500 Meaningful Semicolon Best Tattoo Designs & Idea

December 23, 2021

0 39 18 minutes read

When it comes to choosing a tattoo, many people are searching for art that signifies something close to their heart. 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.

What Does a Semicolon Tattoo Mean?

In punctuation, the semicolon is used when a sentence could have ended but didn’t. When used as a tattoo, it represents when a person could have ended their life but chose not to. It is an empowering symbol of a person’s ability to write their own story and overcome struggles. The beauty of this tattoo is its simplicity; it can be combined with many other designs to amplify its message of strength and rebirth.

Why is a semicolon a symbol for depression?

In a literary sense, the semicolon represents a decision by an author to continue a sentence, rather than ending it. In life, it symbolizes a choice to keep going rather than stop, which is particularly poignant for people battling suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and depression. It’s also the symbol for Project Semicolon, a not-for-profit organization that helps to support and provide hope and love to people with mental illness and depression.

Are semicolon tattoos cliche?

Should I get a semicolon tattoo?

The meaning behind a semicolon makes it a particularly personal and vulnerable choice to get as a tattoo. If you’re struggling, it can serve as a reminder that continuing is a choice worth making. It is an empowering symbol of a person’s ability to write their own story and overcome challenges. You can also use it to show your support for others battling mental health issues.

Meaningful Semicolon Best Tattoo Designs

1. Semicolon Butterfly Tattoo

Because they turn from a caterpillar into a beautiful winged insect, butterflies often represent transformation when it comes to tattoos. They are also flying creatures, which means they are a symbol of freedom. 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.

2. Semicolon Heart Tattoo

A small and delicate tattoo, the semicolon heart tattoo design has a poignant message. Hearts are a well-known symbol of love. When combined with the semicolon, this piece of body art reminds the wearer to love themselves. It can also represent how love saved them from the worst time in their life – and therefore as a tribute to their romantic partner or family and friends. It’s a popular tattoo choice for women and is frequently placed on the wrist so that the wearer can see it every day.

3. Semicolon Cross Tattoo

Christian survivors of suicide, depression and mental illness often choose to work the symbol of the cross into their semicolon tattoo. The cross represents the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and reminds his followers that they have been saved from sin. When combined with the semicolon, it often represents how their religion healed them and helped them through dark moments. It is a way to reaffirm a Christian’s faith in God and remind them that they are never alone. It’s also a great addition to a religious sleeve tattoo.

4. Cat Semicolon Tattoo

One of the cuter interpretations of the semicolon tattoo is to combine it with a cat. For some, it’s a tribute to a beloved pet. Their furry friend was by their side in a time of need. However, cats also have symbolic meanings across many cultures. In Celtic and Japanese mythology, they were considered guardians of the underworld. They can also represent luck, mystery, independence, transformation, and a wandering spirit. For these reasons, cats are often combined with a semicolon tattoo.

5. Semicolon Dragonfly Tattoo

Another nature-inspired element to add to a semicolon tattoo is the dragonfly. This creature is a very positive symbol; it’s all about embracing change and finding inner strength, joy, and bravery. Those who have bounced back from a suicidal episode and have now found peace could consider a dragonfly semicolon tattoo. It is also a versatile tattoo design, as it looks equally cool large as it does small.

6. Semicolon Bird Tattoo

One of the most classic tattoo designs is a bird. That is because birds represent total freedom as they can swim, walk and fly. Birds also have a spiritual meaning, with some cultures considering them messengers between heaven and Earth. That’s why many people think of them as the perfect addition to a semicolon tattoo, showing that the wearer is finally free from their troubles. Also, specific birds carry different meanings: doves are a symbol of hope, while swallows are signs of safety and are said to guide lost souls. The phoenix represents resurrection and ‘rising from the ashes’. Any of these birds would be a poignant combination with a semicolon tattoo.

7. Semicolon Wrist Tattoo

While a semicolon tattoo is subtle enough to be placed anywhere, many people opt to have it tattooed on their wrist. There are several reasons for this choice. One of them is that the wrist is part of the body that’s easy to see, so the wearer can always look at their tattoo and find strength. Another reason is that the tattoo covers and over-writes scars on the wrist or arm. The inking becomes a powerful reminder that the wearer has overcome self-harm.

8. Semicolon Finger Tattoo

Because the semicolon tattoo has such a poignant meaning, the wearer might prefer to keep it low-key. Luckily, fingers are a great placement for a small and subtle inking. You can easily hide the semicolon by inking it on the side of your finger. However, it is easy for you to see it if you want to. Fingers are also considered to be the ideal placement for tattoos of commitment and the things about which we are most passionate.

9. Semicolon Behind the Ear

Getting tattooed behind your ear is a rising trend. That’s because it’s an unexpected and discreet place to put body art. You can easily show off or disguise the inking just by moving your hair. Because the area behind your ear is small, it’s perfect for a subtle design like a semicolon. However, it is also one of the most painful places to have a tattoo inked. So the semicolon design is also an excellent choice for this placement because it’s quick to draw.

10. Semicolon Watercolour Tattoo

The watercolor tattoo technique is beautiful. It mimics the look of watercolor painting, which uses water to thin out pigment instead of oil. The result is a soft gradient of ink that looks like it is still wet on the skin. The fluid, freeform, and colorful finish of a watercolor tattoo provides a great contrast to a neat black-ink semicolon. These tattoos are ideal for free spirits and those preferring a more non-traditional look.

12. Henna Semicolon Tattoo

If you’re hoping to try out an ink design but don’t want to commit to a lifelong piece of art, you should try a henna tattoo. This is a temporary alternative to traditional ink – it’s safe for the skin and only lasts one to two weeks. Combine a semicolon with a beautiful butterfly, swapping the antennas with the symbol or featuring them across the wings. It looks great placed anywhere on the body, but the most common is on the hand, wrist, or legs.

12. Semicolon Couple Tattoo

A semicolon symbolizes solidarity and holds a lot of meaning to many people. There’s no better way to showcase unity with someone than by getting a matching piece of ink? Common placements for this include the hand or wrist, which are in plain sight and can connect with the other person by holding hands. Keep it as simple or extravagant as you prefer – its significance will stay with you for life and connects you and the other person to a new level.

13. Semicolon Anchor Tattoo

There is plenty of symbolism with this tattoo, featuring an anchor and a semicolon. The marine design is associated with stability, strength, and determination, making for a perfect companion with the semicolon. Featuring the semicolon will add to the feelings of hope and a new start. You can place this on your calf if you prefer a larger space or on your forearm, or as part of a sleeve. It’s an inspiring and awesome design that will stay close to the wearer’s heart for many years to come.

14. Semicolon Heart Tattoo

Hearts are the universal symbol for love, and when combined with a semicolon, it holds intense meanings of hope and strength. This is a versatile option, as you can design it to reflect your beliefs, pride, or quotes that resonate with you. A heartbeat symbolizes the continuation of life – in conjunction with the semicolon highlights the importance of discussing mental health. No matter what life throws at you, love can get you through the darkest times.

15. Semicolon Music Tattoo

For many, music can be the tool that keeps spirits up and help you overcome feelings of darkness. So there’s no better reason to immortalize its importance with a semicolon music tattoo. You can choose to incorporate the symbol into a musical note or add it where the whammy bar and knobs are. Whether you are a musician or just love escaping to the sweet sounds, this is a great way to connect with your favorite art form and remind you of its power.

16. Semicolon Tree Music

Trees are the perfect symbol to combine with a semicolon, commonly associated with life, growth, and endurance. The two together represent new life, longevity, and resistance and make for a great piece of ink on your arms, down your spine, or on your legs. Each tree holds its own meaning, depending on the message yore trying to convey. Oak is often associated with bravery, whereas a palm aligns with regeneration and victory. You will stand taller with a design like this, trust us.

17. Semicolon Dreamcatcher Tattoo

The symbolism behind the dreamcatcher has lasted for generations – catching any and all negative thoughts or dreams. The beauty behind this ink is the versatility that comes with it – you can add intricate line art inside or create something bold like a Yin and Yang symbol, representing duality and harmony. Place it wherever feels comfortable on your body – common spots include the lower arm, upper back, or calf.

18. Semicolon Feather Tattoo

Freedom means a lot of different things to people. For some, it’s overcoming hard times and expressing their true selves, traveling to discover new places, and having the courage to try new things. When combined with the semicolon, it can represent the start of a new chapter, the freedom to begin again and feel authentic and genuine inside. What’s more, combining these two designs can offer feelings of new wisdom, and the strength to continue your story.

19. Semicolon Flower Tattoo

Flowers are one of the most beautiful relations on the planet and hold a long list of hidden meanings and symbols. Typically when pairing a flower tattoo with a semicolon tattoo, it’s associated with solidarity, perseverance, and new beginnings. A minimalist style is unique and delicate, making for a great wrist tattoo or placed on the ribcage or ankle. You can incorporate the designs into a sleeve, featuring a rose, daffodils, daisies, or flax, which represents finding inner peace.

20. Semicolon Panda Tattoo

Pandas are some of the cutest animals on the planet, but they also hold a boatload of symbolism at the same time. Often associated with peace, good luck, and strength, they are the perfect design to combine with a semicolon. Get creative when combining the two together; using the dots as eyes and limbs of the adorable bear is a subtle nod to a renewed and positive outlook on life.

21. Semicolon Phoenix Tattoo

Rebirth is one of the most widely recognized meanings behind a phoenix tattoo. This is a common piece of ink for those turning over a new leaf in life but holds new meaning when combined with a semicolon tattoo. Together, they represent a new view on life, the strength to start again, and finding harmony within yourself. If you want to add a lot of detail to the tattoo, place it on your arm or legs for added room. However, a small and dainty design will look excellent on your wrist, behind your ear, or on your torso.

22. Semicolon Quote Tattoo

Sometimes all you need to feel centered and balanced is a quote that got you through the dark times. Whether it’s a single sentence or an excerpt from a poem, book, or song lyrics, they can be an excellent choice for a tattoo. As the most popular symbolism behind the semicolon tattoo is an affirmation against suicide and the importance of mental health awareness, find a quote that reminds you of your journey and your strength. Ultimately, tattoos are deeply personal pieces of art, so make sure the quote speaks to you.

23. Semicolon Sunflower Tattoo

While often connected with romance, a sunflower tattoo is a great design choice to showcase your love for someone. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a romantic partner – it could be a family member, friend, or even yourself. This sunny and beautiful flower is commonly a symbol of happiness, and when combined with a semicolon, represents a positive view on life and the love you have for every day.

24. Semicolon Infinity Tattoo

Even when times look dark ahead, the power to push through and come out the other side deserves a reward. The infinity symbol, which represents limitless possibility, endless love, and rebirth, is often associated with the semicolon tattoo as a symbol of mental health awareness. This is a timeless and minimalistic way of paying tribute to your endless strength and the reminder to keep moving forward with hope and love.

25. Semicolon Lotus Tattoo

In Hindu cultures, the lotus represents purity, enlightenment, and becoming a better person. When combined with a semicolon, it can be a great way to showcase your strength and fight for personal growth. There are many variations to try with this design – portray new beginnings and rebirth by adding an ink moon cycle, a series of tiny dots, or intricate lines for a unique twist on the meaningful art. A semicolon lotus tattoo looks fantastic placed on the wrist, your upper back, or on the sternum.

What are 3D tattoos?

The term ‘ 3-dimensional tattoo’ refers to any design that looks three-dimensional, rather than two-dimensional (flat) on the skin.

The best tattoos of this nature will be realistic enough to look like photographs.

The 3D technique is used for a number of innovative and creative designs – from simply tattooing hyper-realistic looking objects to crossing into the realm of believable optical illusions.

3D tattoos are likely to take longer to complete than two-dimensional designs and require a huge amount of expertise from the tattoo artist.

If you’re considering getting a tattoo like this, it’s best to try to find a tattooist who specializes in this aesthetic, even if it means looking outside your area or paying a bit more than expected.

3-dimensional tattoo work only achieves its purpose – looking realistic – if the artist gets everything 100% right.

Realistic 3D tattoo design ideas

As we’ve already mentioned, creativity is key to creating the very best and most original tattoos.

If you’re looking for some inspiration, consider the following ideas – and don’t forget to check out our massive gallery of awesome three dimensional tattoos!

Animals and objects

This type of tattoos in 3D involves simply – though let’s be honest, it’s not that simple – tattooing a photorealistic image of something on your body.

Real-looking objects and animals make for striking, eye-catching tattoos.

Some popular choices include:

Flowers – always a popular tattoo element, flowers look even better when tattooed in 3D. Most people opt for roses since they’re one of the more complex flowers to tattoo and ones with the most depth involved – there’s a lot of light and shadow play on and between the petals, unlike with flowers that are naturally more flat. Drops of water are sometimes added for extra realism. Both color and black options are viable, and each will result in a distinctive style – though of course, the use of color will make the image more lifelike.

Portraits – portrait tattoos are tough to get right and a major commitment (they’re not as easy to cover up as names!), yet this doesn’t affect their popularity all that much. Plenty of people still get them, and there’s no reason not to if you have the right tattoo artist to help you and the certainty that this is the right choice for you. Portrait tattoos are usually done in black ink. If they were done in color, they’d blend in too much with the color of your own skin.

Animals – both tattoos of pets and of wild animals are often done in 3D to add depth and heighten the aesthetic value of the design. Usually tattooed in color for maximum realism, these tattoos tend to be quite large in order to preserve all the details and make the design more believable. Tigers, wolves, and lions are common choices, as are snakes and lizards.

Spiders – from black widows to huge tarantulas, realistic spiders make for awesome-looking tattoos in 3D. Though these insects generally cause most people to flinch and many are positively fearful of them (sometimes with good reason, after all), the symbolism of the spider is not altogether negative. They’re associated with power, mystery, and growth. Spiders also represent the concept that our choices construct our lives – likely due to the elaborate webs that spiders gradually build to catch prey.

Skulls – often combined with other elements, such as flowers or snakes, skulls never seem to lose popularity. In 3-dimensional tattoos they’re typically done in black ink, giving them a dark, gothic look. This fits in with the general cultural meanings of death and mortality that skulls bring to mind. Skulls also have some positive meanings, though – they’re sometimes associated with protection and wisdom.

Eyes – realistic-looking eyes, either single or in a pair, are another tattoo you’ll see a lot of while browsing our gallery. Eyes are symbolic of intelligence and omniscience, as well as morality and truth. In certain cultures, eyes are considered to be gateways into the soul – sometimes associated with the concept of the ‘third eye’. The third eye is supposed to be the eye of the soul – what could simply be called intuition. In Egyptian and Western occult traditions, the left eye symbolizes the moon and the North, while the right eye represents the sun and the South.

Landing insects

This is one of the most popular choices and one of the safest ones where it comes to achieving the desired effect.

And the effect you’re aiming for here is to make it look as if an insect, such as a butterfly or a dragonfly, has landed on your skin.

The insect is made to look realistic through painstaking work on the tattoo artist’s part – working with several reference images of real examples of your chosen insect to make sure it looks ‘real’ on your skin.

The tattoo is not complete without adding a shadow dropped by the insect – without it, the tattoo could still look somewhat flat.

The placement of a 3D landing insect tattoo is also an important factor to consider. Especially in the case of larger designs, the area can’t be too curved (like the top of your shoulder or your elbow), since this will distort the shape of the tattoo. For lifelike insect tattoos, consider your forearm, the back of your shoulder, or somewhere along your leg – such as your thigh or calf.

The sky’s the limit on what insect you could go with for your tattoo. You could think about what critters visually appeal to you, consider whether you have any personal stories or memories you associate with any particular insect, or take a cultural meaning or value associated with an insect as a starting point.

Butterflies

Butterflies are symbolic of transformation, first and foremost. This is because they start their lives as considerably less attractive caterpillars before transforming themselves into the colorful, beautiful flying insects.

They’re also associated with hope, change, and life itself. As such, they’re particularly meaningful 3D design choices if you want to celebrate an important change in your life or overcoming a difficult struggle. Butterflies are also sometimes thought to be symbolic of the passing of a loved one.

In addition to the above, a blue butterfly 3D tattoo generally symbolizes good luck. Yellow butterflies stand for joy, happiness, and positivity. White ones are associated with purity and, in the context of Christianity, salvation.

Dragonflies

Dragonflies have many meanings which differ somewhat between cultures. In general, they symbolize change, adaptability, transformation, and self-realization.

In Japanese culture, dragonflies are symbolic of power, victory, and agility. For Native Americans, dragonflies stood for happiness and purity, as well as for protection from ill health and injury. In Buddhist cosmology, dragonflies represent the joining of Heaven and Earth.

In tattoo art, dragonflies are often thought to represent living in the moment – letting go of the past, not worrying too much about the future, and focusing on what’s important to us here and now.

Cracked or ripped skin

These tattoo designs in 3D are way less grim than they sound. The 3D effect is achieved here by making it appear as if part of the skin is missing, to reveal something unexpected and unusual beneath.

It’s an interesting choice since this type of tattoo blends in perfectly and appears as if it really is a part of the person’s body.

Again, there are plenty of options here, limited only by your creativity and the size you want your tattoo to be.

Biomechanical

The biomechanical tattoo style involves designs which represent a seamless blend of human and machine. This means combining bones and tissue with gears, pistons, and other mechanical elements in one design, creating the illusion of a cyborg-like nature.

Though biomechanical designs are sometimes done as traditional, two-dimensional tattoos, the 3D option is far more popular. In order to show the blend of muscle and metal, the muscle must be ‘exposed’ – hence including the illusion of missing skin in the design.

Biomechanical tattoos don’t have any specific meanings in themselves – most of the time they’re purely a form of artistic expression and of decoration.

The biomechanical style in broader art movements originates from the 1970s and is closely associated with Ridley Scott’s 1979 movie Alien. In recent years, the steampunk style has influenced biomechanical tattoos – swapping the steel and cabling of traditional biomech for brass clockwork and gears.

Superheroes and other pop culture elements

A highly popular choice among ‘missing skin’ tattoos, this type is based on the idea of having a costume or a different appearance ‘under’ your skin.

Superheroes are a common theme here – you’re bound to have seen 3D tattoo pictures where it seems as if the person’s skin has been torn off to show a Spiderman or Batman costume underneath.

Characteristic, distinctive clothing/costumes, armors, and appearances of characters from movies, comic books, and games, are all great choices for this kind of tattoo.

An interesting twist is to have several tattoos with the same theme – a ‘rip’ on the chest is a classic, but you could also get matching tattoos, here and there, on other parts of your body – such as your shoulders, arms, and legs.

Writing

Using the 3D technique puts a new spin on the traditional quote tattoo. This kind of design usually involves making it appear as if the writing is under your skin, rather than on it.

To achieve this effect, the tattoo artist uses shading to create the illusion of a part of your skin missing, with the letters showing underneath.

There a couple of things to decide on when considering this kind of three-dimensional tattoo. First of all, you need to think about what the writing itself should be – you could opt for a name of a loved one, a quotation that’s important to you, or even a full page of text from a source that has personal meaning to you (e.g. your favorite book or a religious text).

Next up, the shape of the ‘cutout’ – it could look as if the skin is missing in a particular shape, such as a star, heart, or circle, or you could go for a less ordered ‘ripped’ look – as if it’s been scratched or torn off.

The fact that the writing will be ‘under’ your skin suggests that the text is not just important to you, but is a part of you. A 3D under-the-skin writing tattoo is therefore the perfect choice for writing that truly represents who you are, or who you want to be.

Optical illusions

An optical illusion uses perspective, shapes, color, and light/shade to create images that are deceptive, confusing, or misleading to our perception. Put simply, optical illusions cause us to see something that either doesn’t exist in reality or actually looks different than what we think it does.

There are many types of optical illusions out there, but the type we’re most interested in is based mostly on an illusion of depth. Think of graffiti art that makes it seem as if an image is ‘floating’ in the air, or of murals that make it look as if there’s a tunnel – when really, it’s just a plain, solid wall.