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Have you ever thought of getting a tattoo to remind yourself of an important memory? Or you just want to get one because you were dared by your friends? Whatever your reasons may be, every tattoo has a significant meaning.

Tattoos are not only works of art but they are a reminder of stories and experiences in our lives. Some people get them to remind them of an important milestone, while others simply want it. Still, every tattoo has a story to tell.

Check out these 52 tattoos and their special meanings.

1) Birds

A week after their dad died, a woman and her sister decided to get tattoos of birds to honor him and his parents. After he passed, their step mom asked him to send cardinals to the family. They have been showing up ever since on various items such as cards, clothes. etc.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://imgur.com/gallery/3UKN4#I4EtKhW
shutupimhiding Source: shutupimhiding

2) 18th Birthday Gift

“I got this 3 days after my 18th birthday, It’s my grandfather who died when I was 7 holding up the world in his WWII uniform.”

What a powerful tattoo to commemorate a loved one.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.reddit.com/r/tattoos/comments/145n5s/i_got_this_3_days_after_my_18th_birthday_its_my/
SteveBuschemi Source: SteveBuschemi

3) Wishbone

This lucky man met his girlfriend 19 years ago when they were just 16. They were friends for many years but he secretly wished for more. It turns out she did too. They each got a broken wish bone on their arm so when together, it’s one.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.buzzfeed.com/genamourbarrett/wholesome-tattoo-stories-that-will-make-you-teary-eyed
mrmoecast Source: mrmoecast

4) Home

His grandfather drew out a diagram showcasing where their home is on earth using longitude and latitude.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.reddit.com/r/tattoos/comments/1yefgv/simple_chart_my_grandpa_drew_for_me_to_show_where/
kgoodz Source: kgoodz

5) Spoons

Rachael was diagnosed with lupus at 17. She learned about the spoon theory (those with any sort of chronic fatigue, like lupus, have to “count their spoons” or energy levels, and use them wisely). The spoon tattoo signifies that she will never run out of spoons.

The butterfly represents the butterfly rash many lupus patients have.

What a clever idea!

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.buzzfeed.com/genamourbarrett/wholesome-tattoo-stories-that-will-make-you-teary-eyed
rachaelbrooker Source: rachaelbrooker

6) Love Dad

Their father passed away and to remember him, they got a tattoo of a note he wrote them in their 2nd-grade yearbook, in his handwriting.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.reddit.com/r/tattoos/comments/2om23w/dad_passed_away_in_2009_got_a_note_he_wrote_in_my/
Highlingual Source: Highlingual

7) First Tattoo

At just 15-years-old, her friend committed suicide. She decided to get the last note her friend wrote her as her first tattoo. Her friend called her Bacon because that was the only word she was able to learn in their sign language class.

What a sweet memory of her friend.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://imgur.com/gallery/OfbZWff
seasonsmustchange Source: seasonsmustchange

8) For my Brother

Her brother was murdered and to honor him, she got the same quote tattooed on her as he had tattoed on him. He was cremated and his ashes were put in a bio urn so one day he will grow into an oak tree.

Both tattoos are stunning.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/2wssfh/my_brother_was_murdered_on_february_6th_2015_he/
itssydneyy Source: itssydneyy

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9) From the Ground Up

This woman lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. She vowed to rebuild her house and tattoed the plans on her hands as a daily reminder. She was working three jobs at the time.

That’s dedication!

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.reddit.com/r/GetMotivated/comments/3hv56g/image_this_woman_in_new_orleans_lost_everything/
petitveritas Source: petitveritas

10) Love, Nico

This tattoo is for Jeremy’s sister who lost her battle with cancer. She was special needs and couldn’t write many words but she gave her brother cards and would sign her name. This tattoo is a scan of the last card she gave him.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.instagram.com/p/BNZk2g-Faeg/
Instagram/@cdmprinceton Source: Instagram/@cdmprinceton

11) Legos

This user got a tattoo of their brother after he died short of his 40th birthday. Blue was his favorite color. The smaller lego is his sibling hugging him also in their favorite color, yellow.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.reddit.com/r/lego/comments/71w47g/got_my_first_tattoo_today_the_big_brick_is_to/
Minifig81 Source: Minifig81

12) Symbols

After her dad was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, Kate took her father to get tattoos of the 3 symbols he drew on his ankle before surgery. The symbols represent: “be open to change,” “create your own destiny,” and “where there’s a will there’s a way.”

Kate also got the symbols. Her father has since passed but she says: “…now I’ll always have a piece of him with me to give me some fatherly advice when I need it.”

How sweet!

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.buzzfeed.com/genamourbarrett/wholesome-tattoo-stories-that-will-make-you-teary-eyed
katew466be59dd Source: katew466be59dd

13) Got Your Back

After his dad passed, he asked the funeral home to take a handprint of his dad’s hand. He then got the print tattooed on his back.

What a very symbolic tribute piece.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://imgur.com/gallery/3TPq1
Beerguy1984 Source: Beerguy1984

14) Surprise Tattoo

Just after turning 18, Valis’ aunt took her to get her first tattoo. Her mom was not a fan of tattoos. She waited until her birthday party to show her mom the tattoo in front of all her family and friends. She burst into tears of joy. Later, her mom got a tattoo of her own!

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/first-tattoos-stories-ink-meaning#slide-14
Refinery29/Valis Source: Refinery29/Valis

15) I miss you!

Her best friend was murdered and after the trial, she got a note her friend wrote to her years before, tattooed on her back.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/1j94r4/girl_i_know_had_a_best_friend_who_was_murdered/
Reddit Source: Reddit

16) Best Friend

Amber’s dog was diagnosed with cancer so she decided to get a tattoo of him on her foot. That way, “I’m always have him at my feet now,” she wrote.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.buzzfeed.com/genamourbarrett/wholesome-tattoo-stories-that-will-make-you-teary-eyed
amberj4490d2b06 Source: amberj4490d2b06

17) Sobriety

This user did heroin for 12 years and celebrates each year of sobriety with a tally to mark their progress.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/6p4a4g/shot_heroin_for_12_years_today_is_4_years_clean_i/
SerCornballer Source: SerCornballer

18) The X Files

Laina Grace says Scully from The X-Files had a profound effect on her childhood:

“The X-Files solidified in my mind that women could be whatever, do whatever, and be as badass as any man could ever be and more.”

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.buzzfeed.com/genamourbarrett/wholesome-tattoo-stories-that-will-make-you-teary-eyed
LainaGrace Source: LainaGrace

19) Spongebob and Patrick

This person got a tattoo of cartoon buds, Spongebob and Patrick, to honor their best friend.

What a sweet and playful way to remember a loved one.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.reddit.com/r/tattoos/comments/2mqh67/tribute_tattoo_for_my_best_friend_who_past_away/
llamalove12 Source: llamalove12

20) Love My Daughter!!

A daughter got her dad’s note that he had written for her tattooed on her calf. She got it there because he had one on his calf too!

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://imgur.com/gallery/5Sw3v
JustifiedG Source: JustifiedG

21) Orchids

After her best friend died, Bri got a tattoo of her friend’s favorite flowers, orchids, to commemorate her. She thought the best way to honor her was by getting a tattoo because her friend had lots of them.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/first-tattoos-stories-ink-meaning#slide-20
Refinery29/Bri Source: Refinery29/Bri

22) Morse Code

Liza and her two sisters are very close so when one went away to college, they decided to get tattoos together. It reads “sisters” in Morse code.

“I have it on my arm because I carry them with me, my sister has it on her foot because she walks in our footsteps, and when my youngest sister turns 18, she’ll get it on her back because we always have her back.”

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.buzzfeed.com/genamourbarrett/wholesome-tattoo-stories-that-will-make-you-teary-eyed
liza4cffc3ca3 Source: liza4cffc3ca3

23) A Father’s Love

His son died of SIDS and to honor his memory, he got a tattoo of the audio wave of his son’s laugh.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://imgur.com/gallery/uBF1qXP
Theycallmekam Source: Theycallmekam

24) Together

Years after a miscarriage, sarif decided to get a meaningful tattoo. She discovered bodhisattva ksitigarbha who represents the guardian of the souls of children who died before their parents.

“The story goes that he keeps them safe until their parents also pass and they can enter heaven together.”

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.buzzfeed.com/genamourbarrett/wholesome-tattoo-stories-that-will-make-you-teary-eyed
sarif Source: sarif

25) You’ll be alright

As a first tattoo, they decided to get their mom’s favorite saying tattooed. What a sentimental gesture.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.reddit.com/r/tattoos/comments/6tggkl/my_first_tattoo_had_to_be_a_sentimental_one_my/
viblical Source: viblical

26) I Don’t Like You

Growing up, her mother used to sing, “You Really Got a Hold on Me” the version covered by The Beatles. She got this line of the song tattooed while her mom got the second, “but I love you,” tattooed on her.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.buzzfeed.com/genamourbarrett/wholesome-tattoo-stories-that-will-make-you-teary-eyed
Lex7d7 Source: Lex7d7

27) Becoming

Zoe got this tattoo as a gift to herself after graduating college. She got it to celebrate the woman that she had become.

This is a really unique and cool piece. The imagery is very powerful.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/first-tattoos-stories-ink-meaning#slide-4
Refinery29/Zoe Source: Refinery29/Zoe

28) My Little Angel

Her grandmother looked after her as a child and when doing so, she kept a journal of the first year of her granddaughter’s life. She would refer to her as her “little angel.” When her grandmother passed away, she decided to get a tattoo in her handwriting.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.buzzfeed.com/genamourbarrett/wholesome-tattoo-stories-that-will-make-you-teary-eyed
emmaf45380552f Source: emmaf45380552f

29) Counting Down the Days

After his grandmother passed, he decided to get a tattoo of an audio clip with her saying, “you’ve got me counting down the days.” It’s from a letter she wrote to her husband while he was deployed in the 50s. The script is also in her handwriting from that letter.

A lot of thought went into this tattoo!

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://imgur.com/gallery/iGS9xfd
Dougnstep Source: Dougnstep

30) Anthony

Christina’s older brother has Down Syndrome and he wrote this note for her before she left for college. It’s also in his handwriting. Christina said he is the only name she would get written on her.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.buzzfeed.com/genamourbarrett/wholesome-tattoo-stories-that-will-make-you-teary-eyed
christinav4fd89592d Source: christinav4fd89592d

31) Graduation

Ashlee and her best friend got their first tattoo for graduation when they were 18. Of course, they did this behind the backs of their parents! After staying up late trying to decide on a tattoo, they chose a moon and a sun. They took her friend’s mom’s car and went to the tattoo parlor!

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/first-tattoos-stories-ink-meaning#slide-18
Refinery29/Ashlee Source: Refinery29/Ashlee

32) Post-Its

After his mom passed away, he found one of the many post-it notes she’d leave for him. He got it copied and inked in her honor.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://imgur.com/gallery/cm9LSBI
jitterbug13 Source: jitterbug13

33) ‘Stache and Glasses

This woman got a creative tattoo after her father passed.

It’s an adorable tribute tattoo.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.reddit.com/r/tattoo/comments/7n6b6c/my_dad_died_on_december_15_2016_today_i_got_a/
42dftba Source: 42dftba

34) Thankful for U

“A couple years ago my boyfriend decided to end his life. He left this note on our fridge chalkboard a couple months prior…I’m thankful I decided to take a picture of it. It’s a good little reminder/memorial tattoo.”

This woman made this tragedy a little less painful by choosing to remember a special moment they shared together.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.buzzfeed.com/genamourbarrett/wholesome-tattoo-stories-that-will-make-you-teary-eyed
stephmt Source: stephmt

35) A Tragedy

This young man got a tattoo of his childhood home (that his parents built) with his dog in the window. The initials in the tree are of his mom and dad.

His home was destroyed from a propane leak killing his dog and his parents.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://imgur.com/gallery/KCD0y#r9gBhjX
FuckThisStupidFuckingShit Source: FuckThisStupidFuckingShit

36) Move.

A victim of mental health issues, Liv got this tattooed on her to remind herself to move, to get out of bed even when it’s difficult. She says that alone is a quick way to feeling better.

This is an inspiring concept.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.buzzfeed.com/genamourbarrett/wholesome-tattoo-stories-that-will-make-you-teary-eyed
livvbit Source: livvbit

37) Pineapple Obsession

Emily is a self-confessed “picky eater” but she loves pineapple. When they were in season, she’d ask her mom to buy them every week. When Emily told her she was going to get a tattoo of a pineapple, her mom didn’t believe her. That is, until she showed up with one.

“Now I will always have a fun story to tell about my first tattoo and a sweet memory with my best friend: my mom.”

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/first-tattoos-stories-ink-meaning#slide-11
Refinery29/Emily Source: Refinery29/Emily

38) Pocahontas

When their brother died, they got a tattoo of the cups they used to drink out of when they were kids. Their favorite drink was chocolate milk.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.buzzfeed.com/genamourbarrett/wholesome-tattoo-stories-that-will-make-you-teary-eyed
idalydtineo Source: idalydtineo

39) Nightcrawler

“I grew up thinking of myself as something of a monster. I never really fit anyone’s idea of what a girl should be and it turns out that being non-binary probably had something to do with that.” But when they went to a children’s home, they discovered X-Men and immediately identified with Nightcrawler.

“He looks like a demon, but he’s probably the kindest superhero out there. Getting this tattoo was a form of armour.”

What a beautiful and inspiring story!

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.buzzfeed.com/genamourbarrett/wholesome-tattoo-stories-that-will-make-you-teary-eyed
NoliTimere Source: NoliTimere

40) Fairy

Before her mother died unexpectedly, she told her daughter that if she got another tattoo, it would be a fairy. She also found a note her mom wrote to her that read, “I love you so much -Mom.”

What a beautiful piece of art.

swiggle1 dot pattern2 https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/3k1xvj/my_mother_passed_away_unexpectedly_two_nights_ago/
Reddit Source: Reddit

40) Father/daughter