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Drake Tattoos: Portraits, Toronto Symbols and Meanings

Drake’s tattoos have become a visual record of Toronto, family, friends, music and basketball. The collection spans portraits, sports numbers, lettering and a small face tattoo that appeared years after the early arm work. Since the designs were added over a long period, photos and reports need dates to show which pieces were visible at the time.

Men’s Health described more than thirty pieces in 2021, and later coverage has described a larger collection. There is no official current total. A count can shift when a new portrait appears, a small word becomes visible or several designs are counted as one. It is more useful to follow the pieces by body area and date than to treat any number as permanent.

The CN Tower gives Drake’s Toronto tattoo a clear landmark

Drake’s CN Tower tattoo on his inner arm

Several of Drake’s best-known pieces are on his right arm. Men’s Health reported a portrait of his father, which Drake captioned as a miniature portrait of his dad. The arm has also been described as carrying a pink flower and bee, “All Kinds,” a CN Tower, an east-pointing compass and smaller symbols. Some details come from his captions or published reports; others have no public explanation.

Drake’s 30 and 35 tattoos connect his arm to Curry and Durant

Drake’s left arm showing the 30 and 35 number tattoos

His left arm is known for the numbers 30 and 35. TIME linked them to Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, and reported the words “Gifted” and “Snipe” alongside them. The references fit Drake’s interest in basketball. The meanings of nearby words should stay with what TIME reported rather than being expanded into a broader story about his life.

Men’s Health also reported “Oktober Lejonhjarta” on his arm, a phrase associated with “October Lionheart.” The magazine tied it to an apparently impulsive night with Swedish models. That part of the story is secondhand; the lettering and its forearm placement are easier to confirm than the circumstances in which he chose it.

One tattoo shows Drake waving at the Beatles in an Abbey Road-inspired scene. Men’s Health connected it to his run of Hot 100 top-ten hits. The image is unusually specific and ties the design to a public career milestone, though that explanation comes from the publication rather than a direct statement from Drake.

Lil Wayne’s portrait is inked on Drake’s left tricep

Drake’s portrait of Lil Wayne tattooed on his left tricep

Portraits form another part of the collection. Reports have identified Aaliyah, Sade, Lil Wayne, Denzel Washington and Drake’s friend and collaborator Anthony Fif. Coverage of Drake’s tribute after Fif was killed in 2017 discussed his portrait tattoo. Clear photos matter here: a low-resolution image can make it hard to tell which person appears in a design.

Drake has also used tattoos to reference his family. Some tattoo guides describe portraits or tributes to his father, mother, grandmother and uncle. They are separate pieces, even when they are grouped in lists. A portrait or caption may point to a family connection, while the date and artist remain unknown.

Drake tattoos by body area

Drake showing his tattooed arm

OVO and Toronto references recur in coverage of Drake’s tattoos. Reports connect the CN Tower, compass and OVO-related designs with his hometown and music. An owl-shaped or circular tattoo should not automatically be labeled OVO unless a source identifies it; otherwise, it is better to describe what the photo shows.

One unusual reported design is a bottle of Drakkar Noir cologne, which coverage links to Drake’s former Twitter handle, @drakkardnoir. The label is a biographical clue on its own; there is no need to invent a separate meaning for the perfume.

His torso has more portraits, lettering and symbols. Body Art Guru and other tattoo references list several chest and stomach pieces, but repeated lists are not independent confirmation. Designs visible in photos or consistently identified in reporting are the clearest entries; their dates, artists and meanings may still be unknown.

In 2021, the Los Angeles Times reported that Drake got a tattoo honoring Virgil Abloh. The story named artist Joaquin Ganga and described the image as a tribute to Drake’s late friend. It also gives the reason behind this tattoo, tied to a specific person and event. It does not establish Ganga as the artist behind Drake’s other work.

Drake’s face tattoos appeared later in the public timeline. XXL and Capital XTRA covered the word “miskeen” above his eyebrow and noted that the term can carry different meanings in different linguistic contexts. The lettering is visible, but a translation list alone cannot establish which meaning Drake intended.

Recent coverage has also shown “Adonis” on the back of Drake’s neck, a name referring to his son. That makes it a family tribute rather than an abstract symbol or fashion design. A dated photo helps track it, since the visibility of a neck tattoo changes with hair, clothing and camera angle.

The collection has grown with Drake’s career. Early arm work points to family, Toronto and music; later portraits and tributes mark friends and milestones. The basketball numbers reflect another part of his public life, while the face and neck tattoos show that the visible collection kept changing after the first guides appeared.

A direct comment can support a meaning; a clear photo can show a design and where it sits. A secondhand list may offer a lead, but it cannot confirm a private story on its own. Drake’s tattoos are easiest to follow when those different kinds of evidence are kept distinct.

Questions about Drake’s tattoos often focus on the total, the face lettering described in connection with Chinese or Arabic, his portraits and the basketball numbers. Answers depend on the source date: there is no stable official count, and the 30 and 35 tattoos are widely linked to Curry and Durant. His face and neck tattoos belong to a later phase of the collection.

Drake’s tattoos are best read as references added across different years: family, Toronto, OVO, music, basketball and friends. Some meanings come from Drake or established reporting; others remain unclear. That mix is part of what makes the collection a record of different moments rather than one finished design.

The Personal Stories Behind Shemar Moore’s Tattoos

Shemar Moore’s tattoos mark different parts of his life rather than one planned sleeve. He has linked a lion to a childhood trip with his mother, an eagle to his career and the lettering across his back to people he admired. In 2025, he added two half sleeves that include tributes to his daughter Frankie and his late mother. The newer work extends the collection; it does not replace those earlier pieces.

The tattoos can be hard to make out in photos. One shoulder portrait shows the lion from a distance; a CBS still crops close on the forearm eagle; and a People photograph gives a rare front-and-back view of the back piece. Each image shows a different tattoo, and the details below follow Moore’s comments or what the photo makes visible.

The lion on his shoulder began with a childhood safari

Shemar Moore’s lion tattoo clearly visible on his shoulder in a sleeveless portrait

Moore has described the lion on his shoulder as a memory from a trip to Ghana with his mother. He told People he was four when they went on safari and became captivated by the animal. He later connected the lion with strength and with how he wants to show up for the people he loves. That explanation comes from Moore himself, not a stock meaning assigned to a lion tattoo.

In the portrait, the tattoo sits high on Moore’s shoulder and upper arm, where the rounded shape of the body gives the lion’s face a broad area of skin. The studio-style photo confirms the subject and placement, but it is not a close-up. Lighting and distance soften the fine lines; Moore’s interview supplies the personal context.

The story is unusually specific. Moore did not just say he likes lions or that the design stands for courage. He tied it to a childhood encounter with his mother and said the fascination stayed with him as he grew older. The tattoo carries a family memory as well as a personal emblem, rooted in one trip rather than a general idea of strength.

Moore’s interview records what he said the lion meant to him then; it does not make the tattoo a permanent summary of his personality. The photo shows where it sits, and his words explain why it mattered. Nothing in the account defines what the design means to him today.

The S.W.A.T. eagle marks a career turning point

Close view of Shemar Moore’s S.W.A.T. eagle tattoo on his left forearm

The eagle on Moore’s left forearm is tied to S.W.A.T. In a 2018 CBS interview, he said the role inspired the tattoo, though the bird meant more to him than television branding. He associated it with rising, reaching and continuing to work toward a goal. The CBS still gives a close look at the forearm, where the eagle’s spread wings fill most of the frame.

The eagle marked a specific career moment: becoming the lead of a major show after decades in the business. Moore described the opportunity as an achievement and said he was grateful for it. In his account, the tattoo also stands for persistence and possibility beyond S.W.A.T.

Moore has said the eagle was not just for his S.W.A.T. character; it also reflected his outlook beyond the show. That distinction is easy to miss when the role dominates the story. Because CBS recorded his comments at the time, there is more to the design’s meaning than later guesses in tattoo lists.

The CBS still shows the eagle’s placement and dark outline, but crops off its lower edge. It documents the tattoo during the S.W.A.T. period, before Moore revealed much fuller sleeves years later; it cannot map every design now covering his forearms.

Carpe Diem spans the upper back with portraits in the lettering

Moore’s largest older piece is the “Carpe Diem” lettering across his upper back. On X, he explained that the phrase means “seize the day,” and said portraits of Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X appear within the letters. People reported his view that the choice was not simply political. A paired photo shows the design across his shoulders, though the dark exposure makes the small portraits harder to distinguish.

Moore has called the three men among his heroes. Their portraits sit inside the letters, so the back reads first as a broad phrase and then as a collection of figures. The available photograph is soft and low in contrast; Moore’s description, rather than the image alone, identifies the portraits.

People also reported a second word, Freedom, across Moore’s lower back in its 2024 account. The available photo does not show it clearly, so the reported location is all that can be confirmed visually.

There is a clear difference between the phrase’s literal translation and its personal context: “Seize the day” is straightforward Latin, and Moore has named the men as heroes. The sources do not establish one political or biographical message for every part of the design. His interview explains his respect for them; photos show the scale and placement.

Later sleeves add family tributes without changing the older stories. Moore kept adding tattoos after those three. In 2025, he showed two nearly finished half sleeves made over four sessions with tattoo artists Saul Lira and Orks. Parade reported that one arm honored Frankie and his late mother Marilyn; the other represented his career and persistence. The descriptions included Frankie’s name and portrait, a butterfly, a flower, and the phrases Self Made and Live Laugh Love. These pieces extend the collection without changing the stories behind the lion, eagle or back lettering.

Moore said the two sleeves contained almost twenty pieces after four sessions. That is a count for the 2025 project, not an official total for every tattoo he has had. A single sleeve photo can show several designs, while a news story may count each one separately. Older interviews mentioned six tattoos at an earlier point; both counts describe different moments.

The lion is tied to a childhood trip with his mother, the eagle to work and ambition, and the back piece to a motto and historical figures he admired. The newer sleeves add family and career imagery in greater detail. Taken together, the tattoos read like chapters added over time, not one fixed visual theme.

The older pieces are easy to place: the lion sits on Moore’s shoulder, the eagle runs along his left forearm, and “Carpe Diem” crosses his upper back. His interviews supply the stories behind each one, while the 2025 sleeves add a separate layer of family and career imagery.

More actor tattoo guides

Zoë Kravitz keeps her tattoos small, deliberate and easy to miss

Zoë Kravitz’s tattoos are easy to underestimate because most are small. They include a dragonfly near her shoulder, fine marks along her back, tiny symbols on her arms and short lettering at her neck or wrist. Close photos reveal details that disappear in a distant red-carpet shot.

Photos and interviews give a partial picture of Kravitz’s tattoos. Allure has discussed one of her favorites, while Cosmopolitan has gathered images and artist information for other pieces. Some designs are identified; others have no published explanation.

The dragonfly gives the shoulder its clearest focal point

Zoe Kravitz showing the dragonfly shoulder tattoo

Recent red-carpet photos show a dragonfly on Kravitz’s shoulder. Its small wings form a crisp outline when the image is clear, standing out from the finer marks across her back. It reads as one distinct shape rather than a patch of stray lines.

The dragonfly is visible in some shots and hidden in others. A halter gown may leave the shoulder blade bare, while hair, fabric or a straight-on portrait can cover it. Photos show it in the shoulder area; their changing angles do not mean the tattoo was newly added each time.

A dragonfly is often given a universal symbolic meaning, but the coverage does not establish one as Kravitz’s private explanation. The photos show the subject and placement. Its small scale and fine lines are clear even without assigning it a story.

Fine markings run down the back and spine

Zoe Kravitz showing the small markings along her spine

Backless photos reveal small marks along Kravitz’s upper back and spine. Some look like script, others like tiny symbols. They form a loose vertical line, with bare skin between them rather than one large back piece.

A wide photo shows how the marks run from the shoulder toward the spine, but may not resolve each character. When the lettering is too soft to read, it is better to describe the small marks than guess at a word.

The back pieces also show how Kravitz’s tattoos change the look of an outfit. A backless gown brings them into view; a shirt covers them again. Their small scale and spacing set them apart from a sleeve or a single large design.

A moon and star bring a simple celestial motif to the arm

Zoe Kravitz showing the moon and star arm tattoo

Photo guides identify a moon and star among Kravitz’s arm tattoos. The curved moon sits beside a small star, forming a compact pair that can be seen when she turns her arm toward the camera. Jewelry, hair and stage lighting can easily obscure the fine lines.

The arm placement gives the pair a different kind of visibility from the spine marks: Kravitz can show it in a sleeveless outfit without revealing her back. Portraits and event photos have captured it at different points in the collection’s timeline.

A moon and star may be a private reference or simply a design Kravitz liked. Published photos identify the motif, but do not establish a personal meaning or belief behind it.

Short words such as baby and yes make the lettering personal in scale

Zoe Kravitz showing small lettering tattoos on her neck and arm

Parade’s 2025 coverage described more lettering: baby at the neck, yes near the nape and Mississippi along an arm. Words are easy to misread in event photos; a turn of the shoulder can hide the first letter or make a short word look like a line.

The words appear in different places, and no report says they form one sentence. Photos show that Kravitz has small lettering at her neck and arm, but do not show that the pieces were planned together.

It is natural to wonder why someone chose a particular word. Here, the photographs establish what the lettering says and where it sits; the reason is not publicly clear.

Why the small scale changes how Kravitz’s tattoos should be photographed

Zoë Kravitz hand and forearm tattoos

Kravitz’s fine-line work can disappear into skin texture in low-resolution photos. Close views help separate a dragonfly wing or spine mark from a shadow. A clear photo of these small tattoos also makes her spine marks and moon-and-star pairing easier to identify.

Lighting changes how the fine lines look. Red-carpet flash can flatten them, while a softer portrait may make them easier to see. A dress can reveal the shoulder but cover the lower back, so different photos show different parts of the collection.

Not every dot in a large celebrity photo gallery is a tattoo. Even with many images of Kravitz, some marks remain hard to identify. The clearest record names the designs that can be seen and leaves the rest open.

The collection is clearer when image and evidence stay together

The collection has several distinct looks: the dragonfly at the shoulder, a line of tiny marks down the back, the moon and star on an arm, and short bits of lettering. Each stands out in a different kind of photo.

Kravitz has described tattooing as one way she decorates her body. The small scale of her designs fits that approach, even though she has not explained every mark. The most reliable descriptions stay close to what the photos show.

Her tattoos are subtle: a bare shoulder or back can bring a few lines into view, while clothes cover them again. New photos may clarify some small symbols, but their meanings are not always public. What is visible already gives a clear picture of the collection without inventing explanations.

More actor tattoo guides

Ruby Rose Tattoos: Sleeve, Tributes and What Is Confirmed

Ruby Rose’s tattoos have grown piece by piece over the years: portraits, jokes, names, cartoons, religious marks and bright traditional designs. The collection is a mix, not one sleeve planned in a single sitting. Rose has given different tattoo counts at different times, and photos range from full-arm views to close-ups of individual pieces.

How many tattoos does Ruby Rose have?

A 2015 appearance put Rose’s collection at around 60 tattoos; a later interview gave a figure closer to 109 when small marks were counted separately. Both totals can fit a collection where several little designs fill one sleeve. Rose has said her tattoos carry stories and memories, though she has not explained every one.

Some tattoos are easy to identify in photos or published coverage; others are only visible as shapes. A colourful figure can be described as a figure, and indistinct lettering as lettering, without attaching a meaning Rose has not shared.

The arm sleeves mix portraits, colour and traditional tattoo shapes

Ruby Rose showing both tattoo sleeves with portraits, lettering and colourful designs

Rose’s arms hold most of the collection. The sleeves combine colourful flowers, black-and-grey portraits, script, small stars and traditional-style designs. Full-arm photos show how the pieces differ in color and style: some are bright and playful, others use heavy shading and fine portrait detail.

The two arms look different from different angles, and a close-up can make one forearm tattoo seem like the whole design. It is one piece in a larger sleeve made up of separate tattoos, rather than a single continuous image with one meaning.

The tiger and other large arm pieces give the sleeves their weight

Ruby Rose tiger tattoo and surrounding arm sleeve details

The tiger is one of the sleeve’s largest motifs. Its striped face and bold outline give that section a traditional tattoo look, while flowers and smaller marks connect it to the rest of the arm.

Rose has not publicly assigned one private meaning to the whole tiger composition. Photos show a major arm tattoo with bold linework, surrounded by flowers and other designs; they do not establish the story behind every detail.

Cartoon characters bring Gumby and other playful figures into the ink

Ruby Rose cartoon figures on her forearm, including a bright red character and a small black-and-white figure

Rose’s forearm also features cartoon imagery. A close photo shows a bright red character beside a smaller black-and-white figure, with green shapes and fine outlines nearby. Tattoo catalogues identify one of the figures as Gumby, alongside other childhood or pop-culture references. The cartoons stand out against the portraits, flowers and lettering around them.

The cartoon figures bring a different mood to the sleeves. Their bright colors and simple outlines break up the more detailed portrait work as the eye moves from shoulder to wrist.

The wrist mask and nearby symbols are smaller but sharply readable

The theatrical mask on Rose’s wrist is easiest to see in a close photo. Its black-outlined face sits among smaller marks near the forearm. It is compact, but the expression and placement make it noticeable when Rose raises her arm.

A mask invites interpretation, but Rose’s comments do not establish a specific meaning for this design. What the photo shows is a theatrical face on her wrist, part of the more illustrative side of the collection.

Rose’s hands and wrists carry crosses, lettering and a rainbow

Ruby Rose hand and wrist tattoos showing the cross, small symbols and rainbow lettering

The hands and wrists have smaller designs than the sleeves, including a simple cross, small finger symbols and a colorful rainbow above the word Life. These marks can appear or disappear as Rose moves her hands; a close shot of one hand may still hide the opposite wrist.

The small pieces show up in different moments: a cross in an interview, a word at a red-carpet event, or a finger symbol while Rose is holding something. Photos show how they look and where they sit, but not always what they mean to her.

The Phoebe and Ruby heart is a distinct back tribute

Ruby Rose back tattoo with the Phoebe and Ruby heart banner

The red heart on Rose’s back is one of the clearest individual designs in public photos. Its banner reads Phoebe + Ruby, linking the tattoo to her former partner Phoebe Dahl. The traditional heart-and-banner layout is familiar, but the names make this piece personal.

The same photo shows script and portrait-style tattoos around the heart. They are separate pieces, and the heart’s inscription does not explain the rest of the back work.

The Pantone swatches turn colour selection into a tattoo joke

Ruby Rose Pantone-style colour swatch tattoos on the wrist

One unusual small tattoo is a row of Pantone-style colour swatches on Rose’s wrist. Red, orange, green, blue and yellow blocks are arranged like a paint palette. Rose joked that the swatches could help people choose a color when booking her for a photo. It is both a visual joke and a nod to her work in fashion and photography.

The swatches sit alongside more sentimental pieces without trying to look like them. A heart points to a relationship; the color chart turns fashion and photography into a joke about Rose’s recognizable image.

What the public record can and cannot establish

Rose has described tattoos as memories, and published photos document a large collection. They clearly show the sleeves, tiger, cartoon figures, wrist mask, rainbow-and-Life design, Pantone swatches and Phoebe-and-Ruby heart. The meaning of every flower, portrait or tiny symbol is not known.

Some tattoos may have been lightened, covered or changed over time, so older photos show particular moments rather than a permanent final version. Ruby Rose’s collection is a changing set of different designs, with the clearest stories attached to the pieces she has discussed.

More actor tattoo guides

Inside Post Malone’s Huge Tattoo Collection

Post Malone’s collection spans face lettering and swords, finger portraits, hand and arm tattoos, and larger designs on his neck and chest. Some explanations come from Malone himself; others appear in close-up photos or published tattoo coverage. Several meanings remain unconfirmed.

What does Post Malone’s “Always Tired” tattoo mean?

Post Malone Always Tired and Stay Away face tattoos

The words “Always Tired” sit beneath Malone’s eyes. In GQ Taiwan’s tattoo interview, he tied the phrase to his work schedule and touring life. He also said it was his most painful face tattoo, comparing the sensation to a needle near the eye.

A close photo makes the two words easy to read; in a distant shot, they blend into the other marks. Malone has explained this phrase, but that does not mean every facial tattoo carries the same meaning.

The “Stay Away” tattoo above his eyebrow

Post Malone sword and Stay Away face tattoos

“Stay Away” sits above Malone’s right eyebrow. GQ Taiwan connects it to the Nirvana song of the same name. The report says Malone chose the script after seeing Lil Peep’s “Cry Baby” tattoo, then decided on his own design spontaneously while visiting friends in Montreal. The playing-card imagery above it adds up to 21.

A close view separates the nearby designs: the sword tattoo runs beside the eye, while “Stay Away” is written across the forehead. They often appear together in photos, but they are separate pieces. The Nirvana story applies to the words; the source does not tie every nearby symbol to the song.

The sword tattoo on his face

Another sword runs down the side of Malone’s face. Business Insider distinguishes it from the sword on his inner arm and the one across his collarbone. The face piece is long and vertical, beside his other face tattoos. Its private meaning has not been confirmed.

Other face, forehead and head tattoos

Post Malone arm and face tattoos

Photos show smaller marks around Malone’s lettering too. Business Insider identifies a Playboy bunny beneath a smiley face, a red heart on the upper-left forehead, and barbed wire along the hairline. Malone said he thought the barbed wire looked cool as trim and joked he might regret its placement if he went bald.

Later close-ups reveal more ink on the side of Malone’s head, including a skull, spider and succubus imagery. Which designs appear depends on the date and his hairstyle: hair can cover tattoos, and he has continued adding new work.

Post Malone’s finger portrait tattoos

Post Malone portrait tattoos across the fingers

Close-up photographs show a series of small portrait tattoos across Malone’s knuckles and fingers. Published images identify John Lennon, Kurt Cobain and Elvis Presley. At that scale, a concert shot rarely shows enough detail to tell the faces apart.

These miniature faces are easy to confuse with the larger hand designs, but they are a separate group. Close-ups and source captions identify several; public reporting does not offer a definitive key for every finger portrait.

What is on Post Malone’s hands?

Post Malone hand and finger tattoos

One of Malone’s earliest hand tattoos is a Saint Jude image. In the interview quoted by Business Insider, Malone said Saint Jude lifts his robe to reveal a skeleton. The same report notes “nevermind” and “whatever” on his palms, credited to celebrity tattoo artist Jonathan “JonBoy” Valena. Those palm words are among the better-documented artist-linked pieces.

Business Insider also identifies a small eagle near a Kennedy portrait on Malone’s hand. He has not confirmed a personal meaning for the bird. Its location and appearance are documented; a symbolic reading would be a guess.

The arm portraits and major forearm designs

Post Malone detailed forearm tattoos

Malone’s arms include a Kurt Cobain portrait showing the Nirvana frontman playing guitar. Business Insider places it among the musician portraits, and GQ Taiwan also mentions Cobain, Lil Peep and Bob Dylan on the arm near Malone’s first Playboy bunny tattoo.

Another forearm design shows a minuteman; a separate piece depicts a knight on horseback striking a figure with a spear. Malone described the knight in the GQ interview. The same source says the Sauron tattoo remains unfinished because he sometimes stopped when the process became too painful.

Post Malone colorful forearm tattoo collection

Near the elbow is a skull filled with the Texas flag. A horse represents Malone, and he has described a small Playboy bunny as his first tattoo. He got it while recording Stoney in 2016. Malone said Justin Bieber damaged it while it was healing. That account concerns his first tattoo; it says nothing about the pieces he got later.

Hand, wrist and arm designs that have a documented connection

Post Malone arm and hand tattoos

A few tattoos have clear ties to Malone’s work or interests. “Patient,” named after one of his songs, appears on his upper arm. Business Insider identifies the Gallenson’s Gun Shop logo on the inner arm and says Malone discussed it in the GQ interview. The same coverage dates the snake wrapped around an M16 to 2016. The designs and context are reported; there is no single confirmed meaning for every weapon image.

Malone later got Kansas City Chiefs tattoos after losing a bet involving Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes. Business Insider, summarizing TMZ, reports signatures from both players alongside the Chiefs logo. That explanation belongs to this group of tattoos; other meanings online are not as well sourced.

Neck and chest tattoos

Post Malone cow skull and eagle neck tattoos

Two eagle tattoos sit on opposite sides of Malone’s neck, one black and one white. Business Insider says they frame a cow skull. Malone has not publicly explained the birds, so their placement and appearance are the details we can confirm.

Larger designs fill the chest and stomach area. GQ Taiwan describes a zombie version of Easter Jesus reaching from the chest toward the stomach, the phrase “come and take it,” and Master Shake from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Business Insider separately records “Molon Labe” on his stomach, often translated from Greek as “come and take them.” Malone said Master Shake hurt the most; pain alone does not reveal a tattoo’s meaning.

Post Malone showing the chest and stomach tattoo collection

How Post Malone’s tattoo collection has changed

Post Malone facial tattoos and collection overview

Malone’s first tattoo appeared in 2016, and more followed across his hands, arms, face, neck, chest, legs and head. Hair and clothing can hide parts of the collection; dated close-ups show how it grew.

A dated photo can show when a tattoo was visible, but not when the appointment happened or why a later cover-up was made. Sources give the clearest accounts of “Always Tired,” “Stay Away,” the barbed-wire hairline tattoo, the first Playboy bunny, Saint Jude, the knight, Sauron, Master Shake and the JonBoy palm lettering. Many other meanings remain unknown.

Frequently asked questions

How many tattoos does Post Malone have?

There is no fixed official count. Published coverage has put the total above 60 or 70 at different times; Malone has kept adding tattoos, and small or covered pieces are counted differently.

Who tattooed Post Malone?

Jonathan “JonBoy” Valena is credited with the “nevermind” and “whatever” palm lettering. GQ Taiwan also links some work to Ganji, while reports name Kyle Hediger, Evan Kim and Lauren Winzer for other specific pieces. Those credits apply to the tattoos each source identifies, not the full collection.

Are the meanings of all his tattoos known?

No. Malone and other sources have explained some designs, while many more are identifiable only by their appearance and location. When there is no reliable explanation, the meaning is unknown.

Neymar’s Tattoos and Family Tributes

Neymar’s tattoos grew with his life: family names and portraits, religious phrases, football mottos and playful character art sit across his arms and torso. A child’s portrait shares space with dates and lettering; names appear beside images. Together, the pieces trace family, faith, football and home.

Neymar has added tattoos through different clubs, tournaments and family milestones. A photograph records one moment, not a final count. Some designs have an explanation from him; others can only be described from what is visible.

The first family names began with Nadine and Rafaella

Neymar wrist tattoos for Nadine and Rafaella

The names Nadine and Rafaella appeared early on his wrists: Nadine for his mother, Rafaella for his sister. Later photos show small hearts and an infinity mark around the lettering. These are clear family tributes, not just decorative script.

On the wrist, the names are small but easy to spot when Neymar celebrates or posts a close photo. They sit naturally beside the portraits on his arms, keeping the family pieces connected.

Chest lettering carries faith, family and the football mindset

Neymar chest lettering and script tattoos

In shirtless photos, the cross with wings, “Blessed” and longer script stand out across Neymar’s chest and torso. Reports also mention prayer-like wording and phrases about perseverance.

Some lines follow the curve of his chest, so a turn or goal celebration can cut a phrase out of view. A still training photo often shows more of how the lettering fits around the other designs.

The words are easier to confirm than the story behind every religious symbol. Unless Neymar or a reliable source has tied a particular image to an event, that connection remains unknown.

Davi Lucca appears in both words and portrait work

Neymar forearm tattoos connected with his son Davi Lucca

Neymar’s son Davi Lucca appears in a name and the date 24.08.11, as well as a portrait on the inner forearm. In one image, Davi raises a finger to his lips; the small gesture gives the tattoo a personal touch.

The date marks a family milestone, while the name and portrait add two other kinds of detail. A well-sourced account keeps them separate instead of calling all three simply a “son tattoo.”

Other arm lettering refers to Neymar’s father. When his forearm is bent, some letters become hard to read, so the exact layout can be uncertain in a photograph.

Rafaella’s portrait is one of the collection’s clearest faces

Neymar portrait tattoo of his sister Rafaella

The portrait of Rafaella is among Neymar’s most recognisable pieces. It relies on likeness, hair and shading rather than a name alone; coverage and Neymar’s own public family posts identify her as his sister.

Portrait placement affects how the tattoo reads. A straight-on forearm photo shows Rafaella’s face more clearly than a match shot, where the arm’s angle can stretch the image.

The shin lettering says “Que Deus me abençoe e me proteja”

Neymar shin tattoos reading Que Deus me abençoe e me proteja

In 2016, Neymar shared shin lettering that reads “Que Deus me abençoe e me proteja”, or “May God bless me and protect me.” The words are legible, and the translation was reported with the photo, making this one of the clearer pieces in his collection.

The phrase runs vertically with his leg, unlike a wrist name or a small symbol. It reads like a prayer alongside his football life. Related religious imagery is discussed with this piece, but that does not make every cross or line of script part of the same story.

“Ousadia e Alegria” turns a motto into a football-era marker

Neymar arm and hand tattoos including lettering and symbols

“Ousadia e Alegria” means “boldness and joy.” The phrase is associated with Neymar’s football identity and the attacking style he and his circle described in terms of risk, creativity and enjoyment. It appears among the lettering reported on his legs and lower body.

A lion tattoo on Neymar’s hand has been linked to his public image and a fragrance campaign. Other small marks include lettering and symbols that are hard to read in match photos: a bent finger can hide a word, and low resolution turns fine lines into a dark patch.

The family number and the child looking toward the future

Neymar chest and torso tattoos

The Roman numeral IV is reported as a reference to Neymar, his parents and his sister. It represents the four-person family unit seen throughout the collection’s names and portraits. That explanation is better documented than meanings attached to nearby small marks.

Another tattoo shows a child looking toward a favela, with dreams of a home, football and major trophies. It is often read as Neymar looking ahead while remembering where he came from, though reports do not always give the same date or artist.

Superheroes, animals and smaller symbols fill the gaps

Neymar’s wider tattoo collection

Spider-Man and Batman are among the reported character designs, alongside lions, eagles and other animals. They give the collection a playful edge. A general tattoo meaning is not proof of the personal reason Neymar chose an animal.

In a close photo, a portrait, word, date or character can often be identified. When Neymar or a reliable source has not explained a symbol, the visible design can be named without assigning it a private reason.

How many tattoos does Neymar have?

There is no permanent official count. Coverage has given different totals, and the number shifts as small marks are counted or new work appears. A dated record is more useful than one figure meant to cover his whole career, especially when a new family or football design may not yet appear in a full-body photo.

The lasting themes are easier to pin down than the total: family portraits and names, faith, Portuguese mottos, football ambition and playful popular culture. The pieces came at different points in Neymar’s life, so the collection feels more like a timeline than a sleeve planned all at once.

More athlete tattoo guides

A Guide to Rihanna’s Tattoos and Their Meanings

Rihanna’s tattoos range from delicate lettering to large designs across her hand, neck, back and chest. Some stories come from Rihanna or her artists; other pieces can only be identified in photographs. She has also reworked or covered tattoos over time, so older images do not always show what is there now.

Rihanna’s henna-inspired hand tattoo

Rihanna henna-style mandala tattoo on her hand

The ornate hand design is one of Rihanna’s most recognisable tattoos. Dense lines cover the hand and wrist, with henna-inspired and Māori-influenced details. E! reported that Bang Bang and Cally-Jo worked on it during a long session in the Dominican Republic. The piece grew around an earlier Māori tattoo Rihanna got in New Zealand.

It is permanent ink, not henna. The pattern borrows henna’s ornamental look and incorporates Māori-inspired details. Reports describe the design process and the artists, but do not provide a full translation of every shape. Across her hand and wrist, it reads as one broad composition rather than a small isolated symbol.

What “rebelle fleur” means

Rihanna Rebelle Fleur neck tattoo

“Rebelle fleur” is written in cursive on the side of Rihanna’s neck and is commonly translated as “rebel flower.” Vogue’s reporting on Bang Bang credits the artist with a number of Rihanna’s well-known tattoos, including the lettering. The phrase is associated with her public image and echoes the name of her fragrance, Reb’l Fleur.

The phrase has drawn attention because its word order differs from the most expected French. That alone does not prove it was a mistake. The wording and placement are clear, beside the trail of stars that runs from Rihanna’s neck toward her back. Any further interpretation of her private intent needs a source.

The stars running from her neck to her back

Rihanna star trail tattoo from neck to back

Small stars start at the back of Rihanna’s neck and trail down her upper back. Some are outlined, others filled, and their varied sizes make a loose constellation. Bang Bang has been linked to the work; it is especially visible when she wears her hair short or an open-back outfit.

The star trail is distinct from other small marks around her neck. Its cascading arrangement is easy to see, but there is no confirmed explanation for each individual star.

The Egyptian falcon and earlier music-note tattoo

Rihanna Egyptian falcon ankle tattoo

Rihanna has an Egyptian falcon on the inside of her right ankle. Earlier reports place a music-note tattoo in the same area, later covered or replaced by the falcon. Rihanna captioned the design as a light in darkness; coverage also connected it with an ancient Egyptian artifact at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The change is part of the tattoo’s story: older photos show the music note, while later ones show the falcon. Rihanna’s description of it as a “king in the sky” reflects her explanation, not a universal meaning for Egyptian falcon imagery.

Isis beneath the chest

Rihanna Isis chest tattoo

Rihanna has an Isis tattoo beneath her chest, with the goddess’s wings spread across her lower chest and ribs. The design has been linked to her grandmother, whom Rihanna described as a strong influence and role model. It is one of the clearest family tributes in her collection.

Close-up of Rihanna’s collarbone script tattoo

The low placement helps explain why the tattoo disappears from many event photos: clothing and camera angle often cover it. A photo that does not show the design is not evidence that it changed.

Rihanna’s shark tattoo and the later crown cover-up

Rihanna shark ankle tattoo

Bang Bang tattooed a camouflage-pattern shark on Rihanna’s ankle in 2016. Reports connect it to a stuffed shark associated with Drake and an aquarium visit. That context is widely reported, though it does not establish anything about their relationship.

Later photos show a crown covering the shark. It is a case of a tattoo changing: older pictures show the shark, newer ones the crown. The two designs belong to different points in time.

The gun, cross and smaller lettering

Rihanna handgun tattoo on her ribcage

Rihanna has also been photographed with a small handgun tattoo under her right arm, near the ribs. Bang Bang discussed it as a collaboration of ideas. Its placement makes close-up photos much more useful than red-carpet portraits.

A small cross sits near her collarbone, with other marks on her neck, fingers and hands. The Sanskrit writing on her hip is harder to pin down: published translations have been questioned. Without Rihanna’s explanation or a reliable specialist source, the script and location are clearer than any proposed translation.

Roman numerals, Pisces and early music notes

Rihanna Roman numeral shoulder tattoo
Rihanna Pisces tattoo behind her ear
Rihanna musical note tattoo on her foot

Rihanna’s earlier tattoos include Roman numerals, a Pisces symbol behind her ear and music notes on her foot. Over time, those discreet marks were joined by larger designs on her hand, neck, back and chest. The music notes matter because reports say the falcon later covered that area.

Online galleries often mix photos from different years and repeat the same captions, making an old design look like a separate tattoo that is still there. For Rihanna, dates and body locations help explain whether a piece was added, changed or covered.

Artists, changes and what remains unknown

Rihanna hand tattoo

Keith “Bang Bang” McCurdy is credited with several of Rihanna’s best-known pieces, including the hand design, neck lettering, stars, handgun and shark. Cally-Jo also worked on the henna-inspired hand tattoo. These are credits for particular pieces and sessions, not for the whole collection.

Rihanna’s collection includes meanings she has shared, artists’ accounts, designs visible in photos and interpretations that remain uncertain. Dates and cover-ups matter as much as the designs themselves; there is no reliable permanent count that settles every small mark.

Frequently asked questions

What is Rihanna’s most recognisable tattoo?

The henna-inspired hand tattoo and the trail of stars from her neck to her back are among Rihanna’s most recognisable designs.

What happened to Rihanna’s shark tattoo?

Rihanna matching shark tattoo

Reports indicate that the camouflage shark on Rihanna’s ankle was later covered by a crown.

Who is Rihanna’s tattoo artist?

Rihanna Maori hand tattoo

Bang Bang is most often linked with Rihanna’s major public tattoos. Cally-Jo also worked on the henna-inspired hand piece.

More musician tattoo guides

Travis Barker's Face, Family and Music Tattoos

Barker’s tattoos chart a life spent in music, from Blink-182 to his work as a producer, with family, faith, cars and other interests woven in. The designs span different periods and styles. He has explained some in interviews; others are visible without a public story attached.

Travis Barker’s face tattoos, including “Blessed”

Travis Barker Blessed face tattoo

Barker’s face is the first thing many people notice. “Blessed” sits beneath his right eye, with small symbols and lettering around his eyes, temple and scalp. There is also a cross among his head tattoos. Photos make the designs easy to spot, but their placement alone cannot tell us what each one means.

The word “Blessed” drew more attention when Barker added it in the early 2020s. Some coverage tied it to the period after he married Kourtney Kardashian, but he has not said it carries one specific meaning. It is a prominent script tattoo beneath his eye, among older religious and symbolic designs.

Family names and Barker’s “Family” tattoo

Travis Barker tattoos on hands and neck

Family names recur throughout Barker’s tattoo history. “Alabama,” his daughter’s name, appears on his left wrist. Other photos and tattoo accounts identify the names of his children and stepdaughter among the lettering. These pieces mark the people Barker has publicly described as family.

Barker revealed bold “FAMILY” lettering on the inside of his left arm in June 2024. Reports described it as a tribute to his growing family after the birth of his son Rocky Thirteen. He has also discussed tattoos tied to his relationship with Kourtney Kardashian, including “I love you” and an impression of her lips. These newer pieces sit beside older punk and car imagery.

Religious imagery across his head, arms and chest

Travis Barker tattooed profile

His religious pieces include Jesus, praying hands and a Sacred Heart. The praying-hands tattoo on his head can disappear beneath longer hair, so it shows in some photos and not others. When hair or clothing covers a design, one portrait cannot tell us it has been removed.

Barker’s Catholic upbringing is often mentioned alongside these designs, and he has discussed religious imagery in interviews. That background helps explain why the images recur, but it does not tell us what every cross, heart or figure means to him. His own comments explain some pieces; the rest can be described by what is visible.

Music, punk and the words on his hands

Travis Barker tattooed portrait

Music runs through his tattoos in words and images: album references, band imagery and reminders of the work he wanted to make. “Can I Say,” Dag Nasty’s first album, is one of the references tied to Barker’s early musical identity. Reports also describe a microphone, drum imagery and music notes across his torso and arms.

“Self Made,” inked across his fingers, reflects Barker’s belief that he built his career himself. The phrase follows his path from a young drummer experimenting with tattoos to a professional musician who helped shape pop-punk, hip-hop collaborations and his own label. The lettering still appears in close-up photos, though hand tattoos change with age and viewing angle.

Cadillac, checkerboards and the number 66

Travis Barker Cadillac chest tattoo

Barker’s interest in cars shows up in several designs. Accounts identify a Cadillac logo between his chest and the word “Cadillac” on his ribs. The checkerboard patterns on his neck are also linked to his preferred Cadillac model, including the number 66. These specific references add a personal detail to his tattoo collection, rather than serving as generic symbols of speed or rebellion.

Cars sit beside skating and music in Barker’s collection; the designs do not follow a strict theme for each body part. One neck photo can show checkerboards alongside script and religious imagery. The mix reflects how the tattoos have built up over time.

Skulls, numbers and symbols with personal histories

Travis Barker skull tattoo

Reports place skulls and the number 13 on his arms and torso. His right arm also carries playing cards, dice, a dollar sign and a rabbit’s foot. Barker has described it as a lucky collection, giving the group a personal thread.

Some numbers and words refer to music, family or dates; others have no clear explanation. Barker has said 13 matters to him, and the number is also widely associated with tattoo culture. Without a direct explanation, the useful details are where a mark appears and what it looks like.

“Hope,” “Chaos Often Breeds Life” and memorial tattoos

Travis Barker Hope tattoo across his lower back

The “Hope” tattoo on Barker’s back has been linked to the Descendents song and to his mother’s death; both connections appear in accounts of his life and music. Around his neck is the phrase “Chaos Often Breeds Life, When Order Breeds Habit,” associated with Box Car Racer and the wider story of Barker’s music career.

Barker’s tattoos also include tributes to people and animals close to him. Reports mention a dog memorial and a tribute to Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. Each piece has its own story; there is no need to make either one stand for the whole collection. The public record gives the names and connections, not a meaning for every image.

How Barker’s tattoo collection has changed

Travis Barker showing his changing tattoo collection

Barker’s tattoo collection has changed over time as family, music and relationship milestones accumulated. Older designs have aged and overlapped with newer work. His face tattoos grew more extensive, while family lettering and the “FAMILY” design added another thread to the punk, religious and car imagery.

The timeline brings the collection into focus. Early music and punk references mark Barker’s life as a drummer; car and skate designs reflect interests outside music. Family names and memorials record important relationships, while later pieces add marriage and fatherhood. That sequence says more than a single total.

Frequently asked questions

What was Travis Barker’s first tattoo?

Accounts of Barker’s early life say he made his first tattoo himself, scratching a girlfriend’s name into his leg with a razor. Later professional work covered the mark, making it hard to identify in recent photographs.

What does “Self Made” mean?

Travis Barker tattooed profile

Barker has connected the finger lettering with his belief that he built his career through his own work. It is one of the clearer tattoos whose meaning he has explained publicly.

Who tattooed Travis Barker?

Travis Barker tattooed profile and torso

Several artists have worked on Barker’s collection over the years. Recent coverage tends to identify the artist behind a particular piece or session, rather than crediting one person with the whole collection. Tying each artist’s name to specific work keeps the record clear.

More musician tattoo guides

Jared Leto’s Real Tattoos: The Orbis Epsilon and the Ink Behind the Myth

Jared Leto’s tattoo record is easy to mix up with the body art created for his film roles. His best-documented personal piece is a large geometric design on his upper back; the marks he wore as the Joker were makeup and character styling. Keeping those two things separate makes his real collection easier to understand.

The Orbis Epsilon back tattoo is the clearest confirmed piece

Jared Leto showing the Orbis Epsilon back tattoo

The clearest confirmed piece is Orbis Epsilon, a large design between Leto’s shoulder blades. Aftonbladet reported that he promised to show a new back tattoo once he reached one million Twitter followers, then posted it when he did. It has a circle split in two and four arrow-like points. The symbol is part of Thirty Seconds to Mars’ visual identity, rather than an abstract pattern without context.

That public reveal gives the tattoo a clear origin: Leto shared it himself, its shape is easy to identify, and it connects to his music. Those details support the band association. He has not publicly given it a more personal meaning.

Forearm triangles are reported, but their meaning needs care

Jared Leto showing forearm triangles and glyphs

Tattoo references describe solid black triangles on Leto’s forearms and link them to the alchemical symbol for air. They echo the geometric look of the back piece, though the source is less direct. Leto has not publicly explained each triangle himself.

It is fair to describe the triangles and their reported link to air. The interpretation comes from tattoo references rather than a direct explanation from Leto. Photos show the designs, but they cannot tell us why he chose them. The meaning should stay qualified.

The Thirty Seconds to Mars glyph and the language of the band

Jared Leto Thirty Seconds to Mars glyph wrist tattoo

The first Thirty Seconds to Mars glyph is also reported around Leto’s wrist. The band’s symbols appear on album art and merchandise, and the glyph looks consistent with the larger back design. Photos do not always show the wrist mark clearly, and the sources do not include Leto explaining it himself.

Leto’s work with Thirty Seconds to Mars gives the glyph a clear band connection, but that alone does not attach a personal story to it. Public references identify the mark without tying it to a particular event, relationship or private memory behind the tattoo.

What is known about the collarbone phrase

Jared Leto collarbone phrase Provehito in Altum tattoo

Tattoo references also place the Latin phrase “Provehito in Altum” around Leto’s collarbone. It is usually translated as “launch forth into the deep” and is closely associated with Thirty Seconds to Mars. That fits the pattern of music-related symbols in Leto’s tattoo record.

The phrase is not equally legible in every photo, so its current appearance is hard to confirm letter by letter. It has been reported as one of Leto’s tattoos, but the available images do not settle its exact condition. It may be an older observation; tattoos can fade, be covered or become harder to see over time.

The cross or Echelon X mark remains less fully explained

Jared Leto Echelon X forearm tattoo

Specialist descriptions also list a small cross or Echelon-style X on Leto’s forearm. It is often grouped with the band-related symbols, though Leto has not publicly given it a detailed explanation. Reports identify the possible design; its meaning remains open.

The clearest entries are the designs that can be identified and connected to a source. The band link helps place several of them, but the symbols do not all have a publicly confirmed personal story.

Jared Leto’s Joker tattoos were character design, not a personal collection

The marks Leto wore as the Joker in Suicide Squad were created for the character. “Damaged” across the forehead, the smile on his hand and the other graphics helped tell the film’s version of the Joker’s story, as director David Ayer discussed. They belong to the role’s design, not to Leto’s permanent tattoos.

Joker photos dominate many image searches for Leto’s tattoos, which can make temporary lettering and makeup look permanent. Those pictures show the character’s design, not Leto’s personal collection.

Reading the record without overclaiming

Leto has a relatively small set of tattoos compared with what Joker galleries suggest. The back piece is clearly documented; the arm and wrist designs are reported less consistently, and their meanings are not all confirmed. Some details remain open.

For a quick look, start with the geometric tattoo on his upper back, then check the band-related designs on his arms and wrist. Treat the Joker markings as film styling. Any visible tattoo without a public explanation can simply be described by its shape and placement.

Frequently asked questions

What is Jared Leto’s most clearly documented tattoo?

Jared Leto’s geometric forearm tattoos

The Orbis Epsilon design on his upper back is the clearest publicly documented tattoo and has the strongest connection to Thirty Seconds to Mars.

Are Jared Leto’s Joker tattoos real?

They were character designs for Leto’s portrayal of the Joker, not permanent tattoos from his personal collection.

What do Jared Leto’s tattoos represent?

Jared Leto’s tattoo collection from the Thirty Seconds to Mars era

His documented tattoos are closely tied to Thirty Seconds to Mars, though Leto has not directly explained the meaning of every individual design.

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Ed Sheeran's Tattoos: The Stories Behind His Lion, Pingu and Ketchup Ink

Ed Sheeran has so many tattoos that a quick look can be misleading. Many are colourful, but the stories behind them come from different places. In his 2024 GQ Tattoo Tour he explained several himself, and British GQ also spoke to Kevin Paul, who did much of the work. Their accounts help separate a confirmed story from a guess based on a photo.

The lion chest tattoo marks Wembley

Ed Sheeran showing the colorful lion chest tattoo and surrounding sleeve tattoos

The lion across Sheeran’s chest is the piece that stands out first. His tattooist, Kevin Paul, told British GQ that it came together quickly and marked Sheeran selling out Wembley Stadium. Sheeran has called playing Wembley the biggest achievement of his life. That helps explain why the tattoo means more than a decorative animal design to him.

The lion fills the centre of Sheeran’s chest, surrounded by smaller, brightly coloured designs. People sometimes read it as a general symbol of strength, but Sheeran and Paul connect it to the Wembley milestone and the English football imagery associated with the stadium.

Heinz ketchup bottle on his arm

Ed Sheeran showing the Heinz ketchup bottle tattoo among his arm designs

Sheeran has a Heinz Tomato Ketchup bottle on his arm. The Edchup campaign described it as a Heinz bottle, and Kevin Paul told British GQ that Sheeran got it in the United States while missing ketchup. It’s a lighthearted celebrity tattoo story: a personal food joke that later inspired a real Heinz collaboration.

Heinz turned the design into a pop-culture partnership, releasing limited-edition bottles that looked like Sheeran’s tattoo. The campaign used his existing ink rather than creating a new promotional logo. A small forearm design had moved from personal joke to product tie-in.

The matching Pingu tattoo with Harry Styles

Ed Sheeran showing the Pingu tattoo on his upper left arm

Sheeran has Pingu on his upper left arm. Kevin Paul told British GQ that he and Harry Styles were talking about childhood cartoons after a night out, realised they both liked Pingu and chose related tattoos. Sheeran has the character; Styles got the word. In GQ’s Tattoo Tour, Sheeran said Styles may have covered his with an anchor.

They are not identical: one is the cartoon, the other its name. Paul and Sheeran described them as a shared joke, which is what links the two designs.

Small designs tied to music and friends

Ed Sheeran showing the first paw print tattoo

Several smaller designs recall people, songs and career moments. Sheeran’s first tattoo was a small paw print. He said in the GQ interview that he had drawn it on himself with permanent marker for years before getting it at a shop connected with Christina Perri when he was 18. Their later collaboration became part of its story, though it was not why he chose the tattoo.

Lettering has its own stories. Sheeran asked Gary Lightbody to write “Everything that happens is from now on,” a line from Bon Iver’s “re: Stacks,” then had it tattooed in Lightbody’s handwriting. A matching tattoo was called off after Lightbody changed his mind. Sheeran has named the words and their source; the piece needs no extra interpretation.

Ed Sheeran showing the Everything that happens is from now on lyric tattoo

The arm also carries “Prince,” a nod to Sheeran’s love of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and “Galway Grill,” a joke Saoirse Ronan tattooed during the Galway Girl video shoot. Sheeran later said the misspelling was deliberate. It was a gag, not a mistake he had to live with.

Ed Sheeran showing the Galway Grill tattoo

Children’s footprints on Ed Sheeran’s back

Ed Sheeran showing his children's footprints tattoos on his back

After each child was born, Sheeran had their footprints inked in small squares on his back. It is one of the collection’s clearest family tributes: both the design and its story have been shared publicly. Its placement means it does not always show in concert or portrait photos.

The Matisse portrait and other personal references

Ed Sheeran showing the Matisse mother and child tattoo on his forearm

Kevin Paul says Sheeran’s mother-and-child tattoo copies a Henri Matisse line drawing. Sheeran chose it because the painting was his mother’s favourite and had bought her a copy with his first paycheque. The artwork and the family story are both documented.

Some tattoos mark albums and travel. Sheeran described a design linked to Taylor Swift’s Red after appearing on the album and joining its tour. The maths symbols around his wrist follow his album plan—Plus, Multiply, Divide and Subtract—with an equals sign added later. He has also mentioned getting the Heinz bottle in Pittsburgh and a koala in Australia, building a sleeve around places that mattered on the road.

Reading the record: why the collection is difficult to count

Ed Sheeran showing his tattoo collection

Sheeran does not keep a numbered catalogue. In the GQ Tattoo Tour, he said he thinks of the collection as one tattoo and could not count it. British GQ estimated well over 60 pieces in 2020, but that is a dated snapshot. New designs, cover-ups and ink hidden by clothing make a current total hard to pin down.

Sheeran and Paul have spoken about the lion, ketchup bottle, boxing gloves, Pingu, paw print, Galway Grill, Matisse portrait, footprints and memorial lettering. Those accounts give the clearest stories in the collection. Other photos may show more tattoos, but a picture alone cannot confirm a name, date or personal meaning.

Frequently asked questions

What is Ed Sheeran’s biggest tattoo?

The lion across Sheeran’s chest is his most prominent piece. He has said it marks the milestone of selling out Wembley Stadium.

Who tattooed most of Ed Sheeran’s designs?

Kevin Paul has tattooed much of Sheeran’s body, according to British GQ. Other people contributed too; Saoirse Ronan, for example, gave him the planned Galway Grill joke.

Does Ed Sheeran have a matching tattoo with Harry Styles?

Ed Sheeran’s documented tattoo collection

Yes. They got related tattoos after bonding over the cartoon: Sheeran has Pingu, while Styles has the name. Sheeran said Styles may since have covered it.