Hey, are you hunting for the perfect May birth flower tattoo? Cozy up — I’ve been collecting designs featuring the two stars of May: lily of the valley (the primary) and hawthorn (the secondary). There’s everything here from whisper-quiet, fine-line pieces to bright, bold statements, so whether you want something sweet and subtle or full-on showstopper, we’ll find your vibe.
A hawthorn frame that feels protective and a little dramatic
Credit: beccimaryanne
This forearm piece pairs hawthorn blooms with a bold black frame, and honestly, the red flowers popping against the dark border give it such a cinematic energy. I love that the design leans into hawthorn’s old-school meaning — warding off bad vibes — so the frame feels like the shadowy stuff we push back against, while the flowers stand for the goodness we carry through life.
A delicate, fine-line lily of the valley to keep things gentle
Credit: makeamindfullmark
This arm piece is the textbook version of understated elegance — soft, fine lines that read feminine and calm. Lily of the valley always brings that purity-and-innocence energy, like a little reminder to protect those gentle parts of yourself as you grow.
A neo-traditional lily of the valley that actually turns heads
Credit: sola.kaida
This one goes bold with color and dotwork while keeping the lily’s white tones to emphasize purity — so it’s both loud and quietly meaningful. If you want a tattoo that reminds you to hold on to that childlike humility and love others without expecting anything back, this design does it in technicolor.
Holding hands wrapped in a hawthorn wreath — poetic and soft
Credit: johnny.beavers
This is a seriously poetic piece: a pair of hands cradled by a hawthorn wreath, done in gentle black-and-gray. Since hawthorn is tied to spring’s arrival and romantic blooming, the whole tattoo reads like a little ode to gratitude for love and the tender moments that come with it.
A personalized, red hawthorn for a bold tribute
Credit: alexprachthausertattoos
If you want to shout your feelings from the rooftops, this calf piece does the job: bright red hawthorn blooms with a traditional feel that would make a gorgeous tribute to a sister or someone you love fiercely. Those reds read like intensity and devotion — a statement for anyone who wants their ink to mean full-on love.
A framed lily of the valley that’s quietly elegant
Credit: mclametattoos
This framed fine-line lily of the valley is all about feminine grace. The frame doesn’t just make it look finished — it also doubles as a symbol of protection, like a little fenced-in pocket of tenderness you carry with you. It’s a gentle way to remind yourself to keep kind people close.
Hawthorn in dotwork for an edgy, nature-rooted vibe
Credit: marissakaytattoo
Dotwork brings such a textured, modern edge to hawthorn, and this piece definitely makes you stand out. Beyond the style, the imagery ties you back to nature — like a nudge to slow down and notice the small, important things around you.
A lily of the valley with lettering to keep you inspired
Credit: tattoojune
This one mixes the flower with bright blue accents and a bit of lettering, so it feels like a wearable pep talk. It’s the kind of tattoo that says, ‘‘trust the journey’’ — a small reminder that patience and faith tend to get you exactly where you need to be.
A swallow with hawthorn blossoms — loyalty and transformation
Credit: vickirosstattoo
A swallow carrying hawthorn across its wings? Too cute. The color and dotwork give it warmth, and symbolically it’s about true love and loyalty — the kind that can really change the trajectory of your life. If someone in your life makes you feel that deep, tell them; tattoos like this celebrate that feeling.
A small, geometric hawthorn for a subtle modern touch
Credit: lovearttattoojanneke
An ankle hawthorn with fine lines and a geometric twist — this is the low-key, chic option. It reads modern and minimal but still keeps the flower’s graceful symbolism close to you.
Taurus lilies of the valley — astrology meets flora
Credit: ginnymarietattoos
If you’re a Taurus who wants your birth month front and center, this design blends your sign into lilies of the valley with dreamy stars and hues. It feels like a tiny charm that honors the month and the story you’re living.
Shoulder hawthorn in bold dotwork — make an entrance
Credit: die_monde
This shoulder piece is unapologetically bold — lots of dotwork that draws the eye and says you’re ready to be seen. Hawthorn also carries that theme of renewal, which is such a comforting reminder: you can always start again when you’re ready.
Lily of the valley with a dark frame — contrast that tells a story
Credit: sunhoundink
I love how this one uses a heavy blackworking frame to make the lilies feel like light returning after darkness. Placed on the calf, it’s a bold look that literally frames the message: storms pass and joy returns.
Tiny lilies, a crescent moon, and the Taurus constellation — a little magic
Credit: bunami.ink
This small piece stacks rebirth (the flowers) with mystery — a crescent moon and Taurus stars — so it feels both intimate and a little enchanted. It’s the kind of subtle tattoo that encourages inner work while also trusting in the unknown.
A bird nesting among hawthorn blooms — a soft nature moment
Credit: lydiatattoos
A cozy design: a little bird perched amid hawthorn flowers, all of it whispering ‘‘take a breath and notice the world around you.’’ That reminder to seek peace and small wonders in nature is a lovely daily nudge.
A round lily of the valley wreath — protect the love you give
Credit: tattooist_mate
Forming the flowers into a circle makes the image feel like a safe, continuous space — a symbol of the love and protection lilies offer. The black-and-gray dotwork keeps it classic and quietly meaningful.
A bold hawthorn bouquet for the upper arm — classic and striking
Credit: sunnymoon.studio
This upper-arm bouquet leans into bold black ink and old-school elegance, and it’s the kind of piece people notice. Hawthorn has a long history with weddings and devotion, so this reads like a wearable promise of real, steady love.
Pink lilies of the valley for a cheerful, loving touch
Credit: konton_tattoos
Soft pink lilies feel bright and tender — a playful spin on the lily of the valley’s themes of love and care. It’s essentially a little encouragement to look after your people and not lose sight of the sweetness that’s already around you.
Wrap-Up
Alright, whether you’re leaning toward something tiny and intimate or a full-color statement, May has such beautiful floral symbolism to play with. If one of these designs speaks to you, save it, show it to an artist you trust, and make it yours. And hey — if you end up getting inked, send me a photo. I want to see which one you choose!
