Johnny Depp started getting tattoos at a young age and although it is unsure exactly how many tattoos he has, both the media and fans have as much fascination for Johnny's tattoos as Johnny Depp with at least 14 noted to be on his body. He was one quoted as saying “My body is a journal in a way. It's like what sailors used to do, where every tattoo meant something, a specific time in your life when you make a mark on yourself, whether you do it yourself with a knife or with a professional tattoo artist.”
Johnny's early tattoos each have a special meaning related as shown on his left upper he has two tattoos one of his mother Betty Sue written inside a heart with a ribbon through the middle where the name of his mother is written. An "Inverted Triangle" seen above the Betty Sue tattoo is considered a symbol associated with women to reveal romantic love. On his right upper arm is a Native American Indian Chief said to represent his cherokee heritage. Wino-forever was reported to be Winona Forever but later he had the "na" removed after his split from Winona Ryder. Later Johnny added more tattoos to honor his family.
It is not known if Johnny does actually have a tattoo for Vanessa specifically but he does have tattoos for both his children Lily-Rose and Jack. Lily-Rose is inscribed on his chest above his heart and Jack is shown on his right forearm. More recently in 2009 Johnny was seen with a new tattoo on the inside of his left upper arm showing "Three Hearts". During an Interview he was asked what the significance was for the hearts "he pointed to each one in turn saying Vanessa, Lily-rose and Jack".
Johnny's tattoo was a design originally placed on his right arm for his role as Jack Sparrow but later redesigned in honor of his son. The Sparrow or "Swallow" was turned around to give the impression that the bird is flying towards him instead of away from him with his son's name, "Jack".
Interestingly enough the Sparrow or "Swallow" always had a symbolic meaning for sailors because, they were the first sign that land was near and signified safe return. Another fact is that swallows return home every year, no matter where they are and that when they choose a mate it is for life. Although the swallow is known as a symbol of hope for the return home, and of loyalty to one's family each person will have his or her own symbolic interpretation.
It is not known if Johnny does actually have a tattoo for Vanessa specifically but he does have tattoos for both his children Lily-Rose and Jack. Lily-Rose is inscribed on his chest above his heart and Jack is shown on his right forearm. More recently in 2009 Johnny was seen with a new tattoo on the inside of his left upper arm showing "Three Hearts". During an Interview he was asked what the significance was for the hearts "he pointed to each one in turn saying Vanessa, Lily-rose and Jack".
Jack Sparrow To Jack
Interestingly enough the Sparrow or "Swallow" always had a symbolic meaning for sailors because, they were the first sign that land was near and signified safe return. Another fact is that swallows return home every year, no matter where they are and that when they choose a mate it is for life. Although the swallow is known as a symbol of hope for the return home, and of loyalty to one's family each person will have his or her own symbolic interpretation.
Several of his tattoos are more understandable and symbolic to Johnny himself and we may never know the true meaning to all his tattoos. On one ankle is a skull and crossbones with the phrase "death is certain." On his left hand, between the thumb and index finger, you can see the number three. He describes several small squares on his right index finger as a "permanent phone doodle." There is also a question mark "?" symbol on the right inside leg just above the ankle. During the Kustendorf Film Festival In 2010 both of Johnny's inner forearms appeared to have been tattooed with portraits. On his right appears to be an image of a sailor, and the portrait on his left is a woman with a handbag. To date, Johnny has not commented on these additions.
This is what Johnny had to say about the symbol:
Silence Exile Cunning
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
The Brave
The tattoo Johnny has on his right inner arm is a symbol of the brave which has an important meaning for Johnny. If you have seen the film directed by and starring Johnny, then you will recognize the image from the brave which was seen throughout the film. According to Johnny while filming The Brave the production designer "Miljen Kreka Kljakovicfor", found this drawing on a wall in LA and there after it was used as a symbol for the film.
The tattoo Johnny has on his right inner arm is a symbol of the brave which has an important meaning for Johnny. If you have seen the film directed by and starring Johnny, then you will recognize the image from the brave which was seen throughout the film. According to Johnny while filming The Brave the production designer "Miljen Kreka Kljakovicfor", found this drawing on a wall in LA and there after it was used as a symbol for the film.
This is what Johnny had to say about the symbol:
"I suddenly fell for this image. To me, it is the animal human. The ultimate questions of our existence : Where do I go ? What do I do ? What is this all about ? … this kind of eternal confusion. And more than this, this drawing also represents the idea of always questioning the things you do. Never stop questioning. Don't you ever stand without acting, you have to face the things that will happen to you, you have to face off the medias, the governments, the people who pretend they know everything and who say they can hold your life. Questioning, exploring and looking for everything by yourself, that is the key. Never give up."
Silence Exile Cunning
The tattoo on his left inner forearm is the words "Silence Exile Cunning" taken from the book "A portrait of the artist as a young man", written by James Joyce.
"You have asked me what I would do and what I would not do. I will tell you what I will do and what I will not do. I will not serve that in which I no longer believe, whether it call itself my home, my fatherland or my church: and I will try to express myself in some mode of life or art as freely as I can, and as wholly as I can, using for my defence the only arms I allow myself to use . . . silence, exile, and cunning.”This tattoo was first noticed during the Sheila Witkin Concert in Florida 2008. The first images of the tattoo was seen during the MTV Movie Awards in 2008 when Johnny received his awards for Best Comedic Performance for his role as Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. & Best Villain for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The picture above was taken during filming of the Rum Diary.
Desiderta - "desired things'
Although this is not a permanent tattoo of Johnny's it is an Interesting addition to his body art even although it was temporary. Jack Sparrow had this tattoo on his back which was only seen once during a scene in Pirates At Worlds End when he was in Davy Jones Locker. It is said that the words written on his back is a poem called Desiderata by Max Ehrmann written in 1927...
Desiderta meaning "desired things' is a poem written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann.
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
