What semicolon tattoo means?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 20, 2026
But to thousands affected by suicide, the semicolon has become an important signifier of survival. Thanks to Amy Bleuel, the often misunderstood symbol has morphed from a simple punctuation mark to a badge of pride for those who struggle with depression, suicide, addiction, anxiety, and self-injury.
What Does a colon tattoo represent?
What's the meaning behind a semi-colon tattoo? This tiny punctuation mark is an emblem for suicide prevention. It is a symbol for choosing to continue to live in the face of challenges, and particularly mental health difficulties.
What does it mean when you put a semicolon on your wrist?
The semicolon is one of the most meaningful and moving tattoo choices. It has now spread around the world as a sign of solidarity and strength in the face of suicide, depression, and other mental health issues. For those who have gone through it, a semicolon tattoo is a powerful reminder of how far they've come.
Why does Selena Gomez have a semicolon tattoo?
It's actually inspired by Project Semicolon, an organization that helps support those suffering with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. As Dorfman explained on his Instagram, "The ; symbol stands for an end of one thought and a beginning of another.
Does Selena Gomez have a semicolon tattoo?
Shortly after, Gomez joined the show's stars Alisha Boe (who played Hannah's ex-BFF Jessica) and Tommy Dorfman (who played poet Ryan Shaver) for a tattoo session in Hollywood. Their matching semicolons represent mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
28 related questions foundWhat is the tattoo for mental health?
A semicolon tattoo through the lens of mental health is a symbol of solidarity between those of us who live and struggle with a mental illness or who have lost someone to suicide. "Semicolons are a very traditional, very popular mental health tattoo and they represent that it's not the end," explains Roman.
Who can get a semicolon tattoo?
Should I get a Semicolon Tattoo?
- You may need permission: If you're under 18, you'll need a parent or guardian's permission to get the tattoo.
- Be ready to share: A semicolon tattoo symbolizes your battle with depression, suicide, or mental health illness.
Why is the semicolon a symbol of depression?
And that's exactly what the semicolon tattoo is working to change—the stigma around suicide. Just as the mark is a sign for readers to pause before continuing a sentence, participants have embraced the symbol as a reminder that their story isn't over yet—and that they should tell it.
Does the semicolon tattoo have to be on the wrist?
While Project Semicolon originally placed the punctuation on the wrist, a semicolon tattoo can be placed virtually anywhere, as the symbol itself has come to represent mental illness struggles and the project.
What is semicolon example?
A semicolon may be used between independent clauses joined by a connector, such as and, but, or, nor, etc., when one or more commas appear in the first clause. Example: When I finish here, and I will soon, I'll be glad to help you; and that is a promise I will keep.
What color is the semicolon tattoo?
Because it is a punctuation mark, the standard colour for most semicolon tattoos is black. However, more and more people are choosing to infuse some colour into their tattoos. Some tattoo artists even embed the semicolon inside of meaningful words.
Are semicolon tattoos cliche?
It has become a cliche, a bore, a drill for us. We joke about the predictability and lament the fact that people can't seem to come up with a more original symbol for suicide awareness — maybe, we hope, one that would be more interesting to tattoo.
Does a semicolon MEAN AND or OR?
Most commonly, the semicolon is used between two independent clauses (i.e., clauses that could stand alone as separate sentences) when a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) is omitted.
What is the tattoo symbol for depression?
Heart with Semicolon
This is a simple but elegant tattoo that makes a statement about depression and would serve as a reminder to love yourself and keep going. Other options might be to have a small heart beside a semicolon or to make the dotted part of the semicolon a heart itself.
What tattoo represents strength?
As mentioned earlier, the lotus flower is an ultimate symbol of personal emotional, and physical strength. The lotus design is suitable for both men and women and represents power, strength, endurance, and one's ability to overcome life's struggles.
Can you get a semicolon tattoo for anxiety?
Non-profit mental health organisation, The Semicolon Project, is encouraging anyone who has been through depression, anxiety or had suicidal thoughts to draw a semicolon on their wrists. Whilst some have drawn it on, or opted for a temporary tattoo, other have committed and had it tattooed on themselves.
What celebrities have the semicolon tattoo?
Selena Gomez, Alisha Boe, and Tommy Dorfman all have semicolon tattoos. Selena Gomez, Alisha Boe, and Tommy Dorfman all got semicolon tattoos to commemorate their work on '13 Reasons Why'.
What does 3 butterfly tattoo mean?
They symbolize transformation, rebirth, and freedom. The meaning behind the butterfly tattoo is that of good luck or fortune in some cultures while others believe it represents renewal after death. It is also said that the three butterflies together is a sign of good luck.
What does warrior mean with a semicolon?
The word “warrior” tells us who we are and the semicolon is a simple reminder that we can't give up or put a period at the end. It's a reminder to keep fighting our daily battle, no matter how difficult it is or how exhausted we are. This tattoo is our symbol of strength and hope and defines us completely.
What does a pink semicolon mean?
These semicolon tattoos are seen as a badge of courage, a battle scar if you will. It shows how strong someone is because they chose to continue living instead of choosing to end it.
Does the semicolon represent anxiety?
Semicolon tattoos were inspired by Project Semicolon – a nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention. Over time, the semicolon has been used to represent mental health awareness, including anxiety.
When should semicolons be used?
Use a semicolon to join two related independent clauses in place of a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet). Make sure when you use the semicolon that the connection between the two independent clauses is clear without the coordinating conjunction.
When should a semicolon be used in a list?
Semicolons can be used to link items in a list, such as objects, locations, names and descriptions. Where the list items already contain commas, a semicolon helps avoid confusion between the items; in this way the semicolon acts like a 'super comma'.