Superstar former footballer David Beckham has long been a champion to tattoo enthusiasts worldwide. What are the hallmarks of David Beckham tattoos?
In the world of professional soccer there are few names that carry as much weight as David Beckham. A former superstar football player for some of the greatest clubs in history—Manchester United, Real Madrid, and LS upstarts the Los Angeles Galaxy —Beckham has surpassed the limits of the sport and moved onto the stage of international celebrity.
Often seen jet setting around the globe—in the stands at Wimbledon one day, on the beaches of the Caribbean the next—Beckham has become one of the celebrity tattoo elite. Given his penchant for popping off his shirt at the beach or after an impressive goal, the latest tattoo in the Beckham collection has become as much a topic of conversation as his many exploits on and off the field.
David Beckham’s tattoo numbers…Over 50!
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Beckham is also partly famous for his wild sense of style, from bespoke suits and interesting sartorial choices to the rotating interpretations of his quirky facial hair. However, it is the retired footballer’s collection of tattoos that many people most commonly associate with Beckham.
With over 50 different tattoos in total across a body forever gracing magazine pages, Beckham is no stranger to the hum of the machine – there’s always a new tattoo around the corner. Here we will take a look at some of his most prominent pieces and decipher what these tattoos mean.
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Tattoos for the family
Many of Beck’s tattoos commemorate his loving family. Married to Victoria Beckham of Spice Girl fame, with four children (all of whom have been inked to spots on Dad’s body) the importance of family to David is on full display.
Beckham’s eldest son is named Brooklyn, and David has his name across his lower back in a bottom-rocker position utilizing a classic Gothic script. At the base of his neck David has his second son’s name Romeo, once again in Old Gothic script, sitting above an existing back piece. Cruz, the name of his third son is placed below this existing work in—you guessed it—black and gray Gothic script.
On his left hand he has his a tribute to wife Victoria’s name that uses a stylized cursive script that recalls Chicano lettering. On the left side of Beckham has a neck tattoo in more stylized Chicano script, this time dedicated to daughter Harper.
A Guardian Angel
Inked way back in the year 2000, the large back tattoo at the center of his children’s names originally started as a black and gray figure with outstretched arms. David’s tattoo originally symbolized the idea of a free spirit that was important to the athlete’s world view at the time. As life carried on David matured and started a family, the significance of the figure changed. Beckham added large, feathered wings to complete the guardian angel watching over him and his loved ones.
A Man of faith
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As we can see, besides his family the other common theme throughout Beckham’s extensive body art is his religion and Christian faith.
One prominent piece is the black and gray depiction of Jesus on his way to crucifixion. Employing a subtle use of shading this tattoo based on Mathew R. Brooks’ famous painting “Man of Sorrow” and placed prominently on Beckham’s right ribcage. The tattoo is believed to be a memorial to his late grandfather Joe West after his passing and he eventually added a block of script from a Bible verse above the figure.
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Beck’s has another neck tattoo along his spine, a winged cross completed by London based tattoo artist Louis Malloy, in the midst of the 2004 UEFA Championships.
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Beckham has a variety of pieces that utilize religious imagery and a black and gray approach on his right arm, notably a Templar cross on his wrist and a stylized, black and gray angel on his upper arm that features the script, “In the face of adversity”.
On the left pec part of his chest, Beckham flaunts a scene that depicts Jesus being carried to his tomb by three cherubs. Each cherub represents a son and the importance they play in his life. Once again David stays true to his preference for clean black and gray work.
A tribute arm to his wife Victoria
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While not strictly limited to this specific subject matter, many of the tattoos on David’s left arm are in homage to his relationship with wife Victoria. On the inside of left forearm is the Sanskrit tattoo of his wife’s name executed in bold, black ink. David got the Sanskrit piece in 2000, and thanks to the complexities of the language, it has been pointed out that the piece translates to “Vhictoria,” not “Victoria”, although I’m sure Posh Spice doesn’t mind.
Below this script is a quote in Latin translating to: “To love and Cherish” (UT Amem Et Foveam), while on their sixth anniversary the pair got a matching Hebrew tattoo that reads: “I am my beloved and my beloved is mine.”
Also, on Beckham’s left arm is a stylized, nicely detailed pin up interpretation of his wife in a risqué lingerie ensemble that was completed with a delightfully crisp black and gray application, accompanied by the words pretty lady.
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Chinese Script Tattoo
As we have seen, another theme that runs throughout Beckham’s many tattoos is a love of foreign languages and scripts. Applied in 2008 as Beckham was in the midst of pre-season appearances with the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team, David has Mandarin symbols running down the left side of his torso from his armpit to his hip. Using fully saturated black ink and a stylized script, the piece is said to be a Chinese proverb translates to: “Death and life have determined appointments, Riches, and honors depends on heaven.”
Neck Tattoos
Beckham has an interesting array of neck tattoos, with the phrase I love you in cursive nestling amongst a variety of black and gray roses and birds. He also has a rose and stem etched just by his left ear, and the Harper tattoo on the right.
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Just the tip of the iceberg
With well over fifty tattoos and no signs that he is slowing down, David Beckham tattoos commemorate the most important elements in his life. Many of Beckham’s tattoo pieces continue this theme; he even had a small doodle by his youngest daughter Harper inked on the palm of his right hand.
The tattoos covered here provide a glimpse into the star athlete’s tastes and sensibilities, typified by smooth black and gray shading and profound biblical inspiration. With Beckham continuing to collect new and exciting tattoos, there are sure to be new additions to this list at any time.