The Truth Behind Crescent Moon Tattoos

According to Trendspotter, if you get inked with a crescent moon alongside the sun and stars, it can represent a family: the sun as a masculine force, the moon as feminine, and the stars as the offspring. 

Of course, there are also more literal interpretations of the sun and moon depicted together — this tattoo could represent day and night, the cycles of nature, or the balance of light and darkness in our lives. In traditional Chinese philosophy, the sun represents Yang and the moon Yin, which were forces created from the chaos of the universe. As the mythology goes, Yin and Yang facilitated a balance that allowed for the first human to be born — their circular combined symbol can also represent a cosmic egg, per the World History Encyclopedia. 

Trendspotter also notes that the moon and stars together in a tattoo can be deeply rooted in spirituality or light amongst darkness. If familial roles apply, the moon may also represent a motherly figure and the stars her children. 

If your crescent moon tattoo is going to have celestial significance or witchy vibes, symbols seen in tarot decks may spark your artistic inspiration. And like tarot readings, historical symbolism matters as much to the interpretation as a personal significance. So whether you integrate the cosmic symbolism of your chosen images or choose a favorite interpretation, your crescent moon tattoo should also hold a special meaning just for you.