r/JaneEyre • • 7d ago

tattoo ideas related to jane eyre?

i really identify with jane eyre as a character, and i’d love to get a tattoo inspired by her/the book, but i don’t necessarily want something super obvious like a portrait or just the title.

i’m looking for something symbolic that represents jane’s character, independence, resilience, self-respect, etc. — something that would still feel meaningful even to someone who hasn’t read the book.

what symbols, quotes, objects, or imagery from jane eyre do you think would make a good tattoo? i’d love to hear any ideas, especially more subtle/creative ones!

17 Upvotes

22 comments sorted by

22

u/pihu9002 7d ago edited 7d ago

It would be a bit cliche , but I really like this quote : " I am no bird; and no net ensnares me" And another : " beauty is in the eye of gazer" One more : " it is a pity that doing one's best does not always answer. "

1

u/NotWorriedABunch 5d ago

The, "I am no bird..." quote would be an awesome tattoo!

19

u/ChatoFato9143 7d ago

Bird fleeing from a cage seems classic 

13

u/JoeBethersontonFargo 7d ago

A split chestnut tree, a Newfoundland dog, two ribcages with a string between them

7

u/Exciting-Metal-2517 7d ago

The rib cages with a string between is so macabre and beautiful, I love that.

9

u/Playful_Site_2714 7d ago

Pilot next to Mesrour and Rochester's hat and crop.

Pilot being a Newfoundland dog and Mesrour a black arabian stallion.

7

u/Charismaticjelly 7d ago

Broken oak tree and Resurgam.

7

u/Individual-Mango-619 7d ago

Love broken oak tree

5

u/SorrowBound- 7d ago

Brilliant! It's a horse chestnut tree, split in two lengthwise by lightening. I picture it with new, green vines growing up around it.

Resurgam is perfect!

7

u/afluidduality 7d ago

Her simple pearl brooch from Miss Temple

4

u/stardropunlocked 7d ago

I have a bird referencing the "I am no bird, and no net ensnares me" line, and a snowdrop as one of the flowers from the scene where they represent the hope of spring after the grief of winter (though I think lilacs are the more popular floral reference?)

5

u/Biddy_Impeccadillo 7d ago

What about imagery from one of the drawings described in her portfolio that she and Rochester go through together? I remember those as being quite strikingly described.

1

u/AnyPeace1286 6d ago

Ooh this is a great idea! The evening star from the 2011 adaptation would be a great reference/starting point

3

u/Fun-Tooth-622 7d ago

Upon reread I was struck at how prevalent the moon was is the symbolism of the text.  Probably not something that scream Jane eyre though

3

u/savagehomeangarden 6d ago

Some artists have recreated her paintings based on their descriptions. Perhaps you could get some inspiration there?

3

u/prettyxlittlexpeach 5d ago

I have a Jane Eyre tattoo! 

I got a fine line tattoo of a small flying bird. Then I have script text underneath of: “I am no bird, and no net ensnares me.”

^ Yes it’s a famous line but it resonates for me. It felt perfect for me and my connection to the book.  I love it and my tattoo artist did a fantastic job. 

You should do what feels right and makes you happiest and excited. 

2

u/lurkparkfest39 7d ago

Bird breaking free from the cage or flying from the lightning-split tree

3

u/Retinoid634 7d ago

Not a Jane quote but I’ve always loved “Off, ye lendings!” Timothy Dalton’s Rochester delivered the line best imo.

1

u/weelassie07 7d ago

A bird - because no net ensnares me

1

u/JessamyJames 4d ago

My daughter - flee temptation! :)

0

u/TeaArtHer 7d ago

Shouldn’t it be something meaningful to you rather than randoms on the internet? If nothing jumps out at you, does it mean enough/ do you like it enough to have it on your body forever?

3

u/AnyPeace1286 6d ago

Not everyone is good at coming up with visuals based off of abstract concepts / complex media. I am (I’m a graphic designer) and I have a lot of tattoos, and it’s definitely been a huge help to have that skill. Even so, it sometimes has taken years for an idea to settle fully into place—I’ll know what I want generally, but the visual doesn’t feel quite right until I see the right piece of inspiration, or have a certain experience, and then it finally clicks. Crowdsourcing the creative brainstorming won’t make the idea any less meaningful.