Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Ukrainians Use Tattoos to Cope with War Losses and Trauma
Imagine going through a very sad and difficult time, like losing someone you love or your home because of a big fight.
Many people in Ukraine are feeling this way because of a war.
To help them feel a little better and remember those they've lost, some people are getting tattoos.
They put pictures or words on their skin that remind them of their loved ones or their homes.
For some, this feels more comforting than talking to a therapist.
It's like carrying a piece of what they lost with them, making them feel less alone.
Even though the war is hard, these tattoos are a way for them to remember and to feel a bit of peace.
Ukrainians are using tattoos as a coping mechanism to deal with the emotional trauma of the ongoing war.
Tattoos serve as memorials for fallen loved ones or symbols of homes left behind.
Individuals report experiencing relief from nightmares and finding emotional solace through these body art memorials.
Specific examples include tattoos of military unit symbols, home coordinates, and meaningful phrases.
Some individuals feel tattoos provide more immediate relief than traditional psychological support.
- Who
- Ukrainians affected by the ongoing war
- What
- Turning to tattoos as a method for emotional healing, remembrance, and coping with grief.
- When
- Ongoing, with specific examples referencing 2022 and the past year.
- Where
- Ukraine (Kyiv, southern Ukraine, eastern Ukraine)
- Why
- To cope with the grief, trauma, and loss caused by the war, to remember fallen loved ones or lost homes, and to feel a sense of solace.
Tattoo as primary coping mechanism
Tattoo as supplementary coping mechanism
Effectiveness compared to traditional therapy
Tattoo as primary coping mechanism
One individual reported more relief from a tattoo than from a psychologist, finding that tattoos provided more immediate relief.
Tattoo as supplementary coping mechanism
While some find tattoos provide significant relief, the articles do not explicitly state it is a replacement for traditional therapy, suggesting it is an additional coping strategy for navigating trauma.
- Tattoo Subject Matter
- Commemorating fallen loved ones, military units, lost homes, and meaningful phrases.
- War Duration
- Nearly four years
- Reported Psychological Benefits
- Emotional healing, relief from nightmares, finding solace, feeling a loved one is near.
- Examples of Tattoos
- Winged sword (son's military unit), home coordinates, phrases like 'Under the wings of an angel' and 'I am strong'.
- Personal Testimonies
- Individuals express feeling their lost loved ones are closer and experiencing significant emotional relief.