You've seen it. Maybe on a forearm, or perhaps tucked neatly along a collarbone in elegant, spindly script. The Latin phrase "Aut inveniam viam aut faciam" carries a weight that most modern slogans just can't touch. It’s gritty. It's old. It basically screams, "I don't care if there's a wall in my way; I'm bringing a sledgehammer." Getting an aut inveniam viam aut faciam tattoo isn't just about the aesthetic of Roman history, though Latin always looks cool in ink. It’s a literal manifesto on the skin.
History nerds and military buffs usually attribute these words to Hannibal Barca, the Carthaginian general who decided that crossing the Alps with elephants was a reasonable Saturday morning plan. When his generals told him it was impossible to cross the mountains, he supposedly snapped back with this phrase. Translated, it means "I shall either find a way or make one." It’s the ultimate "hold my beer" moment of the ancient world.
But here’s the thing: historians actually debate if he ever said it. Some point toward Francis Bacon or even Seneca’s influences, but honestly? It doesn’t matter who said it first when you’re sitting in a tattoo chair. The energy is what counts. It’s about that specific brand of human stubbornness that turns a "no" into a "not yet."
The weight behind the words
If you’re thinking about getting this inked, you aren’t just looking for a decoration. You’re looking for a reminder. Life gets messy. People lose jobs, relationships tank, or the creative project you’ve been grinding on for three years suddenly hits a dead end. That's when this phrase actually starts to mean something.
Most people choose an aut inveniam viam aut faciam tattoo during a pivot point in their lives. I’ve seen folks get this after surviving a grueling medical recovery or finishing a degree that everyone said they’d fail. It’s a psychological anchor. When you look down at your wrist and see "aut faciam"—or I will make one—it shifts your brain from a passive state to an active one. You stop asking for permission to succeed.
Design choices that don’t look like a generic Pinterest fail
Look, we need to talk about fonts. Latin tattoos are notorious for falling into the "Blackletter" trap where they end up looking like a heavy metal album cover from 1984. If that’s your vibe, great. Go for it. But if you want something that ages well, you’ve got to think about the anatomy of the letters.
👉 See also: Finding MAC Cool Toned Lipsticks That Don’t Turn Orange on You
Serif fonts, like those found on ancient Roman columns (think Trajan), give the phrase a sense of authority and timelessness. It looks "official." On the flip side, a minimalist, fine-line typewriter font makes it feel more like a personal note—a secret instruction to yourself.
Placement is another beast entirely. Because the phrase is long (five words, twenty-four letters), it needs space to breathe. Cramming it into a tiny circle is a recipe for a blurry blue smudge in ten years. Long, straight lines of text work best on:
- The inner forearm (classic, easy to read)
- The ribs (painful, but offers a long "canvas")
- The spine (looks incredible, though you'll never see it without a mirror)
- The collarbone (very popular for more delicate scripts)
Why Latin still dominates the tattoo scene
Why not just get "I'll find a way" in English? You could. It would be clear. But Latin has this "dead language" gravitas. It’s static. It’s unchanging. When you use a language that hasn't evolved in centuries to describe your current struggle, it connects you to every human who has ever felt stuck since the dawn of time.
There is also the "privacy" factor. When someone sees an aut inveniam viam aut faciam tattoo, they usually have to ask what it means. You get to choose who you share that story with. It’s a gatekeeper for your personal philosophy.
The psychological "Stoic" connection
A lot of the people opting for this ink are diving deep into Stoicism. While Hannibal wasn't exactly a poster boy for Stoic peace—he was a conqueror, after all—the sentiment aligns perfectly with the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. The Stoic idea is that while we can't control the obstacles (the Alps), we have absolute control over our response (finding or making the path).
✨ Don't miss: Finding Another Word for Calamity: Why Precision Matters When Everything Goes Wrong
It’s about agency.
We live in an era where it’s very easy to feel like a victim of circumstance. Algorithms, economy, politics—it all feels like it’s happening to us. This tattoo is a rejection of that passivity. It’s a claim of ownership over your own trajectory.
Common mistakes to avoid (Don't skip this)
Check your spelling. Then check it again. Then have a Latin scholar (or at least a very nerdy friend) check it. While "Aut inveniam viam aut faciam" is the standard accepted version, minor typos in Latin are permanent and, frankly, a bit embarrassing.
- The "V" vs "U" issue: In classical Latin, "V" was used for both the "u" sound and the "v" sound. So, you might see it written as AVT INVENIAM VIAM AVT FACIAM. This looks more "authentic" to the Roman era. If you prefer the modern look, use the "U." Just don't mix them inconsistently.
- Size matters: If the letters are too small, the centers of the 'a' and 'e' will close up over time as the ink spreads in the skin.
- Grammar trolls: Some people might argue about the future indicative versus the subjunctive mood here. Ignore them. The "inveniam/faciam" construction is the standard historical phrasing for this specific idiom.
What it costs (In more ways than one)
A decent-sized script tattoo of this length will probably run you anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on the artist's hourly rate and the complexity of the calligraphy. Don't cheap out. Line work is the hardest thing to get right in tattooing. A shaky "V" will haunt you.
Beyond the cash, there’s the "social cost." People will ask you to translate it. A lot. If you’re an introvert who doesn't want to explain your life philosophy to the barista, maybe put it somewhere that’s usually covered by a sleeve.
🔗 Read more: False eyelashes before and after: Why your DIY sets never look like the professional photos
Actionable steps for your ink journey
If you're ready to pull the trigger on an aut inveniam viam aut faciam tattoo, don't just walk into the first shop you see with a printed-out Google Image search.
First, decide on your "Era." Do you want it to look like it was carved into stone (Roman Square Capitals) or written by a medieval monk (Blackletter/Gothic)? This dictates the entire vibe.
Second, find a script specialist. Not every tattoo artist is good at lettering. Look at their portfolio for straight lines and consistent spacing. If their previous text tattoos look like they were written on a moving bus, keep looking.
Third, live with the phrase for a month. Write it on your mirror. Set it as your phone wallpaper. If the sight of it still fires you up after four weeks of looking at it every morning, you're ready.
Finally, consider the "And." Some people pair this phrase with a compass, a mountain silhouette, or even an elephant (a nod to Hannibal). But honestly? The words usually stand strongest on their own. They don't need a mascot. They are the mission statement.
Once the ink is in, remember the words when things get difficult. A tattoo is just a scar with better branding unless you actually follow the advice it’s giving you. Find the way. Or, if the world refuses to give you one, get your tools out and start building.