“It’s Super Meaningful”: 65 People Share The Stories Behind Their Most Cherished Tattoos

Some people swear they would never get a tattoo. Perhaps they believe that it’s way too difficult to commit to a piece of ink for the rest of their life, or they simply aren’t interested in getting any sort of body artwork. But even if you think you’ll never be open to the idea of getting tatted, you never know how you’ll feel after experiencing an extremely powerful event.

According to a survey from the Pew Research Center, about one-third of Americans have at least one tattoo, and over a fifth have more than one piece of ink. The survey also found that women, Black Americans, LGBTQ+ Americans, and young adults are the most likely to be tatted. But anyone can decide that they’re interested in getting a piece of ink at any point in their life.

When it comes to why Americans choose to permanently place pieces of ink on their bodies, 69% say that at least one of their tattoos is to remember or honor someone or something. Nearly half say they have a tattoo that makes a statement about what they believe, and nearly a third say that they got a tattoo to improve their appearance.

80% of Americans also say that society has become more accepting of people with tattoos, so more people are opening up to the idea of getting one themselves. My mother actually got her first tattoo in her 50s. And about one-fifth of adults under the age of 30 who don’t have any yet would consider getting a piece of ink in the future.  

Some people love getting silly tattoos or pieces just for fun. They might not have any special meaning, but they will add something to their canvas’s life. But it’s very common for people to have meaningful tattoos, as we see on this list right here. 

Social Graces Tattoo Studio says that this is because tattoos are about identity. They are a way for people to express themselves, what they believe in, and what they’ve been through. They are also often used to symbolize things people love or are passionate about, such as nature, hobbies, or art. 

For some, getting a tattoo can even be therapeutic. For example, it’s common for cancer survivors to get tattoos over their scars, and as we can see from this list, people often get tattoos to memorialize loved ones that they have lost. While these pieces of ink can sometimes be painful to look at, they keep the memory of these people, pets, and experiences alive. And every time someone asks what the piece symbolizes, the owner gets to share stories about their loved one or what they’ve been through.  

It’s also common for people to get tattoos that are culturally significant to them, as this tradition has been around in certain parts of the world for thousands of years. In Polynesian culture, for example, tattoos have historically indicated a person’s status in society, as well as their genealogy. 

Even the placement on a person’s body is significant with these kinds of tattoos. Ink on the left side of the body is typically associated with women, while men tend to get ink on the right side of their body. Meanwhile, each specific area of the body means something unique, and every symbol represents a specific weapon, animal, piece of nature, etc.  

Some people also get tattoos as a way of reclaiming ownership of their own body. If someone has experienced trauma at the hands of another person or has struggled with a mental illness such as an eating disorder, it may feel empowering to reclaim their bodily autonomy. These pieces of artwork can be beautiful reminders of their resilience and how much they have to look forward to in the future.