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Looking to make a statement with your next piece of ink art? Then, a spine tattoo might be just what you’re looking for! If you are on the hunt for top-notch elegant spine tattoo ideas, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a list of the absolute best spine tattoos for women and men.

However, a spine tattoo is definitely not for the faint of heart — it's one of the more intense tattoo experiences one can find. Why so, you ask? Well, for starters, the spine bones aren't cushioned by tons of muscles, with the skin stretched thinly over the vertebrae. 

So, do spine tattoos hurt? The answer is that where there isn't much cushioning, there can be discomfort. However, that is as good a way to test your pain threshold as any! Bonus — you get a cool back tattoo out of the experience, too. 

Another thing making spine tattoos exceptional is that the spine provides a long and slender canvas that allows for all kinds of unique tattoo designs — from elegant spine tattoos to dragon ones; the choices are only limited by your imagination (and the ability to endure pain, of course). Spine tattoos are a versatile and discreet option for those who prefer not to flaunt their ink to everyone they meet for personal reasons.

Do Spine Tattoos Have Meaning?

While tattoos can serve only aesthetical purposes, they often hold deep personal significance for their owners and can keep amazing stories behind them. Body art lovers often choose spine tattoos as a means of self-expression. This body art form has different meanings depending on the design and the individual. Let’s dive into some of the common meanings associated with spine tattoos!

  • Strength and Resilience. The spine is the body’s backbone, supporting and enabling movement. A spine tattoo can symbolize one’s inner power and ability to overcome life’s challenges.
  • Balance and Harmony. The spine is the body’s center, connecting the upper and lower parts. A spine tattoo can represent one’s alignment and harmony between the physical and spiritual worlds.
  • Cultural Identity. The spine is a part of the body often hidden, revealing one’s personal and intimate side. A spine tattoo, such as Chinese characters, symbols, or images, can express one’s cultural identity and heritage.
  • Spiritual Significance. According to some beliefs, the spine is the pathway of the energy flow in the body. An elegant spine tattoo can signify one’s spiritual awakening, quest, or evolution. Some symbols that are often used to represent these concepts are a lotus flower, a snake, a butterfly, or a yin and yang symbol.
  • Scars covering. Gorgeous tattoos with a colorful and delicate design can cover a scar left from an injury. These scar cover-up tattoos are a sensitive tattoo topic and, simultaneously, a way of healing and reclaiming one’s body after a traumatic experience.

If you want to express yourself uniquely and elegantly, spine tattoos are a perfect way to achieve it. They can be both beautiful and meaningful, reflecting one’s personality, values, and beliefs. They also show courage and determination; getting a tattoo on the spine requires perseverance and patience. Despite that, many women’s and men’s tattoo ideas are out there! 

Over 100 Elegant Spine Tattoo Ideas

Those who want to adorn their back with beautiful and meaningful spine tattoos, female or male, have much to choose from. The spine’s versatility provides a perfect canvas for various tattoos with various meanings and designs to express one’s personality and identity, cover scars, enhance beauty, or make a bold statement. 

People get inspired by others who share their best tattoos! Are you ready to take a look at our elegant spine tattoo ideas? Sure you are; why else would you be here? Whether you want a simple or complex design, a colorful or monochrome style, or a symbolic or aesthetic image, you will find something that suits your vision and creates a striking and elegant effect.

So, we are sharing a full-scale compilation with over 100 spine tattoo ideas for men and women, and some of them you could consider unisex. Scroll down below, check out our tattoo gallery, and upvote the designs you’d be proud to get. After that, feel free to share this article with your friends!

#2

Sound Waveform Of Dad, Mom, And Brother Saying “I Love You” Down The Spine

Sound waveform of dad and mom along the spine tattoo

Tattoos like this are an excellent example of meaningful and conceptual ink. This interesting tattoo is a sound waveform of Dad, Mom, and brother saying, "I love you." Each sound wave has a unique shape and frequency, making this tattoo idea personal and representing purity and unconditional love

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#3

Dragon And Blossom Spine Tattoo

Dragon and flowers on the back tattoo

A blossom and dragon tattoos along the spine are stunning and symbolic. They are perfect for those who want to combine the power and grace of the dragon with the beauty and fragility usually represented by flower tattoos. You can combine different colors to get a truly eye-catching piece.

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#5

Cherry Blossom Branch Tattoo

Cherry blossom branch spine tattoo

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#7

Shading Session For Spinal Column Mushroom Concept

Column of mushrooms spine tattoo

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#8

Blooming Spine Piece Expressing Femininity

Flowers and leaves along the spine

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#10

Woman With Wings Back Tattoo

The tattoo on the back of a woman with a set of wings

The tattoo of a woman with a set of wings also represents inspirational quotes in beautiful fonts and nature elements. This black ink piece is exceptionally focused on one side of the back, along the spine. The asymmetrical composition makes it an extraordinary statement.

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#11

Stun Snake Spine Piece

Snake around the spine tattoo

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#12

Geometrical Minimalist Spine Piece

Sphere with line along the spine and circles spine tattoo

This geometric tattoo may look minimalist, yet it’s a unique interpretation of geometry, planets, and other celestial objects. Symmetry and straight lines stand the test of time and will always remain in fashion.

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#13

Spiritual Spine Tattoo With A Lotus Flower

Moon phases and lotus along the spine tattoo

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#14

Spine Geometric Piece

Two fishes with dates tattoo on the back

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#15

Flower And Mandala Spine Tattoo

Flower and mandala along the spine tattoo

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#16

Hungarian Spine Tattoo

Red and blue flowers along the spine tattoo

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#17

Japanese Dragon Tattoo

Dragon with flowers petals

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#19

Gorgeous Spine Ink With Butterflies

Butterflies along the spine tattoo

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Weasel Wise
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Can we, as a species, agree to stop getting stupid fúcking butterfly tattoos?! Enough with this. Show at least some level of creativity.

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#20

Elegant Spine Tattoo

Black leaves with geometrical figures along the spine tattoo

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#21

Spine Bone Tattoo

Spine bone tattoo

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Yuffa Kinazzo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Congratulations! I just celebrated 8 years and added to an armband. Salem MA.

#22

Floral Tattoo With Lion Face

Half lions' head and flowers on the back tattoo

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#23

Dainty Tribal Tattoo

Symbols along the spine and back tattoo

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#24

Monochromatic Floral Spine Piece

DIfferent flowers and small leaves along the spine tattoo

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#25

Naturalistic Floral Tattoo

Small flowers along the spine tattoo

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#26

Butterfly Spine Tattoo

Butterflies spine tattoo

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#27

Delicate Moon Phase Tattoo

Moon phase spine tattoo

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#28

Abstract Art Spine Piece

Abstract floating black lines spine tattoo

This spine piece is a creative and artistic tattoo that uses abstract shapes and forms to create a unique design on the back. Various sources, such as nature, emotions, music, or imagination, can inspire the tattoo. Although this abstract curve tattoo is unique and timeless, it can serve different meanings depending on the interpretation and intention of the wearer.

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#29

Lush Blooms Back Tattoo

Flowers and butterflies back tattoo

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#32

Fern Leaf Tattoo

Fern Leaf Spine Tattoo

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#33

Delicate Spine Tattoo

Small flowers and leaves along the spine tattoo

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#34

Solar System Back Tat

Flowers and solar system along the spine tattoo

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#36

Half Mandala Back Tattoo

Half Mandala Back Tattoo

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#37

Black And White Floral Spine Design

Flowers along the spine tattoo

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#38

Delicate Line Design

Snake, sun and small moon spine tattoo

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#39

Dried Poppy Seed Pod

Line that ends with poppy and seeds falling out of it tattoo

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#40

Semi Realistic Roses And Violets

Roses on the back tattoo

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#41

Rising Of The Phoenix Tattoo

Phoenix, moon, sun and waves tattoo

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#42

Spear Spine Tattoo Men Would Like

Spear along the spine tattoo

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#43

Butterflies And Flowers Piece

Butterfly and flowers back tattoo

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#44

Chakras On The Spine

Chakras with different colours spine tattoo

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#47

Ornamental Delicate Tattoo

Ornament and leaves back tattoo

Beautiful spine tattoos are not necessarily bold, significant, and colorful. As the example above shows, this symmetrical and feminine ink piece looks delicate, light, and sexy. Ornaments in this style will be relevant and trendy for many years to come.

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#48

Freehand Floral Spine Piece

Flowers along the spine tattoo

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#49

Dragon With Spider Lilies

Dragon with Spider lilies along the spine tattoo

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#50

Surrealistic Vase Tattoo

Broken vase with tulips in it spine tattoo

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#51

Hand-Poked Abstract Spine Tat

Abstract figures spine tattoo

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#52

All Red Spine Freestyle

Flowers, butterflies and snake red tattoo

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#53

Fine Line Spine Tattoo

Sword, geometrical shape, chemical formula, eye, space ship abducting human tattoo

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#54

Freehand Spine Line

Dark bold line along the spine tattoo

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#55

Flashy Ornament Between Shoulder Blades

Ornament back tattoo

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#56

Delicate Spine Tattoo

Different symbols along the spine tattoo

Are you looking for something unique to express your inside lust? This minimal and delicate tattoo can be what you're searching for. It uses fine lines, dots, or small symbols to create a minimalist design on the back. It is a tattoo that can attract attention and admiration from others and satisfaction and confidence from oneself.

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#57

A Delicate Composition

Different symbols on the upper back tattoo

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#58

Wings And Sword Back Tattoo

Wings and sword along the spine tattoo

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#59

Epic Spine Snake

Snake along the spine tattoo

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#60

Dark Geometrical Art Spine Tattoo

Dark Geometrical Art Spine Tattoo

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#61

Floral Spine Masterpiece

Flowers along the spine tattoo

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#62

Watercolor Tattoo

Poppy flower with butterflies tattoo

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#63

Golden Chain Of Homer, Spine Tattoo

Golden Chain Of Homer, Spine tattoo

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#64

Minimal Spine Flowers

Flowers along the spine tattoo

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#65

Inspiring Font Tattoo

"Intuition" inscription with an eye instead of "o" letter tattoo

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#66

Surrealistic Spine Tattoo

Surrealistic Symbola around the Spine Tattoo

This surrealistic spine tattoo is a mirrored pattern going down the spine. The extraordinarily detailed and intricate design creates an unreal, dreamlike design on the back. It is a beautiful way to decorate one’s back with abstract art and meaning, showcasing individuality.

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#67

Dark Spine Tattoo

Dark Spine Tattoo

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#68

Japanese Tattoo With Red Flowers

Dragon with flowers along the spine tattoo

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#69

Bold Fungi Spine Tattoo

Bold Fungi Spine Tattoo

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#70

Minimalistic Flower Spine Tat

Flowers and sparkles along the spine tattoo

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#71

Freeform Geometric Tattoo

Geometric black line tattoo

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#72

Sparkling Flower Tattoo

Flower spine tattoo

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#73

Sleek Lines, Butterflies, And Inspiring Quote

Sleek Lines, Butterflies, And Inspiring Quote Spine Tattoo

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#74

Sun, Moon, And Flower Spine Piece

Sun, Moon, And Flower Spine Tattoo

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#75

Feminine Tat With Sword And Blossoms

Sword with flowers along the spine tattoo

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#76

Ornamental Spine Tattoo With Spider

Ornamental Spine Tattoo With Spider

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#77

Spine Tattoo With Text Line

Spine Tattoo With Text Line

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#78

Architectural Tattoo

Taj Mahal spine tattoo

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#79

Meaningful Text Line

Text Line tattoo

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#80

Bold Ornamental Spine Piece

Black ornamental spine tattoo

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#81

Cyber Tribal Spine Piece

Cyber Tribal Spine Piece spine tattoo

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#82

Neo Tribal Spine Tattoo

Neo Tribal Spine Tattoo

There is a tribal-inspired pattern that runs down the spine, resembling a stem made up of interconnected hearts. Tribal-inspired tattoos often draw from various cultural and artistic influences, and the combination of connected hearts could symbolize love, connection, self-discovery, and strength.

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#83

Red Snake Design

Snake around the spine tattoo

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#84

Red Dragon Spine Tattoo

Red dragon along the spine tattoo

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#85

Sagittarius Spine Piece

Arrow with fire along spine

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#86

Lotus Back Piece

Lotus spine tattoo

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#87

Scar Coverup With A Gear Train

Gear Train along the spine tattoo

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#88

Feminine And Elegant Spine Tattoo

Flowers and line with text spine tattoo

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#89

Black Tribal Spine Tattoo

Black Tribal Spine Tattoo

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#90

Spine Cross With Flowers

Blue flowers and crossed lines spine tattoo

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#91

Pretty Spine Piece With Quote

Two butterflies with "strength" inscription tattoo

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#92

Detailed Dragon Spine Tattoo

Red dragon spine tattoo

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#93

Uncoloured Dragon Piece

Dragon spine tattoo

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#94

Minimalistic Neo Tribal Spine Tattoo

Neo Tribal Spine Tattoo

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#95

Spine Bones Tattoo Design

Spinal cord bones tattoo

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#96

Gothic Calligraphy Tattoo

Gothic Calligraphy Tattoo

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#97

Clematis Vine Back Tattoo

Flowers on the back tattoo

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#98

Teeth Spine Tattoo

Teeth along the spine tattoo

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#99

Philippines' Traditional Tattoo

Philippines' symbol spine tattoo

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#100

Black And Red Snake Spine Piece

Snak with flowers and butterfly along the spine tattoo

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#102

Dot Work Roses Spine Tattoo

Rose on the back tattoo

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Answers to Your Burning Questions About Spine Tattoos (FAQs)

Spine tattoos can be attractive and eye-catching, as they accentuate the back's natural curves and create a striking contrast with the skin. However, spine tattoos are only for some and require careful planning and preparation. If you have any doubts, we are happy to answer them!

Are Spine Tattoos a Good Idea?

Whether spine tattoos are a good idea depends on your preferences, goals, and expectations. Spine tattoos can be a great way to express yourself and enhance your appearance with fantastic art. However, they also come with challenges, such as choosing a tattoo and some risks you should know before getting one.

What Is a Good Spine Tattoo?

A good spine tattoo is a design that suits your personal preferences, goals, and expectations, expressing yourself and enhancing your appearance with some fantastic art. The design of your spine tattoo should reflect your personality, style, or mood. You should choose a meaningful design that will make you happy for years. You should also consider the design's size, shape, and complexity.

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The artist of your spine tattoo should be an experienced professional who can advise you on the best options for your tattoo. We recommend checking the artist's portfolio and reviews and ensuring an artist uses sterile equipment before getting your tattoo.

Are Spine Tattoos Painful?

Yes, spine tattoos are generally considered to be quite painful. The spine is one of the body's most sensitive areas, with many nerve endings and thin skin. The tattoo needle can touch these nerves and cause a burning or stinging sensation, which can be very intense. 

Some people may also feel pain in other parts of their body, such as their arms, due to the nerve connections. The pain level may vary depending on the size and design of the tattoo, your personal pain tolerance, and the tattoo artist's skill.

How Do You Sleep After a Spine Tattoo?

Sleeping with a new tattoo can be challenging, especially if it is on your spine. You must protect the tattoo from infection, irritation, and damage while sleeping. Here are some tips on how to sleep after a spine tattoo.

  • Change your bedding before sleeping with your new tattoo.
  • Ask your tattoo artist for care instructions, including how long to keep the tattoo covered and when to remove the wrapping.
  • Choose a sleeping position that avoids contact with the tattoo. The tattoo needs air circulation for faster healing.
  • Wait 4 to 7 days before sleeping on your new tattoo. During the first few days after getting your tattoo, it may ooze and bleed.
  • Get at least 8 hours of sleep when you get a tattoo because your body treats it like a wound.
  • Keep an eye out for infections in tattoos on the spine, as they can be tricky to reach and may go unnoticed.
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