The semicolon as a punctuation mark is probably used by very few people in everyday life when writing. However, tattoos are increasingly being seen in the dot-dash formation. What does that mean? In any case, there is more than one punctuation mark behind the semicolon tattoo. In fact, there is a very special meaning behind the tattoo that most of us cannot imagine.
The semicolon tattoos tell a story, a very personal story. They stand for fear, lost love, suicidal thoughts, depression, self-harm, sadness, for everything that moves and depresses people so that they struggle with their lives. The punctuation mark should symbolically support this particularly difficult situation.
The organization "Project Semicolon" wants to encourage them. You are not alone. You can get through it. It's part of you and that's okay. That is the message. You chose the semicolon to show that you stand up for yourself and you want to finally talk about how difficult it is to live with these negative and oppressive emotions and thoughts.
"A semicolon is used when an author could have ended his sentence but chose not to do it. The author is you and this sentence is your life," writes "Project Semicolon".
Of course, not everyone who has a semicolon tattooed is part of this project and, of course, tattoos do not save lives, but every little step to talk about mental health is good and helps to raise public awareness.
If you are emotionally bad and you need help, you can always contact the telephone counseling service, by phone or via chat. You can also get information and help from the German Society for Suicide Prevention.