Five years ago, I set off on a global journey with a passport and skin that were both untouched.
Had someone predicted that within a few years I'd sport five tattoos—including one covering much of my left side—I'd have dismissed it as madness. But then again, nearly everything I've experienced since would have astonished my 25-year-old self.
Today, I see my body as a container for the ever-unfolding adventure of life. My tattoos narrate where I've traveled and serve as reminders of what matters and where I belong.
Below are my own stories, along with contributions from fellow travelers with remarkable ink.
Every piece of ink on my body carries its own tale. In the video above, I walk through each tattoo, sharing the personal significance behind them. Below, I provide a more straightforward description of each.
Hah Taew, five lines: The Hah Taew on my shoulder is a sak yant bestowed by a Thai monk. He selected the design, applied it without revealing what it would be, and then blessed it. Each of the five lines serves a purpose: the first purges negative spirits, the second reverses misfortune, the third shields against dark magic, the fourth boosts good luck, and the fifth enhances charisma.
Gao Yord, nine spires: This protective design is meant to attract loving kindness, strength, fortune, magical defense, and other blessings. Its nine spires stretch toward the sky, with each spire resting above a Buddha depicted by a series of ovals.
Om: Om is the holiest mantra in Hinduism and Buddhism, often used to begin prayers. Defining it is elusive because Om encompasses everything—the cosmos, past, present, future, and even transcends time. When chanted, it is meant to resonate through both body and spirit.
Sacred geometry and Mandalas: Sacred geometry explores the harmony among geometric proportions, nature, and a divine force. On my leg, the design follows the body's natural contour, unfolding into mandalas—two-dimensional depictions of the universe frequently found in Hinduism.
Given all this, one might assume I'm deeply religious. I've studied Buddhism and Hinduism, taken part in Vipassana retreats and related rituals, and find truth scattered across many teachings—my own truth, unique to me. That might sound confusing, but to me it's perfectly clear, and it's what I've chosen to wear on my skin.
Currently, I adore my tattoos. I appreciate that they're all fairly concealable yet make a statement when revealed. I might add more, but as I noted earlier, my younger self couldn't have envisioned my current ink or life, so it's only logical that present me has no clue what future me will decide!
Those are my own narratives—scratches on time and flesh. Now, let me share additional stunning tattoos and the tales behind them.
The Bucket List Sleeve
“A random algorithm picks destinations from my 600+ item bucket list. After I complete an item, I add it to my bucket list sleeve—though it's now spread across my shoulder and back, so I'm not sure what to call it! The photo shows Big Ben in London, the Equator in Uganda, and a hot air balloon over Bagan's temples in Myanmar. Not pictured: part of the Acropolis in Athens and a mountain gorilla I encountered in Uganda. I'm behind on the tattoo because I've already ticked off over 100 bucket list items!” – Leslie of My Adventure Bucket
A Compass to Navigate Life
“Having quietly struggled with anxiety and depression, I quit my stable job to backpack across Southeast Asia. I needed a permanent reminder of life's preciousness and time's value. As someone who travels, I wanted a symbol of movement and never losing direction. I found a compass design I adored, and Thailand seemed as fitting a place as any to get it inked.” – Rachel of Rachel Travels
GPS Coordinates of Antarctica
“On my left ankle, I have the GPS coordinates of the Antarctic Peninsula. It's a simple design with a profound backstory. After a tough divorce at 27, I resolved to visit my seventh continent before turning 30. It felt nearly unattainable, but I stepped onto Antarctica just one week shy of my 30th birthday in March 2017. That journey was incredibly significant—it helped me reclaim my travel-loving identity that had been stifled during my marriage and reaffirm my financial independence. I succeeded! So I got this tattoo as a reminder of both my struggles and achievements.
I had it done in Seattle alongside my then-fiancé (now husband) during a year-long cross-country road trip. It was the perfect closure to that life chapter.” – Annabelle of Evergreen Lane
Wanderlust in Hobbit Script
“I have four tattoos, three of which are travel-inspired. My newest one reads 'wanderlust,' acquired while I was in New Zealand. The travel connection is clear, but there's a neat extra story: it's rendered in a hobbit script (specifically Bilbo's handwriting) from the Lord of the Rings films. Daniel Reeve, the calligrapher behind the maps and writing in both Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, designed it for me. A few days later, I got it inked in Wanaka, just above a compass tattoo on my forearm.” – Amanda of A Dangerous Business
A Berber Emblem of Liberation
“After a life-changing month traveling through Morocco in 2016, I commemorated the experience with a Berber symbol tattoo. The symbol is called yaz, meaning 'free man.' It's a common motif across Morocco, and I was drawn to its symmetry and significance. I chose red ink because red represents life for the Berber people—and also resistance. This tattoo reminds me of the remarkable people I've encountered on my three Moroccan trips, particularly the family I lived with for almost two weeks in the Sahara.” – Lola of Miss Filatelista
A Name on the Wrist
“At 26, I made my first international trip to Bali. It was special because I traveled solo from India, not even knowing what an immigration form was. I planned it for two reasons: it was my bachelorette trip, and I wanted to celebrate my freedom before marriage (in India, many things become off-limits after marriage). Every moment—from boarding my first international flight to deciphering the green and red exit signs at the airport—felt liberating as I explored Bali. On my first day, I met my guide, Su (not his real name—I nicknamed him because his actual name was a tongue twister). Su accompanied me on all my adventures and listened eagerly to my courtship stories with my future husband. He kept asking what I would buy my boyfriend from Bali. I struggled to decide, then opted for something bold, liberal, and lasting. I never minded expressing my relationship publicly, so I decided to go all out. The next morning, I surprised Su by saying, 'I want a tattoo as a gift for my boyfriend—his name on my wrist.' Su was pleasantly surprised and, being well-connected, took me to a friend who was a tattoo artist. I spent an hour at his parlor in Nusa Dua getting the tattoo. Now, that wrist tattoo is not only an eternal gift for my husband but also a cherished memory of my first solo overseas trip.” – Mokshta of Miss with Migratory Wings
The Seven Continents Design
“My latest travel tattoo came during a trip to San Diego, California. That getaway celebrated a leap of faith—I had decided to sell my former business and start anew at age 31, pursuing my true passion: travel (which is often frowned upon in today's culture). The dissolution of my company was finalized just before this trip. I chose to ink the seven continents in a minimalist geometric style on the back of my arm, serving as a constant reminder that my goal is to visit all seven and make travel a central part of my life. In that moment, the true GOAL Traveler was born.” – Cydny of The GOAL Traveler
A Watercolor Map of the World
“I'm absolutely obsessed with tattoos. Before I started traveling, I had a few, but as I journeyed, I began collecting them in different cities around the world. The tattoo that sparked my travel journey isn't a travel-themed one per se—it's a tiny elephant on my hand. Elephants are my spirit animal, and whenever I glance at my hand, I'm reminded to be wild and free. That inspiration led me to pack my bags and leave the country for six months, covering four continents and 15 countries.
One of the tattoos I got during my global trip was from the incredibly talented Joel Alcalde at Stefano's Tattoo Gallery in Lima, Peru. If you're after an amazing watercolor or just a badass tattoo, he's your guy. He turned my tattoo dreams into reality with a stunning watercolor world map on my forearm. It took four hours, and I was battling a serious respiratory infection, but I endured the pain, tears, and exhaustion—and it was absolutely worth it.
Every tattoo experience I've had abroad has been fantastic, and I love that I carry the memories of my travels with me every single day, wherever I go.” – Katie of The Journey Within
A Wave Tattoo
“I'd long dreamed of getting a tattoo abroad, and I finally did it for my 29th birthday. I was at a creative retreat in Nicaragua for two weeks. With a few days in San Juan del Sur before heading to Ometepe, I passed by a tattoo shop that a friend had recommended and stopped in to ask about availability. The Canadian owner was watching Harry Potter, which felt like a good omen. I chose a wave design with multiple meanings. I'm not big on signs, but I'm a Cancer and have always felt a deep connection to water. Every place I've lived or loved has been near an ocean or river. The wave also symbolizes life's ups and downs. I placed it on my inner arm as a personal reminder, not necessarily for everyone to see.” – Caroline of Caroline in the City
Hearing about other people's tattoos is endlessly fascinating—each one is a symbol of their journey and the significance of every step. In some ways, our paths align; in others, they diverge entirely. That diversity is beautifully reflected in the art we choose to wear on our bodies.
I'm excited to see how each of us continues to embellish our canvases.
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- Sak Yant Tattoos: The Ultimate Travel Souvenir
- Off the Beaten Path: Receiving a Sak Yant Tattoo from a Monk
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