Ellie, the beloved protagonist of the critically acclaimed The Last of Us video game franchise, is recognizable by the distinctive moth tattoo on her right arm. This symbolic tattoo is an integral part of Ellie‘s character design that conveys deeper meaning about her personality and journey throughout the games‘ narrative. But who exactly gave Ellie this iconic video game tattoo?
Ellie‘s Ex-Girlfriend Cat Was Her Tattoo Artist
During her time living in the Jackson settlement in Wyoming, Ellie entered into a romantic relationship with a girl named Cat. Cat was an artistic teenager who worked as a tattoo artist for the other residents of Jackson.
As described in Ellie‘s journal from The Last of Us Part II, she and Cat grew close, eventually becoming girlfriends. However, their relationship ended on ambiguous terms, with Ellie suggesting Cat became more distant and preoccupied. Still, Cat left her mark on Ellie – literally – in the form of the one-of-a-kind moth tattoo that Ellie bears on her right arm.
The Tattoo Covered Ellie‘s Infected Bite Wound
Ellie‘s tattoo serves a practical purpose as well as an aesthetic one. The design strategically covers a prominent bite wound that Ellie received on her arm when she was infected by the Cordyceps brain fungus.
Remarkably, Ellie is immune to the fungus and did not turn into an Infected like other victims. She kept the bite mark hidden, fearing how others would react. With Cat‘s tattoo covering the bite, Ellie no longer had to hide that part of herself. The tattoo transformed a symbol of her trauma into one of personal growth.
"I got these done a while ago. I hide them so the others wouldn‘t see I was bitten though. So they wouldn‘t…throw me out." – Ellie discussing her tattoo with Dina in The Last of Us Part II
The Moth Represents Ellie‘s Connection to Joel
The centerpiece of Ellie‘s tattoo is a large moth with wings spread, delicately positioned over a fern plant. While butterflies typically symbolize rebirth or transformation, the moth implies a deeper, more complex meaning.
Creative director Neil Druckmann explained the moth represents Ellie‘s relationship with Joel – her surrogate father figure. Their bond grew throughout their journey in the first game. Joel gave Ellie a guitar as a gift, and Ellie decorated it with the same moth motif as her tattoo, reinforcing the symbol‘s significance.
"Now this moth on her arm is a constant reminder of Joel." – Neil Druckmann
The Tattoo‘s Design Has Hidden Meanings
Looking closer, the choice of a luna moth specifically (as opposed to other moth species) seems intentional. The luna moth is larger and more vibrantly colored than other moths, making it visually striking.
Luna moths are only active at night, suggesting Ellie‘s introspective, solitary nature. Their lifespan is short,mirroring the fragility and brevity of life in The Last of Us‘ post-apocalyptic world. Meanwhile, the fern leaves ground the moth in the natural world that Ellie must navigate. Their green hue provides the only splash of color.
Various fan theories have also examined the symbolism of the tattoo‘s directionality. The moth faces forward on Ellie‘s right arm, as if guiding her towards the future despite obstacles she may encounter. Its orientation remains unchanged even when Ellie herself feels lost.
Ellie‘s Tattoo Connects Back to Her Character Arc
By the events of The Last of Us Part II, Ellie‘s tattoo takes on increased resonance in relation to her character growth. The moth‘s forward flight parallels Ellie‘s relentless quest for justice, driven by her anger and grief over Joel‘s death.
Even after Ellie releases her need for vengeance, the tattoo persists as a bittersweet memento of those she lost and found along the way. It will continue motivating her towards hopeful new beginnings. Just as this iconic video game tattoo was created by Cat‘s hand, Ellie‘s future remains hers to shape going forward.
