Imagine turning a page after the hardest chapter of your life and finding a splash of color there—that’s what rainbow baby tattoos are all about. They’re stories of loss, love, and little miracles, inked onto skin like a promise of better days.
Here, we’re sharing these deeply personal tributes with you–tributes from moms in OUR community. These tattoos are more than just ink; they’re badges of courage, and they speak of the joy that comes after the storm of pregnancy or infant loss.
So, grab a comfy seat and a cup of tea, and let’s dive into these beautiful marks of love and patience together.
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What is a Rainbow Baby?
Before you dive into a search for heartfelt quotes and simple designs to use in your tattoo, it’s essential to answer the question, “what is a rainbow baby?“
Simply put, a rainbow baby is any child born after parents have gone through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. A rainbow baby, also called a sunshine baby, is the child who joins your family after these losses.
For loss parents who choose to use this term, “rainbow babies” are the rainbow after the storm.
Tattoos for Rainbow Babies: Symbolic Ideas for Parents
Moving into the heart of our shared experiences, let’s explore the world of symbolic rainbow baby tattoos. These designs go beyond the traditional, weaving in elements that tell a deeper story.
Whether it’s a date, a name, or a symbol that resonates with your journey, each tattoo here carries a profound meaning that’s as unique as your own path to healing.
Expectant Rainbow Tattoo
Symbolism
- Rainbows are often used to symbolize a baby born after miscarriage
- Colorless rainbow signifies hope for a baby after miscarriage
While many moms use rainbow tattoos to celebrate a baby born after loss, others (like Courtney) are still waiting on their rainbow.
Courtney says, “This is my dark rainbow. I’m waiting to color it in whenever my rainbow comes.” She says she’s had 3 miscarriages in one year. We send so much love to Courtney’s rainbow as she waits for full color.
Flower Rainbow Baby Tattoos
Blooms etched in ink can symbolize growth, renewal, and the delicate beauty of life after loss. Each petal and stem tells a tale of endurance and flourishing after a storm—a natural tribute to the little ones who color our world with hope.
Living Child and Miscarriage Bouquet
Symbolism
- Poppy flower to remember an early miscarriage
- Honeysuckle is the birth month flower for June
Katie combined the symbolism of flowers for living child and her first miscarriage for her tattoo. She says, “I got the little poppy flower for my first miscarriage, and the honeysuckle for my living son born in June.”
Katie is considering adding to this art, or possibly getting a completely different tattoo to commemorate her experiences since this image was inked. She’s had 5 more losses between her son and her second living child, a daughter born in August of 2023.
Blooming Flower Tattoo
Symbolism
- Blooming peony represents the flowers that bloomed between induction and coming back home with Baby
- Blooming flowers also represent dreams coming to fruition
- Linework around the blossom represents an ultrasound screen
Jessica was inspired by the literal flowers in her yard for this beautiful piece! She said, “When we left to go the hospital for our induction, the peonies in our yard hadn’t yet bloomed. When we got home with her, they were in full bloom and gorgeous.”
Jessica also used the image of an ultrasound screen to commemorate the joy of meeting her baby. “Each time I lost a pregnancy (x4), the only opportunity we ever had to see our babies was in an ultrasound screen. This tattoo represents our rainbow growing out of the screen, blooming against the odds.”
SO meaningful and lovely!
Flying Symbolism in Rainbow Baby Tattoos
Whether you choose birds, butterflies, or something else, flying imagery is often associated with miscarriage and rainbow baby tattoos. Here are a a few flight tattoos from our community.
Birds Including Earthside Children and Miscarriages
Symbolism
- Three birds on a branch are mother, father, and living son
- Each bird flying away represents a loss
Christine loves her tattoo because it represents herself and her husband with their son watching their losses fly away. Simpler tattoos like these can often be modified as your story continues.
Rainbow Baby Bird
Symbolism
- Mother, father, and living daughter are represented by birds on a branch
- 6 birds flying away are losses
- Colors can indicate a rainbow baby
In this tattoo, Clara, her husband, and her living daughter are on the branch, and the birds flying away represent the pregnancies lost to miscarriage. The tiny bird on the left is representative of an early chemical pregnancy.
Clara writes that she initially didn’t include it because a chemical loss occurs so early in pregnancy, and she didn’t feel like it counted. But when she had the other birds added, she decided that it needed to be there as part of her journey.
Note: At Undefining Motherhood, we believe ALL losses count. We love Clara’s addition of her chemical pregnancy loss in her rainbow baby tattoo.
Butterfly Carrying an Earthside Child
Symbolism
- Half butterfly represents the beauty of pregnancy with the grief of miscarriage
- Letter E represents rainbow baby’s first name
Kerry found a beautiful way to symbolize both her loss and her rainbow baby, all in one tiny tattoo. She says, “I decided to get the tattoo because I wanted [this baby] in a way to be a visible/physical part of me… I sort of think of it as the butterfly carried E to us, and that our two babies are always connected in this way.”
Even sweeter? Kerry notes, “In the photo I’m holding E’s hand… A moment that I doubted for a long time would ever happen.”
Double Rainbow Baby Tattoo
Symbolism
- Mama and papa bird on the branch with their baby bird (wrapped around to other side of wrist)
- Two birds flying away represent 2 miscarriages
Kayla says, “I wanted to share my tattoo for my double rainbow baby after a miscarriage followed by an ectopic pregnancy, which took me literal years to get drawn the way I wanted. This all occurred during our initial attempts to start our family and I wanted to celebrate my earth side baby while also remembering my heavenly little ones.”
Kayla will soon be adding her second earth side baby to this memorial!
Tattoos with Rainbow Baby Quotes or Words
Quotes, whether ones specific to rainbow babies or from someone special to you, can add deep meaning to your tattoo art. Here are some of our favorite picks.
Words from a Loved One
Symbolism
- Each flower represents a baby (whether alive or lost) by birth month
- The small infinity symbol links two living children the daisy (April) and larkspur (July)
- Hidden infinity sign represents parents’ relationship
While Shelly’s birth flower bouquet of her children is lovely on its own, it is more meaningful because of the words below it.
Shelley explains, “The words ‘This will always be home for you!!’ are words my Grandpa wrote on a flower card in 2011 while I was away at college and came back to their house one weekend because I was so homesick. They mean so much to me with my flower bouquet because I have a little bit of each baby in my DNA.”
She says this is “the only thing left of their physical being and I will always be their home. I also love this as a message for my [living] boys, that no matter what, I’ll always be here for you.”
So much thought was put into this beautiful line art!
Baby Initials Tattoo
Symbolism
- Each butterfly represents a loss
- Each letter is the first name of an earthside child
- The whole tattoo memorializes a 7 year battle with infertility
In her blog, Jennifer says, “This tattoo is memorializing a traumatic but beautiful experience for me. It represents the strength we showed to keep getting up after every single failed cycle and set back. And the heartbreak and sadness we felt at the same time. It’s the love and gratitude for my sister-in-law who helped us create our family by being our surrogate. And the grief and guilt that I felt, because I wasn’t able to do it myself. It’s a reminder of the anger, injustice and jealousy we felt when everyone else around us was getting what we wanted the most. And the courage we felt, to keep showing up, keep smiling, and keep putting one foot in front of the other. It encompasses the devastation of our miscarriages, and that little glimmer of hope we felt afterward that whispered…..keep going. “
“But more than anything, it is for our two babies, Luca and Sophie, who made it into our arms, against all odds. It represents the immense amount of love and gratitude I feel that THEY were the ones who chose us. And seeing the letters of their name neatly inscribed on my wrist, is a reminder to be grateful. Because even on the really really hard days, I know that it was all worth it.” Thank you, Jennifer, for your beautiful story.
Rainbow Baby Quotes to Include in Your Tattoo
Whether you surround a quote with floral designs or include your child’s name, the following are some of our top picks when you’re looking to add a rainbow baby quote to your new tattoo design:
- “Rainbows remind us that even after the darkest clouds, and the fiercest winds, there is still beauty.” – Katrina Mayer
- “The greater your storm, the brighter your rainbow.”
- “You can’t have a rainbow without a little rain.”
- “You are the rainbow that adds colors to my gray skies.” – Avijeet Das
Where Should You Get a Tattoo for Your Rainbow Baby?
When it comes to choosing the perfect spot for a rainbow baby tattoo, it’s all about personal significance and the kind of reminder you want. Many parents opt for a place that’s close to their hearts—quite literally, with tattoos over the heart or on the chest.
Wrists, forearms, and ankles are popular too, offering a daily glimpse of the design that holds so much meaning. Some choose more private areas, like the shoulder blade or back, as a personal keepsake.
Ultimately, the best place for your tattoo is wherever you feel the connection strongest—it’s your personal canvas to honor your unique story.
Tips for Choosing a Tattoo Studio and Artist
Now, before you take the plunge and schedule an appointment for your new tattoo, there’s something else you should keep in mind.
Not all tattoo studios are equal.
You’re going to have this on your body permanently, and it will also be imbued with a meaningful story, so try not to slide into the inbox of the first shop you see. Keep these suggestions in mind to help you choose a tattoo studio you can trust for your new ink:
- Ensure your tattoo artist has all certifications and that the parlor is fully licensed.
- Confirm your artist uses single-use tattoo kits.
- Check and see if they use sterile gloves during each session.
- Look at reviews online and ask for recommendations from people you trust.
- Find your specific personal style. Many artists specialize in different styles. For example, if you want a watercolor tattoo, you wouldn’t go to an artist who specializes in something entirely different.
- Check out their Instagram page! Many artists use Instagram as a way to showcase their work and book appointments.
- Some artists are starting out as apprentices and often offer cheaper prices. If you’re uncomfortable with this, then do your homework. Ask how long they have been tattooing and where you can see their portfolio (likely, it’s on Instagram).
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Tattoos for Rainbow Babies
Still on the fence about whether you want to celebrate your children with a rainbow baby tattoo? Here’s a quick breakdown of everything you need to know.
Rainbow baby tattoos celebrate the birth of a child following miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. These tattoos often memorialize previous losses, too.
The world is your oyster when picking a magic spot for your rainbow baby tattoos. From your forearm to your ankle, whichever area you’re most comfortable with will work. Just be sure to speak with your artist about which location will be best for the design you’ve chosen.
Look at reviews and ask friends for recommendations before picking a tattoo artist. Instagram is a great way to find styles and artists you like. Make sure to pick a licensed facility that utilizes safe practices (don’t be afraid to stop by and watch before choosing!)
Anybody can get a tattoo to represent a rainbow or sunshine baby! There’s no rule saying you can’t or that you have to.
