31 Best Semicolon Tattoo Meaning & Designs

A semicolon tattoo is one of the most meaningful symbols for people who are going through a tough period. The choice of this tattoo shows that our life continues against all the odds.
In this article we have covered for you many ideas of different semicolon designs and where to place the tattoo so it will look right for men and women.

Semicolon Tattoo Meaning and Story

A semicolon tattoo is a symbolic reminder that one's life should not end with suicide or be consumed by mental health struggles. It is a tattoo that has become increasingly popular with those struggling with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. The semicolon movement was started in 2013 by Project Semicolon, a non-profit organization that seeks to create awareness of mental health issues, promote suicide prevention, and provide hope and support to those who are struggling.

The semicolon is used in literature to denote a pause, representing a moment where a sentence could have ended, but instead the author chose to keep going. This metaphor has been translated into tattoos and other art pieces as a power statement of resilience and determination, conveying the message that a person struggling with mental health issues should not end their life, but instead continue pushing forward.

The butterfly is often paired with the semicolon tattoo to represent the idea of transformation. When a caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly, its transformation symbolizes hope, strength, and new life. The combination of the semicolon and the butterfly encourages people to persevere with courage despite the difficulties they face and to find the light on the other side.

In the mental health community, both the semicolon and butterfly tattoos are viewed as an emblem of hope that no matter what hardships someone is dealing with, there is always the opportunity to find peace in the midst of turmoil. Many people find solace in the fact that although our journeys in life are at times filled with pain and suffering, we can still find beauty and hope in the midst of the darkness.

The semicolon tattoo has become a beloved symbol of courage and hope for millions of people around the world, particularly those struggling with mental health issues. It not only helps raise awareness of such issues, but it also provides strength and support to those who are struggling with depression and anxiety. The butterfly tattoo symbolizes transformation, which can give people the strength to take the next steps in their journey, no matter how challenging.

Meaningful Semicolon Tattoo Designs and Combinations

1. Semicolon Butterfly Tattoo

This semicolon butterfly tattoo has got the subtle outline of wings. It’s a popular tattoo choice for a romantic wearer who is going to make tough choices or in two minds about the future.

@glimmernink

If the outline is well-defined, and the lines are of the same widths, this tattoo’s meaning is a bit different. It represents a strong personality and also shows the romantic vulnerable nature of the character and the sufferings caused by amorous feelings.

@njogsk8r

The delicate lines of black and white butterfly emphasize the sophisticated taste of its wearer. Its placement on the inner bicep could tell about a possible gay orientation who has experienced an unrequited love. 

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@thefamouslery

2. Heart Semicolon Tattoos

A heart with semicolon design placed on the wrist of the left arm symbolizes a romantic person who doesn’t like to show her feelings. In this case all too often depression is linked to the sorrows of love.

@dalgu_tattooer

This semicolon heart design is placed on the right arm and made in two colors resembling two playing card suits. It could denote a gambling character. Quite often this tattoo is chosen by restless people who like travel and love affairs.

@renz_edrizon

If you see a semicolon heart tattoo painted on the exposed part of the body and tattooed in bright colors, you could think about its wearer as a person who lacks attention from others. He might suffer from social rejection and misunderstanding. These people quite often need comfort and friendly support.

@complete.njema

3. Cat Semicolon Tattoo

A tattoo location on the wrist where you can feel the pulse says that the tattoo meaning is linked with the heart. A cat can symbolize a witty mind. This design together with a comma explains that its wearer has a choice between the heart and the mind.

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@heyitschami

A colourful cat semicolon tattoo could say that its wearer tries to cipher the initial meaning of the semicolon tattoo. A person with this design will open up to those who can understand his true nature.

@tattoosbyrhianne

4. Semicolon Watercolor Tattoo

A butterfly with a semicolon body painted in watercolor technique describes a person who loves life. Still, it also says that its wearer can get hurt easily.

@dannystattoocollective

A semicolon painted on vivid aquarelle colors could signify a loss of a significant other, a love partner, or general joy. The initial meaning of a flower tattoo is happiness, but together with a semicolon it can be a sign of sadness and bitter flashbacks.

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@muthahubbardstattooparlour

A black butterfly tattoo surrounded by vivid colors is a symbol of surviving in a cruel human world. It describes a sensitive person who has a keen susceptibility for ups and downs of life.

@semicolon__tattoos

5. Infinity Semicolon Tattoo

This design of an infinity semicolon tattoo symbolizes a person who keeps going over the same ground. He often experiences depression, dismay, and internal battles. And the heart instead of the dot says about a vicious circle in his romantic life.

@dave_fij

6. Semicolon with Heartbeat Tattoo

A cardiogram sign together with a semicolon design describes a person as someone who falls in love easily. Love means a lot for him but it often comes with pain and disappointment.

@thetattoovalley

There is another body art with a cardiogram sign. The tattoo combines a semicolon, a zigzag inside a broken heart and a title “Beautifully Broken” below the tattoo. This design reflects romantic experiences linked with the pain from the loss of a significant other.

@wjscott77

7. Semicolon and Cross Tattoo

A semicolon and cross is kind of christian tattoo denotes a spiritual development of a person. A wearer of this tattoo sees self-enrichment as his personal path that gives him hope and strength to keep going through life.

@maga.oh

8. Dragonfly Semicolon Tattoo

A dragonfly and a dragon indicate speed, courage, strength, and resilience. Still, even people with these features are ordinary humans and can’t escape anxiety. The semicolon in the centre with the designs of a dragon or a dragonfly says that the people can be in a tough situation.

@mikeaveno_tattoos

It’s painful to get a tattoo on the wrist. People who go for it want to show that they are strong and resilient. Look at this picture with a semicolon in the centre of the dragonfly, as an example.

@semicolon__tattoos

9. Semicolon with Flower

The design is tattooed on a very sensitive body part, hidden from occasional eyewinks. Tattoo of rose describes a passionate person who dives into love relationships easily. The semicolon by the stem says that a person is lost in the relationship, or grieves the end of it.

@o_nuwol_tt

Instead, a sunflower semicolon tattoo declares ‘I’m cheerful!’. A person with this tattoo can enjoy life fully and face occasional pain caused by cakes and ales.

@reddesertink

10. Warrior’s Semicolon

Знак воина, разделенный точкой с запятой, определяет носителя рисунка как духовного борца. Такой человек часто находится на пересечении двух жизненных дорог, переосмысливает свои решения и направления.

@semicolon__tattoos

The quote reminds a wearer that life goes on. A person with this tattoo never forgets about the shortness of life and thus, tries to put more reasons into her existence.

@semicolon__tattoos

A semicolon tattoo punctuated with a quote or a saying has a clean-cut meaning. A person with this tattoo is quite conscious and doesn’t fritter away his energy.

@pearcetattoos

11. Semicolon Birds Tattoo

A bird means freedom. The image of a semicolon birds tattoo symbolizes the idea of coping with troubles and moving forward no matter what. The choice of dark shades characterizes a person with melancholic traits.

@georgiacaroline.tattoos

12. Semicolon Arrow Tattoo

An image of an arrow can tell us about an ambitious and goal-orientated person. Though, the semicolon in the centre of the design shows us something has led him to rethink his goals.

@jessicawentzeltattoo

13. Rainbow Semicolon Tattoo

Rainbow colors above the semicolon describe a positive person, a daydreamer. Still, this design shows us that he isn’t immune from love turmoil.

@siscotattoos

14. Semicolon Music Tattoo

A treble clef and a music note represent a person who is passionate about music. In this case a semicolon tattoo with a G clef sends the ciphered message to those who can see through the romanticism of sadness.

@saramaephotography_

Another subtle tattoo of a semicolon with a music note. A person with this tattoo could be vulnerable to occasional attacks of a black dog and also open to creativity appeals.

@sierranicoleeeee

15. Colorful Semicolon Tattoo

The semicolon symbol is hidden in the sun&moon design. It describes a person who is choosing his life paths.

@aliciavasquezart

A mix and match of cool and warm shades describes a stable person who struggles against depression and loneliness from time to time. This design suits girls more than guys as it symbolizes sympathy and femininity.

@orchideapn

A blue shade of a butterfly describes melancholic features of a tattoo wearer. A person often faces depression and dismay but refuses to give up and strives to spread the wings.

@ag.bodyart

16. White Semicolon Tattoo

White subtle ink on fair skin clouded with a gray gradient could represent a person who keeps himself to himself and who avoids attention of other people. This tattoo design is placed to remind its wearer about the rapidity of life.

@semicolon__tattoos

17. Small Semicolon

A delicate and discreet semicolon tattoo can represent commitment to the #projectsemicolon. Often people who don’t like to make a show of their emotions opt for this choice.

@tattooist_namoo

This photo shows another traditional way to express struggles with depression, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts. The wings of a dragonfly symbolise yet another chance. Only a person with the same tattoo on the body can understand the true meaning of it.

@jana.gerhardt.tattoos

18. Lotus Flower Semicolon Tattoo

The official meaning of the lotus is silence and oblivion. This design together with a semicolon could represent a reserved person who makes decisions on his own without listening to others.

@lizzie_starr

An image of a black and white lotus transforming into a semicolon reflects a melancholic nature of a person. Most probably a person with this design likes silence and loneliness.

@lukepukeink

19. Poppy Flower Semicolon

A poppy honours commemoration of a dead person. A person with a poppy flower semicolon tattoo grieves the loss of a significant other and keeps memory of him or her.

@felicia_lozoya

A colored poppy semicolon tattoo is usually inked with cool shades such as dark and light blue, and violet. They represent sadness and melancholy.

@janagoesabroad

20. “Continue” Tattoo

The initial meaning of the semicolon is rebirth and finding our own way through a complete rethink of something. This tattoo design with the word ‘Continue’ says that a person has figured out the importance of some ideas and is ready to move on.

@knockitoutdabox

21. Feather Semicolon Tattoo

A semicolon and a feather indicates the tendency to look for spirituality. A wearer with this tattoo is an independent adventurer.

@prizsmaaa

A colorful feather with a dripping ink semicolon says that life chapters of a person are to be written. People with strong character usually opt for this tattoo design.

@nixietattoo

22. Flowers and Buttefly Tattoo

A semicolon presented as a body of a butterfly whose one wing pops with flowers is another feminine tattoo design. The semicolon body describes a tough period that has changed a person’s life. The outspread wings indicate that the person is ready to fly again and explore life.

@shadedfae_tattoos

23. “Sol Invictus” Tattoo

A semicolon creates Sol Invictus (latin for “Unconquered Sun”). This quote reminds a person in depression that nothing has been lost yet. This is the light that leads a wearer through the dark times of his life.

@bextattoos

24. “Just Breathe” Tattoo

The quote ‘Just Breathe’ together with a semicolon says that sometimes after trying all ways round you should just continue living and enjoying what the world offers us. Most probably a wearer with this design has turned the page and decided to live no matter what.

@saramaephotography_

A tattoo located on the wrist is a reminder to yourself that life exists in every breath. People who have tried to commit suicide often mark their attempts like that.

25. Unique Quotes with Semicolon

An aspirational motto, a short quote works as a reminder to yourself. Here the semicolon represents the incompleteness of the phrase and the life as well.

@missmelisfritz

Men opt for a different quote or one-two neat words. The phrase ‘Fight on’ reflects the character and the intentions of a wearer. It emphasises his determination to overcome challenges in life.

@semicolon__tattoos

26. Semicolon Tattoo On Wrist

A semicolon of a blast of colors bears a meaning of a tough period in the past and the decision to let it all go.

@mobunniemoproblems

A more subtle design for a reserved person. A wearer tells us that despite all challenges and hardship he is ready to move on.

@becca.mills.tattoos

27. Semicolon on Finger

A tiny finger tattoo speaks about a past event. The semicolon here reflects a hard moment in life that has finished.

@foreverink2010

28. Semicolon on Hand

Here the tattoo on the right hand works as a message. It reminds its wearer about the incompleteness of his or her business in life and that there is always something to strive for. Even in crises.

@jennavaan

29. Semicolon Behind Ear

A tattoo behind an ear is quite feminin. A woman can’t see it. It could be easily hidden under the locks whenever a wearer wants. It works more as a message for an important person in her life who will pay attention to this hidden part.

@jmsmama09

A more dimensional tattoo design where the semicolon is deciphered as a lilly and a wing. Supporters of #projectsemicolon who wear these tattoos show to each other that they need support.

@danielmtattoos

30. Semicolon Tattoo on Neck

A tattoo on the neck speaks about a daredevil nature. A wearer with this tattoo is not afraid to make decisions. The design is accentuated with a quote ‘My story is not finished yet’ which underlines the intention to move on.

@karin_algazi

It’s not just a punctuation mark as it has its own story. In 2013 a father of young girl, Amy Bleuel, committed suicide. As a tribute to him Amy came up with this symbol that means incompleteness. Amy made a tattoo on her arm “Love endlessly; purpose for the pain” and started the social movement #projectsemicolon on the Internet.
Hundreds of thousands of people across the world have supported the project by placing different interpretations of the semicolon on parts of the body. They tattooed it to show that they too go through crisis and pain, stuck in the middle of their life or shocked by grief. Often it works as a call for help to deal with their suffering and pain.

Why does the semicolon symbolise the fight with depression and anxiety?

A semicolon mark reflects that life goes on, and the end is not there yet. Someone could be at the crossroads thinking what to do and which way to choose. A design like that on a wrist, a neck or another part of the body can mean more than any other elegant tattoo reminder.
The image is usually chosen by people who suffer from depression, anxiety and need psychological support from friends and society. Many who have attempted suicide choose this tattoo as a sign that there is something to live for, there is always continuation and a way out even though it seems contrary during a crisis.
Project Semicolon supports people whose mental health has been affected by mental traumas, bipolar disorders, self-harm behaviours and mental illnesses.

What are the best body parts to get the semicolon tattoo?

Men and women choose different body parts for this symbol. Women prefer hidden places such as a wrist, a place behind an ear, a neck, a finger. Men opt for places with more visibility such as a shoulder, an arm or a forearm, a thigh or a calf.