Moon Phases Tattoo Idea? Try It for 2 Weeks
Moon Phases Tattoo Idea? Try It for 2 Weeks
Lasts 10–14 days
A moon phases tattoo stands for life's cycles, growth and transformation. The new moon suggests a fresh start, the full moon fulfilment, the waning moon letting go. Many also link it to femininity and intuition. Lined up vertically in fine line, this one follows the spine and keeps the look light.
At InkToday, these moon phases are 0.5 x 5.1 in and last 10–14 days, so you can see how they sit along your spine before you book a real tattoo.
Size: 0.5 x 5.1 in (1.1 x 12.9 cm) · Best placement: spine, inner forearm or ribs
Moon temporary tattoo guide → · See more fine line tattoo ideas →
What's in the kit?
Every InkToday tattoo ships in its protective sleeve, with an application guide to help you put it on.
How do I apply my tattoo?
Our tattoos are painless and very easy to apply yourself – it only takes a few simple steps.
Follow the application guide supplied with your tattoo, or watch our video tutorial here.
Once applied, the ink reacts with the proteins and the keratin in your skin, and darkens within 24 to 36 hours.
Your tattoo then stays visible for 10 to 14 days depending on where you apply it on your body, before fading away naturally.
Colour and appearance
Unlike most temporary tattoos, INKTODAY ink bonds to the surface of your skin instead of simply sitting on top of it.
Once applied, the ink reacts with the proteins and the keratin in your skin, and darkens within 24 to 36 hours.
The final result looks like a real tattoo, in a deep blue-black colour.
How long does the tattoo last?
INKTODAY tattoos are designed to fade within 10 to 14 days.
How long they last depends on where you apply them, on your daily activities and on how hydrated your skin is.
The ink fades gradually as your skin renews itself naturally.
Here is an estimate of how long they hold, area by area:
🦵 Leg: day 1 to 5 (very dark colour), then day 6 to 12 (colour fading).
🦶 Foot: day 1 to 8 (very dark colour), then day 9 to 14 (colour fading).
🦵 Knee: day 1 to 6 (very dark colour), then day 7 to 12 (colour fading).
💪 Forearm: day 1 to 6 (very dark colour), then day 7 to 12 (colour fading).
💪 Shoulder: day 1 to 7 (very dark colour), then day 8 to 14 (colour fading).
💪 Upper arm: day 1 to 7 (very dark colour), then day 8 to 14 (colour fading).
✋ Hand: day 1 to 4 (very dark colour), then day 5 to 8 (colour fading).
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InkToday ink: how we designed it
We developed our InkToday formula drawing on the natural, ancestral practices of tribes who used plant sap to mark their skin.
Our unique formula lets our INKTODAY tattoos last longer while giving a deeper, blacker colour.
Water-resistant and incredibly realistic, our tattoos offer an authentic, long-lasting experience.
Discover our founders’ story and how InkToday ink was created here 👀
Shipping and returns
We ship to most countries worldwide, free above the amount shown in your cart.
All non-personalised orders can be returned within 14 days, as long as the tattoo’s individual packaging has not been opened, of course.
Why try it before the real one
- See if 0.5 x 5.1 in is the right size where you want it (spine, inner forearm…).
- Watch how it looks on your skin, day after day.
- Love it? Show it to your tattoo artist. Not sure? Try another design next month.
What a moon phases tattoo means
Moon phases are often linked to cycles, change and growth: every ending makes room for a new beginning.
How to apply
- Clean and dry the skin.
- Press the tattoo on firmly.
- Peel off the backing.
- Let it develop: the ink darkens over 24–36 hours.
InkToday makes plant-based semi-permanent tattoos that develop on the skin over 24–36 hours, look like real ink and last 10–14 days, so you can try a tattoo design before getting it for real.
Meaning
A lunar month, the time between two returns of the same phase, averages about 29.5 days. There are four principal lunar phases: the new moon, first quarter, full moon and last quarter. Between them, the Moon looks either crescent or gibbous. A moon phases tattoo carries that rhythm: nothing stays fixed, and every phase comes back.
Source: Wikipedia, article “Lunar phase”
Size and placement
Design size: 0.5 x 5.1 in (1.1 x 12.9 cm)
| Placement | How it looks at this size | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Spine | At 5.1 in long and 0.5 in wide, the line of moons follows the upper spine | Someone who wants a fine piece she reveals with an open back |
| Inner forearm | Fits along the forearm, from wrist toward elbow | Someone who wants to see her cycle every day |
| Ribs | Runs along the side, hidden under a top | Someone who prefers a tattoo few people see |
FAQ
What does a moon tattoo with different phases symbolize?
A moon tattoo with different phases symbolizes life's cycles: change, growth and renewal. The new moon stands for beginnings, the waxing moon for growth, the full moon for fulfilment and the waning moon for letting go. Many wear it as a reminder that hard times pass and that every stage has a purpose. The meaning is the one you give it.
What do moon phases represent?
Moon phases represent the way things change and come back. The Moon goes from new to full and back in about 29.5 days, so its phases are an easy image for time, growth and renewal. In tattoos, they also carry femininity and intuition. A full row of phases says that you accept the highs and the lows as part of the same story.
Is a moon phases tattoo good or bad?
A moon phases tattoo is not seen as bad in most traditions. It is mostly linked to growth, balance and new beginnings. Some people pick the phases of a special date, like a birth or a wedding, to make it personal. Like any design, it says what you want it to say. Try it for two weeks to see if it still feels right.
Where should I put my moon tattoo?
It depends on the shape. A single crescent suits the wrist, ankle or behind the ear. A row of phases needs length: the spine works for a vertical line, the inner forearm or collarbone for a horizontal one, and the ribs for a hidden piece. This design is 0.5 x 5.1 in, so test it on the spine or forearm first.
What does a tattoo down the spine mean?
A tattoo down the spine has no fixed meaning, but many see the spine as the body's backbone, so the design often speaks of strength, balance or inner growth. Moon phases fit well there, since a vertical line of moons follows the curve of the back. It is also easy to hide or show, depending on what you wear.
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