For people with a semicolon tattoo, what does it mean to you? 9 talks
What does a semicolon cross tattoo mean?
It can be different for the individual. Mine is due to 4 failed attempts, and through the mercy of God, I overcame my struggles, and I am a completely different person today. So my stands for my life continue with God by my side. This is mine…small and discrete. I have it as a reminder of where I’ve been and where I never want to be again in life.
How does one use a semicolon?
Best. Question. Ever!
My English teacher’s senses are tingling!
A semicolon should have a complete sentence on each side of it. Those complete sentences should be closely related.
Look at these two sentences, for example:
I bought a car. It’s a chick magnet.
Since those sentences are closely related, you could join them with a semicolon:
I bought a car; it’s a chick magnet.
Anywhere that you have a semicolon, you should be able to replace it with a comma and a conjunction:
I bought a car, and it’s a chick magnet.
That’s the main reason people use semicolons.
The other reason is for “things in a series.” Susha Thaj’s answer explains that well.
How does one use a semicolon?
Semicolons with Clauses
Semicolons are used to separate independent clauses in three different cases.
1. When no conjunctions are separating the clauses.
Incorrect: I like you, John likes you, too.
(Semicolon needed)
Correct: I like you; John likes you, too.
2. When the clauses are separated by a conjunctive adverb or other parenthetical expression set off by commas.
Correct: I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless, I live.–Galatians 2:20.
(Nevertheless is a conjunctive adverb.)
Correct: Hector was a Trojan; on the other hand, Achilles was an Achaean.
3. When the clauses themselves contain commas.
Incorrect: He wears shoes with kilties and leather fringe, but I prefer penny loafers.
(Since the clause already has a comma, a semicolon separating the clauses is needed to clarify the sentence.)
Correct: He wears shoes with kilties and a leather fringe, but I prefer penny loafers myself.
Semicolons in a Series
When the items in a series contain commas, separate them with semicolons.
Incorrect: We visited Erie, Pennsylvania; Buffalo, New York; and Toronto, Ontario.
(Confusing. Semicolons needed to make clear distinctions.)
Correct: We visited Erie, Pennsylvania; Buffalo, New York; and Toronto, Ontario.
Credits: Susha Thaj’s Memory Power on Grammar Class
For people with a semicolon tattoo, what does it mean to you?
This is the OP’s second A2A to me about the semicolon tattoo.
- The semicolon tattoo doesn’t mean anything to me — other than it’s a well-known visual idiom or idiomatic symbol meaning a ‘survivor’ of something (usually a mental health situation or a toxic relationship).
The semicolon tattoo is mainly an American pop-culture’ thing’:—
- It was popularised by the late Amy Bleuel (1985–2017) and her Project Semicolon in 2013. It rides on the idea that a semicolon in writing means the sentence hasn’t finished yet but is continuing in a different direction.
Many people are surprised that a 63-year-old like me would know this.
What’s so surprising? After all, I belong to the generation that’s full of subcultures (1960s–80s) — the ending batch of Baby Boomers sometimes called “Generation Jones” (the “Genjoneses“).
- I survived three explosions, too — a booby-trapped desk in school (1974) and two IRA bombings (1975 and 1981).
Should I get a semicolon tattoo because of that? Or should I use more semicolons in my writing?
What’s the most creative tattoo you’ve seen where someone incorporated a semicolon (;)?
The semicolon tattoo (;)
This is a popular tattoo choice nowadays; it symbolizes the struggles against suicide, as if saying, “Stop, wait.”
Here are some creative variations of the well-known semicolon tat. Here are some ideas, hand-picked by yours truly:
Hope this helped.
For people with a semicolon tattoo, what does it mean to you?
The semicolon tattoo has become a popular symbol of hope and resilience for people who have struggled with mental health issues, particularly those who have contemplated suicide.
The semicolon represents a sentence that could have ended but didn’t, just like a person’s life story. It symbolizes the choice to continue living and to never give up hope, even during the darkest times.
For people with a semicolon tattoo, it may hold deeply personal and emotional meaning, representing their struggle with mental health or their support for loved ones who have faced similar challenges. It can be a reminder of the importance of self-care, reaching out for help when needed, and never giving up on life.
While the semicolon tattoo may have originated as a symbol for mental health awareness, it has also been adopted by others who have faced adversity, representing that their story is not over. They have the strength to keep going.
Ultimately, the meaning of a semicolon tattoo is unique to each individual who chooses to get one, and it serves as a personal reminder of their journey toward healing and hope.
What is the significance of semicolon tattoos?
It’s a tattoo that has gained popularity in recent years, but unlike other random or mystifying trends, this one has a serious meaning behind it.
This mark represents mental health struggles and the importance of suicide prevention.
It was born from social media in 2013. It was the brainchild of Amy Bleuel and had a simple but profound concept. The semicolon is a pause, not a stop. She hopes the tattoo will “start a conversation that can’t be stopped about mental illness, suicide, addiction and self-injury.
Today, people tattoo the mark as a reminder of their struggle, victory, and survival.
What does the semicolon tattoo mean? Who was the first to get it?
This article will explain everything:
Why a Semicolon Tattoo Is the Most Beautiful Tattoo
Here is an excerpt:
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 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 haunted by these demons to draw a semicolon on their body, photograph it, and share it on a given day to encourage love and 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.
Since its inception, Project Semicolon has transformed from a once-off social media initiative into a full-fledged movement and awareness campaign for mental health and suicide prevention. And just as a once-fleeting call-to-action has given way to this more permanent form of activism, people have exchanged the Sharpies Bleuel initially suggested for permanent ink.
Semicolon tattoos are everywhere: on wrists, behind ears, above ankle bones, and more. And with them, an outpouring of heartfelt stories, grassroots tattoo-a-thons, and even a fully devoted charity organization called The Semicolon Tattoo Project (TSTP) have followed.
“In a society that often tries to hide mental health issues, we want to push back and show that the more we talk about it, the more people get help,” says TSTP.
I even joined the movement along with my mother and my son. (When your son asks if he can have a tattoo for his 16th birthday, you say, “Hell, no!” But, when your 16-year-old son has suffered from depression and asks your permission to get a semicolon tattoo, you say, “Sure. We’ll all get one.”)
Why do people get tattoos of semicolons?
God, I see these tattoos everywhere nowadays. Remember when every chick and her dog would get a rose on her chest? What about the fully sick flat-black Celtic tribal sleeves? Barbwire bands on the upper bicep? Sugar candy/Day of the Dead skulls? Same principle: It’s a trend, no matter how much people want to justify it. Artists will get so sick of doing them soon and fade into the history books like all the other eye rolls.
Where do males normally place semicolon tattoos?
I placed mine just below my wrist on my right hand. This picture isn’t the greatest to show where it is, but it works:
The tattoo is on the bottom of my hand, so it’s harder for others to see, but I can see it just fine myself. You’d be surprised how stealthy it is in this spot, even with a t-shirt.
What tattoos do you have? Why did you get them, and what do they mean to you?
At first glance, it may seem that I am a mathematician. When standing in line at the grocery store, this is often the assumption, and someone asks what the PI symbol on my neck means.
Eighteen years ago this year, my brother and I were adopted together out of foster care. Our adoption was finalized on March 14th (PI day: 3.14). Adoption is very important because it allows us to have a family. Against all odds, my brother and I were also able to be adopted together. Considering the small detail that we are “half-siblings,” it was amazing that we were placed together in the same family.
I love my brother and am so grateful we were adopted together.
I believe that tattoos were meant to spark conversations. I enjoy telling my story about adoption quite often to strangers who stare at my neck.
I want the semicolon tattoo, but I don’t want anyone to know. It’s not that I’m not allowed; I want it to be my own. How should I go about this?
With the understanding that nothing forbids you from having a tattoo, I’d incorporate it with another tattoo.
If you want it completely hidden, consider the bottom of your foot. Many say back or inside of your arm, but those are easy to see when you wear tight, relaxed, or revealing clothing. The ankle and top of your foot are also a bad idea because it will be seen when you wear sandals, heels, or flip-flops. Behind the ear is all too obvious, as well. The belt line is another idea; if you never plan on going to the beach or being seen in underwear, the same goes for the breast. This leaves two spaces: the bottom of your foot on your head. To get it on your head, you’ll need to shave a portion of your hair to get to your scalp. This may not be an option for some. The bottom of your foot is the only realistic place to put it where you can consistently hide it.
My daughter got a warrior tattoo, but the I is replaced with a semicolon. What does that mean? She just got the tattoo on Friday. She now has seven, and she’s 21.
“A semicolon is a place where an author could have ended their sentence, but chose not to. The author is you, and the sentence is your life.”
It’s about choosing to continue with life, either literally (anti-suicide) or figuratively, despite mental health challenges. One of my tattoos is a semicolon. If my memory serves, they became popular about 7 or 8 years ago. People started drawing the semicolon with a Sharpie the first year, then getting tattoos.
Can anyone get a semicolon tattoo?
Can you get it? Of course. You do not need permission from a therapist or something like that.
Should you get it? A semicolon tattoo has a meaning behind it. It means someone who is struggling with mental health. If you are someone who is struggling or has struggled with mental health, and you want to get the tattoo. Go ahead.
If you are not someone with mental health struggles, by getting the tattoo, you will be recognized as someone who is. It is not advisable to get the tattoo “because it’s cool.”
But again, you do not need any special permission. So, whatever your situation, you can get the tattoo.
What are some tattoos that look normal but have a sinister meaning?
Traditional Russian prison tattoos often use symbols and standard images for the Western world but tell the story of a criminal’s history within the Russian justice system.
There are several examples of tattoos that many law-abiding people worldwide wear, but they have very different meanings in Russian jails. Examples include:
A Cat (usually with a Puss in Boots hat): The sign of a thief. The Russian word кот (cat) is often added to show that the prisoner is at home in jail. A career criminal.
An Eagle: Shows that the wearer is a senior criminal in a position of authority. However, if the eagle is carrying a person, it can signify that the person is a rapist.
A Heart: Worn on the finger, a heart can mean that the wearer is a despised inmate, a rapist with no status.
A Crown: A criminal boss.
Eyes: A pair of eyes on the stomach identify the wearer as gay. However, higher up on the chest, they can mean that the person is watching “you” or an enforcer.
Virgin Mary with Child (Jesus): “Prison is my home.” A person who has been a criminal since a young age.
Snake wrapped around a woman: A passive homosexual.
Ships: Indicate a thief who travels to steal or a person who has fled prison in the past.
Knife through the neck: A killer for hire who has been murdered in jail.
Snake around neck: Worn by a drug addict.
Roaring tiger: Aggressive towards the prison authorities.
Roses: A rose on the chest or shoulders shows that the inmate was in prison when turning 18.
A mermaid’s tail (on stomach): The prisoner had sex with a minor.
Cross (on chest): Devotion to the code of thieves. The wearer is a true thief who will never be tainted by betraying his fellow criminals.
As you can see, these “normal” images have more sinister meanings in Russian jails. Anyone sporting these tattoos should be careful not to get arrested in Russia to avoid possible misunderstandings.
Are semicolon tattoos feminine?
It is only in the very stereotypical way that society views vulnerability as feminine. I am assuming that you know what they represent (a suicide survivor), and anyone who chooses to get one (male or female or otherwise) is incredibly brave and is choosing to open themselves up to judgment and harsh criticism. If you fall into this category of people and you are looking for a way to own your story, show silent support for others in a similar situation, or maybe even provide an opportunity for people to open a dialogue about suicide and depression, then you should get one. The gender tie is irrelevant, in my opinion, as anyone who would judge you for that is not mature enough to be having such an important conversation anyway.
What is the saddest meaning behind a tattoo you’ve heard as a tattoo artist?
Tally-marks.
This girl used to come in and get tally marks on her wrists. I would ask her about them, and she’d tell me something different every time – how many blowjobs she’d give, how many times she’d won the lottery, how many times her mother had remarried etc. It’s a big joke, but I figured it was too personal to go into.
We got to number 7, and she asked me to do it in three colors. So, I get to work, and she tells me the truth out of nowhere. They’re for dead people.
She had leukemia as a child and was in a ward with a bunch of other sick kids whom she was very good friends with. But not all of them got well again; some of them died as children, others had the cancer come back etc, and this was her way of remembering how lucky she was and remembering them. The rainbow mark was for a friend who had come out as queer but had killed themselves. She cried as she told me this.
She wasn’t very old (legal, of course), but I could not get over the amount of death and loss this poor kid had experienced, even after beating cancer. She just seemed so young. I sat with her afterward and chatted until she was picked up, but that tattoo haunts me.
Thankfully, it has been a few years, and she hasn’t returned. I hope she’s doing well.
What is the saddest meaning behind a tattoo you’ve heard as a tattoo artist? Nine facts
I am not a tattoo artist, but my artist told me the reasons behind my tattoos were some of the hardest he’s heard of.
#1: Yggdrasil, crafted in Tolkien’s works as the “Elven tree of life,” with four elephants. Two on one side of the tree, tail to trunk touching. Two on the other side of the tree, tail and trunk not touching. I was very specific about the placement size, and the two were touching and not touching. When he asked me about it, I told him about the fond memories of my grandfather, my Opa. Learning how to cook and bake, working on his old lawn mower…changing his dialysis tubes, feeding him because his arms would shake so much he’d spill all over himself…combing his hair back and soothing him during his nightmare-filled sleep. My Opa passed hours after my mother remarried in 2014. He led me, like an elephant with a calf, for much of my life. And even though he is gone, I follow in his footsteps.
#2: The horn of Gabriel/the mark of the Valkyrie. Christianity stole this from Norse mythology, but it was carved into shields and spears to bring strength during hardship, protection during battle, and good luck and prosperity. I went through a lot of severe trauma as a child, including a car accident that killed my brother and cousin and later physical, sexual, and all sorts of other abuse at the hands of two men who were entrusted with my care. So I choose to follow after the Valkyrie, scarred from battle and inked in the blood of her people, a fierce warrior who will triumph over her enemies and excel past any hardship. It’s a reminder that I will always be a warrior for surviving and learning how to thrive all these years later.
#3: A locket on a bed of roses, the writing stating “Loin aujourd’hui – March 24th, 1943 – July 19th 2015 – Ensemble demain”. The dates are the days my Opa was born and then passed. The words mean “far/away today, together/close tomorrow.” The roses are inked in a fashion that you would see if you soaked the stem of a white rose in ink, as my Opa and I did many times over, experimenting with different methods, inks, paints, etc. The flowers all follow the same pattern but have different colors for the leaves, as taken from pictures of the real roses I had experimented with many years ago.
#4: Soon to come, but it will just be the outline of an elephant on my wrist, followed by a semicolon, followed by the outline of a polar bear. About the size of a quarter. Yes, I know, another thing to remind me of my Opa. A semicolon for suicide awareness, and a polar bear on the other side of the semicolon, my brother’s favorite animal.
After explaining this to my artist while he worked on #3 (he had never asked about the meaning of the previous tattoos), he went quiet and remarked that he thinks I am a strong woman, a warrior just like my mark of the Valkyrie states. He has never met someone who so eagerly covers themselves in memorial tattoos as I do, especially repeated ones. I told him that the date I chose was also significant each time I’d gotten a tattoo from him. I got the #3 done on the 4th anniversary of my Opa’s death. #2 was on the anniversary of the men who brutalized and abused me being given the verdict of guilty and their sentences being handed down. #1 was on the second anniversary of my Opa’s death. #4 here will be on the anniversary of my brother’s death.
He went quiet for a little while longer, stopped his work, and looked over at me, a frown on his face. “You are so young, to have been through so much and be instilling reminders to yourself to be strong and that you have been loved so fiercely that it left marks on your soul that you wear them on your body with pride.” He pulled up his shirt to show me the image of an ultrasound picture of a small fetus tattooed over his heart. I understood before he said anything, and his eyes filled with tears to the point I was moved. And he said, “That jellybean’s love was known every time he kicked my hand off my wife’s belly. It was a week after this ultrasound that we found out…” he broke down, not even finishing his words, but I knew. As a woman who’s had a miscarriage, I knew all too well. We both sat silently until he was composed, and he looked at me for a long while before anything was said. The other artists in the shop had stopped working to observe and were beginning to return to their business. “They would be so proud, and so happy to know that I’ve loved them just as fiercely since they’ve been gone, and I surround myself with things that remind me of them so I never forget. Your jellybean would want to know that Papa is strong and always has their back.” He didn’t charge me for the three more hours we spent on my tattoo, and it was pretty quiet.
What does a semicolon tattoo behind the ear mean?
Tattoo meanings can vary widely and are ultimately personal to the individual who has the tattoo. The meaning behind a semicolon tattoo, particularly when placed behind the ear, is often associated with mental health awareness.
The semicolon project originated as a symbol of hope and solidarity for those who have struggled with mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. The idea is that a semicolon represents a pause in a sentence but does not signify the end. Similarly, in the context of mental health, it represents choosing to continue one’s life rather than ending it.
Placing the semicolon tattoo behind the ear is a location chosen by some individuals for its discreetness, allowing them to convey a powerful message while keeping it relatively private.
It’s important to note that while the semicolon tattoo has gained popularity as a symbol of mental health awareness, tattoo meanings are highly subjective, and individuals may choose tattoos for various personal reasons. If you’re curious about the meaning behind someone’s semicolon tattoo, the best way to understand it is to ask the person directly.
I have a question that has been on my mind for a long time. Why do black people allow themselves to be called n**** but are crazy for a white person to say that?
I was once riding on the MBTA here in Boston, years ago…on a Red Line train.
We stopped at South Station, and four young black males entered our car.
They were teenagers in a pretty good mood, laughing, joking, and bouncing around in their seats. They were having a good time.
But every other word out of their mouths was “n*****.”
As in, “Yo, n*****, what up?” or “Yo, n*****, you crazy?!” or “Check this out, n*****!” etc.
There was a strikingly handsome elderly black gentleman sitting right across the aisle from me on the other side of the train; he had snow-white hair and a meticulously groomed snow-white beard.
And I noticed as he sat there listening to these kids, that he was beginning to get mighty agitated.
He began lightly moving and stomping his feet…clutching the head of a cane, he had with him in a death grip. And a vein in his forehead was starting to throb visibly.
And finally, after listening to these kids and their heavy use of the “N” word for about five minutes or so… he’d had enough.
Leaping to his feet, he brandished his cane like a baseball bat at these kids and roared, “If I hear the word “n*****” again from any of y’all, I’ll BEAT YOU TO DEATH WITH THIS CANE!!”
The kids, obviously shocked, fell silent and looked at him…stunned.
“We fought for FIFTY YEARS to remove that word from the language…and if any of y’all use it again I’LL BEAT YOU UNTIL THE JUDGEMENT DAY!!” the elderly gentleman shouted.
The kids were stunned… I was stunned…I think almost everyone on the train was stunned.
We all sat there, waiting to see what would happen.
And honestly…I thought those kids were going to pound his elderly ass and throw him off the car.
But much to my surprise…the kids immediately backed down and began profusely apologizing to the old guy…saying, “Oh, we’re sorry, sir. We apologize, sir.
We didn’t mean to offend you, sir.”
The old gentleman nodded, seemingly half-pacified…but not totally.
At that point, the train pulled into the next station and stopped, and the doors opened.
The kids began to exit the car…again, continuously apologizing to the man.
And as they walked off the train, the old gentleman got off one last shot.
“Have some dignity and respect for yourselves and your people, boys! And don’t never let me hear you use that terrible word again! “
“We will, sir, we will…and again, we apologize, sir”, the boys promised as they walked off.
I was amazed…and admired that old gentleman tremendously.
As we started rolling again, I met the older man’s glance…and gave him a nod of approval.
He nodded right back at me.
He’d made his point.
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