When you live your life in the spotlight, making the choice to get a tattoo is a bold move. It’s going to be scrutinized, compared, and talked about, so celebrities better make sure they make wise choices or face a lifetime of documented humiliation. Some celebrities choose to get tattoos that commemorate particular roles from their time as actors.
Others turn to tattoos as a way to showcase their commitment to a significant other or to honor their children. In the case of Beyoncé, she has tattoos that serve both of these purposes, and at least one of her tattoos is a matching set with husband Jay-Z.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z haven’t always shared their relationship
These days, Beyoncé and Jay-Z are among the most famous power couples on the planet, so it’s hard to imagine a time when the pair didn’t proclaim their love from the rooftops. When the pair first started dating, however, they were quiet about it for years.
While the musical duo had plenty of song collaborations over the years that had people speculating that they were more than friends, they refused to confirm the rumors to the public.
When the pair did decide to get married, they did so in a secret ceremony. The 2008 wedding details have only been leaked in small glimpses here and there over the years, so fans have had to piece together a picture of the event.
It took place at Jay-Z’s New York City penthouse and included a guest list of only 40 people, which meant it was mostly family and some very close friends. There was no wedding party. The lucky few who did get chosen to attend were not allowed to bring their phones or to capture the moment with anything other than their memories. One guest did recount it as “a very emotional wedding — lots of crying — and really very spiritual.”
Beyoncé and Jay-Z got matching tattoos
To celebrate their union, Jay-Z and Beyoncé got matching tattoos on their ring fingers. They both sported the Roman numeral for the number four in red ink.
Since they got married on April 4, the symbolic meaning of the tattoo is fairly clear, but the number has even more significance since Beyoncé was born on September 4 and Jay-Z was born on December 4. The Roman numeral — IV — is even part of their daughter Blue Ivy’s name.
Rumors swirled that Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s marriage was falling apart due to infidelity — something that Beyoncé herself captured in her autobiographical album Lemonade. Keen-eyed fans started watching Beyoncé’s finger for signs that she had the famous tattoo removed.
Its faded appearance led to even more speculation that she was in the process of ending her relationship. Perhaps to shut down the rumors or simply to symbolize the renewed strength of her marriage, Beyoncé had the important tattoo reworked.
Instead of red ink, it’s now outlined in a bold black. The number four is still visible, but it looks like it has been combined with a “J,” perhaps in honor of her husband’s name.
Do Jay-Z and Beyoncé have other matching tattoos?
The ring finger tattoos appear to be the only matching ink this couple has gotten. However, Beyoncé does have a few other pieces. Her left hand also sports a subtle knuckle tattoo of three dots that symbolize each of her three children. Looking closely, fans can see that the middle dot is blue (for Blue Ivy) and the top and bottom dots are each black and the same size, for twins Rumi and Sir.
Those who were wondering if Beyoncé was looking to remove her ring finger ink may have been thinking about her past with an unwanted tattoo. When she was 21, the star had an angel she painted herself tattooed on her hip.
While she called the art “beautiful,” she immediately regretted the decision and started the process to have it removed right away. These days, it is nothing but some faint scarring to remind her of rash judgment in her younger years.
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