Tattoos
Matching tattoos with a partner can be seen as a taboo, but some people think it's a romantic and rebellious act
According to Isobel Slocombe, in a world where connections are fleeting, choosing something that can't be undone is both romantic and rebellious. A matching tattoo with a partner can be seen as a taboo, with many people believing it's a reckless and overly-emotional gamble.
The Taboo of Matching Tattoos
Tattoo artist Jayson says that there's an idea that matching tattoos are cursed, and that they mark a relationship for an ending. Bristol-based artist Natalie agrees, saying that tattooing a partner's name is a big no-no, and that it's probably best to avoid it to save yourself any regret.
The Industry's View
The tattoo industry is built on the premise of the self, with the body seen as a canvas for displaying individuality. Jayson explains that he doesn't think he'd get a matching tattoo, as he wants his body to be about him. This sentiment explains why an industry so comfortable with permanence can balk specifically at shared permanence.
Real-Life Experiences
Maria, a 23-year-old art student, thinks that getting a matching tattoo with a partner is kind of cool, as it goes against the idea of being nonchalant. Elsie, 26, has a matching tattoo with an ex and doesn't regret it, saying that it's not really about her ex anymore, but about who she was at the time. James, 29, has a matching tattoo with an ex, but regrets it, as he's had to explain it to new partners multiple times.
The resistance to matching tattoos is about what they force us to admit: that we were once vulnerable enough for someone to leave a permanent mark. In a dating scene that prizes cool detachment, a matching tattoo is an inescapable piece of emotional evidence. It proves that you didn't just pass through someone's life unscathed, you let them leave a footprint. The skin rarely returns to a pristine slate after a cover-up or laser removal, carrying the faint, raised white lines of what used to be there. Whether worn as a regret or a timestamp, a matching tattoo signals that at least once, you were willing to risk the future for the sake of the present.
