What Does Ellie’s Symbolic Moth Tattoo Mean in The Last of Us Season 2?

The Last of Us Season 2 sheds light on a symbol that’s been with Ellie for years, her moth tattoo. In Episode 6, this inked image is revealed to be more than a design choice. It reflects her inner world, her trauma, and her transformation. As viewers meet a 19-year-old Ellie living in Jackson, her large forearm tattoo immediately invites questions, and the show finally provides answers that the game only hinted at.

What Ellie’s Moth tattoo means in The Last of Us Season 2

Ellie’s moth tattoo first appears after a five-year time jump, covering the self-inflicted burns on her arm. Since it was a grim reminder of the bite mark that should have turned her into an infected. But the moth isn’t just a cover-up, as it’s a recurring motif in her life.

The Last of Us Season 2 reveals that Joel carved the same moth design into a guitar he gifted Ellie for her 15th birthday, inspired by her sketches. By 17, she permanently inked it onto her skin.

When Joel questioned the tattoo’s meaning, Ellie brushed it off, saying she liked its symbolism from a book on dreams. Joel, however, seeks answers from Jackson’s therapist, Gail, who bluntly states, “Death. If you believe in that s—.”

Ellie’s connection to death is undeniable. Bitten at 14, she was supposed to die, either from infection or at the hands of the Fireflies, who believed her death could lead to a cure. Joel’s choice to save her resulted in countless deaths, a truth that haunts her.

The moth symbolizes this burden. Just as moths are drawn to light, often to their demise, Ellie is consumed by her quest for vengeance in Season 2. Neil Druckmann, the series creator, reportedly confirmed this parallel, further noting that the moth’s resemblance to a Firefly ties into the group’s motto, which is “look for the light.” Beyond its darker meanings, the tattoo is a lasting reminder of Joel. The moth on her guitar becomes a permanent mark of their bond.

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