Based on early footage of the show’s second season, Ellie’s iconic tattoo will figure into HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us. Played by Bella Ramsey in the series, Ellie is more of a hardened survivor in The Last of Us season 2. It’s expected that the show will follow the second game’s general narrative, with Ellie and Joel (Pedro Pascal) settling in the Jackson community alongside Joel’s brother, Tommy (Gabriel Luna), in the wake of The Last of Us season 1’s harrowing ending. Throughout the 9-episode season, Joel escorts Ellie to a Firefly hospital in Salt Lake City.

When one of the Firefly leaders, Marlene (Merle Dandridge), learns that Ellie is immune to the Cordyceps fungal infection that caused The Last of Us’ devastating pandemic, she wants a Firefly doctor to study Ellie’s brain and find a cure. However, Marlene fails to mention that the procedure will kill Ellie. Unwilling to let the Fireflies murder his stand-in daughter, Joel slaughters everyone involved. Although Joel initially lies to spare Ellie, the truth about the hospital incident sets the stage for Ellie’s story in The Last of Us 2 — and even connects to her tattoo’s meaning.

Ellie’s Tattoo In The Last Of Us Part 2 Covers Her Bite Mark

Ellie’s Ex-Girlfriend Is A Tattooist Living In Jackson

Although not officially released, several Last of Us season 2 set photos confirmed that Ramsey’s Ellie will be sporting the character’s iconic arm tattoo in the show’s sophomore outing. Despite not being featured prominently in any of the game’s flashbacks, The Last of Us Part 2 does provide some insight into how — and why — Ellie got her ink. Ellie’s ex-girlfriend, Cat, is a tattooist in Jackson who designed Ellie’s fern and moth tattoo. The substantial piece covers most of Ellie’s right forearm — and for good reason: that’s where Ellie’s bite mark is located.

In most cases, a bite mark from a Cordyceps-ravaged, zombie-like creature is a death sentence. In episode 7 of The Last of Us, titled “Left Behind,” Ellie and her friend-turned-crush, Riley (Emmy-winning actor Storm Reid) are bitten by an Infected. While Riley doesn’t make it, Ellie survives the whole ordeal without transforming into one of the series’ bloodthirsty creatures. Ellie’s immunity sets her apart in the world of The Last of Us, which can be incredibly dangerous. The fern and moth tattoo covers Ellie’s telling bite mark, alleviating the need for long sleeves or bandages.

Why The Last Of Us Season 2 Keeping Ellie’s Tattoo Story Matters

Ellie’s Fern Tattoo Serves A Practical Purpose

In addition to being an iconic aspect of the character, Ellie’s tattoo serves several practical purposes. Not only does the fern and moth imagery hide her bite mark from those she doesn’t want to know — or, in the case of Dina (Isabela Merced), isn’t comfortable telling yet — the tattoo is a reference point in The Last of Us Part 2. In the sequel’s flashbacks, which unfold just after season 1’s ending, Ellie just uses a bandage to conceal the bite, but, as The Last of Us’ timeline moves forward, Ellie’s tattoo is in different stages of completion.

It remains to be seen if Ellie’s tattoo update will debunk popular TLOU theories regarding the sophomore season’s order of events. Notably, the second game isn’t told linearly, and early teases suggest HBO’s adaptation will also jumble the story’s chronology. All of this to say, Ellie’s tattoo — and its appearance — have ties to The Last of Us’ narrative continuity. Better yet, early footage from season 2 suggests it will tell The Last Of Us’ “unseen story” of how Ellie gets the tattoo and, perhaps, why she chose the fern and moth imagery in particular.

The Real Meaning Of Ellie’s Tattoo, Explained

Ellie’s Tattoo Has A Deeply Symbolic Meaning In The Last Of Us 2

Aside from its practical purposes, Ellie’s tattoo is also rich with symbolism. The fern means many things across cultures, but some common associations include new life and beginnings, good luck, and protection. Obviously, the latter two tie into the fact that Ellie is extremely fortunate: Staring down near-certain doom, she didn’t become one of the Infected. In many ways, the bite mark prompts a whole new trajectory for Ellie’s life. Had she been able to choose at the hospital, Ellie could have even ushered in a new beginning for the larger world because of that tattoo-covered bite mark.

Another key element of Ellie’s tattoo is the moth, which rests at the base of the fern. Like butterflies, moths are often seen as symbolic of transformations — though they have a darker and more mysterious aspect to them. Moths are also tied to one’s need for a disguise. Like a moth, Ellie tries to blend in and hide from unwanted attention by covering her bite mark with a tattoo. Clearly, Ellie’s tattoo is a crucial part of her character design. Both practical and symbolic, the tattoo will play a substantial part in The Last of Us season 2.

The Last of Us season 1 is streaming on Max.