The simple semicolon tattoo is a bright neon sign for those struggling with suicidal thoughts, depression, and other serious mental health issues.
The symbol has been adopted as a permanent reminder in ink that, despite serious problems, people’s stories are not over and that they must be given the opportunity to tell them.
The semicolon tattoo has proven to be an excellent identifier for patients and supporters. It is a meeting point capable of ending the stigma associated with self-harm and suicidal ideation.
beyond the ink lies the message; a reminder to keep working, fighting and living to fight another day.
Read on for the gallery of inspirational semicolon tattoos, followed by information on the symbol’s development and use in the fight against suicide and mental health stigma.
1. black ink semicolon tattoos
Most semicolon tattoos are simple ink expressions that rely on the effective use of black ink engraving to convey the required message. Some of the examples above use the clarity of the message in combination with a supportive idea of growth, strength, or resilience as a reminder to keep fighting.
2. delicate semicolon tattoos
The best tattoo artists are tremendously adept at identifying the motivation behind people’s tattoos and then using that to help fully explore the ink they create for each subject. With memories so intensely personal, painful and even devastating attached to each semicolon tattoo, the artists of the examples above were able to gently yet fiercely bring each one to life.
the execution of the artistic style (geometry, sharp or flowing lines, vines and blooming flowers or simple objects) within these tattoos serve as a reinforcement of armor for the painful memories and the battles waged by the subject to put their fight in a correct way. permanent in the meat.
3. illustrative semicolon tattoos
Semicolon tattoos by nature tend to be simple, intensely personal ink representations without much ostentation. The above tattoos are not simple expressions, but they are far from flashy and outgoing creations.
These well-etched illustrative tattoos subtly incorporate the semicolon within a larger piece of body art, almost hiding them in plain sight. In a way, this is parallel to what happens with the people behind the ink, hiding their pain and struggle behind expressions of irony or other more camouflaged images of themselves in order to move on.
4. semicolon tattoo script
Words simply and powerfully add another layer of protection to the semicolon tattoo: affirmations or blessings to reinforce the message of resilience. the words themselves act as reminders of faith, whether in a higher power or coming from the core of the individual.
These scripts complement the semicolon (the fight is not over) tattoo principles and come in a variety of styles, ink applications, and physical locations.
5. semicolon technical tattoos
These ink examples reinforce the message of strength and resilience by using technically savvy body art to display the semicolon. there are some tremendous tattoos to be found above, again no flash, powerfully using technical skills like dot work, clean single line tattooing or modest grayscale shading gradients to make soulful dot tattoos and comma.
6. small semicolon tattoos
Small tattoos are the most common representation of semicolon ink you’ll find. they are small identifiers of the battle, they serve both as a signal to other fighters and for any other reason. with these simple examples everything breaks down simply: I have fought, I am fighting, I am still here.
7. watercolor semicolon tattoos
There are few semicolon tattoos with bright, bold colors, however, watercolor can be used to help alleviate and counteract some of the darkness of tone (and sentiment) in this type of ink. Little pockets of color tied to ink, self-expression, or escape, they blend well with core themes of semicolons and help illuminate a subject that’s daunting to most.
Semicolon Tattoo FAQs
What does the semicolon tattoo symbolize?
“A semicolon is used when an author could have chosen to end their sentence but chose not to. the author is you, and the sentence is your life.” – amy bleuel
The semicolon tattoo was popularized by amy bleuel, the founder of the semicolon project, who sadly lost her mental health battle in 2017 at the age of 31.
The semicolon tattoo is meant to reflect that the battle is not over and that victims, their supporters and the community at large can fight against self-harm and suicidal ideation.
what is the semicolon project?
project semicolon is a charity dedicated to suicide prevention and helping people with mental health problems get the help they need.
The work of the project is based on the foundation and belief that suicide is preventable and that all people can contribute to play a role in its prevention.
the semicolon project operates through public awareness strategies, community education, and equipping people with the knowledge and tools to help save more lives.
for more information visit:projectsemicolon.org
Why are semicolon tattoos usually placed on the wrist or on the forearm?
Most semicolon tattoos are etched on the wrist and inner forearm, a significant nod to the most visible self-harm location chosen by people who choose to manifest mental anguish in a physical way.
