Rauw Alejandro’s tattoos trace the person he was becoming: family and faith, small symbols on his hands, anime on his arm, and larger chest pieces that show when he performs shirtless. He has described tattoos as memories of his youth and of the things worth fighting for, which gives a personal thread to a collection that can look flashy at first.
Older guides list more than twenty designs, and newer photos show the collection changing. The most discussed update was a black butterfly cover-up over the name of his former fiancée, Rosalía. An old relationship tattoo became a public marker of moving on.
The collection mixes clear symbols with more private details. The lion and wolf on his chest represent a struggle between good and evil. There’s a compass on his forearm, a scorpion and rose on his hand, plus a seahorse, horseshoe, Saturn, lightning bolt and anime references.
The lion and wolf carry the biggest idea on his chest
The lion and wolf on Rauw’s chest are his most noticeable designs. He has said they represent a battle between good and evil, or two sides of himself pulling in different directions. It’s a familiar tattoo idea, but the placement makes it feel personal.
The lion suggests power and confidence; the wolf brings a more restless, instinctive energy. Rauw isn’t saying one animal defines him. He’s making room for both sides.
The chest gives the images space and keeps them visible on stage. Rauw is deliberate about his look, and the lion and wolf are part of the image he presents when he performs shirtless.
The cross and butterfly changed the story on his abdomen
Rauw has a large cross on his abdomen, and for a time the name “Rosalía” sat below it. In 2024 he showed a black butterfly covering the old lettering. The butterfly added a new image while covering a relationship tattoo whose meaning had changed.
Cover-ups carry two stories: the design on top, and the one beneath it. Butterflies are often linked with change and new beginnings, but the earlier tattoo is still part of the history. Rauw changed what people see when they look at it now.
Because the tattoo is on his abdomen, the update became a media story. Fans could compare earlier and newer photos. A private choice turned into a public announcement without Rauw needing to say much; the butterfly did the talking.
The cross remains an anchor in the arrangement. The cover-up adds movement and a softer shape around the old lettering, making the tattoo feel like a decision to keep going.
His right arm is a playground for anime references
Rauw’s right arm is packed with anime-inspired tattoos. Coverage has identified Kenshin Himura from Rurouni Kenshin, and the designs reflect the Japanese animation and manga he has said he loves. These are references to characters and stories that stayed with him as he grew up.
Small anime tattoos can be hard to identify in a moving photo. A stage shot may show the sleeve as a whole, while a close-up is needed to make out a face or weapon. That’s why some descriptions identify the placement but leave smaller details open.
The anime figures also contrast with the realistic lion and wolf on his chest. Rauw doesn’t make every tattoo follow one style. The mix makes the collection feel like a personal bookshelf rather than a single brand.
Compass, seahorse and horseshoe details keep the collection moving
Some smaller tattoos are easy to miss, but they give the collection much of its character. A compass on his left forearm is often read as a symbol of direction. A seahorse on the same side has been associated with patience, protection and good luck. He also has a horseshoe on his left pinky, another image linked to luck and progress.
These feel like personal reminders rather than a single large statement. A compass makes sense for a musician who spends much of his time travelling, and it’s a simple image that doesn’t need an explanation each time someone sees it.
The seahorse is an unexpected choice beside the more aggressive animal tattoos. Its small shape fits into the forearm without taking over. The horseshoe does the same on his hand, lighter in scale than the chest pieces.
There’s also a Saturn tattoo on his right index finger. Tattoo guides connect the planet to hard work, time and karma, though Rauw hasn’t clearly explained what it means to him. A symbol can have a common interpretation without telling us exactly how its wearer sees it.
The scorpion and rose bring mystery and romance together
Rauw has a scorpion and rose on his right hand. The images pull in different directions: the scorpion suggests danger, secrecy and self-protection, while the rose brings love and beauty into the same small space.
The hand is a visible place for the design, especially when he performs or poses for photos. Rauw likes tattoos that look good, but he’s also drawn to images with tension beneath the surface.
There’s another rose on his left hand. Roses are often associated with love or new beginnings, but the exact meaning depends on the person. Some coverage connects Rauw’s roses with romance; the scorpion adds a darker edge. Together, the hand tattoos set softness beside armour.
That contrast runs through the collection: cute and serious, romantic and guarded, traditional and anime-inspired. The tattoos don’t settle on one mood.
The first tattoo and smaller symbols mark the early years
Rauw has described his first tattoo as a phrase he got when he was young. He has also said he sees tattoos as reminders of his youth. The collection grew piece by piece, before the chest and arm work became so prominent.
Older tattoo catalogues also list a butterfly on his left ring finger, a cross on his left middle finger, a lightning bolt on his left forearm, and several pieces near his ears, neck, shoulder and wrist. Not every design has a confirmed personal explanation, but they’re part of the visible inventory.
The lightning bolt adds a sharp flash of energy without taking up much skin. The small crosses and other hand details do something similar, making the collection visible even when he’s wearing a sleeveless shirt rather than performing shirtless.
The smaller tattoos also make the timeline easier to see. A large chest tattoo can look like a final statement; the hand and neck pieces feel like notes added in the margins. Rauw enjoys both big images and quick symbols.
The butterfly covering Rosalía’s name is the clearest sign of change, but the rest of the collection has shifted with him too. An early phrase sits alongside an anime character he still loves. A compass shares space with a seahorse; a rose sits near a scorpion.
That’s why the tattoos feel lived in instead of staged. They capture changing tastes, relationships, faith, travel and memories. Rauw has explained some of their meanings; others are best left as what they look like. Together, the pieces still have a distinct voice.
Watch Rauw Alejandro explain his tattoos
Rauw has talked about the memories behind his ink in a GQ tattoo tour, including his first tattoo, the pieces he considers most personal and why he keeps adding to the collection.