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Ryan Reynolds’s Tattoo Collection, Unearthed
by
ina bansal
Getty / NBC
With an impressive IMDB page touting numerous blockbuster movies, Ryan Reynolds is one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors and producers. Despite his public persona (and incredible social media trolling), some aspects of the “Deadpool” star’s life are lesser known, including his considerably sizable yet obscure ink collection. The Canadian native has at least eight tattoo pieces to his name, most of which are located on his legs, in addition to the two wrist designs. Given their concealed location, it’s unsurprising that many people aren’t aware of Reynolds’s tattoos.
After committing to ink at a young age, the actor has experienced a love-hate relationship with his tattoos: “I hate them all,” he quipped about his body artwork in 2015. Naturally, he has considered tattoo removal, especially since many of his onscreen jobs require him to spend hours in the makeup chair to conceal his ink. However, the potential pain of undergoing the laser removal procedure has made him hesitant to proceed. “I’d get them all lasered off if it wasn’t hours and hours of brutal pain,” he told The New Yorker. In the same interview, Reynolds humorously mentioned that his wife, Blake Lively, insists that he “should keep them; keep a record of the choices [he’s] made.”
Fans of the actor might have noticed a glimpse of his tattoos in his 2015 drama-comedy, “Mississippi Grind.” His leg tattoos – including a Six of Hearts card – are on full display during one of his scenes. If you’re curious to see and learn more, we’ve outlined most of Reynolds’s tattoos, along with their meanings, ahead.
Getty / Mathew Tsang
Ryan Reynolds’s Canon Wrist Tattoo
On the side of his left wrist, the Canadian native has a cannon tattoo – a nod to his hometown of Vancouver, as he shared in a 2012 interview.
Getty / Aeon
Ryan Reynolds's Leg Tattoos
Ryan Reynolds‘s Coffee Stain Tattoo
Reynolds sports a Dave Matthews Band-inspired coffee stain in red ink on his right thigh, above his knee. Solidifying his massive fan status, this tattoo is an ode to the rock band’s 1998 album cover art of “Before These Crowded Streets.”
Ryan Reynolds’s Fire Dancer Tattoo
Right next to the coffee stain piece, Reynolds pays another tribute to his favorite rock band, DMB, with the group’s iconic logo of a fire dancer in solid black ink.
Ryan Reynolds’s Six of Hearts Leg Tattoo
On the back of his right thigh, Reynolds has a tattoo of the Six of Hearts card, though its significance is still unknown.
Ryan Reynolds’s Old English Calf Tattoo
The backside of Reynolds’s right calf bears a script piece in Old English font. Though it isn’t entirely clear, it appears to spell “Dance and Symphony.”
Ryan Reynolds’s Unidentified Right Leg Tattoos
Several other tattoos occupy Reynolds’s right leg, including a numerical design at the top of his left thigh that appears to read “1234.” Additionally, a long text in small font runs vertically along his right thigh, while another is located above his right knee, slightly overlapping with his coffee stain ink. Given their location and small size, it is difficult to discern the exact wording of these tattoos.
Getty / Mathew Tsang
Ryan Reynolds’s Left Wrist Latin Tattoo
Three Latin phrases – “nosce te ipsum,” “ex animo,” and “dei gratia” – are inscribed horizontally on the inside of Reynolds’s left wrist, which translate to “know thyself,” “from the heart,” and “by the grace of God,” in English, respectively. A couple of tiny stars adorn the small script. Though the ink is hard to see in photos, it’s more clearly visible in this Instagram image.
Ina Bansal is a contributor at PS, where she writes for the Beauty vertical.