From matching tattoos to ear piercings: How girls are choosing permanent symbols for celebrating friendship
Shambhavi Dixit | Jun 08, 2026, 12:58 IST
There was a time when tying friendship bands around a friend's wrist at school was considered the ultimate symbol of a BFF bond, but now matching tattoos and other permanent symbols have become signs of being BFFs and sisters for life.
Image credit : ChatGPT | Friendships inked together often last forever—a belief widely shared by Gen Z.
It has been two years since Kamala and Anita became friends. During these two years, they have experienced countless changes, but one thing that has remained constant is their friendship. They have been with each other like bread and butter. Now, they want to turn that bond into a lifelong symbol. This year, they plan to get coordinated tattoo collections.
For Kamala, the decision was not an easy one, as she has always been afraid of needles, and getting a tattoo is like having a needle drill into her body. She believes that their friendship needs to be celebrated this year, and their favourite content creators have celebrated their friendship by getting matching tattoos. So, why shouldn't they celebrate theirs in the same way? Kamala chose a moon tattoo, while Anita chose a sun tattoo, symbolising the light and comfort each of them gets from their friendship.
From matching tattoos to getting the same hair bleaching done, young girls are finding new ways to honour the platonic bonds that are shaping their lives. These symbols are more than just a social media trend. They loudly profess their strong and sacred bonds with one another, celebrating meaningful relationships in a world that often feels less meaningful. Here are some of the most popular permanent and semi-permanent symbols through which girls are making their friendships last forever as the symbols themselves.
The practice of embedding special things into the body is an old tradition. From indigenous tribes such as the Baiga, whose women celebrate every milestone in their lives with tattoos, to Gen Z individuals who choose to permanently mark the things closest to them, tattoos have long been a way of celebrating meaningful moments and relationships.
The idea of getting matching or coordinated tattoos with your partner is a common practice, but getting tattoos with friends or sisters is a trend that has gained popularity with this generation. From matching symbols and quotes to designs that belong to the same theme, these tattoos are creating a lasting commitment to the bonds that are closest to us.
Read More: Couples are ditching engagement rings for ring tattoos, and it’s a whole thing
Ear piercings have always been close to girls, and they have long been cherished as a way of enhancing their beauty. From getting their first ear piercing to opting for a second lobe piercing, girls have always been excited about the experience. One reason behind this is that, in the midst of a monotonous routine, even a small piercing can bring a sense of joy and satisfaction that everyday life often fails to provide.
The idea of getting matching ear piercings with friends is a growing phenomenon in friendships and sisterhood. Perhaps these matching piercings for their girls are giving them the same sense of joy and happiness that they are unable to find elsewhere.
For Kamala, the decision was not an easy one, as she has always been afraid of needles, and getting a tattoo is like having a needle drill into her body. She believes that their friendship needs to be celebrated this year, and their favourite content creators have celebrated their friendship by getting matching tattoos. So, why shouldn't they celebrate theirs in the same way? Kamala chose a moon tattoo, while Anita chose a sun tattoo, symbolising the light and comfort each of them gets from their friendship.
From matching tattoos to getting the same hair bleaching done, young girls are finding new ways to honour the platonic bonds that are shaping their lives. These symbols are more than just a social media trend. They loudly profess their strong and sacred bonds with one another, celebrating meaningful relationships in a world that often feels less meaningful. Here are some of the most popular permanent and semi-permanent symbols through which girls are making their friendships last forever as the symbols themselves.
Matching tattoos and coordinated tattoo collections
Image credit : Pinterest | Girls are celebrating their friendships by getting matching or coordinating tattoos with each other.
The idea of getting matching or coordinated tattoos with your partner is a common practice, but getting tattoos with friends or sisters is a trend that has gained popularity with this generation. From matching symbols and quotes to designs that belong to the same theme, these tattoos are creating a lasting commitment to the bonds that are closest to us.
Read More: Couples are ditching engagement rings for ring tattoos, and it’s a whole thing
Friendship ear piercings
Image credit : Pinterest | Having friendship ear piercings is becoming a new norm among girl friends.
The idea of getting matching ear piercings with friends is a growing phenomenon in friendships and sisterhood. Perhaps these matching piercings for their girls are giving them the same sense of joy and happiness that they are unable to find elsewhere.
Welded Bracelets
Image credit : Pinterest | Welded bracelets and anklets are this generation's version of friendship bands.
This type of jewellery is designed to stay on for years, serving as a constant reminder of friendship, loyalty, and the special bond shared between friends.
Matching hair bleach and haircuts
Image credit : Pinterest | Having hair bleached and similar haircuts or hair transformations is a growing trend among girls to signify their bond as soul sisters.
This similar transformation of hair among girls symbolises a shared experience between them and a memorable milestone in their friendship. While hair colour may fade and styles may change over time, the memories associated with these transformations remain.
From tying friendship bands to getting matching friendship piercings, we have all grown up. We have grown up in a way where these friendships seem more meaningful and sacred than partners who often leave us. These permanent and semi-permanent ways of celebrating friendships are a way to look back on the journey with friends who have been with us through thick and thin. Indeed, Kamala and Anita got inspired by a social media trend of getting coordinated tattoos, but somewhere their tattoos reflected the long journey they had shared.
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