Ed Sheeran’s Tattoos and What They Mean
Pop star Ed Sheeran has over 60 tattoos, most of which featuring vibrant use of color and a sense of fun. Here we examine a few of the most interesting pieces of Ed’s body art collection and examine their meaning.
While he has hit the big time in recent years by virtue of numerous hit songs and collaborations, Ed Sheeran has been grinding away in the music scene for over fifteen years.
Born in West Yorkshire, England, Sheeran was raised in an artistic house in a “very large” Catholic family. Constantly performing, from church choirs to school productions, Sheeran was often described as a natural and voted most likely “to be famous” by his school classmates in 2004.
Flash forward and Sheeran is one of the largest pop stars on the planet, releasing top charting singles, starting his own record label and appearing on television and in movies. Ed has also gained notoriety for the wildly colorful and expansive collection of tattoos that cover most of his body. According to the man himself, “People say when they see my tattoos that I look like a melted crayon, so that’s interesting. I guess this is just my eight year-old self coming out”.
The following article will take a look at a few of the more prominent pieces in Ed’s collection of more than 60 tattoos.
Lion Chest Tattoo
One of his larger and more dramatic pieces, Sheeran full color lion inked directly in the center of his chest. Using a photo-realistic approach, this is a clean piece contrasting the looser style of many of his other tattoos. He stated that this piece is a tribute to the lifetime achievement of performing at Wembley stadium.
Interestingly enough, Ed caught quite a bit of flak from fans over this piece, although he isn’t too concerned. According to an interview with Ellen DeGeneres: “I feel like this is every part of my career put into one, and I think it looks cool and I don’t really care if anyone else does too.”
Mother and Child Tattoo
Another deeply meaningful tattoo for Sheeran is the simple, black outline of two figures—a mother and child—embracing each other. While the significance of this piece is fairly straightforward, as often is the case, Ed provides a bit more insight into the motivation behind this simple design applied by Henri Matisse.
“It was the first thing I bought with a paycheck for my mom. I bought her a drawing of mother and child.”
Family Tree Tattoo
Prominently displayed on the bicep of his right arm, Sheeran has a black ink tree that is applied using an illustrative style that is reminiscent of wood block printing. While Ed hasn’t been directly quoted regarding this specific piece, the prominent role that his family plays in his life and art leaves little doubt about the significance of this family tree. He debuted this piece on Instagram way back in 2013.
Teddy Bear Tattoo
Placed on his right bicep slightly to the left of his family tree piece is a cull color teddy bear reminiscent of classic Saturday morning cartoons. It is a well-executed piece fitting in perfectly with the playful aesthetic that runs throughout many of his tattoos. Sheeran has responded to questions about the teddy’s significance, stating that it is an ode to his childhood nickname, “Teddy”.
Kool Guy Tattoo
This tattoo looks like it could have been done in the basement of a high school house party, although like many of Sheeran’s pieces, the story behind this tattoo trumps its artistic skill. In 2015, John Mayer was guest-hosting on the Late Late Show, and the two decided to design tattoos for each other that they would reveal to the world live on television.
The results are downright precious: Sheeran ended up with this simple script pointing up to this “Teddy” while Mayer got a cat’s face that could come straight out of an elementary school notebook.
Puzzle Pieces Tattoo
Forming a multi-colored band around his left forearm, Sheeran has a number of puzzle pieces. He has stated each represents a friend that has had a special or significant effect on his life. Ed has also said that he wishes to continue this tradition and keep adding more puzzle pieces as he meets more interesting and ink-worthy friends.
Heinz Ketchup Tattoo
One of many tongue in cheek tattoos that show off just how irreverent and funny Sheeran is, his Heinz Tomato Ketchup is surprisingly clean for a joke tattoo. Located on his left bicep and facing forward, the lines are perfectly straight and the script is even and balanced. After getting this tattoo while on tour in Ohio in 2012, he tweeted: “No one is too good for ketchup. Ketchup is too good for you.”
Leave it to Sheeran to keep the joke running: in 2019 Heinz released 150 limited edition “Ed Sheeran X Heinz” bottles. Sheeran donated all proceeds to charity.
Pop Culture References
Ed uses his tattoos as a way to pay tribute to different factors and elements that have shaped his life, and given his age, it isn’t surprising that films and television have made appearances in his body art. Ed has two pieces that have origins in the classic kid’s film Shrek.
The first, near his left wrist, is a full color depiction of Puss in Boots, all saucer eyes and curled feet. He has said this piece relates to his song “Wake Me Up” where he references Shrek, plus “I just like cats,” he explained. Also on his left arm, near the bicep, Ed has a Gingerbread man, another tribute to the Big Green Ogre franchise.
Finally, on his inside left bicep is “Prince” applied in a graffiti style that is pulled directly from the classic Will Smith TV show Fresh Prince of Bel-Aire. Sheeran hasn’t been shy about his love for this show, often mentioning it in interviews. He got this piece while on tour in Philadelphia in 2012.
Lego Head
One of his most identifiable pieces is Sheeran’s small lego head tattoo inked onto his left forearm. Close by that one is a cool Japanese symbol in red ink, and a bear paw now joined by the kaleidoscope of colors that make up the singer’s killer custom sleeve sets.
There Will Always be More
Ed Sheeran has become an international sensation, and most remarkably, he maintains his down home attitude, sense of humor and humble roots. Ed is the first to laugh at himself, and his collection of irreverent and wildly colored tattoos perfectly sum of his one of a kind personality.