Curious about Adam Levine’s tattoo journey so far? We explain the backstories behind is awesome tattoo collection.
Adam Levine is the lead singer from the band Maroon 5 and former judge from TV show ‘The Voice’.
Levine’s career has been highly successful, he is a three-time Grammy Award winner and has topped the charts several times with Gold and Platinum albums.
Other than music, Levine has found a career within the luxury real estate industry and it is believed he currently owns just over $100 million in property across Los Angeles.
Adam is extremely interested in body art and started his inking journey at the age of 21.
Now 20 years later his body art collection has grown dramatically, and we are going to find out the truth behind the Adam Levine tattoo meanings.
Guitar Tattoo
Tattoo: A Guitar covers a portion of his left forearm.
Interpretation: Not only is Levine a fantastic singer, but he is also an amazing guitarist. As a tribute to his love of music, he got this guitar inked.
Tiger Tattoo
Tattoo: The Tiger is inked either side of his elbow.
Interpretation: This Adam Levine tiger tattoo “Was inspired by my love of this amazing book of Tibetan drawings” according to PEOPLE. In Japanese traditions, a tiger going down represents ambitions and determination. Levine also got his ‘Black Bead’ tattoo from Japan.
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‘222’ Tattoo
Tattoo: The number 222 is found on his inner left forearm.
Interpretation: This is the number of Maroon 5’s first ever recording studio. It is the place where it all began for Adam Levine’s music career.
Eagle Tattoo
Tattoo: An Eagle inked on his upper torso.
Interpretation: When asked as to why he got this Eagle tattoo Levine told PEOPLE, “Tattoos wind up being this strange road map or narrative over the years. They always remind me of this long, weird, awesome journey life has been.”
Paw Print Tattoo
Tattoo: A Paw Print is featured on Levine’s right shoulder blade.
Interpretation: Adam Levine got a paw print with the name Frankie Girl as a tribute to his Golden Retriever, who died. This tattoo has since been covered.
Sanskrit Tattoo
Tattoo: On the left side of his upper chest is Sanskrit.
Interpretation: In Sanskrit this tattoo means ‘Tapas’, the name covers several spiritual practices, many of which originate from the Indian regions.
Roman Numeral ‘X’ Tattoo
Tattoo: Roman Numeral X on his left inner bicep.
Interpretation: As part of a tribute for the 10th anniversary of the Maroon 5 Band, Levine got an X to mark the occasion.
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‘MOM’ and Heart Tattoo
Tattoo: His right forearm has ‘Mom’ with a Heart.
Interpretation: Adam Levine’s mother is not a fan of his body art. He told PEOPLE that it was “a last ditch effort to gain my mother’s approval….She hates this one slightly less than the others”.
Dove and Cherry Blossoms Tattoo
Tattoo: A Dove with Cherry Blossoms is on his left upper arm.
Interpretation: The Dove was Adam Levine’s first tattoo at age 21. It was inked just after 9/11 and is surrounded by cherry blossoms. It shows Levine’s solidarity with the victims of the tragedy.
‘Los Angeles’ Tattoo
Tattoo: Levine’s right shoulder reads Los Angeles.
Interpretation: When Levine was asked by PEOPLE, in 2013, as to why he got this tattoo he said, “Simple case of hometown love. Not many people were born and raised in LA. Gotta wear that badge of pride.”
Shark Tattoo
Tattoo: A Shark is found to the right side of his torso.
Interpretation: Adam Levine told PEOPLE in 2013, “I’ve always had a strange fascination with sharks. I actually think they are the most fascinating creatures on earth. I guess the tattoo had something to do with that”.
Sun and Flowers Tattoo
Tattoo: Sun and flowers on the right upper chest area.
Interpretation: The sun is often symbolic of the mind and its intelligence and is normally inked with animals and flowers, just like Levine’s.
Pin-up Girl Tattoo
Tattoo: A Pinup Girl used to be on his left shoulder blade.
Interpretation: It is no secret that Levine loved women. In 2012, he told Details magazine “Maybe the reason I was so promiscuous, and wanted to sleep with a lot of them (women), is that I love them so much.” Now a married man, Levine has had this piece completely covered.
Pin up girl tattoos are the focus of our latest design guide.
Black Beads Tattoo
Tattoo: Black Beads hanging as if it were a necklace.
Interpretation: In an interview with Inked Mag, Levine said “I was in Japan and I got this necklace…..I’m not sure why I got it – I think I was bored. But I like it.”
Cursive Tattoo
Tattoo: Cursive writing is found along his inner right bicep.
Interpretation: Both Adam Levine and his wife Behati Prinsloo got the words ‘You’re so cool’ inked on their bodies. It is a tribute to the movie ‘True Romance’.
‘TRUE LOVE’ Tattoo
Tattoo: TRUE LOVE is written along his fingers on both hands.
Interpretation: In 2017, Adam got TRUE LOVE tattooed across his fingers as a tribute to his wife Behati Prinsloo.
Mermaid Holding a Skull Tattoo
Tattoo: A Mermaid holding a skull is pictured across Levine’s entire back.
Interpretation: This Adam Levine back tattoo took tattooist Bryan Randolph 6 months to complete. The ink portrays the medieval legends of the sea.
An Ocean with a Ship Tattoo
Tattoo: On Adam’s back behind the mermaid, an ocean and ship can be seen.
Interpretation: Out of the Adam Levine tattoos; this one is the biggest. It took tattooist Bryan Randolph from Spider Murphy’s Tattoo shop 6 months to create. It portrays the mysteries and legends the ocean has to offer.
Lion Tattoo
Tattoo: The image of a Lion is positioned by his abdomen.
Interpretation: Many people ink lions to show courage. Although Adam has never specified as to why he got this tattoo, it is clear he has a love for fierce animals such as tigers, eagles, lions, and sharks.
We go into great detail about lion tattoos in this guide.
‘TRUE LOVE’ with a Rose Tattoo
Tattoo: A hand holding a rose with the words True Love inside, is found towards the left of his chest.
Interpretation: This is one of two True Love tattoos that Levine currently has. It portrays the love Adam has and wants to share.
‘CALIFORNIA’ Tattoo
Tattoo: California has been inked across his torso.
Interpretation: The Adam Levine California tattoo is a tribute to the state he grew up in. He also has Los Angeles inked on his skin which is the actual city where he was raised.
Butterfly Tattoo
Tattoo: A Butterfly is pictured on the left side of his body.
Interpretation: A butterfly tattoo shows transformation and faith. Levine has made some significant transformations, most importantly getting married and starting a family.
See more butterfly style tattoos in our guide.
‘D • R’ Tattoo
Tattoo: The initials D.R are positioned near his heart.
Interpretation: These are initials for Adam Levine’s eldest daughter, Dusty Rose. He got the tattoo just after his wife, Behati Prinsloo gave birth to their child.
Some fans say it strangely looks like the word ‘BRO’ if you use his nipple as an ‘O’.
Middle and Last Name Tattoo
Tattoo: Adam’s middle and last name is found on the left side of his body.
Interpretation: Adam inked his middle name Noah, which also happens to be his mother’s maiden name, along with his surname ‘Levine’. The tattoo shows he is proud of who he is.
Female Centaur Face Tattoo
Tattoo: A Female Centaur face is on his right hip.
Interpretation: Female Centaurs are depicted in Ancient Greek and Roman-era mosaics. They were creatures with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse and portray the strength and loyalty of a warrior.
