Ed Sheeran, the globally acclaimed singer-songwriter, is as famous for his extensive and eclectic tattoo collection as he is for his chart-topping hits. Covering a significant portion of his arms, Ed’s tattoos are more than just skin art; they are a vibrant tapestry telling the story of his life, career, and passions. If you’re fascinated by Ed Sheeran’s tattoos and eager to decipher the meanings behind the ink, you’ve come to the right place. This guide delves into the intricate world of Ed Sheeran’s tattoos, offering a comprehensive look at his most prominent pieces and their hidden stories.
Let’s begin our journey exploring the artwork on his lower inside arm and gradually move upwards, focusing on the larger, more defining tattoos that make up the majority of his distinctive lower sleeve.
Starting near the wrist, we encounter a series of leaf tattoos. While the exact meaning remains unconfirmed by Ed himself, a likely interpretation, given his personality, is simply that he appreciated the design and decided to get it inked. This aligns with Ed’s often spontaneous and personal approach to his body art.
Moving upwards from the leaves, you’ll notice areas of red and orange shading. This artistic filler work serves to connect and visually enhance the cluster of smaller tattoos scattered across his arm, creating a cohesive and dynamic sleeve effect.
Next, we arrive at the snowflake and angel wings tattoo. This intriguing combination likely carries multiple layers of meaning. The snowflake could represent his time touring with Snow Patrol in the spring of 2012, or perhaps it’s a nod to the recurring theme of cold weather often mentioned in his songs. However, the Snow Patrol connection seems most probable. The angel wings, on the other hand, are widely believed to be a tribute to his hit song “A-Team.” Interestingly, Ed has also stated that this tattoo symbolizes San Francisco, adding another layer of personal significance.
Continuing our upward exploration, we encounter another set of leaf tattoos. As with the first set, the meaning behind these leaves is open to interpretation, potentially echoing the same sentiment of aesthetic appreciation.
The next prominent tattoo is the collection of puzzle pieces. These aren’t random additions; each puzzle piece represents individuals who are close to Ed, serving as a permanent reminder of the important relationships in his life. This tattoo exemplifies the personal and sentimental nature of much of Ed’s ink.
Following the puzzle pieces, we find a section inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night”. This artwork is a touching tribute to his father and also references Don McLean’s iconic song “Vincent.” The “Starry Night” tattoo is more clearly visible in the image featuring his Chinese symbol tattoo, which we’ll discuss later.
Ed also sports a world map tattoo, a significant piece that commemorates the US release date of his debut album “+,” symbolizing the album’s global reach and impact. This tattoo marks a pivotal moment in his career.
Now, shifting our focus back down towards the wrist, let’s uncover the smaller, often hidden tattoos nestled amongst the larger designs, adding intricate details to Ed’s arm canvas.
First, we have the “+” symbol, a tattoo he’s had for a long time, representing his debut album. Interestingly, he has added a division symbol to this original tattoo, perhaps hinting at his second album “x” (multiply) or simply evolving the original design.
Then there’s the whimsical Puss in Boots tattoo. The reason behind this playful choice? Simply, “because he’s Ed Sheeran and he can.” It’s also said to represent his home in Suffolk, adding a personal touch.
Within the red and orange shading, you can spot a maple leaf tattoo, a clear symbol of Canada, expressing his appreciation for his Canadian fans and experiences in the country.
Ed also has signature tattoos: one reading “Ed Sheeran” and another “Damien Rice,” paying homage to one of his major musical influences. Additionally, the words “your name” are inked, lyrics from his popular song “Wake Me Up,” further connecting his music to his body art.
Deeper within the second cluster of leaf tattoos, a yellow star is visible. The meaning of this star remains unknown, adding an air of mystery to his collection.
Next to the yellow star, a paw print tattoo is present. Paw prints are a recurring motif in Ed’s tattoos and this one is said to represent Los Angeles.
Adjacent to the paw print, the phrase “festina lente” is tattooed. This Latin phrase translates to “hurry slowly,” a motto reportedly shared with him by Elton John, which resonated with Ed. You can explore the full meaning of “festina lente” here.
A simple heart tattoo also finds its place among the collection, its meaning currently unknown, leaving fans to speculate its personal significance.
On the opposite side of the paw print, a handprint tattoo is visible. While its exact meaning is unconfirmed, some speculate it relates to his song “Small Bump.” It is known to represent Kansas.
The playful Lego head tattoo is a testament to Ed’s love for Lego bricks and represents Austin, Texas.
A number “5” tattoo is present, potentially referencing his EP “No. 5 Collaborations Project,” though unconfirmed. It is known to symbolize Las Vegas.
Above the “5,” we find pause, play, rewind, fast forward, and stop symbols. This clearly music-themed tattoo represents his passion and profession. It also symbolizes Utah.
Returning to the image of the world map tattoo, you can also glimpse his goat tattoo. Ed has explained this quirky tattoo as a tribute to one of his favorite eateries known for its excellent milkshakes.
The distinctive tiger stripes, composed of three separate tattoos interwoven with other designs, add a bold element. Their meaning is open to interpretation – perhaps a playful nod to his ginger hair or simply an appreciation for tigers.
In this image, we can also see red stars outlined in yellow. The meaning behind these stars remains another unsolved piece of the Ed Sheeran tattoo puzzle.
Moving upwards to his upper arm, we notice a visual separation from the lower arm, resembling a string or twine, creating a distinct boundary between the tattoo sections.
The koala tattoo clearly represents Australia, commemorating his time and experiences in the land Down Under.
Next, we find what appears to be a Chinese symbol, which, somewhat humorously, represents Japan. The speculated meaning of the symbol is “yes” or “correct.”
The kiwi bird tattoo is, unsurprisingly, a symbol of New Zealand, celebrating his connection with the country.
And then there’s the ketchup bottle tattoo. This is exactly what it seems – a tribute to his love for ketchup.
Above the kiwi, a large block-style quote is inked. These are lyrics from “Everything Is Borrowed” by The Streets. Written in Mark Skinner’s handwriting, it reads: “I came to this world with nothing And I leave with nothing but love Everything else is just borrowed.” This quote stands out as a particularly meaningful and poignant piece.
The image above showcases another quote tattoo on the underside of his upper arm, this time from a Bon Iver song, “Re: Stacks.” Inked in Bon Iver’s handwriting, it reads: “Everything that happens is from now on.” This tattoo reflects his appreciation for Bon Iver’s music.
On the underside of his upper arm, Ed has a tattoo of the “Prince” logo from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” one of his favorite TV shows, often mentioned in interviews. This is also a friendship tattoo with Rizzle Kicks; one member has “fresh,” and the other has “on the playground is where I spent most of my days.” This tattoo also represents Philadelphia, referencing the show’s iconic theme song: “West Philadelphia born and raised, on the playground is where I spent most of my days.”
On his elbow (a notoriously painful spot!), we find the symbol for his friend Random Impulse, accompanied by flames. He also has a Pingu tattoo, simply because it brings him joy. This is another friendship tattoo, with Harry Styles sporting a matching “Pingu” tattoo.
The “Meow” tattoo was spontaneously done by Phoebe (pictured next to him) live on TV in Canada.
Finally, a small star tattoo on his elbow matches one that his cousin, Jethro, also known as Alonestar, has.
This detailed exploration covers the majority of Ed Sheeran’s visible tattoos. While there might be smaller or newer additions that we’ve missed, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of his most significant ink. As Ed continues to add to his collection, we’ll strive to update this guide, keeping you informed about the ever-evolving story told on Ed Sheeran’s skin.
