20+ Bright Siders Explained the Real Meaning Behind Their Tattoos

Throughout our lives, there are people, places, events, or even pets that really leave a special impression on us. While we can all relate to that, there are others who also need to externalize this feeling in some way. And the best way to do that is with a tattoo that can represent that special milestone in their lives and keep that moment alive on their body and in their memory forever.

At Bright Side, we love that our readers share their tattoos and the stories behind each of them with us. So we’ve selected some of the ones that we liked, that moved us, or surprised us the most, and we made a compilation to show them to you.

1. “I got a green ribbon (a symbol of organ donation) tattooed on the scar I had left after donating a kidney to my cousin.”

2. “My dad always told us legends about hummingbirds. When he was no longer with us, hummingbirds appeared everywhere, even in the cemetery — they were there!!!”

“It was as if he was telling us that he was fine, that we should not suffer, and that he would always be with us. So I decided to get a hummingbird and my favorite flower tattooed in his memory, and it’s like every morning he comes to greet me!!!! I miss you, Daddy.”

3. “This tattoo represents my parents. They have been married for almost 50 years and are sweethearts, spouses, friends, and confidants. My example to follow, they love each other to this day.”

4. “I tattooed a guitar in honor of my father who loved music — even on his tombstone, we engraved the image of his guitar.”

“And it’s not self-flagellation, because the truth is that it didn’t even hurt to get one, but just seeing this mark on my skin reminds me of the joy my father had while playing his guitar and it helps me to keep going even though he’s not with me anymore, because life is to be enjoyed, and nothing is more beautiful than music to make it better.”

5. “Mine is of my dog who passed away in August 2019. 14 years she accompanied me, since her 43 days of life, my faithful companion. I now have her 7-year-old granddaughter and her 2 great-grandchildren, ages 5 and 4.”

6. “My son’s initial and a puzzle piece, he has autism💙.”

7. “I have 5 hummingbirds for my sisters and me because our parents taught us to fly and be free. And on my back, I have the tree of life for my 2 daughters who are everything to me.”

8. “A tribute to my grandfather who took it upon himself to help my mother raise my sisters and me when my father abandoned us. He planted coffee that he sold to add to his pension and be able to provide for us anything we needed.”

9. “2 years ago, I went through a difficult situation: my partner and I had broken up, I lost my job, and my dad was diagnosed with the onset of mental illness, all in the same week. This tattoo is a reminder to myself that I can flourish even in the face of adversity.”

10. “I have the WhatsApp chicken head on my wrist... I’m learning how to tattoo and did it myself, so that’s why it has mistakes that I improved on in the next tattoo I did.”

11. “The names of my children”

12. “My mom and I got tattooed together. She said it hurt so much that this would be the only one she’d ever get and ended up saying, ’One can do anything out of love for one’s children.’”

13. “My only tattoo, which represents my 4 loves: my children. The tattoo was handmade by my daughter...”

14. “A mark of a real kiss from my grandmother — I had it made with my sister.”

“Grandma would always give us a kiss every time she could, but gradually her dementia and Alzheimer’s made her less affectionate. She hardly ever gives kisses anymore, but my sister and I will carry one with us forever.”

15. “My 3 children, represented by We Bare Bears, a cartoon that we used to watch together.”

16. “In honor of my family: 3 birds of different sizes because we are 3 children. I’m the middle one, so the medium bird carries my father’s last name. And the origami birds because my mother knows how to make them perfectly.”

17. “In memory of my 4 babies that I had in my womb but never in my arms”

18. “I am 43 years old and was very scared but still had just one of these done with my son since we always play the Bubble Bobble game. It was worth the pain, they are beautiful.”

19. “I have one on my forearm in honor of my daughter.”

20. “My baby — he was like a son to me and I have never met anyone nicer or more obedient than him.”

21. “I have my grandmother’s palm print on my left arm, very close to the heart. It’s her real print and has her name on it. She is still alive, but I made it in honor of her. I adore her.”

22. “This is a drawing that my sister made 3 years before she left us, and it’s been 13 years since that happened.”

“Last year, on the day of her twelfth death anniversary, I drew it as a tribute to her memory. That little monkey that she drew stayed in my memory forever, I was very young when it happened. I feel very comforted since I carry a part of her with me...”

23. “A tattoo with my best friends: my brothers and sisters”

24. “In memory of the first kitten I loved with all my soul — 2 years ago, he went missing...”

25. “Well, I have a tattoo, which is a phoenix, with the names of my mom and my brother written in Arabic on its tail... I got it tattooed because I got out of a toxic relationship of 5 years with the support of both of them.”

26. “The meaning it has for me is my family (my husband, myself, my daughter, and my son), cared for by the universe and united by it.”

27. My brothers and I got this quote tattooed when we found out my mom had cancer. My mom’s name is Alice and my sister loves Alice in Wonderland. Thank God my mom is doing well today."

“It’s only a dream...”

Alicia

28. “They are my children, the middle one is no longer with us.”

29. “My kids and I are on the left hand, and my mom and dad are on the right. They flew off together 6 years ago...”

Do you have a tattoo or would you like to get one? What do you think of the reasons that led these people to get theirs? Don’t be shy — share your tattoos and the meaning behind them with us!