Selena Gomez has a small semicolon tattoo on her right wrist. The tattoo has garnered a lot of attention and sparked curiosity among her fans. Many have wondered about the meaning and significance behind the punctuation mark inked on the pop singer’s skin.
What is the meaning behind Selena Gomez’s semicolon tattoo?
The semicolon tattoo has become a symbol for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. It represents continuation – how a sentence could have stopped but the author chose to continue. The semicolon tattoo conveys the message of hope and encouragement to keep going.
For Selena Gomez, the semicolon tattoo represents her struggles with depression and anxiety. In an interview, she revealed that she got the tattoo as a reminder to herself that her story is not over yet. The tattoo signifies that she chose to continue living despite the challenges with her mental health.
Here are the key meanings behind Selena Gomez’s semicolon tattoo:
- A symbol of mental health awareness and suicide prevention
- Represents continuation – going on despite challenges
- Encourages resilience – choosing to keep fighting
- Reminder that her story is not over
- Her struggles with depression and anxiety
By getting a semicolon tattoo, Selena made a public statement about her commitment to destigmatize mental illness and spread awareness. Her tattoo inspired many others who battle depression and self-harm to get semicolon tattoos as well.
When did Selena Gomez get her semicolon tattoo?
Selena Gomez got her semicolon tattoo in April 2017. She was photographed with the tattoo while attending a WE Day California event.
Selena got the meaningful tattoo inked on her wrist during a difficult point in her life. In 2016, she took a break from her music career to focus on her mental health. She was battling anxiety, panic attacks and depression stemming from her lupus diagnosis. The tattoo marked a significant moment in her mental health journey.
Where is Selena Gomez’s semicolon tattoo located?
Selena Gomez’s tattoo is located on the inside of her right wrist. She got the small, delicate tattoo inked vertically down her wrist. The simple semicolon stands out as a meaningful symbol for the singer.
She chose a visible placement on her wrist so she could see the tattoo every day. It serves as an uplifting reminder of resilience and hope. The wrist location also makes a statement, allowing others to see the symbol and helping to spread mental health awareness.
What did Selena say about the meaning of her tattoo?
In 2017, Selena Gomez explained the personal meaning behind her semicolon tattoo during an acceptance speech at the American Music Awards. She stated:
“I think for me what was so important about this tattoo is it represented a day where I chose life, my life, rather than the alternative. I wanted something permanent on me that showed the world in such an important time that life is worth living and you’re worth fighting for.”
Her words underscored the tattoo as a reminder to choose life even during mental health struggles. It symbolizes the importance of resilience and hope.
In other interviews, Gomez has reiterated that the tattoo serves as a daily reminder to keep going and supports her choice to live despite the challenges with depression and anxiety.
How did the semicolon become a symbol for mental health?
The semicolon was first used as a symbol for suicide prevention by Project Semicolon in 2013. The non-profit organization promoted the punctuation mark as representing continuation after contemplating suicide.
Project Semicolon was started by Amy Bleuel, who lost her father to suicide. The organization seeks to reduce stigma and provide hope and support to those struggling with mental illness, addiction and suicide.
Since Project Semicolon began using the symbol, the semicolon tattoo has gained popularity. It offers an easily identifiable yet subtle way for people to show solidarity and support for mental health awareness.
How did Selena Gomez’s tattoo impact mental health culture?
As a highly visible pop culture icon, Selena Gomez helped amplify the meaning of the semicolon tattoo. When she debuted her tattoo in 2017, it sparked mainstream interest in the punctuation symbol as a mental health emblem.
Selena Gomez has been open about her own mental health journey, including taking time off to focus on wellness and prioritizing therapy. Her semicolon tattoo served as a public display of that journey.
By getting such a prominent tattoo, she influenced many others to get their own semicolon tattoos in solidarity. Her fans and the public followed her example in turning the symbol into a meaningful cultural phenomenon.
Who else has a semicolon tattoo?
Many other celebrities and public figures have also gotten semicolon tattoos, helping to popularize the mental health symbol. Some examples include:
- Cara Delevingne
- Ruby Rose
- Shay Mitchell
- Tyler Joseph
- Demi Lovato
- Chelsea Handler
- Evan Rachel Wood
- Juliet Simms
Beyond celebrities, semicolon tattoos have become a popular cultural trend. Millions have gotten the tattoo to signify their mental health journeys, promote awareness and show solidarity.
Conclusion
Selena Gomez’s small but meaningful semicolon tattoo carries a powerful message. It represents her resilience in continuing life despite mental health challenges. The tattoo marked an important moment in her wellness journey.
By sharing the symbol and its significance with the public, Gomez helped to remove stigma around mental illness. Her semicolon tattoo sparked mainstream interest in the mental health emblem and inspired others to get similar tattoos.
The semicolon reminds people they are not alone in their struggles. It conveys hope and encourages those battling depression or self-harm to stay strong and keep going. Just as a sentence can continue after a semicolon, your story is not over yet.