What Does a Safety Pin Tattoo Represent?

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Explore the historical and modern meaning of a safety pin tattoo

Co-authored by Ysabella Delgado & Quinn Jones and Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: January 21, 2026 Fact Checked

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Meaning

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Tattoo Ideas

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Historical Significance

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Is it okay to get a safety pin tattoo?

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The safety pin tattoo has made rounds online for heartfelt, endearing reasons. Not only does it represent resilience in the face of oppression, but it also serves as a reminder to fight against suicide and keep living. The safety pin tattoo also represents a host of other things, which we dive into with this article. Read on to learn about what the safety pin tattoo means, get a few ideas for safety pin tattoos, and find out the historical significance of the safety pin!

What does a safety pin tattoo mean?

The safety pin tattoo typically represents solidarity with marginalized groups, resilience in the face of oppression, and mental health awareness, particularly when it comes to persevering in the face of suicidal ideation. It’s largely seen as a message to others (and yourself) that you are safe and trustworthy.

Section 1 of 4:

Safety Pin Tattoo Meaning

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A safety pin tattoo represents solidarity and resilience. Safety pins tattoos mainly represent solidarity with different oppressed people, sending the message that you’re against things like xenophobia, persecution, and abuse towards minorities. In turn, the safety pin tattoo also represents resilience, letting oppressed people know that you stand with them and to stay strong.^{[1]
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- The safety pin sends the message that the person with the tattoo will keep you safe.
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A safety pin tattoo also represents mental health awareness. The safety pin tattoo is widely known for representing mental health and suicide awareness, especially on social media. According to jewelry makers Ysabella Delgado and Quinn Jones, “back in 2015, the safety pin symbol was often tied to mental health awareness…It symbolized sticking around, strength, and mental resilience.”^{[2]
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Ysabella Delgado & Quinn Jones
Jewelry Makers and Co-Founders of KIKAY

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Safety Pin Tattoo Ideas

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Open Safety Pin Tattoo Keeping your safety pin open lets people who face oppression and prejudice know that you’re a safe space for them without drawing too much attention to yourself. So, if you want to showcase solidarity with oppressed people or let LGBTQ+ folks know you’re an ally, get an open safety pin tattoo.
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Closed Safety Pin Tattoo The closed safety pin is a safety pin that’s holding things together. For as simple as it is, the safety pin is a strong tool that keeps fabric from tearing when it’s already worn or ripped. So if you need a reminder to stay strong even when you feel like tearing at the seams, get a closed safety pin tattoo.
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Broken Safety Pin Tattoo Safety pin tattoos with pins that are separated in the center represent suicide awareness, letting yourself (and others) know that you plan to stick around despite the hard times you’re facing. So if you’re struggling and need a reminder to stay here on this side, get a safety pin tattoo.
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Heart & Safety Pin Tattoo By putting a safety pin through your heart, you’re showing that your heart is safe in your own hands. It’s a way to remind yourself that even when you’re going through hard times, you can persevere as long as you keep your heart safe.
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Clustered Safety Pin Tattoo If you want to represent mental resilience, strength, or suicide awareness, you aren’t limited in your options when it comes to tattoos. All you have to do is get multiple safety pin tattoos that align with the things you want to represent!
- For example, to represent mental resilience, strength, and toughness, get three safety pin tattoos right next to each other. Tattoo a closed safety pin in the center, a safety pin with a broken pin on the left, and a safety pin with a heart on the right.

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Historical Significance of the Safety Pin

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The safety pin represented safety for Dutch people under Nazi rule. In the 1940s, the Nazi regime brutally oppressed the Dutch people of the Netherlands, so the safety pin was worn to let the Dutch who were being abused by Nazi troops that you were to be trusted. Typically, the pin was worn under the collar or sleeve folds so it could be quickly hidden around Nazi leaders.^{[3]
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- Although the Nazis soon caught on and outlawed safety pins from being worn, people still kept the practice alive through the end of the regime and beyond.

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Is it okay to get a safety pin tattoo?

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There’s nothing wrong with getting the safety pin tattoo as long as you aren’t doing it for nefarious purposes. For example, if you want to get a safety pin tattoo because you want to show others that you’ll keep them safe, that’s just fine! But if you get the tattoo because you want an edgy historical reminder, you may want to reconsider your choice.