What Does A Semicolon Mean In A Tattoo?
What does semicolon tattoo mean? A semicolon tattoo is a tattoo of the semicolon punctuation mark (;) used as a message of affirmation and solidarity against suicide, depression, addiction, and other mental health issues.
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What is a semicolon tattoo stand for?
Editor’s Note: This post was published in 2015 for informational purposes only and was updated to reflect recent data in 2018. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, head over to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to find immediate support.
– Punctuation helps you say exactly what you mean, but few think of it as more than a way to pause or end a sentence. 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. Bleuel, who died by suicide in 2017, started the nonprofit movement Project Semicolon in April 2013 to honor her father, who took his own life, and to give voice to her fight with mental illness.
- The idea was to encourage anyone who has been through a similar experience to draw a semicolon on their body, photograph it, and share it on a given day to encourage love and to inspire;
- “A semicolon is used when an author could’ve chosen to end their sentence, but chose not to;
The author is you, and the sentence is your life,” explains Project Semicolon’s website. Semicolon tattoos are everywhere: on wrists, behind ears, above ankle bones, and more. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.
- 8 million seriously thought about committing suicide;
- This is a separate number from those who have a mental illness, as the two are not always related;
- 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. The brave, honest accounts these tattoos have inspired brought a community together and endow members with the kind of pride that is capable of breaking down stigma.
- What’s more, the tattoo has encouraged people to demand recognition for and discussion about illnesses that often skate by under the radar because they are invisible;
- Ink has always been a conversation starter, and the semicolon emblem is no different;
It’s an opportunity for survivors, those who battle every day, and even supporters to talk to those unacquainted with suicide. .
Why are people getting a semicolon tattoo?
A semicolon can be used when a sentence could come to an end, but instead continues. (For example: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog; it keeps running into the bushes”). People who suffer from mental illness have now taken on the punctuation symbol as a metaphor for a moment when a person contemplates suicide – in other words, thinks about ending the story of their life – and yet they continue through their difficulties.
- Project Semicolon began as a call for people to draw a “;” on their body to highlight a range of mental health issues including depression, suicide, addiction and self-harm;
- Many are now making the marks permanent, with semicolon tattoos;
The group describes itself as a “faith-based movement,” however founder Amy Bleuel says it’ s inclusive of people of all faiths and identities but they “just wanted to be open about their own beliefs. ” You can watch an extended version of this video on BBC Trending’s YouTube channel.
What does it mean to have a semicolon on your wrist?
How does this meaning translate into the semicolon tattoo? Here’s how! – Have you ever heard about the Project Semicolon? This is a nonprofit organization focused on and fully dedicated to raising and spreading awareness in regards to mental illness, addiction, self-harm, and suicide. Saved Tattoo @heed313 The Semicolon Project is a social media movement, which encouraged people to get a semicolon tattoo as a form of showing off solidarity, one’s personal fight with depression and suicidal thoughts. The semicolon tattoo shows that one is not alone in their struggle and that there is hope and support out there. The semicolon tattoo should be tattooed on the wrist. People usually take photos of their tattoo, share it on social media, and spread awareness of the Project and what it symbolizes.
Who should get a semicolon tattoo?
Raise Awareness – One of Project Semicolon ‘s main goals is and is to raise awareness about suicide and suicide prevention. That’s how the semicolon tattoo was born. Individuals affiliated with Project Semicolon and suicide survivors or individuals struggling with mental health issues began to tattoo semicolons on their bodies.
Outside of the community, the tattoo helps keep these important themes visible. For instance, someone might see the tattoo and ask about what it means. As a result, this helps start conversations about difficult topics like depression, suicide, and addiction.
On one hand, these conversations help further erase stigmas around discussing and seeking help for these issues. On the other hand, these conversations help educate people about these struggles and how they can contribute to helping someone continue their story.
What is the tattoo 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 is the tattoo for mental health?
Semicolon – 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.
Why does Selena Gomez have a semicolon tattoo?
Their matching semicolons represent mental health awareness and suicide prevention. ‘Project semicolon is a movement dedicated to presenting hope for those suffering from depression, thoughts of suicide, addiction, and self-injury,’ Boe wrote on Instagram.
What does 3 butterflies mean?
Do Butterfly Tattoo Bring Good Luck? – Butterfly Tattoos are popular with both men and women. 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.
What symbolizes overcoming struggle?
The lotus symbolizes growing and overcoming obstacles, hardship, and whatever life throws at you.
What does a butterfly with a semicolon mean?
In Christianity, a butterfly also represents resurrection. For these reasons, many survivors choose to combine a butterfly tattoo with a semicolon design to show their evolution. They were once in a depressed and suicidal state and have now come back to life.
Is there a symbol for mental health?
The green ribbon is the international symbol for mental health awareness. Wear a green ribbon to show colleagues, loved ones or simply those you walk past that you care about their mental health. It can also be worn in memory of a loved one.
What does a lotus flower and semicolon tattoo mean?
Lotus Outline Semicolon Tattoo It represents someone who wanted to end their life but chose not to.
Do tattoos indicate mental illness?
Abstract – Psychiatric disorders, such as antisocial personality disorder, drug or alcohol abuse and borderline personality disorder, are frequently associated with tattoos. Finding a tattoo on physical examination should alert the physician to the possibility of an underlying psychiatric condition.
What do teardrop tattoos mean?
By C1 Staff Jail staff can stay safer by knowing as much as they can about inmates. And sometimes, inmates make it easy to know exactly what they’ve been up to through the use of tattoos. Here are 15 tattoos and their secret meanings. Know a different meaning for the tattoos displayed here? Share it in the comments. 
1488 (Photo freetattoodesigns. org) This number can be found on white supremacist/Nazi inmates. The numbers 14 or 88 on their own can also be used, which sometimes creates confusion. Fourteen represents fourteen words, which are a quote by Nazi leader David Lane: “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for White Children.
Be sure to check out more of our coverage on prison tattoos, including 15 more prison tattoos and their meanings , 12 Russian prison tattoos and their meanings , and a collection of inmate takes on prison ink.
” The 88 is shorthand for the 8 th letter of the alphabet twice, HH, which represents Heil Hitler. Typically, these tattoos can be found anywhere on the body. 
The Cobweb (Photo Timeless Tattoos Glasglow) Cobwebs typically represent a lengthy term in prison. The symbolism is associated with spiders trapping prey; or criminals trapped behind bars. This tattoo is commonly found on the elbow, signifying sitting around so long with your elbows on the table that a spider made a web on your elbow, though it can also be located on the neck. 
Teardrop (Photo trendfashion2013) One of the most widely recognized prison tattoos, the teardrop’s meaning varies geographically. In some places, the tattoo can mean a lengthy prison sentence, while in others it signifies that the wearer has committed murder. If the teardrop is just an outline, it can symbolize an attempted murder. It can also mean that one of the inmate’s friends was murdered and that they are seeking revenge.
- If you see a multi-colored web, it’s probably not a prison tattoo; tattoo ‘artists’ in jail rarely have access to colored ink;
- The teardrop has been popularized recently by rappers and other celebrities, but still remains a staple in prisons;
Those who are newbies behind bars with a teardrop tattoo will make a lot of enemies, fast. 
Five-point crown (Photo Gwan Soon Lee Tattoo) This is the symbol of the Latin Kings gang, which is one of the biggest Hispanic gangs in the U. based out of Chicago. The crown will often be accompanied by the letters ALKN, which stands for Almighty Latin Kings Nation. The five points are due to the Latin Kings being an affiliate of the People Nation gang, which is represented by the number five. Latin Kings have a huge presence both in and out of prison, and their roots go back to the 1940s. 
Three dots (Photo Whiserkino) The three dots tattoo is a common prison tattoo that represents “mi vida loca,” or “my crazy life. ” It’s not associated with any particular gang, but with the gang lifestyle itself. This tattoo is typically found on the hands or around the eyes. It can also carry some religious significance, such as representing Christianity’s holy trinity. The three dot tattoo is often created using a stick-and-poke method, requiring very rudimentary tools. 
Five dots (Photo My Sarisari Store) These dots differ greatly from the previous tattoo – five dots represents time done in prison. Also known as the quincunx, the four dots on the outside represent four walls, with the fifth on the inside representing the prisoner. This tattoo can be found internationally, among both American and European inmates. The dots are typically found on an inmate’s hand, between the thumb and forefinger. 
The clock with no hands (Photo Tattoo Me Pink) This tattoo is, fairly obviously, representative of ‘doing time’ and doing a lot of it. Those serving a longer sentence might get this tattoo done on their wrist, with watch straps and all, much like a real watch. The clock face itself can come in a few forms, such as the face of a wall clock or a grandfather clock. Not all clock tattoos are tied to prison; generally just the ones lacking hands. 
Aryan Brotherhood (Photo Media Lib) This prison gang has a variety of tattoos to look out for, ranging from ‘AB’ to Nazi symbols like a swastika or SS bolts. The Brotherhood makes up 1 percent of the inmate population, but are responsible for 20 percent of murders inside of U. prisons, so identifying these tattoos are extremely beneficial. The tattoos can also be referred to as Alice Baker, the One-Two, or The Brand. 
Norte ñ o (Photo Know Gangs) Norteño tattoos represent the Nuestra Familia gang, which is associated with Hispanic gangs in Northern California. Their tattoos include the word Norteño, Nuestra Familia, a sombrero symbol, the letter N or the number 14, symbolizing the 14 th letter of the alphabet (yup – the letter N). The Norteños are rivals of the Suerños, Hispanic gangs based out of Southern California.
Other details of the crown, such as the colors of the jewels in the points, can have a whole other level of hidden meanings. Five dots on other parts of the body can have different meanings, such as an association with the People Nation gang.
The unofficial dividing line between the two is in Delano, California. The Norteños identify themselves with red bandanas and mainly get their income from smuggling and distributing cocaine, heroin and meth. 
La Eme (Photo Police Mag) ‘La Eme,’ or The M, is the symbol of the Mexican Mafia. They are one of the largest and most ruthless prison gangs in the U. They’re allied with the Aryan Brotherhood, and have a common enemy in the Nuestra Familia. La Eme was started not in Mexico, but in Mexican-Americans who were incarcerated in American prisons. 
MS 13 (Photo Wikimedia) The MS 13, also sometimes seen just as MS or 13, is a symbol of the Mara Salvatrucha gang from El Salvador. Typically these tattoos can be found anywhere on the body, but are most often found in highly visible places like the face, hands or neck. LA Mara Salvatrucha was started in the Los Angeles area by El Salvadoran immigrants. There are now MS-13 chapters all over the U. 
Playing cards (Photo Tattos Time) Playing cards, or suits of the deck in general, usually indicate an inmate who likes to gamble. This applies to gambling games both within prison and without; it can also represent a person who generally views life as a gamble. This tattoo is very popular in Russian prisons, where each deck has its own meaning. A spade represents a thief; clubs symbolize criminals in general.
- La Eme is a Sureño gang, belonging to a large affiliation of Hispanic gangs in Southern California;
- and even in Canada;
- Their industries range from dealing drugs to child prostitution;
- Diamonds are reserved for stoolpigeons and informants – if the cards have this deck, then it was likely applied with force;
Hearts imply that someone is looking for a romantic partner in the prison, which may also be forcibly applied. 
EWMN (Photo Turner) These letters stand for ‘Evil, Wicked, Mean, Nasty. ‘ Having no particular affiliation with any gang, they simply represent the general disposition of some prison inmates. Typically found on the knuckles, these types of tattoos were popularized in 1955 by Robert Mitchum in ‘The Night of the Hunter. ‘ His sociopathic preacher character had the words ‘love’ and ‘hate’ tattooed on the knuckles of each hand, which has brought about other variants such as ‘Rock/Roll’ and ‘Stay/Down. ‘ 
Cross on the chest (Photo Adimaz) Particularly found in Russian prisons, chest tattoos symbolize a ‘Prince of Thieves. ‘ This is the highest rank a Russian convict can achieve, and are generally worn by higher-ups in the mob. Russian prisons have a unique and intricate history of prison tattoos, each with their own unique meaning. Another example are bells, symbolizing freedom, or a tiger on the chest is symbolic of aggression toward the police. 
A. (Photo SAS) This acronym is commonly found on the bodies of British prisoners and stands for “All Cops Are Bastards. ” Some claim that A. also stands for “Always Carry A Bible,” but these are widely believed to be people who regret their tattoo decision.
What does a butterfly tattoo symbolize?
A paradigm of natural beauty, the butterfly is a long-standing symbol that represents faith, transformation, and freedom. Traditionally, the butterfly has also been closely connected to femininity and romantic love, which is why butterfly tattoo designs are so popular.
Why does Selena Gomez have a semicolon tattoo?
Their matching semicolons represent mental health awareness and suicide prevention. ‘Project semicolon is a movement dedicated to presenting hope for those suffering from depression, thoughts of suicide, addiction, and self-injury,’ Boe wrote on Instagram.
Do tattoos indicate mental illness?
Abstract – Psychiatric disorders, such as antisocial personality disorder, drug or alcohol abuse and borderline personality disorder, are frequently associated with tattoos. Finding a tattoo on physical examination should alert the physician to the possibility of an underlying psychiatric condition.
Does 3 butterflies tattoo mean?
Do Butterfly Tattoo Bring Good Luck? – Butterfly Tattoos are popular with both men and women. 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.
