When we hear the name Tinkerbell, most of us imagine the beautiful little fairy of Peter Pan fame. She was so popular that Disney incorporated her into their iconic castle logo as the character who flies in and adds the dot to the letter ‘I’ in the name ‘Walt Disney’.
Thanks to her youthful beauty, instant recognition, free-flying freedom, and child-like qualities, Tinkerbell is also a popular subject for personal tattoos.
If you’re thinking about getting a tattoo, this article lists everything you need to know about Tinkerbell. This includes the history of this type of tattoo, the symbolism and meaning of the character’s iconography, and how and where people usually get tattoos like these placed on their bodies.
Who is Tinkerbell?
Tinkerbell, also known as Tinker Bell, is a character from author JM Barrie’s iconic play Peter Pan. First written in 1904, it was then turned into the novel Peter and Wendy in 1911 and then adapted for many movies and television shows since.
Her most popular realizations were in Disney’s 1953 animated movie blockbuster Peter Pan, and in Steven Spielberg’s 1994 movie Hook, where Julia Roberts played her.
Tinkerbell was originally written as a small side character, a fairy who literally tinkered by mending pots and kettles. She was so small that she could only have one feeling at the time and was often seen as impulsive, ill-tempered, jealous, spoiled, curious, and vindictive. However, she was not all bad, for she was also depicted as kind and compassionate.
Tinkerbell is best known for her role in sprinkling fairy dust to help the children in the story fly to Never Land.
What is the history of the Tinkerbell tattoo?
You might be surprised to learn that tattoos based on Disney characters have been popular since the 1920s and 1930s. At this time, Mickey Mouse was a popular choice for sailors, soldiers, and other military men.
Over time, and as more Disney characters became popular, characters such as Mickey Mouse and Dumbo were also inked as tattoos.
It wasn’t until the latter half of the 20th century when women started to get tattoos, that female characters like Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, Cinderella, and Tinkerbell came to the fore as popular tattoo subjects.
What does Tinkerbell symbolize?
Tinkerbell is a complex character and she has many symbolic attributes, including:
Freedom
With the ability to fly and travel between this world and Never Land, Tinkerbell is a particularly apt symbol of freedom and the ability to go wherever you want whenever you want, without the worry of responsibilities.
Childishness
Although Tinkerbell is an adult fairy, she has many childlike behaviors such as jealousy, anger, and impetuousness.
Flying
Tinkerbell is the character in Peter Pan who helps Wendy and her brothers fly to Never Land. Armed with fairy dust, she encourages humans to ‘think wonderful thoughts’. When they do, she dusts them with fairy dust and they have the ability to fly just like her.
Light and illumination
Tinkerbell can be represented as a female fairy, but she can also fly around as a simple yet erratic darting light.
What can a Tinkerbell tattoo symbolize?
Tinkerbell tattoos can symbolize many things, including:
Disney
Tinkerbell is such a well-known character that she is part of the Disney logo. For all the Disney fans out there who couldn’t possibly choose a favorite character, Tinkerbell is a great option.
Beauty
In Disney’s 1954 film version of Peter Pan, Tinkerbell was depicted as a beautiful, blonde pixie-like being with a small green dress and white slipper. With striking features and an hourglass figure, she is a conventionally attractive female.
Youthfulness
Peter Pan is a story about a boy who never grows up. It has many themes, including the simplicity of childhood, but also the fact that all children need to grow up eventually. Tinkerbell is a character who wants Peter to stay in Never Land as a boy forever so she will always have him as her friend.
Femininity
Fairies are usually depicted as female, with typical gender norms of old-fashioned notions of femininity such as gentleness and fragility. Tinkerbell is also depicted as a typically beautiful woman in Disney’s Peter Pan.
Why do people choose to get these tattoos?
Even the most cynical and jaded individual can appreciate the joy of an engaging and stylistic cartoon. They can make us feel happy, innocent, carefree, and nostalgic for the better times of our childhood.
Tinkerbell, in particular, is a great representation of being a free spirit. She can fly where she wants, has adventures with her friends, and is not encumbered by the laws of nature such as gravity.
What are the most popular types of Tinkerbell tattoos?
Most Tinkerbell tattoos are represented as she was in Disney’s Peter Pan. Not only is she instantly recognizable, but because the character was a tiny fairy, she can also be an effective small tattoo.
Cartoon-style tattoos are most popular for this character, with bold colors and stylized imagery. In the movie, she was always shown with a trail of fairy dust, which is also a popular part of the tattoo.
Where do people usually get these types of tattoos?
Thanks to the versatility of poses and positions, people can get Tinkerbell tattoos anywhere, and in any position. As a small figure, she can also go on fingers, hands, toes, and feet.
Tinkerbell is most popular as a tattoo choice for women, who tend to get her inked on the shoulder blade, wrist, ankle, calf, and at the base of the spine.
Is this tattoo right for you?
Tinkerbell is a fascinating character with both positive and negative characteristics. Typically preferred by women, she is becoming increasingly popular with wider elements of society thanks to her connection to Disney, freedom, and the virtues (and vices) of youth.
If you are passionate about the freedom to choose to live life as you want or are a hard-core Disney fan, a Tinkerbell tattoo might be right for you.
