There is more to life. A semicolon is used when a writer could have ended a sentence but instead, he chooses to continue writing. Just like that, the semicolon has become a strong symbol of survival. You are the writer of your life and it’s up to you when you put that semicolon in your story.
Over 300 million people globally suffer from depression, addiction, anxiety, and mental health issues. Many of those people are prone to self-harm.
In 2013 semicolon became more than just punctuation. Thanks to Amy Bleuel, the semicolon morphed into a sign of solidarity and strength in the face of suicide and mental health issues.
What is Project Semicolon?
Bleuel started a non-profit movement titled ‘project semicolon’ to commemorate her father who committed suicide. The motive behind this movement was to help people who are suffering from depression and other mental health issues.
People who suffered from these conditions would draw a semicolon on their bodies to show solidarity to those who are going through the same experience. Some people even get the semicolon tattoo to pay tribute to their loved ones who died by suicide. It is a way of spreading love and inspire people to live.
Semicolon Tattoo Meaning
If you are going through any mental health issue or have attempted suicide before, this little symbol is a constant reminder of how far you have come and how powerful you are. Giving up on life is probably one of the hardest decisions. But it is never the solution.
The semicolon project uses the tagline ‘your story is not over’ to let people know how precious their life is. By getting this beautiful minimalistic tattoo you can show your support towards people who are suffering from mental health issues.
Here we have curated some of the most beautiful semicolon tattoos you will love.
1. Heartbeat Semicolon Tattoo
There is a stigma associated with mental health problems. Most people especially teenagers avoid this topic and are afraid to talk about it openly because of the fear of getting judged harshly by their peers or society. Not talking about mental health issues makes are prone to suicide and self-harm.
A lot of people who are suffering from depression and mental health issues attempt suicide thinking it is the last resort. This happens mostly because they can’t open up to their friends and family about what they are going through and slowly become isolated from society.
The heartbeat semicolon tattoo is a reminder that your heart is still beating and there is more to life. Suicide can’t be the last option for any of us. If you feel like you are going through difficult times, the heartbeat semicolon tattoo can be a constant reminder that there is happiness just around the corner. You just have to get through the difficult times to enjoy the best moments of your life.
2. Semicolon Butterfly Tattoo
The butterfly is a symbol of change and survival. The caterpillar is a fascinating creature that evolves into a beautiful winged butterfly with vibrant colors. As humans, we also undergo a transformation as we mature and grow older. The butterfly is a reflection of our transformation into a better human being.
The butterfly also represents our freedom as it can fly. As we grow old we become independent and start to make life-changing decisions. At a certain point in life, we no longer rely on other people. Combining the butterfly tattoo with a semicolon represents freedom and a strong will to live. It shows the evolution of a person who overcame mental health issue and now living a beautiful life.
3. Suicide Awareness Tattoo
Many of us suffer from depression and mental health issues. Sometimes a lot of these people try to harm themselves or become suicidal. Even though we can’t figure out if someone is going through depression just by looking at their everyday routine, sometimes the scar of depression becomes quite visible.
A suicide awareness tattoo is for people who struggled with their life but fought bravely and survived. Sometimes the circumstances become so much worse that people feel it is much easier to die rather than living a life of pain. If you have attempted suicide or did self-harm, a suicide awareness tattoo can be a gentle reminder that you don’t have to do it again. It is a symbol of hope and a new beginning. The semicolon tattoo signifies that there is more to life. Good things will surely come in your way if you just have faith. All you have to do is hang in there and wait patiently with a smile on your face.
4. Floral Semicolon Tattoo
If you are looking for an aesthetically pleasing tattoo with powerful meaning, you can get a floral semicolon tattoo. A flower is a universal symbol of purity and love. It is one of those beautiful things that nature has gifted us. The vibrant color and pleasant aroma make every species of flower unique and fascinating. There is no rose without thorns. Without the thorns, flowers are quite delicate.
Just like a flower, our life is sometimes surrounded by thorns. All of your struggles and unpleasant memories are the thorn of your life. You might think it is unnecessary, but these struggles are what make you stronger. It helps you grow as a human and gives you the most valuable lessons of life. Without these unpleasant experiences, you are just another delicate flower.
The unpleasant experiences of our life are roadblocks which slow us down to avoid a severe accident.
The floral semicolon tattoo is a very intricate design with outlines drawn in the shape of a semicolon. This tattoo is a reminder of a better life ahead of us. It reflects your struggle against depression and how you have dealt with it bravely. This semicolon tattoo is an artistic representation of hope and survival.
5. Semicolon Tattoo With Heart
If you are a minimalist and like simplicity, you will surely love a simple semicolon heart tattoo. Not everyone likes to flaunt their body art. Some people want to keep it discrete. The semicolon heart tattoo is small and delicate and can be placed anywhere you want. Because of the smaller size, it is easier to cover this tattoo. Even though this tattoo looks simple, it shouts a powerful message.
Heart is a universal symbol of love. We often express our emotion and love towards others with a heart symbol. The heart symbol combined with a semicolon represents self-love. It is a constant reminder of how you should appreciate your life and start loving yourself. We often cut corner for our friends and family but treat ourself harshly. This tattoo reminds us to love ourselves and stop self-abuse. Most people get this tattoo on their wrist so they can see it whenever they like.
6. Semicolon Cross Tattoo
The cross is one of the most well-known symbols all around the world. It is the most important symbol in Christianity as they believe Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross. Many religious people often choose to draw a cross on their bodies as a sign of devotion and faith. The cross is also a symbol of unconditional love and sacrifice.
When combined with a semicolon, the cross tattoo represent the dark times of a person’s life and how they were saved by their religion. The semicolon cross tattoo is not just symbolic but also aesthetically pleasing to see. This tattoo brings you closer to your God and reminds you that you are not alone. God is always looking after you. If you are a religious person you will probably be happy with this piece of tattoo.
7. Infinity Semicolon Tattoo
The infinity tattoo has gained a lot of popularity in recent times. A lot of people are now getting this tattoo as it looks really interesting and simple. It has become one of the most recognizable tattoo designs. In mathematics, it represents the never-ending nature of something. It is also a symbol of eternity and rebirth.
The infinity semicolon tattoo on the other hand represents the unlimited strength of the tattoo bearer who has survived through difficult times and is going strong. If you are looking for a tattoo that is rich in symbolism and also looks enticing the infinity semicolon tattoo is a perfect choice. You can show solidarity to others who are suffering from depression and other mental health issues.
8. Watercolor Semicolon Tattoo
Watercolor tattoos are not just eye-catching but also very intricate in terms of design. The vibrant color and the eye-popping details make it looks like someone painted them with a paintbrush. Unlike traditional tattoos, watercolor tattoos don’t have bold outlines and dark shades. The captivating artwork is enough to mesmerize you. There are a lot of interesting watercolor tattoo designs but the watercolor semicolon tattoo stands out from the rest.
The vivid color makes this tattoo more playful and full of life. Your semicolon tattoo doesn’t have to be black. You can add a splash of color to show how you have made your life more colorful. It shows that instead of giving up on your life you decided to simply view it from a different perspective. Our life doesn’t always have to be dark and dull. Adding color to our life makes us more happy and relaxed. Some people also get the rainbow semicolon tattoo. The rainbow semicolon tattoo is for showing solidarity to LGBTQ people who are discriminated and neglected in society.
9. Project Semicolon Tattoo
The project semicolon is probably one of the most important initiatives taken to break the stigma around mental health issues and help people who are suffering from depression and suicidal tendencies. The aim of this project is to spread love and hope to those people who are suffering from depression, self-harm, suicide, or addiction. They are creating awareness about mental health issues and providing help to people who are suffering from any of these conditions.
They are known for encouraging people to get a semicolon tattoo as a form of solidarity between people dealing with mental illness or the death of someone from suicide. A lot of people get the semicolon tattoo with hope written with it. It encourages people to be more optimistic in life and wait for something good to happen.
This simple tattoo has a very powerful message. If you have suffered from any of these conditions or just want to show solidarity to people who are struggling daily with depression and mental health issues, you can get this tattoo inked.
10. Semicolon Birds Tattoo
Birds are a sign of independence. They can just spread their wings and fly around tearing the winds. Bird tattoos are quite popular among young women. It is for people who want to break free from all the social norms and just live a life with complete freedom. In ancient cultures, birds were also considered the bearer of messages between heaven and earth.
The birds combined with a semicolon tattoo is a symbol of freedom from depression and struggles. This is why a lot of people are choosing to daw bird as an addition to their semicolon tattoo design. If you are a lost soul who finally has found its way home, you can get this tattoo piece as a gentle reminder of freedom.