Drew Barrymore shared the meaningful message behind her tattoo of sardines during a heartfelt segment on The Drew Barrymore Show. The actress revealed that the ink, which she got in 2023 alongside Savannah Guthrie, symbolizes her two daughters and her inner child, representing a profound journey toward self-compassion and healing.
How Drew Barrymore Shared the Meaningful Message Behind Her Tattoo of Sardines

Drew Barrymore shared the meaningful message behind her tattoo of sardines with striking vulnerability. She explained that the three small fish represent her daughters, Olive and Frankie, and her younger self. Consequently, the design intentionally places her childhood likeness alongside her children. Furthermore, a larger, subtler fish outline encircles them, symbolizing the woman she is today—holding space for all three.
The Therapeutic Inspiration Behind Drew Barrymore’s Sardine Tattoo
The therapeutic inspiration for the art behind Drew Barrymore’s sardine tattoo originated in a moment of profound self-reflection during a therapy session. Barrymore directly connected the design to her emotional healing, explaining she envisioned one fish as her younger self swimming alongside symbols of her two daughters. Consequently, this visual metaphor emerged from her active work to acknowledge and nurture the inner child who still carried past pain, transforming a personal breakthrough into permanent, meaningful body art.
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Connecting the tattoo to her parenting philosophy, Drew Barrymore
Importantly, his shared the meaningful message behind her tattoo of sardines as part of a broader reflection on breaking generational cycles. She acknowledged a past tendency to be demanding and punitive with herself. Therefore, the tattoo serves as a permanent reminder to extend the same grace and protection to her inner child that she offers her daughters. Ultimately, it visually commits her to a gentler, more conscious approach to motherhood and self-care.
The lasting impact of this personal symbol, Drew Barrymore
By choosing to share this story, Barrymore transforms personal art into a universal lesson. The sardine tattoo now transcends body art; it becomes an emblem of integration and healing. For her audience, it underscores the importance of acknowledging and nurturing one’s past selves. This disclosure continues Barrymore’s longstanding openness about her complex childhood and her dedicated mission to foster a healthier, more loving environment for her own family.
Source Information:
This story is based on Drew Barrymore’s statements from the January 7 episode of The Drew Barrymore Show.
Watch the full segment: The Drew Barrymore Show
The lasting impact of this personal symbol, Drew Barrymore’s sardine tattoo, transcends mere body art. By publicly sharing its meaning, she transforms a private emblem into a powerful, universal lesson on integration and healing. Consequently, the tattoo becomes a permanent catalyst for conversations about self-compassion, generational healing, and the conscious nurturing of one’s inner child, ensuring its significance resonates far beyond her own skin.
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