Celebrities, just like anyone else, get tattoos for different reasons: to remember, to celebrate, for style, or even just because they like it. But behind some of their ink, there are intriguing stories that fans might not know just by looking at the tattoos. Check out these celebrities with tattoos that hold surprising meanings and became truly symbolic for fans!
Sam Smith
In 2015, Smith shared a cool Instagram post featuring a photo of parallel lines. He explained that the tattoo was inspired by one of the oldest tattoos ever found on a mummified body buried alone in the ice.
Billie Lourd
Lourd recently showed off a space-inspired tattoo on her ankle. It seems like a tribute to her mother, the legendary “Star Wars” actress Carrie Fisher, who had a similar tattoo. It’s a touching way for Lourd to remember her beloved mom.
Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa’s favorite tattoo is the one that says, “Sunny Hill.” The singer shared that it’s the neighborhood in Kosova where her parents grew up. The name later became the foundation and festival she is involved in. This tattoo holds a special place in her heart as it reminds her of her roots and the reason, she’s passionate about her work.
SZA
SZA has a meaningful back tattoo with ancient symbols that existed before religion. She shared a photo on Instagram in December 2019, featuring a star with six symbols. When her followers asked about its significance, she explained that the heart chakra symbol is at the center, the lotus at the bottom symbolizes growth and purification, the whole circle represents the infinite, and the clockwise spiral is the oldest known symbol representing constant flow and transformation. It’s a beautiful and thoughtful tattoo with deep meaning!
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus got her first tattoo on her rib cage, and her mom, Tish Cyrus, drew the text for it. She revealed that the tattoo is a tribute to her close friend who passed away from cystic fibrosis and her grandfather who lost his battle with lung cancer. Miley shared with Harper’s Bazaar that the tattoo is a constant reminder not to take things for granted, especially something as simple as breathing. She placed it near her heart, so her friend and grandfather will always be with her in her heart. It’s a touching and meaningful way for Miley to honor their memory.
Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie got a special tattoo on her forearm with Roman numerals “XIII V MCMXL.” It’s a tribute to one of Winston Churchill’s speeches. The Roman numerals stand for 13/5/1940, the date when Churchill delivered his famous speech, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.” In addition to that, the actress has the words “toil” and “tears” tattooed on the inside of her arms. These tattoos are meaningful to Angelina, and they serve as a reminder of the powerful words spoken by Winston Churchill during a crucial moment in history.
Dax Shepard
Dax Shepard got a special tattoo on his ring finger after marrying Kristen Bell. Instead of a traditional wedding band, he chose to have a bell tattooed on his finger. He explained on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2014 that he doesn’t like wearing jewelry but wanted a way to show he’s taken. Kristen’s last name, “Bell,” gave him the perfect idea for the tattoo. It’s a unique and meaningful way for Dax to symbolize his commitment to Kristen.
Lily Collins
Lily Collins has a lovely foot tattoo that says, “The nature of this flower is to bloom.” She shared that it serves as a beautiful reminder for her. Every time she walks or runs, she looks down at it, and it inspires her to keep growing, facing challenges, and embracing the tests that life brings. It’s a meaningful tattoo that represents personal growth and strength for the actress.
Blake Shelton
During an appearance on “Oprah’s Next Chapter,” Blake Shelton and Adam Levine had a fun discussion about tattoos. Levine joked that Shelton had a tattoo of ladybugs on his arm, but Shelton clarified that he wanted deer tracks instead. He admitted he wasn’t sober when he got the tattoo. Shelton explained that neither of them knew how to draw deer tracks, so he tried his best to make one. Levine ended up copying his drawing for the tattoo. Shelton even shared that he tried to fix it later by adding more ink, like barbed wire, to distract from what he referred to as “Sugar Smacks” or “coffee beans” that he ended up with. It’s a lighthearted and humorous story about their tattoo adventures, and it shows how tattoos can sometimes turn into funny memories.
