Ellie Goulding’s tattoos range from a geometric rib design to small hand marks and an outlined triangle on her forearm. The images show several placements and styles; interviews give context for some pieces, while others are best described by what’s visible.
Goulding has worked with Los Angeles tattooer Dr. Woo, whose fine-line style suits the smaller designs. She has also described tattoos connected to meaningful moments, including music and time on the road.
Ellie Goulding’s geometric rib tattoo
The rib tattoo is a tall, fine-line composition with a layered circle at its centre, grids and small symbols around it, and pointed sections above and below. Its long shape follows the ribcage, while the open lines keep the detail from reading as a solid patch of ink.
The curve of the body changes how the design reads from a flat drawing. A tattooer can adjust the proportions for the wearer’s ribs instead of copying the photograph exactly.
Ellie Goulding’s tiny hand symbols
Photos show a narrow sword along the back of Goulding’s hand, with small dots, short strokes and ornamental marks on or between her fingers. The sword is fine and understated; the smaller marks sit around it without filling the hand.
Hand and finger tattoos get constant movement, washing and friction, so fine lines may soften sooner there. The small scale works best when the main shape is clear and the surrounding details have enough space.
Ellie Goulding’s triangle tattoo
One of Goulding’s early, recognizable tattoos is a small open triangle on her forearm, drawn in a thin red line. Most of the designs discussed here are black or grey, so even that small amount of colour gives this one a different look. The image shows a simple outline without shading or a frame.
The forearm gives the shape a clear surface, but the triangle could be rotated or paired with another small mark. The useful reference is its scale and clean outline, not an exact copy of the photo.
The details that make her style work
Goulding’s tattoos appear in different ways in photographs. The rib piece is usually covered; the hand and forearm marks show when she moves or changes sleeves. The placements give the collection a mix of private and visible designs.
The pieces don’t use one subject, but share fine lines and a relatively small scale. A geometric rib design, a sword and a triangle can sit in the same collection without becoming a matching set.
Why her choices feel so personal
Goulding has spoken about tattoos connected to meaningful moments, including music and time on the road. She has also described getting several designs from Dr. Woo after being introduced to his work at Coachella. Those are the clearest personal details attached to the collection; the photos alone don’t explain every mark.
A small tattoo doesn’t need a public explanation to matter to its owner. The image can stay simple while its reason belongs to a particular period or experience.
Ideas to borrow without copying
If you like Goulding’s style, pick the quality you want to carry over: the rib piece’s geometry, the scale of the hand marks or the triangle’s red outline. Then ask an artist to draw a version for your body and the size you have in mind.
Hand tattoos need extra thought because they wear differently from designs on the arm or thigh. For any fine-line piece, check that the main shape remains clear at its final size, and consider how it will sit beside jewellery, sleeves or a watch.
Final thoughts on Ellie Goulding’s collection
Goulding’s tattoos show how different designs can share a light line and small scale without following one theme. Use the photos to identify what you like, then build a design around your own placement and reason for getting it.