We’re all familiar with the concept of love…that heart-crushing, awe-inspiring feeling of being so hopelessly wrapped up in someone that it can be hard to breathe. Whether you’ve felt it yourself–perhaps a first love as a teen, or a hot, summer romance in adulthood–or you’ve just sat through one too many Nicolas Sparks movies, you can recognize it; perhaps even understand it. While shouting your declaration of love from the front end of a boat or standing in the rain, recreating the most epic of kiss scenes may be enough to tie some couples over, there are others who need to do something a little more…grandiose.
Couples tattoos have been around for decades. They’re definitely not new, but they are getting more attention these days, thanks in part to the wide range of social media sites available. In fact, if you Google ‘Couples Tattoos,’ you’ll be presented with 9,400,000 results in a matter of seconds. And, within those 9,400,000 results, you’ll find some very horrible examples of couples tattoos–tattoo fails, if you will–along with some that were inked onto couples who were clearly rocking their relationship. But even with all of the articles and stories about couples tattoos that went horribly wrong (perhaps one-half of the couple cheated, or their engulfing love turned out to be a fling, fizzling out with time); this is a trend that doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.
Couples tattoos range in everything from highly committal to easily-coverable. Some couples get each other’s names tattooed on their bodies while others get something a little less obvious, like a symbol representing their relationship that only they would understand: an animal they both like, perhaps, or a first-date movie quote. Others opt for a more obvious choice, such as two puzzle pieces that fit together or a key and lock.
Then, there is another aspect of couples tattoos: the marriage tattoo.
Marriage tattoos fall under the category of a couples tattoo, but they generally tend to be more specific to the relationship such as a wedding date added to the design or an actual ring tattooed onto their fingers. A marriage is meant to be the ultimate symbol of bonding; two people joining their lives together, ‘until death do they part.’ While this used to be the ‘be all, end all’ of commitment symbols, in today’s society, it’s not as permanent as it used to be. Divorce rates have skyrocketed over the years and marriages grow shorter with every passing decade. It is for this reason that the marriage tattoo has begun making a rise. It is one thing to sign a piece of paper, it’s quite another to ink your commitment into your own skin.
Couples tattoos are a serious commitment, even if they appear inconspicuous to outsiders. It is something that will always be there; on your skin. You can’t leave it behind if things go sour like you can with a piece of jewelry. They are a constant reminder of the other person in the relationship, which can be devastating if the relationship comes to an end. But, it can also have the opposite effect. For those in long-distance relationships, or who travel for work, a couples tattoo is a way to constantly have your partner with you. Some people, even after a breakup, will claim they still appreciate their couples tattoo, as it reminds them of who they were at that particular point in their lives. And let’s face it, isn’t that the point of a tattoo? They’re an individual statement, a physical expression of who we are at that very moment in time. People evolve, relationships change; but ink can be forever.
Do you have a couples tattoo? Have you ever considered getting one? Everyone has their own opinion when it comes to tattooing, and couples tattoos are no different. But, the trick is to feel comfortable in your own skin. If you feel secure in your relationship and want to display it prominently on your body–go for it; you have that right. Just make sure it’s something that both you and your partner feel strongly about to ensure nobody has any regrets in the end.
