Bella Ramsey first sports Ellie’s iconic forearm tattoo (a moth perched on a fern) in Season 2, Episode 6 (“The Price”) of HBO’s The Last of Us. This moment provides the first on-screen origin story: in a flashback, Ellie gets the tattoo from Kat, who designs it to cover the scar made after Ellie burned off her fungal bite mark.
Symbolism of the Moth and Fern
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Moth = Death & Obsession: According to dream symbolism and the show’s therapist Gail, moths represent death—unlike butterflies, which symbolize growth. Creator Neil Druckmann also connected moth imagery to the Fireflies: moths are naturally drawn to light—just like Ellie is drawn to revenge and meaning in a dark world.
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Fern = Rebirth & Renewal: The fern beneath the moth suggests new beginnings and life, contrasting the darker symbol above.
Together, the design captures Ellie’s inner conflict: marked by death yet seeking renewal—a reflection of her traumatic past and determined survival. The tattoo also mirrors Ellie and Joel’s complex relationship, symbolizing both his influence and the weight she carries from their shared experiences.
Bella Ramsey’s Take
Bella Ramsey, portraying Ellie, described the tattoo as “like a badge”—a form of rebellion and identity. She shared that fans have already gotten ink inspired by it, highlighting its cultural resonance.
Impact on Ellie’s Arc
By anchoring the tattoo visually and narratively, The Last of Us deepens Ellie’s character:
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Covering Trauma: It conceals the evidence of her bitten, scarred arm—a physical reminder of her immunity and its consequences.
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Embodying Her Journey: The moth & fern echo Ellie’s shift from innocence to vengeance, and from static survivor to a person forced to make impossible choices.
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Joel Connection: The motif appears on Joel’s guitar, reinforcing their emotional bond and his lasting presence in her life/
Bella Ramsey’s tattoo is more than visually striking—it’s loaded with emotional weight. As the show reveals, the moth symbolizes death, obsession, and light-seeking; the fern evokes renewal. Worn like a badge of identity and pain, it marks Ellie’s transition from a frightened girl to a fierce survivor and truth-seeker.
For Ramsey—and countless fans—the tattoo resonates as a poignant emblem of Ellie’s world, and of the human capacity to carry darkness while still chasing the light.
