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- The Meaning Behind Lourdes Leon's Bold Tattoos
The Meaning Behind Lourdes Leon's Bold Tattoos
Getty / PATRICK T. FALLON
- Lourdes Leon has 11 known tattoos so far.
- She has a handful of designs scattered along her arms, fingers, and chest.
- Some tattoos are tributes to her family, while others are more elusive.
Leon Lourdes “Lola” Leon’s rebellious sense of beauty has been all over her latest public appearances. From her latest campaigns for Calvin Klein and Swarovski to Kim Kardashian’s Skims Swim pop-up shop celebration and the Versace Runway at Spring/Summer 2022 Milan Fashion Week, Leon is unafraid to draw attention to her body hair or her stark black tattoos.
The model, actor, and daughter of Madonna and Carlos has spoken openly about wanting to be known for more than her looks and is hoping to change the fashion industry so models can take control of their choices – and that extends to her collection of body art.
Leon first made tabloid headlines when she got her first tattoo at the age of 19, and she continued with 10 more pieces over the course of 6 years. She debuted her latest tattoo in March 2022: the word “divina” (the Spanish word for “divine”) in a block font, inked high on the back of her upper left thigh with two simple stars. Many have speculated that the tattoo is a nod to her Cuban roots, but that is not certain. While many of her designs are more obvious, she has been surprisingly mum about many of her tattoos.
Still, we’ve rounded up Leon’s collection of bold tattoos and their meanings ahead.
Getty / David M. Benett
Lourdes Leon's Mercy Tattoo
One of Leon’s first tattoo was the word “Mercy” in a plain script on her left bicep. This tattoo is for her sister Chifundo “Mercy” James, who Madonna adopted in Malawi in 2009.
Getty / Gilbert Carrasquillo
Lourdes Leon's Mom Tattoo
Leon has a tribute tattoo to her mother, Madonna. M-O-M is split across the middle three fingers of her right hand.
Getty / Paul Morigi
Lourdes Leon's Dad Tattoo
During the same session, Leon also got the word D-A-D tattooed across the knuckles of the middle three fingers of her left hand for her father, actor Carlos Leon.
Getty / Karwai Tang
Lourdes Leon's Butterfly Tattoos
Leon has two butterfly tattoos on the left side of her chest. While she has given no indication what this design means to her, butterflies often symbolise transformation and spiritual rebirth.
Getty / Kevin Mazur
Lourdes Leon's Devil and Heart Tattoos
Leon has a tattoo of a devil holding a pitchfork on right bicep. On her right thigh, you can also see her heart ink. She has not revealed the meaning behind either tattoos.
Getty / Dimitrios Kambouris
Lourdes Leon's David and RR Tattoo
Above Leon’s inner left elbow is the thick block letter name “David.” This is for her brother, David Banda who Madonna adopted in Malawi in 2006. On Leon’s outer left forearm is a tattoo of two interlocking R’s. This is the logo for the luxury car company Rolls-Royce.
Getty / John Lamparski
Lourdes Leon's Baby Tattoo
Leon has a tattoo on her right forearm that resembles a blank baby face with ears and a single curl of hair. She has not spoken about the meaning behind this tattoo.
