Global music and fashion icon Rihanna has added a deeply personal piece to her already extensive tattoo collection—one designed not by a professional artist, but by her own children.
The “Diamonds” singer recently visited celebrity tattoo artist Bang Bang (Keith McCurdy) at his New York studio, where she had a new tattoo permanently inked on her body. What makes the piece stand out is not only its placement or style, but the origin of its design: colourful scribbles created by her children, RZA and Riot, and possibly her youngest child, Rocki.
Bang Bang shared the moment with fans in an Instagram post on Friday, May 8, revealing both close-up images and short video clips of the tattoo process. He described the design as something “created by her babies,” highlighting its sentimental value.
“Family tats @badgalriri. Designed by her babies,” the tattoo artist wrote, emphasizing the personal connection behind the artwork.
The final tattoo is an exact replication of the children’s original drawing, which was made using bright markers on paper. The artwork also featured playful “Paw Patrol” stickers, though these were not included in the permanent tattoo design. The finished ink was placed on Rihanna’s lower leg, just behind her knee, making it a subtle yet meaningful addition to her body art collection.
While to an outsider the design may appear like simple childlike doodles, for Rihanna it represents something far more emotional—a permanent reminder of her children’s creativity and presence in her life. The singer, known for keeping her family life relatively private, has increasingly shared glimpses of motherhood since welcoming her children.
Rihanna is no stranger to tattoos. Over the years, she has built an impressive collection of approximately 25 pieces, each with its own story or cultural significance. Many of her tattoos have also been done by Bang Bang, who is widely recognized for working with high-profile celebrities.
Among her most well-known tattoos is a Pisces symbol located behind her right ear, reflecting her zodiac sign. On her left ear, she has a small star outline. Her body art also includes a Sanskrit prayer inked on her right hip and a trail of stars cascading from the back of her neck down her spine, creating one of her more visually striking designs.
Another significant piece is an Egyptian-inspired image of the Goddess Isis, which sits across her ribcage, symbolizing protection and motherhood. She also has her birth year, “1988,” tattooed on her right ankle.
One of her more widely discussed tattoos is the phrase “never a failure, always a lesson,” written backwards across her collarbone. The reversed lettering has often drawn attention, adding to its mystique and personal meaning.
Rihanna also has a henna-inspired design on her right hand, which was later blended into an existing traditional Māori tattoo she received during a trip to New Zealand in 2013. The original ta moko-style tattoo was traditionally applied using a chiseling method, a process deeply rooted in Māori cultural practices. She later modified the design with the henna-style overlay, stating she wanted to make it look more visually appealing.
Her latest tattoo continues this pattern of deeply personal expression, but with an even more intimate twist. Unlike her previous pieces, which reflect spirituality, culture, and life philosophy, this one captures a direct emotional bond with her children.
As Rihanna continues to balance global superstardom with motherhood, this latest tattoo serves as a permanent tribute to her family life—turning something as simple as a child’s drawing into lasting art on her skin.
