Looking for celtic tattoos for women with a little something extra? Think looping hearts, tiny wrist knots and purple thistles woven into a larger design.
These pictures include simple outlines, detailed shaded tattoos and a few drawings to bring to your tattoo artist.
You can keep things small or go all out with a back piece. A few selections lean toward ornamental or fantasy designs rather than recognizable Celtic knotwork, so they’re included as alternative ideas.
Celtic Knots and Decorative Tattoo Ideas
little looping wrist knot
We’re starting off with this pretty little wrist knot. I love the fine black lines and the long loops on either side of its woven center.
If you want something understated, save this as a starting point for your artist. There’s no heavy shading here.
a knot behind the ear
How cute is this placement? The three-pointed knot sits just behind the ear, with a circle running through its loops.
The plain black outline is all this little design needs.
Read also: 17+ Edgy Bat Tattoo Ideas That Turn Heads
tree with woven roots
This tree may just be one of my favorites here. I love how the twisted trunk leads into interwoven roots at the bottom.
Even the circular border has knotwork running through it.
Keep the little leaves if you want that same mix of leafy branches and detailed weaving.
pointed loops and tiny dots
If you are looking for a more decorative knot drawing, this one is for you. The wide lower loops, curled ends and dotted edges give you lots to work with.
Bring the illustration to your artist to discuss an adaptation. It’s a design reference rather than a tattoo shown on skin.
shamrock ankle knot
I am obsessed with this little shamrock. The heart-shaped leaves surround a knot in the middle, with a short stem underneath.
The ankle placement is worth saving too. I’d keep the open outlines rather than adding solid color if you like this version.
flowers and spine scrollwork
Want something that stretches down your back? This long ornamental piece mixes tiny curls, flowers, pointed shapes and dotted strands.
Read also: 20 Waist Tattoo Ideas for Women From Tiny Stars to Floral Vines
It isn’t clearly Celtic knotwork, so save it as an alternative rather than a traditional knot reference. I especially love the flower sitting off to one side.
crowned heart and clovers
How pretty is this Claddagh design? Two hands hold a crowned heart, with pale green clovers scattered around it.
The little curling stems are my favorite part. Ask about keeping those fine botanical details if you want a similar frame around your heart.
three bold shoulder spirals
Don’t want lots of tiny woven lines? No problem!
This triple spiral gives you a different direction, with three black curls meeting near the shoulder.
Read also: 20 Aesthetic Sketchbook Doodle Ideas From Tiny Flowers to Dreamy Scenes
I love how open the centers are. The scattered dots add a little detail without filling those spaces.
layered knotwork and dark shading
If you are looking for lots of knotwork, then this one is for you. There’s a large three-pointed knot in the middle with smaller woven bands surrounding it.
The dark shading behind the pale bands is gorgeous. Bring the whole picture to your artist so you can discuss both the weaving and the pointed outer shape.
matching wrist knots
These matching wrist designs are so pretty together. Each has three pointed loops, curved extensions and a mix of thin lines and thicker black sections.
If you’re considering matching tattoos, this is a lovely reference to discuss together.
a heart woven into a knot
I love this heart-and-knot combination. The heart’s rounded sides weave through a three-pointed shape instead of sitting separately above it.
This is a shaded drawing rather than a finished tattoo. You could ask your artist for a similar idea with plain outlines if you prefer less shading.
a narrow knotwork armband
If you’re looking for something that follows your arm rather than sitting in one small spot, save this band. It sits below the elbow, with knot details connecting to a narrow geometric section.
The unfilled lines keep this version visually light. I’d leave the center open like this.
black knotwork butterfly
How cute is this butterfly? The pointed upper wings and curled lower ends are filled with bold black shapes, while open lines weave through the center.
This gives you a different way to include knotwork without choosing a standalone knot.
flowing dragon and bird drawing
There is so much to look at in this drawing! A dragon-like head curves above a feathered bird, with large flowers and long flowing shapes connecting the design.
This is a fantasy illustration rather than a clear Celtic motif. Save it separately if you love the movement and want to discuss a custom tattoo.
pale finger knot
Don’t want a bold black design? This pale knot offers a very different look.
The small loops cross over the finger, with longer lines extending toward the sides.
Ask your artist about pale ink and finger placement before choosing this combination. The photo alone can’t show how it will look over time.
a vertical back knot
This is another back placement, but it’s very different from the floral piece above. I love the stacked loops and the small pointed ends.
The design stays narrow along the center of the back. Save this one if you want an elongated knot without adding flowers or other imagery.
crescent and pointed ornament
The shaded crescent is my favorite part of this design. Fine looping lines cross the middle, with long points above and below plus little hanging dots.
This one leans ornamental rather than clearly Celtic. It’s another option if you’re drawn to curved lines but don’t want an interwoven band.
purple thistles and a knot
I am obsessed with these purple thistles. The jagged leaves and dark stems look so pretty with the soft patches of purple around the flower heads.
A three-pointed knot sits near the bottom of the arrangement. Keep that combination if you want flowers to take up most of the design.
an interwoven heart
Want the heart itself to be the knot? This graphic has wide white bands weaving around open green spaces, all contained in a pointed heart shape.
Use it as a shape reference rather than a photo of a tattoo. Your artist could adapt the interlacing into black linework.
wolf and crescent drawing
Last but definitely not least, we have this bold wolf-and-crescent illustration. I love the upward-facing head and the long pointed shapes beneath it.
There’s interlacing near the bottom, though the overall design is more stylized animal artwork than a traditional Celtic knot. Bring it along if that’s the direction you’d like to explore.