News

There's An Amazing Reason You're Seeing Semicolon Tattoos Everywhere (Photos)

by Gillian Fuller

For many of us with ink, our unique tattoos have stories to tell: They represent important people or things, and they communicate messages we feel are important enough to keep with us forever.

For this reason, tattoo trends are often dismissed as inauthentic and meaningless.

But, that's not always the case.

Lately, you may have seen an abundance of semicolon tattoos, either online or on people you know.

Perhaps, you even made an assumption about them; you thought the grammatical design was just another passing trend or another pointless marking.

But, there's more to this trend than meets the eye.

The tattoo trend was launched by Project Semicolon, a grassroots movement geared toward raising awareness for and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness.

According to the website, “A semicolon represents a sentence the author could have ended, but chose not to. That author is you and the sentence is your life.”

Cofounder Amy Bleuel launched the project after her father committed suicide.

Bleuel says, “I set out to inspire others so they can know they are not alone, that their story matters.”

The project inspired hundreds to share their stories of adversity with others.

The semicolon represents ideas like, “The story isn't over,” and, “The best is yet to come.”

You can find people's stories on Instagram by searching #SemicolonProject...

...or share your story by tagging your semicolon pic with the hashtag.

No matter how bad things get, the project serves as a reminder that…

...you're never alone, and things will always get better.

Learn more at Project Semicolon.

Citations: Project Semicolon People Are Drawing Semicolons On Their Wrists As A Message Of Hope (Metro)