I recently got my first two tattoos, a mantra saying “I am” on my left rib and a semicolon on my right wrist. I got one of them for myself, and one of them with a group of girls who I would trust my life with. The tattoos were painful, even for someone with a high pain tolerance, but afterwards I saw how beautiful they were and the pain seemed to fade away. Here are 7 black line tattoos that could easily become your first tattoo!

1. Semicolon

Whether you’ve been a part of the battle or stand in solidarity with those who have, the semicolon stands as a reminder that the battle has not ceased and you will continue to remain strong. Project Semicolon tweeted, “The strongest people aren't always the people who win, but the people who don't give up when they lose.”

Placement Idea: Wrist

2. Your Favorite Animal

A cat, a dog, a monkey, or even a hippo – animals are the one thing in this world that always make us smile. This is for the pet lovers, those who never got to have a pet, those whose pet passed away, and the future zoologists of the world.

Placement idea: Ankle

3. A Mantra

Imagine your favorite two, three, four, etc., words written on your body for the rest of your life. Amidst your darkest or brightest days, all you have to do is remember that the words are within you (and on you)!

Placement Idea: Heart/Collarbone

4. Something Celestial

If the zodiac is something you spend a lot of time on, you should dive right into looking for your star sign. If the zodiac isn’t your thing, you can always rely on the planets and the stars to keep you interested. There is the moon and our very own Earth to capture, or Jupiter and her moons many miles away.

Placement Idea: Finger

5. Coordinates

Everyone has a place that makes them feel the most at home, so why not declare your love for home with coordinates? These numbers stand as a constant reminder that home is wherever you go, whether this home is the diner down the street or Grandma’s house.

Placement Idea: Upper/Lower Back

6. A Plant/Flower

Appreciating nature is something that comes like second nature to so many people. A tattoo of grass could reference back to your first kiss on the baseball field, a flower could act as a reminder to always stand tall, and a cactus could show your appreciation for the plant that’s been gaining popularity lately!

Placement Idea: Upper Arm/Forearm

7. Song Lyrics

After the recent death of Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell, there has not been a better time to commemorate your favorite musician. It could be a lyric that nobody knows, or one that when everyone sees, will start a dance party. Some artists to check out for hidden lyrics with meaning are: Panic! at the Disco, Linkin Park, The Zombies, Janis Joplin, Childish Gambino.

Placement Idea: Rib