It is easily one of the most recognizable pieces of ink in gaming history. If you’ve spent any time on Instagram or Pinterest looking at gaming tattoos, you’ve seen it. A moth. Two ferns. Thick black lines. The Last of Us Ellie's tattoo isn't just a cool design meant to look "edgy" in a post-apocalyptic world; it is a narrative powerhouse that hides a literal scar and symbolizes a massive shift in her character. Honestly, when Naughty Dog first revealed the design, people were mostly just obsessed with how it looked. But once you play the game, you realize that every leaf and every wing stroke is doing heavy lifting for the story.
It covers her bite. That’s the most basic, functional reason it exists. In a world where a visible bite mark is a death sentence—or at least a "shoot on sight" order—Ellie couldn't exactly walk around with an exposed reminder of her immunity.
Why a Moth and Not Something Else?
The design was a collaboration between Naughty Dog's art director, Erick Pangilinan, and real-world tattoo artist Natalie Hall. They actually brought Natalie in to draw the design on a developer's arm to see how it would wrap around the musculature. It’s a level of detail you don't usually see in game dev. They tried other things first. They looked at different plants and animals, but the moth stuck.
Moths are drawn to light. We all know the cliché. But in the context of The Last of Us, light is a rare commodity. It represents hope, or maybe a dangerous obsession. Moths are also symbols of transformation—metamorphosis. Ellie is a completely different person in Part II than she was in the first game. She’s darker. More driven. A bit lost.
The moth specifically resembles a Polyphemus moth. If you look at the wings, there are these circular patterns that look like eyes. In nature, this is a defense mechanism meant to startle predators. For Ellie, it’s a mask. She is hiding her true self—the immune girl—behind the imagery of something fragile yet persistent.
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The Ferns Aren't Just Fillers
People often ignore the greenery. The two ferns framing the moth are actually based on species found in the Pacific Northwest, specifically around Seattle where much of the game takes place. But more importantly, they represent growth over trauma.
Think back to the chemical burn. Before the tattoo, Ellie used acid to scar herself, trying to hide the bite mark so Joel wouldn't get in trouble and she wouldn't be outed. It was a messy, painful DIY job. The tattoo is a deliberate choice to replace that self-inflicted trauma with something beautiful. Cat, her girlfriend in Jackson (who we mostly hear about through journal entries), was the one who actually inked it. This adds a layer of intimacy to the piece. It wasn't just a utility; it was a gift.
The Connection to Joel’s Guitar
If you look closely at the headstock of the guitar Joel gives Ellie—the one she plays throughout the game—the moth is there too. It’s etched into the wood. This creates a heartbreaking visual link between the two characters. Every time she looks at her arm, she is reminded of the guitar. Every time she plays the guitar, she is reminded of the tattoo.
It’s a cycle.
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The tattoo is basically a permanent tether to Joel, even when she’s trying to distance herself from his choices or seeking vengeance for what happened to him. It’s a mark of his influence. He told her to find something to fight for, and in a way, she used his symbol to cover her greatest secret.
What Fans Get Wrong About the Placement
I see a lot of people getting this tattoo on their left arm. In the game, it’s on her right inner forearm. This is specific because it’s the same arm where she was bitten. If you get it on the wrong arm, the "covering the scar" symbolism totally vanishes.
Also, the size matters. It’s quite large, extending from just below the elbow down toward the wrist. It’s meant to be bold. In the high-definition world of the PS5 and the PC port, you can actually see the texture of the ink and how it sits over the raised keloid tissue of the chemical burn. It’s not a "clean" tattoo. It’s a cover-up. If you’re a cosplayer or someone looking to get this inked, that’s a nuance you can't overlook.
The Tattoo as a Gameplay Mechanic
While it doesn't give you +10 stealth, the tattoo serves as a constant visual anchor for the player. Since the game is played in third-person, that right arm is frequently in your line of sight when Ellie is aiming a bow or a rifle. It serves as a reminder of her humanity.
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In the final act of the game, the tattoo takes on a much bleaker tone. Without spoiling the absolute end for those three people who haven't finished it yet, the physical state of Ellie’s hands and arms by the credits tells a story of loss. The tattoo remains, but the things it represents—the guitar, the connection to Joel, the peace of Jackson—feel further away than ever.
How to Get the Look (The Right Way)
If you’re genuinely considering getting The Last of Us Ellie's tattoo, don't just grab a low-res screenshot from a YouTube video. Naughty Dog actually released high-resolution "cosplay guides" that feature the exact line work used for the in-game model.
- Find a specialist: Look for an artist who does "Blackwork" or "Illustrative" styles. The heavy black packing in the moth's body requires someone who knows how to saturate ink without scarring the skin.
- Consider the wrap: The ferns are designed to curve around the forearm. A flat image won't look right; your artist needs to stencil it while you are standing in a natural position.
- Think about the burn: Some superfans actually get a "scar" tattooed in red/pink ink under the moth to replicate the chemical burn Ellie has. It adds a level of grit that makes the piece feel authentic to the lore.
Final Thoughts on Symbolism
The moth isn't just about "light." It’s about the fact that moths are nocturnal. They operate in the dark. They are often seen as the "ugly" cousins of butterflies. Ellie sees herself this way. She doesn't see herself as the savior of humanity or a beautiful butterfly; she sees herself as something that survived the dark, a bit battered, a bit dusty, but still flying.
Understanding the depth of this design changes how you view Ellie's journey from the suburbs of Boston to the rainy streets of Seattle. It’s a map of her survival.
Next Steps for TLOU Fans and Tattoo Seekers
- Download the official Naughty Dog Cosplay Guide: This contains the precise vector art for the tattoo to ensure your artist has the correct proportions.
- Check the lighting: If you are playing the game, use Photo Mode to zoom in on the arm in different lighting conditions. You’ll notice the ink looks different when wet (in the rain) versus in the sun, which can help you decide on the "shading" level for a real-life version.
- Research the Polyphemus Moth: Looking at real-world references of this specific moth can give your tattoo artist ideas for adding realistic "fur" textures to the body of the moth, making the tattoo look more like a piece of art and less like a direct sticker from a game.