When it comes to picking a tattoo design, it pays to take the time to understand the meanings behind some of the motifs that are appealing to you before you finalize your selection. This could ultimately swing your decision from one type of flower design over to another. Since your tattoo is a permanent design, you will want it to not only be beautiful but appropriate and significant for the event or time of your life that it will mark.

Here are some tattoo flowers to consider:

An Aztec (poinsettia style) flower reflects either a warrior or a temptress. Historically, Aztec women did not participate in the battle by holding weapons but they did assist in important ways. The Aztec women were tattooed with this flower to commemorate their participation in these events.

Daisy stands for joy. Frequently it references the free spirit of the 60's, 70's decades. Many times daisy tattoos are also used in connection with the birth of a child. It also means innocence.

The lily is also a powerful symbol for remembrance. It can contain the name of a lost loved one in the design or be embedded into tattoo design with other elements. Lilies are associated with Christ and are therefore is a symbol of the newly departed soul. If the departed person has led a good and decent life, the lily reflects the expectation of eternal life.

Besides being a symbol of Easter and the resurrection, white lilies also represent chastity and purity. White lilies have been used as a symbol for the Virgin Mary since the Angel Gabriel was first pictured giving Mary a white lily at the Annunciation.

The ancient Greeks and Egyptians on the other hand saw the lily as a symbol of fertility. This arises from the flowers shape and the prominent male pistol in its center. The lily has been a major decorating motif since these ancient times.

The lotus flower (also water lily) has huge symbolic significance in the eastern cultures. It is equivalent in importance to that which the rose has in the western world. The Eastern world learns that Buddha arose from the center of a lotus blossom. Consequently, the lotus flower is a symbol or rebirth, peace, enlightenment, truth, goodness and beauty.

Orchids are amongst the most expensive and exquisite flowers available. In ancient times, they were known for protecting against diseases and for love and fertility. Today an orchid tattoo represents preciousness and seduction.

In Japanese and Chinese cultures, the peony is considered a symbol of prosperity, wealth and good fortune. The peony, is however, a fragile flower that is not long lasting. Thus the symbolism of risk taking to get great rewards is associated with this flower as well.

The rose means love (especially love that is pure), growth and remembrance. Rose tattoos often have with the names of loved ones (living or deceased) in the design. The rose remains the most requested flower tattoo today and is almost as popular among men as it is among women.

Throughout history a single rose has been a message that says, "I love you". Roses without thorns reflect "love at first sight".

The color selected for any tattoo can heighten the meaning of a design. In the case of roses, white represents purity (in medieval times it was the symbol of virginity) or reverence; blue represents goodness; and red represents passion and in some cases enlightenment, yellow stands for joy, orange represents enthusiasm and light pink represents sympathy or admiration.

The beauty of this flower has inspired lovers, artists, philosophers and saints since the beginning. The ancient Greek poetess Sappho called the rose, the "Queen of Flowers". Before this, the warrior gone statesmen Greeks knew it as the "King of Flowers". Both the Romans and Greeks tied roses to beauty and love.

Because of this association with Rome, very early Christians saw it as a mark of scorn. It eventually came to symbolize triumph over persecution. Christians eventually adopted the rose as a symbol associated with miracles. Many saints have stories that include roses. The Virgin Mary is called "The Mystical Rose". The Virgin Mary in the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe gave roses to Juan Diego. The rosary prayer that the Virgin Mary advocated is said to have first consisted prayer beads made from roses. Later, rose-carved beads were used.

Legends about the rose as a source of love and inspiration are endless. Here is one such example from the early Persians: It is said that the nightingale loved the white rose so much that when the bird embraced it, a thorn pierced its heart. The nightingale's blood is credited with turning the rose red. This and many other stories contribute to the rose's popularity as a tattoo design.

Tulips were originally from Persia and came to the Netherlands in the 17th century. Hybrids of the flower were very decorative and scarce and soon became a symbol of high status. Eventually tulips and their bulbs were traded for up to $5,000 for one flower bed (the equivalent of a small house). Today, a tulip tattoo would represent fame or the perfect lover.

Here are some more meanings behind commonly "picked" flowers for tattoo designs:

Daffodil: chivalry

Dahlia: dignity, elegance

Gardenia: joy

Gladiolus: strength of character

Hydrangea: perseverance

Iris: faith, hope, wisdom

Larkspur: beautiful spirit

Lilac: first love

Whatever you choose, choose carefully since there is a lot more to flower tattoos than just a beautiful picture.