A 2019 survey revealed that 35% of Irish people have tattoos, and there’s an undoubtable rise in their popularity among younger generations. In keeping with the trend, sapphic tattoos in the queer community have also skyrocketed. As both subtle and not-so-subtle markers of queerness, people are learning to embrace their identity and show it off to the world in whatever way they feel most comfortable.

In the late twentieth century, sapphic symbols were adopted by LGBTQ+ folk as a secret code that individuals outside of the community would be unlikely to notice. This public display of identity became a subtle means of self-expression. As reported by DIVA, lesbians in the 1940s and ’50s would get a blue nautical star tattooed on their wrists to make themselves visible to other queer women and to avoid police identification. 

For more ideas on how to express your queerness with some cool new ink, check out some sapphic tattoo inspiration below.

Astrology
While not all queer women will believe in astrology, the moon, and other celestial tattoos are common sapphic symbols. Astrological tattoos can range from star signs to moons, stars, the sun, and planets. 

 

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Double Venus Symbol
Originally used in astrology and later in biology as well, the Venus symbol, made of a circle above a cross, is widely used to signify gender and womanhood. With time, the symbol’s meaning was expanded to represent identity and sexual orientation. A double Venus symbol will certainly send a clear message about love and attraction between women.

Violets
Historically exchanged between women to signal attraction for each other, violets are the perfect flower to get tattooed to symbolise sapphic love.

Dagger
The dagger is a common tattoo among all kinds of people. However, when surrounded by a snake or moth, the motif transforms into a sapphic symbol. 

 

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Tarot cards
As a growing number of LGBTQ+ people become curious about witchcraft, tarot cards have acquired inherent queer vibes. If you want to take it a step further, you could get a tattoo of the Lovers card picturing two women.

Sappho quote
A more subtle tattoo to showcase your queerness could be a quote from the legendary Greek poet Sappho. With beautiful lyrics like “slender Aphrodite has overcome me with longing for a girl”, “Someone will remember us, I say, even in another time”, or “In the crooks of your body, I find my religion”, you’re sure to get some powerful words to add to your body.

Moth
In the LGBTQ+ community, the moth has been widely accepted as a symbol of bisexuality. A moth represents transformation or rebirth, moving from one stage to the next. 

 

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For many, tattoos are an important form of self-expression and a way to show the world who you are without needing to say a single word. These sapphic tattoos can do just that; they are a powerful symbol of identity in the form of meaningful and fun designs.