20 Old School Tattoo Ideas With Swallows, Hearts and Bold Flowers

Looking for old school tattoo ideas with bold outlines and a little color? Think red roses, swooping swallows and hearts wrapped in banners.

These pictures include colorful traditional designs plus a few finer-lined takes on familiar motifs.

You can keep things simple with a little anchor or go all out with a mermaid surrounded by flowers. There’s plenty to save here, whether you love black shading or want those bright reds and greens.

Tattoo designs worth saving

red-breasted swallows

We’re starting off strong with these gorgeous swallows. I love the red faces and little yellow details against the dark bodies.

The spread wings point in different directions across the two wrists.

If you like a paired design, ask your artist about birds that turn toward each other like these.

a hand holding poppies

This floral design may just be one of my favorites here. The illustrated hand holds stems between its fingers, with big red poppies and dark leaves all around it.

Don’t overlook that patterned cuff! The yellow bands and red scallops are such a pretty finish.

little wrist anchor

Don’t want to go all out and want something super simple? This little anchor gives you a smaller take on a nautical motif.

The rope winds around the middle, with black shading tucked into the curved base.

cowgirl on a bomb

How fun is this cowgirl pin-up? Her oversized black hat and yellow-trimmed outfit look so cute with those red-and-yellow curls.

She’s sitting on a cartoon bomb with a lit fuse, so this one definitely isn’t short on detail. I’d keep the little yellow spark if you’re planning your own playful version.

panther and red flowers

If you are looking for a design with a fierce expression, then this one is for you. This panther illustration has yellow-green eyes, long white fangs and a wide-open red mouth.

I love the red flowers on either side. Bring this reference to your artist if you want to explore a panther with a floral border.

true love heart

If you’re collecting old fashioned tattoo ideas, this heart-and-banner drawing is a lovely one to save. The yellow ribbon reads “TRUE LOVE” across the red heart, with pale blue flowers above and below.

You could ask for a short personal phrase instead, while keeping those curled ribbon ends.

eagles and barbed wire

These eagles really do go all out! The birds face each other across the upper chest, with their wings spreading toward the shoulders and barbed wire running between their claws.

The black-and-gray feathers have so much detail. I’d leave the color out if you love this darker look.

ship above curling waves

I am obsessed with the sails on this ship. Fine rigging lines cross between them while little curling waves gather around the dark hull.

This is a more finely shaded take on the nautical theme than the bold anchor above. Save it if you prefer lots of line detail to solid blocks of color.

Read also: 19+ Stunning Tattoo Men Ideas That Turn Heads

snake winding through roses

The red rose fans are going to love this! A dark snake winds behind the large flower and curves down through the leaves, with a smaller rose near its head.

My favorite part is the pale edging on the petals. There’s plenty going on here without adding a background.

flowers across a portrait

How pretty is this portrait? I love how the blue, red and pale flowers fall across the eyes instead of simply sitting beside the face.

The dark wavy hair and red cheeks are gorgeous together. Keep that sweep of flowers if you want a similar idea for your own portrait design.

a prowling tiger

If you’re looking for an animal design without the heavy shading of the panther, this tiger is worth saving. Its tail curls upward while one front paw reaches down the arm.

The thin outlines and striped body keep this version much lighter.

floral horseshoe and star

I love this horseshoe with its little floral details. The large star sits in the open center, with smaller stars decorating the sides.

That flower tucked into the bottom curve is my favorite part. You could ask for a touch of red there if you wanted to add color.

mermaid and colorful motifs

If you want lots of different details, there’s plenty to look at here. A dark-haired mermaid with a green scaled tail sits among flowers, with a dragon head above and a butterfly near the wrist.

I especially love the red, yellow and green running through the separate designs. Pick a small group of colors with your artist if you’re planning several pieces together.

butterflies and little stars

Don’t want heavy shading? No problem!

This butterfly design sheet offers a finer-lined alternative, with stars, dots and a crescent moon around the wings.

The butterfly at the upper right has darker patterned edges than the others. I’d start there if you want a little more black in your design.

swallows with small flowers

This is another pretty swallow idea, but it’s a little different from the colorful pair above. Here, the birds share one arrangement with small flowers and curling stems.

I love the pale strips between the dark wing feathers. The black-and-gray shading is so lovely on its own.

mom heart banner

How sweet is this heart tattoo? The “MOM” banner stretches across the middle, with a flower peeking out at the upper right and leaves on the opposite side.

If you want a dedication without lots of lettering, this is a lovely starting point. The dark shading around the heart’s edge keeps the center simple.

flaming heart and rays

Don’t want to add a banner or flowers to your heart design? This little flaming heart takes a simpler route.

Short black rays surround it, with a narrow flame rising from the top. I love how much open space remains inside the heart.

striped lighthouse

Bring a little color to your nautical inspiration with this lighthouse drawing. I am in love with the red-and-white tower and blue-edged clouds.

Yellow-and-red beams stretch out behind the top, with black bird silhouettes on both sides. Ask your artist about keeping those blue water lines beneath it too.

shaded elbow web

This web follows the elbow rather than sitting in a small separate patch. I love the scalloped outer edges and the dark shading inside each section.

If you’re considering a design like this, have your artist plan the shape around your own elbow rather than copying the outline exactly.

hula dancer with flowers

Last but definitely not least, we have this colorful hula dancer pin-up. I love the green skirt and the red flowers around her neck, wrists and ankles!

Her hands rest on her hips beneath dark curled hair. The little flower beside her face is such a pretty finishing detail.