Tattoos are so much more than just ink on your skin. While tattoos don’t mean anything for some people, for others, it tells their story. Tattoos can represent a person’s history, beliefs, and so much more.

Today, let’s discuss a popular tattoo so ripe yet straightforward with meaning, culture, history—the three dots tattoo. Let’s take a closer look at what it means and why so many people have chosen to get it inked on their skin.

“Mi Vida Loca”

The three dots tattoo represents “Mi Vida Loca,” which translates to “my crazy life.” It often means the struggles of the underprivileged and the minorities. It’s a way of saying, “my life is crazy, but I’m thankful for it,” or “life may be crazy, but I’m still here.”

Ellipsis

In most cases, the dots are the ellipsis, the important piece in the “dot-dot-dot.” It’s the three dots that truly define the phrase and the meaning. The dots represent the past, present, and future. We all have a history and are living in the present moment, but it’s about the future and how we’re moving forward.

When you get the dots tattoo, you’re showing the world that you’re living your life in a way that moves you forward. You’re going on your crazy journey, but you’re doing it in a way that honors your culture, history, and beliefs.

Three Vertical Dots

Sometimes the dots are arranged vertically, representing death, life, and reincarnation. This can be confusing, but the horizontal dots represent years in our life. On the other hand, vertical dots represent the stages in our life.

The last one is death, the next is life, and the last one is reincarnation, which is another form of death. This means that everything we do in our lives, we do repeatedly.

Location and Arrangement Matter

The three dots tattoo is not only about the meaning behind the three dots. It’s also about where you get the dots. Whether it’s your hand, knuckles, neck, or even on your forehead, the location matters. For instance, if you get the dots on your knuckles, they signify that you’re ready to knock down any obstacles. It’s how you handle the obstacles in your life.

If you get the dots on your forehead, the dots signify the spirit world. It represents your heritage and the “beyond.” Before you get any tattoo, you need to think about the meaning and the location where you want the dots to be.

The “Real” Meaning of the Three Dots is Up to You

In reality, there are various ways to interpret this tattoo. You might be thinking, “I don’t want to be that hater who always talks about how tattoos don’t mean anything.” This is because, technically, they don’t. But for some people, there is a “real” meaning behind tattoos, and that’s what makes tattoos so awesome. It allows you to express yourself and your beliefs.

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, the real meaning of the three dots tattoo is up to you. It’s your interpretation that counts. It doesn’t matter if everyone else gets the same tattoo, but the location, placement, and the story behind it is what matters.

If you want a creative and long-lasting tattoo, we are happy to help you. Lucky Deville Tattoo is a Buffalo tattoo shop. We can give you the tattoo of your dreams, no matter who you are or what your reasons are. Visit our artists and see what we can do for you!