Celebrities often turn to tattoos to express their spiritual beliefs and connections to mythology. From Bollywood stars to international icons, their inked designs reflect personal philosophies and cultural influences.
Nikitin Dheer’s Tribute to Raavan
Actor Nikitin Dheer has recently made headlines for his latest tattoo, dedicated to his iconic role as Raavan in Srimad Ramayan. The elaborate tattoo, located on his right thigh, features a veena and a sword encircled by the phrase ‘eko aham, dwitiyo nasti, na bhuto na bhavishyat’, which translates to ‘there is only one of me, none other like me, neither in the past nor in the future.’ While Dheer’s tattoo symbolizes his deep connection to the mythological demon-king, it has sparked controversy. Critics have raised concerns about the inclusion of the veena, often associated with Goddess Saraswati, in his design. Despite the backlash, Dheer remains steadfast in his tribute, highlighting how celebrities frequently draw from Indian mythology and spirituality to express their personal philosophies.
Sanjay Dutt’s Divine Ink
Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt is known for his affinity for tattoos, boasting six inked designs. His most prominent tattoo is a portrait of Lord Shiva on his left arm, accompanied by the inscription ‘Om Namah Shivay,’ reflecting his spiritual devotion.
Ajay Devgn’s Spiritual Ink
Ajay Devgn’s first tattoo, a depiction of Lord Shiva on his chest, was influenced by his friend Sanjay Dutt. The actor got the tattoo while filming for All The Best, solidifying his connection to the divine symbol.
Mandira Bedi’s Tattoo Transformation
Mandira Bedi’s initial tattoo, ‘Ik Onkar’ in Punjabi script, was replaced in 2014 after facing criticism. The original design, which faced moral objections, was covered with an African saying meaning ‘God is great,’ flanked by wings symbolizing freedom.
Esha Deol’s Spiritual Symbols
Esha Deol has two spiritually significant tattoos: lines from the Gayatri Mantra on her upper right back and an Om symbol on her left shoulder, reflecting her deep connection to spirituality.
Esha Deol’s tattoos include a Gayatri Mantra inscription as well as the word Om
Miley Cyrus and Vanessa Hudgens Embrace Om
Miley Cyrus’s tattoo of the ‘Om’ symbol on her left wrist aligns with her spiritual interests. Similarly, Vanessa Hudgens has an ‘Om’ tattoo that becomes visible when she prays, merging her faith with her art.
Rihanna’s Controversial Sanskrit Tattoo
Rihanna’s 2007 Sanskrit prayer tattoo, intended to convey ‘forgiveness, honesty, suppression, control,’ became controversial due to translation errors. The tattoo, which ended up with several inaccuracies, sparked considerable debate.
Kimberly Wyatt’s Prayer for Happiness
Former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt has ‘Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu’ inked on her body. Although styled in Devanagari script, the tattoo is phonetically written in English, translating to ‘may everyone in the whole world be happy.’
Special Mentions
Jessica Alba’s ‘Padma’ in Devanagari script on her wrist may reference Goddess Lakshmi, while Katy Perry’s ‘Annugacchati Pravaha’ (meaning ‘go with the flow’) was a matching tattoo with her former husband Russell Brand. Adam Levine’s ‘Tapas’ in Devanagari on his chest and Brittany Snow’s ‘Abhay’ (meaning ‘fearless’) on her ankle also add to the list of celebrities incorporating spiritual elements into their tattoos.
