

Sometimes, barbed wire tattoos can be personalized with the person’s name or birthday included on the design. Loss and Deathįor some, barbed wire symbolizes the pain people experience due to the loss of someone they love. It’s similar to how an abusive relationship can control someone’s life. Historically, barbed wire has controlled some regions and lands, and remained widely used in prisons and mental asylums to prevent inmates from escaping. For some, it represents the pain of unrequited love.

In some contexts, barbed wire can symbolize the pain and suffering in love, especially if one has been a captive in an abusive relationship. It’s even said to be the symbol of the World War II and its prisoners. In some cultures, it’s used by convicts who have been sentenced for life, where they associate the number of spikes with the number of years they’ll spend in prison. Imprisonment, Suffering and Captivityīarbed wire tattoo also has a darker connotation, as some use it to represent their time in prison. A barbed wire tattoo can also signify that the wearer is trying to protect himself from emotional pain and disappointments that come in an unhealthy relationship. Modern interpretations of a barbed wire tattoo can include protection, which stems from the practical use of barbed wire and razor ribbon fences as a security against intruders. They may have had many painful experiences and hardships in life, but they believe that their god will help them.

People may have different reasons on what a barbed wire tattoo represents in their lives, but their faith is one of them. Many associate barbed wire with the crown of thorns Jesus was forced to wear before his death, making it a representation of Christian faith. Many soldiers choose to wear the tattoo to symbolize their bravery and strength. It’s a perfect representation of courage, as barbed wire is dangerous-it can break your skin, cause bleeding and even death. Reminding us of a fence that’s painful to cross, a barbed wire tattoo represents the strength of people who have overcome traumatic experiences in life.
