A personal
reminder.
A tattoo, a drawing, a piece of art, or something kept privately. Choose the expression that feels meaningful to you.
Explore the tattoo directoryThe Semicolon
A pause. A continuation.
A reminder that your story matters.
People carry the semicolon for different reasons: a chapter they’ve lived through, someone they remember, or a message of solidarity. The meaning is personal.
Why a semicolon?
A semicolon connects parts of a sentence that could stand separately. In our community, it became a way to express continuation: a difficult chapter doesn’t have to be the last one.
The mark can hold something hard to put into words. It may be a reminder to yourself, a tribute to someone else, or a way to say that mental health matters.
You don’t have to share the same experience—or explain yours—to connect with that message.
An invitation that began in 2013
Amy Bleuel founded Project Semicolon in 2013. The semicolon became an invitation to talk about mental health, hope, and the reasons our stories continue.
As people shared the symbol online and made it part of their own lives, they gave it new forms and deeply personal meanings. Tattoos became one visible expression of that shared message.
The movement grew through the people who carried it, and the message still belongs in the lives of the people it reaches.
There’s room for your meaning
There is no single design, personal history, or way of participating that makes someone part of this community.
A tattoo, a drawing, a piece of art, or something kept privately. Choose the expression that feels meaningful to you.
Explore the tattoo directoryYour experience may offer someone a sense of recognition. You decide what you want to share, and what stays yours.
Share your storyCarry the message into a conversation, a shared activity, or World Semicolon Day. Listening is a way to take part, too.
Explore April 16A little care goes with the symbol
Let the person wearing it choose whether to share its meaning. A small mark can carry a lot, and the story behind it belongs to them.
A few things you might be wondering
No. You can connect with the message through learning, listening, volunteering, sharing, or taking part in ways that fit your life.
No. People may carry it for personal continuation, remembrance, solidarity, or another reason entirely. Don’t assume someone’s history from their tattoo.
Explore our tattoo shop directory, then contact the shop directly about its designs, prices, appointment process, and age requirements. A listing does not guarantee a discount or availability.
Explore the directoryYou deserve a next step that fits what you’re experiencing. Explore our support paths, information, and connections to care.
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