41 Powerful Stories Behind Tattoos With Real Meaning

My father passed on Valentines day 2 days before I turned 18, I thought this quote from a prayer said during his funeral was perfect. He had written a birthday card about 30 minutes before his heart attack and it was signed "love ya, dad" so I had his handwriting put below the quote

"This is a dedication to my sister who lost a battle with cancer. My sister was special needs and couldn't write many things but she did always sign her own cards. This tattoo is a scan from the last card she signed for me. I couldn't think of a better way to ink her name than in her own handwriting."

"He passed away from ALS and Multiple Systems Atrophy after suffering for 4 years on 9/14/16. The time on the clock is 9:14, which symbolizes the day he stopped suffering and was at peace once again. Frank Sinatra was his favorite artist, so while he was in the hospital in a medically induced coma, we started playing some of Frank’s music. My dad peacefully passed on his own in the middle of the first song we played, “Fly Me To The Moon” which is written in the banner beneath the clock. The dove on my inner forearm symbolizes my dad going off on his new path to heaven. His memory lives on my arm with me forever."

The day my dad died, my step mom asked if he could send her a cardinal. Since then, they've showed up in many different places. Cards, clothes, a figurine my mother sent her. I'm sure it's because we're looking for them but it has brought us a lot of comfort. So the red bird is for him.

The blue birds are for his parents, my gram and poppa. My poppa could mimic so many bird calls. My gram would give my sister and I blue bird figurines for major life events. They helped raise us and I miss them terribly

"The train is for my Papa Jim, who was a train engineer. The horse is for my Papa Don, since he adored animals. Then the two cows (theyre not finished yet) represent my mom and my stepdad, since they both worked in the cattle business.
The dates below them are the dates they passed away, which is why one cow doesnt have a date. I'm going to add more detail and colour after it heals and I'll continue to add more so that it will wrap around my leg."