“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.” – Amy Bleuel
The semicolon tattoo was popularized by Amy Bleuel, the founder of Project Semicolon who unfortunately lost her mental health battle in 2017 at the age of 31.
The simple semicolon tattoo is a bright neon sign for those who battle suicidal thoughts, depression, and other serious mental health problems. The semicolon is a piece of punctuation that pauses a sentence but doesn’t end it and keeps it going.
Beyond the ink lies the message; a reminder for every person to keep working, battling, and living to fight another day.
Semicolon tattoo designs have been embraced by those struggling with mental health as a permanent reminder; despite serious trouble, people’s stories aren’t over, they should give themselves the opportunity to tell them.
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.
Project Semicolon and Amy Bleuel
Project Semicolon is a charitable organization dedicated to suicide prevention and helping those with mental health issues to get the help they need.
Project Semicolon was set up by Amy Buehl in 2013, 10 years after the death of her father from suicide. Bleuel herself dealt with numerous life-threatening traumatic experiences and suicide attempts over a 25 year period. Unfortunately, Amy Bleuel took her own life at age 31 in 2017.
Project Semicolon operates through mental health awareness strategies, community education, and equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools to help save more lives.
The Project’s work is based on the foundation and belief that suicide is preventable and that all people can contribute to playing a role in its prevention.
A fortnight ago as part of World Semicolon Day (April 17) Project Semicolon announced via their Facebook page that “In the coming weeks, Project Semicolon will complete its restructuring and launch with much needed resources and programs to help our community members. At that time we will be looking for help with Social Networking, Website Upkeep, Facebook Message Support, Event Volunteers, Content Creators, Advisory Board Members, and other general volunteers.”
For more information on the project semicolon community visit: projectsemicolon.org, via social media channels, or email info@projectsemicolon.com
Types of Semicolon Tattoos
The semicolon tattoo trend has proven a superb identifier for sufferers and supporters. It’s a tattoo inspiration and deep-meaning rallying point capable of breaking down the stigma attached to self-harm, suicidal ideation, or even a suicide attempt.
An experienced tattoo artist is often tremendously skilled at identifying the motivation behind people’s body art, then using them in aid of fully exploring the ink they create for each subject. With such intensely personal, painful, and even devastating memories attached to each semicolon tattoo meaning, your tattoo artist carries a burden to do your anguish justice.
The execution of artistic style – geometry, sharp or flowing linework, flowering vines, and blooms, or simple objects – within these tattoos serve as armor reinforcement for the painful memories and battles fought by the subject to put their fight permanently onto flesh.
1. Simple Black Ink Semicolon Tattoos
The majority of semicolon tattoos are simple ink expressions relying on effective use of black ink etching to convey the message required. They often utilize the clarity of message in combination with a supporting idea of growth, strength, or resilience as their reminder to keep fighting.
While not as prevalent, some collectors elect for colored semicolon tattoo designs. They aren’t often bright and ostentatious but use good lines and techniques – such as watercolor ink – to help portray the message.
Source: @purpleoctopusink via Instagram
2. Small Semicolon Tattoo Design
Small tattoo options are the most common depiction of semicolon ink you’ll find. These day’s you will likely find a ready flash sheet at your tattoo parlor with an infinity tattoo semicolon, butterfly, and simple semicolon design ready to go.
With these small tattoo examples it all breaks down to a simple, special meaning: I have struggled, I am fighting, I am still here.
3. Illustrative Semicolon Tattoo Design
Semicolon tattoos by nature tend towards simple, intensely personal ink depictions without much ostentation.
Illustrative tattoos subtly incorporate the semicolon within a larger piece of body art, almost hiding them in plain sight.
In some ways, this parallels what happens with the people behind the ink, hiding their pain and struggle behind expressions of irony or other more camouflaged images of themselves in order to keep going.
4. Semicolon and Script Tattoos
Words simply and powerfully add another layer of protection to the semicolon tattoo: affirmations or benedictions to reinforce the message of resilience.
The words themselves act as reminders of faith – either in a higher power or coming from within the core of the individual.
5. Popular Supporting Imagery
There are numerous images that crop up in semicolon tattoos. Some of the most utilized images include:
- A shared infinity semicolon tattoo or a combination between semicolon symbol and infinity tattoo
- Animals linked with rebirth, such as a phoenix semicolon design or semicolon butterfly
- Matching semicolon tattoos
- Tattoo design incorporating faith and love, such as hearts and crosses
- Iconic images of healing such as rainbows.
Other symbolic imagery such as the military-associated “I Got Your Six/IGY6″ tattoos, also are incorporated into semicolon tattoo art.
[see_more_about title=”Top 65 semicolon butterfly tattoos” link=”https://nl.jahaweb.com/mens-style-and-fashion/semicolon-butterfly-tattoo-ideas/”]
Source: @fizzpop06 via Instagram
6. Semicolon Wrist Tattoo
Many semicolon tattoos are etched on the wrist or inner forearm – a meaningful nod to the most visible self-harm location chosen by individuals choosing to manifest mental anguish in a physical manner.
They also provide an area where the semicolon can be noticed and acknowledged by others, particularly others who know and understand the symbolic meaning of the punctuation mark as a mental health issue.
Conclusion
The semicolon tattoo is meant to reflect that the battle is not over, and that self-harm, mental illness, and suicidal ideation can be fought against by sufferers, their supporters, and by the wider community.
A final note: You don’t have to be a mental health professional to help someone in your life that may be struggling. For 24/7 support call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255.