As The Last of Us returns for its second season, one of the most striking elements in Ellie’s appearance takes on deeper meaning: her moth tattoo. First glimpsed during a five-year time jump in Episode 6, the inked design is far more than a stylistic choice—it reflects Ellie’s trauma, identity, and transformation.
Now 19 and living in Jackson, Ellie’s tattoo covers old self-inflicted burns—remnants of the bite mark that once signaled her presumed fate as an infected. But the moth has been with her for years, both as a literal image and a metaphorical presence.
According to Season 2, the symbol originated from sketches Ellie drew in her youth. Joel later carved the moth into a guitar he gave her for her 15th birthday—a gift that marked a pivotal point in their bond. By the time she was 17, Ellie chose to have the moth permanently tattooed on her forearm.
When Joel asked about its meaning, Ellie deflected, citing symbolism she had read about in a book on dreams. But Joel, seeking deeper understanding, approached a therapist in Jackson named Gail. Her response was blunt: “Death. If you believe in that s—.”
Indeed, Ellie’s association with death is inescapable. At 14, she was bitten and expected to die. Instead, her immunity made her the key to a potential cure—one that would have cost her life. Joel’s fateful decision to save her led to the deaths of many, a moral weight Ellie continues to carry.
The moth, drawn to light even at the risk of its own destruction, mirrors Ellie’s pursuit of vengeance in Season 2. Her relentless drive pulls her toward violence and grief, reflecting the same fatal attraction. Series co-creator Neil Druckmann has confirmed the symbolism, noting that the moth also visually echoes the logo of the Fireflies, the radical group whose motto—“look for the light”—has defined much of Ellie’s journey.
Beyond its darker connotations, the moth tattoo is also a tribute. Its appearance on both her skin and Joel’s guitar stands as a lasting reminder of their complex relationship and shared past.
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