you must die) philosophy, pair your bloom with a skull.
The chrysanthemum represents life and vitality, while the skull represents mortality. Together, they create a beautiful balance that reminds the wearer to live life to the fullest. This is a profound and philosophical take on a November birth flower tattoo.
8. Delicate Behind-the-Ear Bloom
For a subtle nod to your birth month, a small chrysanthemum tucked behind the ear is incredibly sweet. Because mums are complex flowers, this design usually focuses on a simplified version or a bud. It’s a hidden gem that feels personal and intimate.
9. The “Flowing” Hip or Rib Design
The chrysanthemum’s many petals and leaves allow for designs that flow beautifully with the body’s curves.
A large piece that starts on the hip and flows up the ribs or down the thigh is incredibly flattering. It accentuates the natural shape of your body.
Visualizing a large, flowing tattoo is difficult. Using temporary tattoo markers can help you map out the flow on your own body.
The {Bic BodyMark Temporary Tattoo Markers} are skin-safe and come with stencils, allowing you to draw on your skin to test different shapes and flows before committing to the needle.
10. Chrysanthemum Mandala
The radial symmetry of the chrysanthemum makes it a natural fit for mandala designs. The petals can seamlessly transition into intricate geometric patterns. This style is meditative and spiritual, often placed on the center of the back or the chest.
11. Blackwork / Blackout Style
For the boldest of the bold, consider a blackwork design. This style uses heavy black ink to create negative space.
You could have a silhouette of a chrysanthemum where the flower is skin-tone and the background is solid black. This creates incredible contrast and makes the November birth flower tattoo pop.
Protecting a heavy blackwork tattoo from the sun is crucial to prevent it from fading to grey. A high-quality tattoo sunscreen is your best friend. {Mad Rabbit DEFEND Tattoo Sunscreen} is excellent because it provides broad-spectrum protection in an easy-to-apply stick, keeping your bold blacks deep and dark.
12. A Chrysanthemum Bouquet with Name
Personalize your November birth flower tattoo by incorporating a name or a significant date. The text can be written on a ribbon wrapping around the stem or hidden among the leaves. This is a beautiful way to honor a child, a parent, or a loved one born in November.
When planning text, experimenting with calligraphy is key. A set of calligraphy pens can help you find the perfect script style.
The {Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pens} are perfect for beginners and pros alike, allowing you to create beautiful, flowing script lettering to mock up your design ideas.
Where to Place Your November Birth Flower Tattoo
The chrysanthemum is a versatile flower that works well in many spots.
- Shoulder/Chest: Perfect for large, round designs like the traditional Japanese style.
- Knee/Elbow: The radial shape fits perfectly over joints.
- Forearm: Great for vertical stems or fine-line pieces.
- Hip/Thigh: Ideal for larger, flowing compositions.
Aftercare for Your New Ink
Once you have your stunning November birth flower tattoo, taking care of it is essential for vibrant, long-lasting results.
- Cleanse: Gently wash with fragrance-free soap like {Dial Gold Antibacterial Liquid Soap} 2-3 times a day.
- Moisturize: Apply a thin layer of unscented lotion or ointment after the first few days.
- Protect: Avoid swimming and direct sunlight until fully healed.
Summary of Recommended Products
Here is a quick list of the products we mentioned to help you plan, prep, and heal your new tattoo.
| Product Name | Category | Why We Love It |
|---|---|---|
| Moleskine Classic Notebook | Planning | Durable and high-quality, perfect for keeping all your tattoo ideas in one place. |
| Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion | Prep | Keeps skin healthy and hydrated, creating the perfect canvas for ink. |
| Aquaphor Healing Ointment | Aftercare | Creates a protective barrier, essential for healing tattoos on joints like knees. |
| Mr. Pen Geometry Set | Design | Helps you draft precise geometric frames for your sketches. |
| Bic BodyMark Temporary Tattoo Markers | Planning | Skin-safe markers to test out placement and flow on your body. |
| Mad Rabbit DEFEND Tattoo Sunscreen | Protection | Easy-to-use stick for protecting bold blackwork tattoos from fading. |
| Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pens | Design | Great for testing out script styles for names or dates in your design. |
| Dial Gold Antibacterial Liquid Soap | Aftercare | The trusted standard for keeping fresh tattoos clean and safe. |
Final Thoughts
A November birth flower tattoo is a celebration of resilience, joy, and perfection. The chrysanthemum offers endless possibilities, from traditional Japanese masterpieces to modern minimalist designs. No matter which style you choose, this flower is a powerful symbol to carry with you.
Take your time finding an artist who resonates with your vision. Your body is a canvas, and your November birth flower tattoo deserves to be a masterpiece. We hope these 12 stunning designs have inspired you to take the next step. Happy tattooing
