Strawberry tattoos say a lot about the wearer. The attitude of such body art can express a positive attitude, flirtatiousness or a darker side. Strawberries bring to mind summer and carefree days of innocence. The tattoo can also be made to look sensual and seductive.

There are quite a few designs for strawberry tattoos. Some can look as realistic as a snapshot depending on the artist’s ability and the wearer’s taste. In this type of tattoo, the red body of the tattoo has the shape and contour of a typical strawberry. On the body of the strawberry appear the small beige and brown dots as seen on the fruit when it is ripe. A green leafy stem sits atop the strawberry like a clever natural hat. The strawberry can be featured alone, in a complex pattern or even as a background. The strawberry tattoo can be whole, bisected or cut lengthwise to show the contrast of the inner and outer fruit. Other aspects can be added such as flowers or vines. Lips can encircle the plant ready to bite, or a fingernail can lightly pierce its thin skin drawing out a line of juice. A black and white version can be just as amazing again depending on the skill of the artist.

That is not to say all images for the strawberry tattoo need to be true to the life. An outline of the shape, dots to indicate the seeds, and its cap of stem and leaves is a visual short cut to the idea of a strawberry, and almost everyone will instantly recognize the image. These can be lightly or boldly colored in or left as outlines. A psychedelic multicolored strawberry can be created by using this outline. A backdrop of rainbows or stars completes this effect. Strawberries and stars seem to mesh well, as you can use stars as a backdrop for great effect. Strawberry tattoos with flags make eye catching body art. A lush piece of fruit wrapped in the Stars and Stripes sends a strong message of confidence in the nation.

A strawberry can be funny. A realistic strawberry with a knife sticking in it and a thin trickle of blood leaking from the wound is sure to draw either a gasp of surprise or a giggle. Likewise, the sight of a strawberry tattoo with a zipper on the side or a cartoon version of a strawberry tattoo with a wizened face and wicked grin will get a few laughs.

Strawberry tattoos can fit anywhere depending on the statement you want to make from it. A sensual strawberry just above panty line sends a different message from one on the arm. A darker image of a strawberry impaled on barbed wired or having its red skin torn away by knives would work on the back, lower back or bicep.

Where to go from here:

• Fruit Tattoo Designs – What do They Mean?