Pain is temporary. It’s a cliche, sure, but when you’re sitting in a tattoo chair with a needle oscillating at 3,000 beats per minute against your ribs, that cliche becomes a physical reality. Most people get a this too shall pass tattoo because they’ve lived through something that felt like it would never end. It’s a permanent mark about impermanence. Kind of ironic, right?
The phrase has been around for centuries, and honestly, its staying power is incredible. It’s not just a Pinterest trend from 2014 that refused to die. It’s a philosophical anchor. Whether you're dealing with a brutal breakup, a health scare, or just the general chaos of being alive in 2026, these four words offer a weirdly specific kind of comfort. It reminds you that the "good" stays just as briefly as the "bad."
Where Did This Phrase Actually Come From?
Most people think it’s from the Bible. It isn't. You can scour the Old and New Testaments, and while the sentiment is there—especially in 2 Corinthians where it talks about things seen being temporal—the exact phrasing "this too shall pass" is nowhere to be found.
It actually traces back to Persian Sufi poets. Legend has it that a powerful King (some say Solomon, others say a generic Eastern monarch) asked his wise men to create a ring that would make him happy when he was sad. The catch? It also had to make him sad when he was happy. They gave him a gold ring engraved with the Hebrew words Gam zeh ya’avor.
When things were going great, he’d look at the ring and remember his glory was fleeting. When he was in the pits of despair, it reminded him that his suffering had an expiration date.
Abraham Lincoln was actually a huge fan of this story. He mentioned it in a speech to the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society in 1859. He said, "How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction!" If it’s good enough for a president leading a country through a Civil War, it’s probably good enough for your forearm.
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Why the This Too Shall Pass Tattoo is a Psychology Tool
Tattoos are often external manifestations of internal shifts. Psychologists often talk about "cognitive reframing." Basically, that’s just a fancy way of saying you’re changing how you look at a situation. When you get a this too shall pass tattoo, you’re performing a permanent act of reframing.
It acts as a visual "pattern interrupt."
Imagine you’re spiraling. Your heart is racing, you’re stressed about work, and you feel like you’re drowning. Then you catch a glimpse of your wrist. You see those words. It forces a micro-second of perspective. It reminds the brain that the current physiological state—the adrenaline, the cortisol—is a chemical wave that must eventually recede. It’s biological physics.
Some people think these tattoos are "basic." Honestly? Who cares. If a piece of ink helps you regulate your nervous system during a panic attack or a period of grief, it’s a successful tattoo.
Common Design Approaches and Placement
You see these in all sorts of styles. Fine line script is probably the most popular right now because it’s subtle. You’ll see it in delicate cursive on the inner bicep or tucked behind an ear.
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But there’s a growing trend toward "American Traditional" versions. Think bold black outlines, maybe a weeping willow or a decaying rose accompanying the text. It leans into the memento mori vibe—the Latin reminder that we all die. It’s a bit darker, but it feels more honest to some people.
Placement matters a lot for the "this too shall pass" sentiment.
- The Wrist: This is for the wearer. It’s a constant reminder they can see while typing, driving, or eating.
- The Ribs: This is more private. It’s closer to the heart. It’s a secret strength.
- The Forearm: Usually outward-facing. It’s a statement to the world, or maybe a reminder to others who are struggling.
The Linguistic Nuance (Getting the Translation Right)
If you’re going for the original Hebrew (Gam zeh ya’avor), please, for the love of everything, double-check the script direction. Hebrew is read right-to-left. There are countless horror stories of people getting Hebrew tattoos that are backwards or have the letters disconnected because the tattoo artist’s software didn't support the font correctly.
Same goes for Persian (Farsi). The phrase In niz bogzarad is the classic Sufi rendering. It looks beautiful in calligraphy, but it requires an artist who understands the flow of the script. If the dots are in the wrong place, you’ve just tattooed gibberish on your body forever.
Famous Examples and Cultural Impact
You've probably seen this on celebrities, which always boosts a tattoo's popularity. Tom Hanks is known for saying this is the one phrase that helped him raise his kids and navigate Hollywood. While he might not have it tattooed in bold ink on his neck, his public endorsement of the philosophy has made it a staple in the "meaningful tattoo" zeitgeist.
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It’s also a massive part of recovery culture. In 12-step programs, "this too shall pass" is a literal lifeline. When the craving for a substance is screaming at you, knowing that the craving is a wave that will pass in 15 to 30 minutes is the difference between sobriety and relapse. For people in recovery, these tattoos aren't just decorative; they are survival gear.
Is it "Cliche"?
Look, in the tattoo world, people love to gatekeep. They’ll tell you that script tattoos are "boring" or that this specific phrase is "overdone."
But art is subjective. A tattoo doesn't have to be a groundbreaking avant-garde masterpiece to be valuable. If a this too shall pass tattoo represents the moment you decided to keep going instead of giving up, then it’s the most important piece of art in the world to you.
The reality is that "cliches" become cliches because they are fundamentally true. The sun rises, the sun sets. Seasons change. Cells die and regenerate. The universe is in a constant state of flux.
Technical Considerations Before You Get Inked
If you’re going for a very small, fine-line version of this phrase, you need to know about "blowout" and "blurring."
Ink spreads under the skin over time. It’s just what happens. That tiny, delicate script that looks like a whisper today might look like a smudge in ten years. If you want it to last, go a bit larger than you think you need to. Give the letters room to breathe.
- Font Choice: Avoid overly complex "Gothic" fonts if the tattoo is small. It becomes unreadable.
- Skin Type: Thinner skin (like the wrist or ankle) tends to age differently than meatier areas like the thigh.
- Sun Exposure: Script tattoos fade fast if they aren't protected by SPF.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Tattoo Journey
- Verify the Language: If you are getting the phrase in Hebrew or Farsi, consult a native speaker. Do not trust Google Translate. Check the orientation and the grammar.
- Vet the Artist: Look for an artist who specializes in "lettering" or "fine line." Not every great illustrator is good at keeping a steady hand for tiny text.
- Think About the "Why": Ask yourself if you want this to be a reminder for you (facing you) or a statement for others (facing away).
- Scale Up: Talk to your artist about longevity. Ask them, "How will these letters look in a decade?" If they’re honest, they might suggest a slightly bolder weight.
- Placement Test: Write the phrase on your body with a sharpie. Leave it there for three days. See how it feels to catch it in the mirror or see it while you're working. If the feeling of "relief" doesn't wear off, you're ready for the needle.