What Do Tally Mark Tattoos Mean

Tally mark tattoos are symbols of strength and resilience, usually associated with recovering from substance dependence or other hard times. They are often associated with a difficult journey that someone has taken, often with each mark representing a milestone in that journey like each day of sobriety or year of clean living. The tattoos typically feature a series of vertical lines, usually with five lines in each group. The number of these groups of lines represent the length of time of some challenge, usually the individual’s journey through addiction and recovery. The tattoos may also have additional symbols within the markers, such as hearts or stars, as well as words to further symbolize the individual’s journey. The tattoos are also symbolic of resilience and determination, as they demonstrate the wearer’s inward strength that was necessary to complete their journey.