Justin Bieber, a global pop icon, is as well-known for his extensive tattoo collection as he is for his chart-topping hits. Since getting his first tattoo at the age of 16, Bieber has transformed his body into a canvas, accumulating over sixty diverse designs that span his arms, torso, and legs. In his own words, Bieber sees his body art as a testament to his love for art and a deeply personal form of self-expression. Many of his tattoos carry significant spiritual and familial meaning, while others are fun, symbolic, or even shared with his wife, Hailey Bieber. Let’s delve into the comprehensive world of Justin Bieber’s tattoos and explore the stories behind the ink.
Religious Tattoos: Faith Expressed in Ink
Justin Bieber face cross tattoo close up for religious meaning.
Subtle Cross Face Tattoo
Bieber’s face tattoo, a delicate cross near his eye, was a pioneering move in face tattoos. Tattoo artist JonBoy revealed in 2016 that this small cross represents Bieber’s deep faith in Jesus and his spiritual journey. This discreet yet powerful symbol is a constant reminder of his beliefs.
Prominent Chest Cross Tattoo
Perhaps one of his most recognized religious tattoos is the large cross inked boldly in the center of his chest. Bieber himself explained to Vogue that this prominent cross serves as a symbol of his faith and a constant reminder of Jesus’s sacrifice. It’s a powerful declaration of his spiritual foundation, centrally placed for all to see.
“Yeshua” Rib Tattoos
Sharing a bond with his father through ink, both Justin and his dad have the Hebrew name for Jesus, “Yeshua,” tattooed on their ribs. This matching tattoo signifies a shared faith and a family connection rooted in their religious beliefs.
Angel Battle Scene Torso Tattoo
Justin entrusted renowned tattoo artist Bang Bang to create an elaborate angel battle scene across his stomach. This intricate piece depicts two angels overcoming evil, set against a backdrop of a grand cathedral and skeletons. Bang Bang explained the symbolism: the angels represent the positive, dominating the negative demons, a skeleton and a serpent. This gothic art-inspired tattoo embodies the eternal struggle between light and darkness, good and evil, reflecting Bieber’s spiritual perspective.
Psalm 119:105 Back Tattoo
In 2013, Bieber added a verse from Psalm 119:105 across his back: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” This biblical quote is a guiding principle, emphasizing the importance of faith as a guiding light in his life journey.
Jesus Christ Leg Tattoo
In 2012, Bieber chose to depict Jesus Christ on the back of his right leg. This detailed portrait of Jesus is a significant expression of his religious devotion, placed prominently on his lower leg for personal reflection and outward declaration.
Justin Bieber leg tattoo of Jesus Christ and praying hands, showcasing his religious beliefs.
Prayer Hands Ankle Tattoo
Around his left ankle, Bieber sports a pair of praying hands adorned with roses. Praying hands are a classic tattoo symbol of faith and spirituality, and the addition of roses could symbolize love, devotion, or beauty arising from faith.
“Chi” Symbol Arm Tattoo
Integrated into his arm sleeve is the “Chi” symbol, representing Christ. However, Bieber shared with GQ that the “X” also holds a deeper, more enigmatic meaning – the unknown aspects of himself, suggesting that public perception might only scratch the surface of his true identity.
Angel Wings Neck Tattoo
On the back of his neck, Bieber has a set of angel wings. Angel wings are a powerful symbol of spirituality, freedom, and protection, often representing a connection to the divine or a guardian angel watching over him.
“Son of God” Rib Tattoo
In 2016, Bieber further solidified his religious commitment by tattooing “Son of God” under his ribs. This bold declaration is a direct and personal affirmation of his relationship with his faith and his place within it.
Music-Inspired Tattoos: A Symphony of Ink
“Purpose” Abdomen Tattoo
In 2015, Bieber confirmed the title of his album by tattooing “Purpose” above his belly button. This tattoo is a direct and permanent announcement of his album’s theme, linking his body art to his musical career and artistic direction.
“Believe” Forearm Tattoo
Marking the release of his first album in 2012, Bieber had its title, “Believe,” tattooed on his forearm. This tattoo is a nostalgic reminder of his early career success and a testament to the belief in himself and his music that propelled him to stardom.
Owl Arm Tattoo
An owl, a recurring motif from his “Believe” era, was also tattooed on his arm in 2012. Bieber explained to GQ that the owl symbolizes wisdom. This tattoo represents a desire for knowledge, insight, and perhaps the wisdom gained throughout his journey in the music industry.
Crown Chest Tattoo
In 2012, Justin added a small crown symbol on his chest. Fans often interpret this as a tribute to the “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson. The crown can symbolize royalty, leadership, and in this context, potentially a homage to a musical idol.
Treble Clef Neck Tattoo
Located behind his left ear on his neck is a treble clef. This musical symbol is a straightforward declaration of his passion for music, subtly placed yet clearly visible, representing the melodic foundation of his life.
Boombox Arm Tattoo
Bieber paid tribute to old-school music with a boombox tattoo. This design is a nod to the history of music, possibly representing the roots of pop culture and the evolution of music that paved the way for artists like himself.
Japanese Kanji “Music” Arm Tattoo
Expressing his global appreciation for music, Bieber has the Japanese Kanji character for “music” tattooed on his arm. This tattoo signifies a universal love for music that transcends language and cultural barriers.
Diamond Wrist Tattoo
The diamond on his wrist is also featured in the album artwork for his “Confident” collaboration with Chance the Rapper. The diamond can symbolize resilience, strength, and preciousness, connecting his body art directly to his musical projects and themes.
Peach Neck Tattoo
To celebrate his single “Peaches” from the “Justice” album, Bieber tattooed a peach on the side of his neck. This recent and playful tattoo is a direct tribute to a specific song and moment in his career, showing a lighter, more whimsical side to his ink.
Family-Oriented Tattoos: Ink Bonds
Bird Hip Tattoo
Justin’s very first tattoo, a tiny outline of a bird in flight on his hip, holds deep family significance. This tattoo symbolizes the seagull from “Jonathan Livingston Seagull,” a fable about striving for more, and is a matching tattoo shared amongst his family members. For Bieber, it represents his ambition to be “more than just a regular person,” seeking extravagance and pushing boundaries.
Roman Numerals Shoulder Tattoo
In 2013, Bieber inked Roman numerals “MCMLXXV” on his shoulder, representing his mother Pattie Mallette’s birth year, 1975. This tattoo is a heartfelt tribute to his mother, a permanent expression of his love and appreciation for her.
Stratford Culliotons Mascot Shoulder Tattoo
Honoring his grandfather, who took him to games, Justin got the Stratford Culliotons junior ice hockey team’s logo tattooed on his shoulder blade. This tattoo is a sentimental nod to his family history and cherished memories with his grandfather, connecting him to his roots and upbringing.
Justin Bieber sleeve tattoo with mom's eye, tiger, castle and knight, reflecting family and personal symbols.
Mom’s Eye Elbow Tattoo
An eye tattooed on his elbow symbolizes that his mother is always watching over him. This protective symbol represents the ever-present maternal gaze and guidance in his life, a comforting and constant reminder of his mother’s love.
Inspirational Word Tattoos: Mantras in Ink
“Forgive” Hip Tattoo
In 2014, during a period of public scrutiny, Bieber tattooed “forgive” on his hip. This tattoo served as a personal message and perhaps a public statement about seeking forgiveness, both from others and for himself, during challenging times.
“Patience” Neck Tattoo
Also in 2014, amidst his on-again, off-again relationship with Selena Gomez, Bieber had “patience” inked down his neck. This word tattoo likely served as a personal reminder to practice patience in relationships and life’s unpredictable moments.
“Trust” Arm Tattoo
The word “trust” is located in the crook of his arm. This tattoo is a personal mantra, encouraging him to maintain trust in himself, in others, and in his journey, especially in moments of doubt or uncertainty.
“LL” Arm Tattoo
The acronym “LL” serves as a reminder to “Lift your head Low,” encouraging a positive perspective even in difficult situations. This uplifting message is a personal philosophy encapsulated in a simple, yet powerful tattoo.
“Grace” Face Tattoo
In 2018, Bieber got “grace” tattooed above his eyebrow. This second face tattoo, as reported by Page Six Style, is a subtle yet significant expression of his belief in grace, possibly divine or personal, and its importance in his life. Hailey Bieber also has a matching “style” tattoo, creating a shared inked bond.
Sparrow and “Forever” Neck Tattoo
In 2019, mirroring Hailey Bieber’s “lover” neck tattoo, Justin got “forever” tattooed under a sparrow. The sparrow, he told Vogue, is a reminder to use his God-given gifts fully and to “fly above all of the bulls—t.” This tattoo combines a romantic element (“forever”) with a personal motivational symbol (sparrow).
“Better at 70” Thigh Tattoo
“I look back at a lot of things in my life, mistakes, insecurities,” Bieber wrote on Instagram when debuting his “Better at 70” thigh tattoo. This forward-looking tattoo is a commitment to personal growth and continuous self-improvement, aiming to be a better version of himself with age and experience.
Miscellaneous Tattoos: An Eclectic Collection
Selena Gomez Portrait Wrist Tattoo
Perhaps his most talked-about tattoo is a portrait of ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez on his wrist, inspired by an Elle magazine photoshoot and given angel wings. Despite attempts to alter it, the portrait’s origin remains recognizable, marking a significant past relationship.
Justin Bieber Selena Gomez tattoo portrait on wrist, a controversial and adapted design.
Bear, Lion, and Eagle Torso Tattoos
One of Bieber’s largest tattoo undertakings in a single session is the torso-spanning portraits of an eagle and a bear, quickly followed by a lion on the opposite side of his chest, integrated with his crown tattoo. These animal tattoos are deeply symbolic: the bear represents rest and the importance of hibernation for humans too; the lion symbolizes boldness, courage, and strength.
Eagle, Tiger, and Koi Fish Arm Tattoos
On his left upper arm, Bieber has a second, larger eagle, along with a large tiger and a koi fish, adding to his menagerie of animal symbolism. These powerful creatures each hold cultural and personal meanings, further enriching his arm sleeve’s narrative.
Castle and Knight Arm Tattoos
A castle and knight are also part of Bieber’s intricate arm sleeve. These classic tattoo images evoke themes of strength, protection, and perhaps a personal sense of chivalry or safeguarding what’s important to him.
Mismatched Sleeve Tattoos
While both arms are fully sleeved, the themes are intentionally mismatched, showcasing a variety of images: an eight ball, Banksy’s “Balloon Girl,” Boo from Super Mario Brothers, a compass, a Korean mask, fish scales, the letter “G” (for Georgia Veach), a bleeding globe on a cross, a shooting star, a graffiti star, an angel wing, and more. This eclectic mix reflects a diverse range of influences and personal interests. Notably, his right outer arm features an angel holding a clock with a rose motif, a significant and detailed piece added in 2018.
Joker Arm Tattoo
Fans speculate that a jester tattoo is a jab at the press for negative portrayals. This potentially satirical tattoo might represent his feelings about media scrutiny and misrepresentation.
Justin Bieber joker jester tattoo on arm, speculated to be a jab at the press.
“Make ’em Pay” Arm Tattoo
In 2018, Bieber matched Hillsong Church pastor Carl Lentz with a tattoo of two guns and the words “make ’em pay.” This controversial tattoo, inked on his inner bicep, signifies a bond with Lentz and potentially a shared, though debated, philosophy.
Laurel Wreath Neck Tattoo
Earlier this year, Bieber added a laurel wreath around his neck. The laurel wreath is a classic symbol of victory, triumph, and honor, possibly representing personal achievements or overcoming challenges.
Rose Neck Tattoo
Bieber’s most recent tattoo is a large rose rising from his collarbone up his neck. He explained that this rose, done by Dr. Woo, reminds him that “even though I’m flawed, beauty shines even through our rough edges.” This tattoo is a powerful metaphor for finding beauty in imperfection and resilience.
Justin Bieber’s tattoos offer a fascinating glimpse into his personal beliefs, values, and journey. From deeply spiritual symbols to family tributes and artistic expressions, each tattoo tells a part of his story, making his body a living autobiography in ink.
