Getting a tattoo might be the closest you ever come to actually wearing your emotions on your sleeve. Whether it’s a heart or a skull, each design tells a story, represents a unique perspective, and captures the imagination of the onlooker. While some tattoos have deliberate meanings, others take on new meaning with time.
We wanted to learn more about the emotional process behind getting a tattoo, so we asked people all over the world about their personal stories. We also explored how they felt about their tattoos months and years later down the road. Below, you’ll find a collection of personal accounts, which tell compelling stories about tattoos and fate. Read on, and you may be surprised by how tattoos have impacted people’s lives.
Jessica, Conquering Personal Struggle
Jessica’s tattoo tells a story about her struggle with Borderline Personality Disorder, and about how this has affected her relationships. She draws a parallel between herself and the classic storybook character, Max, from ‘Where the Wild Things Are,’ who was mistrusting of others and battling his own monsters. Her tattoo of Max helps her to embrace the way she is, and it reminds her that she has people she can trust and depend on.
Q: Is there a special story behind your tattoo design?
A: “When I was a senior in college, I went to see a therapist for the first time and was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. I was in and out of therapy, and finished numerous self help books. At the end of it all, I was not only exhausted, but incredibly determined. When I was younger, I always identified with Max from Where The Wild Things Are, primarily because I saw myself in him. I felt like Max was a perfect representation of what the entire experience was like for me: making mischief and causing trouble, battling with and conquering my own monsters, and then finding that the people who loved me the most were still there at the end of it all (represented in the book as 'he found his supper waiting for him / and it was still hot.'). The tattoo seemed like a no-brainer.”
Q: Has your tattoo's meaning transformed over time?
A: “Not really, although usually when people ask me about it I tend not to go into specifics and instead just say that I was a big fan of the book.”Emily, Fostering Positive Relationships
Emily’s tattoos help her to build positive social connections. She has two speech bubble tattoos, one with a heart in it, and the other with 3 exclamation points. These designs remind her to treat people well, and give them the benefit of the doubt when communicating with them.
Q: What finally motivated you to get a tattoo?
A: “ Art. Your body is a blank canvas to showcase your life and your loves, and I enjoy that freedom of artistic expression.”
Q: What are the meanings behind your tattoos?
A: “The Thought Bubble with the Heart in it [is] to remember to always think with my heart first in all things, when dealing with ALL people. The Speech Bubble with Exclamation Marks [is related to my] social anxiety. I often think people are angry with me. Since tone is hard to tell in letters, text and email, my mom and soon my friends [always use] three exclamation points so I know they are not mad. It has helped tremendously!"Gisela, Personal Progress
Gisela’s lotus flower tattoo represents her long, yet successful recovery from a serious eating disorder. The lotus flower often symbolizes a spiritual awakening, and it also happened to be the logo at the treatment centre where Gisela stayed. This tattoo reminds her of how far she’s come, and serves as an uplifting message when she feels weak.
Q: Is there a special story behind your tattoo design?
A: “I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, mom, wife, and recovered Eating Disorder patient. The tattoo is a lotus flower on my right foot. I went to inpatient rehab for my eating disorder 6.5 years ago. After 10 weeks inpatient treatment, 12 weeks outpatient, and months of continued therapy, I decided to get a tattoo that symbolized my recovery. I was in Austin TX visiting a friend that I met while in treatment. I knew I wanted something special to remind me of my journey and recovery. We went to a tattoo shop together and she held my hand as the tattoo was being drawn on my foot. At the time it was the worst pain I had ever felt. However, the pain was well worth it. Oliver-Pyatt's [the treatment centre] symbol is the lotus flower, so I knew that was what I wanted. It is a symbol that I will never regret and can always remind me of how far I have come when I am having a difficult day."Sarah, Paying it Forward
Sarah had a conservative upbringing, but wanted a different future for her children. So, when she had two sons, she encouraged them to express themselves freely, while treating others well. To express her joy in offering her children new opportunities, she got a butterfly tattoo, symbolizing self-transformation and free expression.
Q: What finally motivated you to get a tattoo?
A: “I was 32 years old when I got my first tattoo. I had grown up in a very conservative family, where appearances were all that mattered. My philosophy never jived with my family, because I feel that how a person treats you is more important than how they look. I had given birth to my second child and wanted to record permanently how having my children made me feel.”
Q: Is there a special story behind your tattoo design?
A: “I chose a butterfly with my children’s names in the wings, [a] symbol of transformation and freedom- that’s how becoming a mom made me feel. I wanted to express the joy and freedom in being able to raise my boys differently than I was raised.”
Q: Has your tattoo's meaning transformed over time?
A: “My tattoo meaning never transformed, as my boys are now young adults, yet every day I look at it, I smile. What did shock me was the reaction that I would get from others; to quote “I’m so surprised that you would have a tattoo.” I guess, [given] the traditionally conservative field I am in, as a clinical psychotherapist, [it] threw them for a surprise!”Kristy, Appreciating Beauty
Kristy’s story is about appreciating the beauty in life’s small and spontaneous moments. When a luna moth flew into her college common room, she was immersed in the experience, and felt an immediate connection to it.
Q: Is there a special story behind your tattoo design?
A: “This specific tattoo was inspired by an experience I had in college. A Luna Moth flew into the common room of my sorority. I kept hearing people yell "kill it, kill it" as they jumped onto chairs and tables. I put a basket over the poor Luna moth to protect it, and took it outside and let it go. It was beautiful and I was mesmerized, I had never seen anything like it. I read about how luna moths are considered a symbol of protection, and I was happy I was able to protect one as well. I also discovered they are incredibly rare and have a very short life span. I haven't seen a luna moth since, but I will never forget the time I did. I had this beautiful tattoo designed as a tribute to the experience.”
Q: Has your tattoo's meaning transformed over time?
A: “I always get a lovely, calming sense from looking at it. I see it, and it makes me smile. More so than than any item I've ever owned, my tattoo has become something that makes me happy every single day.”Amelia, Self-Empowerment
Amelia was able to transition from homelessness to owning a successful business. She taught herself by reading at the local bookstore. Although she had thought about a tattoo, she finally decided to get a one of a sentence she encountered while reading a poem. This poem reminded her that she had the power to make her own life better. Q: Is there a special story behind your tattoo? A: “I grew up in foster care, celebrated my 20th birthday homeless on the streets of New Orleans, and stumbled into a career that was actually something I could do really well. Ten years was all that separated me from being homeless and hungry, to being a business owner with employees, a home, and friends. Since I didn't have any college education, I spent most of my early years as a business owner trying to give myself an education via Barnes and Noble. It was there that I saw a line which I never forgot. A poem titled, ‘Invictus’. There was a line in there that stayed with me; "It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." On my left arm, left because it's closest to my heart, I have written "I am the Master of my Fate, I am the Captain of my Soul." It was my 30th birthday present to myself.”Erica, Inspiring Friendship
Erica’s tattoo is inspired by her relationship with a very resilient cousin who battled cancer. This design inspires Erica to stay strong during strenuous day-to-day moments, because she recalls the strength her cousin displayed in difficult times.
Q: Is there a special story behind your tattoo?
A: “The first one is a tattoo of my cousin's handprints. She passed away almost 11 years ago, at only 29 years old. She battled cancer 4 times, and was so strong the entire time. She was incredibly brave and beautiful; growing up, she was my idol, and she still is, to this day. I wanted to have a piece of her with me always. We had t-shirts with her handprints, so I brought one to my tattoo artist and he was able to design a stunning tattoo. Mandy is with me always. This was a painful tattoo (took over 3 hours) but I kept picturing Mandy going through chemo and radiation, never crying, never complaining, and I knew I would be fine. I wish she could see this tattoo today and know how much she meant to me.”Leigh, Honouring a Positive Influence
Leigh’s story honours her brother, who inspired her to be more courageous in the face of her fears. Her brother’s words, ‘be brave,’ encouraged Leigh to face overwhelming or threatening situations in her career and personal life. This saying reminds her to not let her limits get the best of her.
Q: Is there a special story behind your tattoo design?
A: “I got a tattoo because because I felt empowered and more confident in myself, and I wanted to do something to show it. I wanted to get a tattoo that commemorated my brother, Ben, because he was an important part of my life, and he helped define who I am today. He used to tell me to “be brave,” and so I wanted to get this script as a tattoo. I decided to have it written in Welsh because I have Welsh heritage, and because the language stood out to me. The language is a dying one, so I felt it was a metaphor for what happened. I’m a triathlete, and the tattoo always keeps me grounded during races.”Debra, Family Matters
Debra's tattoo represents a unique family experience: her three turtles are symbolic of her marriage and her three children, all special people in her life.
Q: Is there a special story behind your tattoo design?
A: “When I got married to my husband, we went to Hawaii, and I purchased a turtle pendant. My husband incorporated all of these items into one turtle tattoo and multiplied it by three to represent each of our daughters - Mia, Marley and Monroe.”Courtney, Valor
Courtney’s tattoo reminds her to respond to overwhelming situations by taking proactive action. When she reads her quote tattoo, she’s able to gain control over her fears, and handle the tasks before her. Q: Is there a special story behind your tattoo? A: “I have "I am not afraid, I was born to do this" tattooed on my ribs. I got it done right before I was deployed to Afghanistan for a year because I was about to go lead troops in a combat zone, and I was really scared that I wasn't going to measure up, and that they would end up getting hurt. I had to just stop and remind myself to not be afraid-this is what I was meant to do. It was my first tattoo and my favorite. Whenever I would start worrying, it helped ground me and just focus on DOING, rather than worrying.”
Reading these unique personal accounts, it’s clear that tattoos have the power to transform and guide one’s outlook on life. Whether your design is an important loved one’s saying, like Leigh’s tattoo, or a line of poetry that really resonates with you, like Amelia’s, tattoos can act as a positive influence on your mindset, and help you to remember what you value. Sometimes, tattoo designs represent obstacles overcome or hardship endured, like Gisela’s lotus flower, which reminds her that she survived an extremely challenging period in her life. In many ways, tattoos mark one’s individuality: they represent love for art, meaningful relationships, personal resilience, and much more. If you have any interesting stories to share, let us know about them in the comments section below!
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