If there’s anything we know about Rihanna, it’s that she’s big fan of tattoos and body art. In fact, the singer’s most recent piece of ink had the entire internet – or at least those of us who spend way too much time on it – in a frenzy thanks to its slightly awkward undertone. Back in June when she was spotted out in New York City during a date night with her boyfriend A$AP Rocky, fans noticed that her new tattoo, a crown on her left ankle, was actually a cover up for what was previously there: a camouflage shark that she once got with Drake.
According to E! News, Rihanna went to New York City’s Bang Bang Tattoo in 2016 to get the shark as a reference to one of her dates with the rapper, during which her took her to an aquarium in Toronto and bought her a toy shark. (He reportedly has the same design on his arm.) While the circumstances surrounding her new tattoo are maybe a bit awkward, she has over a dozen others that are pretty meaningful as well, and they’re just as sick.
If you’ve ever wondered what each of them means, keep reading as we take you through a guide to Rihanna’s tattoos.
Getty / Gotham
Rihanna's Crown Tattoo
It’s not clear exactly when Rihanna made the decision to cover up the matching tattoo she got with Drake, but when she did, she opted for a crown that wraps halfway around her ankle.
Getty / Taylor Hill
Rihanna's Star Tattoo
Rihanna has the outline of a star tattooed on the inside of her ear that’s slightly faded over time.
Getty / James Devaney
Rihanna's "Rebelle Fleur" Tattoo
In 2010, she also got a tattoo of the French term “rebelle fleur,” which translates to “rebel flower.”
Getty / Taylor Hill
Rihanna's "1988" Tattoo
On her right ankle, Rihanna has a tattoo of her birth year, 1988.
Getty / Taylor Hill
Rihanna's Henna and Maori Tattoos
One of Rihanna’s most recognisable tattoos is the one on her right hand, which is a henna-inspired tattoo that she had incorporated into her existing Maori tattoo in 2013. The latter design was a traditional Ta Moko tattoo that was drawn using a chisel, though the henna design, according to E! News, was drawn by tattoo artists Bang Bang McCurdy and Cally-Jo over a period of 12 hours.
Getty / Taylor Hill
Rihanna's Finger Tattoos
Rihanna has the word “love” written out in cursive on her left middle finger, and “shhh” on her pointer finger.
Getty / Alberto Pizzoli
Rihanna's Constellation Tattoo
The singer has a collection of stars that run down the back of her neck to her shoulder.
Getty / Samir Hussein
Rihanna's Roman Numeral Tattoo
On her left shoulder is a Roman numeral tattoo which reads XI IV LXXXVI. The number is the date April 11, 1986, which is the birthday of her best friend, Melissa Forde.
Getty / C Flanigan
Rihanna's Skull Tattoo
On the back of her ankle is a skull with a bow on top. She hasn’t revealed the meaning.
Getty / Jon Kopaloff
Rihanna's Zodiac Tattoo
In honor of her astrological sign, Rihanna has the symbol for Pisces below her right ear.
Getty / Dimitrios Kambouris
Rihanna's Arabic and Nefertiti Tattoos
On the left side of her ribcage, the singer has an Arabic phrase that translates to “Freedom of God” according to Body Art Guru. Above that is a portrait of the Egyptian queen, Nefertiti.
Getty / Mark Davis
Rihanna's Gun Tattoo
On the right side of her ribcage is a gun. She explained to Elle UK back in 2013 that she got it as a “symbol of strength” after being abused in 2009 by her ex-boyfriend, Chris Brown.
“Everybody wanted to know what was happening in my life,” she said. “Is she a drug addict? No. Is she an alcoholic? No. Is she a victim? No. That’s why I got the gun. It was a symbol of strength. I’ll never be a victim.”
