Anthony Kiedis: arm tattoos
Fifty percent of people later in life want to remove tattoos. Think you ever will?
I’ve never regretted any, and I still want more. It’s beautiful to watch the tattoos grow old and fade and become like worn-in jeans. They’re all representative of times in my life, so I can’t imagine ever wanting to erase any time in my life.
Source: Penthouse January 2002
Credit: Blackie Dammett
Photo showing progression of tattoos
Overview:
Anthony Kiedis has 11 (visible) tattoos:
1. Large back Haida totem/bird tattoo with wings and an orca’s face.
2. An Indian chief at the top of each arm
3. A Celtic style band on each arm
4. A dagger on each arm.
5. A tiger on the inside of his right arm
6. A koi carp (and flower) on the inside of his left arm.
7. The Chili asterisk/star of infinity.
8. Pyramid on his chest.
Inner arm tattoos Picture: Rebecca Billingham
The majority of Anthony’s tattoos are in black ink although the two inner arm ones are coloured and his latest one is just red. His arm tattoos are symmetrical in layout across his both arms with balanced, but not identical, designs. The pyramid tattoo is the odd one out in terms of symmetry.
Many of the designs reflect aspects or stages of his life e.g. his North American heritage (on his maternal side) is reflected in the Indian chieftain designs.
Several of his tattoos were drawn by Hanky Panky (real name Henk Schiffmacher), a tattooist based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, with Kiedis using touring as a chance to fit in visits when possible.
“On our visits to Amsterdam, I had befriended an amazing tattoo artist named Hank Schiffmacher. Hank, also known as Henky Penky*, was an icon of his country-an underground philosopher, artist, Hell’s Angel associate, booze hound, drug hound, girl hound, an absolute rapscallion of Dutch proportions. Over the years, Hank had injected much ink into my skin, and in the process, we’d become close.”
‘Scar Tissue’ Anthony Kiedis with Larry Sloman; page 303
(* It states Henky Penky in ‘Scar Tissue‘, I’ve seen the name given as Henky Panky and Hanky Penky, but Henk Schiffmacher’s website states Hanky Panky. Likewise the website and his book gives his name as Henk (not Hank).
Anthony Kiedis: coloured tattoos on inner forearms (source unknown*)
Anthony Kiedis: Tattoo History
Please note: It’s hard to date Anthony’s tattoos exactly; using photographs can be problematical as the issue date can be different to the time they were taken so unless it’s at recognisable event, photos are not necessarily the best source for dating and there is very little mention of Anthony’s tattoos in his interviews. Unless a reference is given, most of the details below are based on concert videos.
Anthony Kiedis with no tattoos (source unknown*)
First Tattoo: Chief Sitting Bull (upper right arm)
This tattoo was completed sometime between the end of 1987 and the beginning of 1988. There are few videos of this time of sufficient quality to check tattoo details but there’s a video from August 1987 (Arsenio Hall) and Anthony’s arms are definitely bare. There is a video from the following month taken at Vision Skate Escape, LA, on September 20th, showing the tattoo but there are other videos with a later given date that show his arm to still be bare and the Skate Escape video was later re-released with extra footage added so it’s hard to know which video is accurate. However, the tattoo is definitely visible on a confirmed video from February 1988 taken at Eindhoven.
Photo showing first tattoo of Chief Sitting Bull while the second tattoo is being completed. (source unknown*)
Picture: Rebecca Billingham
Second Tattoo: Chief Joseph (upper left arm)
Picture: Rebecca Billingham
This was completed sometime between February 1988 (the same video from Eindhoven shows Anthony’s left arm to be bare) and June 1988 as there’s a clear video from the Pinkpop Festival in The Netherlands showing it (Anthony’s back is clear at this date so work on his back tattoo hasn’t begun at this point).
Third Tattoo? Back Design
In the left corner sits the owner of the emporium, Hank Schiffmacher, his brow furrowed in concentration. A grizzled bear of a man, the Da Vinci of the tattooing world, Hank screes the gun across the back of Antwan. The Red Hot Chili Pepper’s singer remains as impassive as a cliff-face. He’s been here before, knows the pain factor involved. Hank has been working on the massive cubic native-American Indian image on the vocalist’s back over a period of several years.
Source: NME February 1990
The earliest clear evidence for Anthony’s asterisk tattoo is from 1989 so I’m assuming the back tattoo was the next one to be started although it took many sessions for it to be completed. The back tattoo was started sometime after Pinkpop in June 1988 (the video from that concert shows no tattoo) – probably immediately afterwards as Kiedis fitted in visiting to the tattooist while touring in the area.
Picture: Rebecca Billingham
“On that first trip to Holland (around the Pink Pop Festival dates in Finland), however, Kiedis was preparing to endure the fist pricks of the enormous cubic Indian totem image that would eventually engulf his back. Schiffmacher told him it would be the work of many visits, each one time-consuming (up to six hours at a time) and also very painful. Kiedis replied, jokingly, that given his own schedule, it would also take several years.”
Red Hot Chili Peppers By The Way: The Biography by Dave Thompson; page 120-1
People have long speculated on the nature of Anthony’s back tattoo with the most comment interpretation being that it’s a falcon or a thunderbird. In a video from 1996, Anthony stated that it is a design from the north-west Pacific area.
UPDATE: During a discussion about sea mammals during a 2022 podcast with Joe Rogan, Anthony made the comment that the central face is that of an orca:
“Orca’s my guy. That’s what’s on my back… that face in the middle is the Haida interpretation of the orca…”
Anthony made the comment and turned around to show Rogan the tattoo:
Source: Joe Rogan podcast #1884 22nd October, 2022. Time stamp: 58.34-58.53
Fourth Tattoo? Asterisk (wrist, right hand)
This is Anthony’s smallest tattoo but probably the most significant to RHCP fans as it’s the most copied among the fan base. The earliest clear evidence I can find for Anthony’s asterisk tattoo is from early 1989 (but it might have been from the end of 1988; I can’t see it in a video before that then). I’m assuming that work began (if it was not completed) on the back tattoo before this one was started, but that is an assumption. Whenever it was completed, it’s clearly visible on a video from March 1989 (Austin, Texas). It was apparently not the work of Henk Schiffmacher but another artist (possibly because John Frusciante and Anthony got their asterisk tattoos at the same time?):
Roberts*, who tattooed many in the scene over a period of many years later gave Anthony his famous tattoo the band’s asterisk logo on his wrist.
Out in L.A. by Hamish Duncan; page 170. [*Bob Roberts from Spotlight Tattoo on Melrose Avenue, LA].
Fifth Tattoo: Celtic Style Band (upper right arm)
Picture: Rebecca Billingham
Completed early 1990. This tattoo is not visible when the Chili Peppers were playing Kawasaki in January 1990 but it is visible on the footage from the UK TV Jonathan Ross Show in February of that year. The band incorporates a fleur de lys style design. In a video, he states that the design comes from Borneo.
Sixth Tattoo: Dagger (left arm)
Picture: Rebecca Billingham
The next tattoo added was the first of the pair of daggers. I’d always assumed they were of Celtic influence but I’ve read (Kerrang! Legends RHCP Edition) that they are a Maori design symbolizing love.
The tattoo was completed by February 1996 (Madison Square Garden concert) although it seems likely that it was done in/by 1995. A previously unseen video clip has recently emerged that is titled as being from the unreleased Deep Kick documentary which was due for release in 1995.
Seventh Tattoo: Celtic Style Band (upper left arm)
Picture: Rebecca Billingham
This tattoo can clearly be seen at the Fuji Rock Festival in June 1997 (earliest evidence I can find but again, it could have been before this date). It mirrors the band on the other side but features a heart rather than the fleur de lys style design.
Eighth Tattoo: Dagger (right arm)
Picture: Rebecca Billingham
By September 1988, the second dagger has been added. (Stockton concert)
Ninth Tattoo: Tiger (inner right forearm)
(source unknown*)
Apparently added in 2001, symbolizing several things:
“A tiger, added in 2001, was to help him get over the pain of creaking up with his girlfriend, and represents both his Chinese birth sign and the Thai tradition of tigers bringing longevity and protection to the wearer- and he enjoys adding the detail that he is Tony the Tiger, the cartoon cat from the Kellogg’s Frosties add.”
‘Inside the Veins of the Velvet Groove’ by Martin Roach
Tenth Tattoo: Koi Carp (inner left forearm)
The koi carp was the final addition and was added in 2006:
(source unknown*)
“He obligingly reveals the latest tattoo on his famously inked-up body: a beautifully rendered koi fish on his forearm. It’s a symbol of overcoming adversity,” he says. “Of swimming up current, so to speak.”
The tattoo seems to have been added sometime early on in 2006. I think it’s visible on the Dani California video but it’s definitely on the Tell Me Baby video which was released in July 2006.
11th Tattoo: Pyramid Outline
Anthony got another tattoo, in March 2019, while RHCP were in Cairo for the concert at the pyramids. Once again, the tattoo was the work of Henk Schiffmacher who joined the band in Egypt with a number of other long-time friends (it was assumed this would feature in the documentary that was made of the concert, although it seems unlikely now that it will ever be released given the change in guitarists).
It is an outline of a pyramid in red presumably in reference to the location of the concert. While tattooing the band, Henk was photographed with this book and it seems likely that he used it as a guide:
Please note: I have tried to make this information as accurate as possible ; if you have any additional information, or want to point out any mistakes, please contact me.
I have tried to use my own photos where possible. Source unknown*-Please contact if you would like a photo credited or removed.
Hi. I was just wondering if you could tell me who got their asterisk tattoo first: Anthony or John Frusciante. I always thought it was John, he has had a huge influence on my life through his music, and have thought about getting the tattoo. If you could let me know it would be hugely appreciated.
I need to check that- I have no idea; have just logged on to have a quick look before I go down to London for the weekend; can I get back to you next week (if nobody else answers?)
Sorry to tell yall this but Anthony got his first and and then John. Flea Chad and Josh never got the tattoo of the asterisk. Now that John has left Anthony is the only one in the band with the asterisk.
John added the tatto around 1992, just confer “Funky Monks documentary”
John was one who got first that Anthony!
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AwaGoB6VLAE/T9NqMN_QfXI/AAAAAAAAGic/pB47FkwiyUs/s1600/funky_monks.jpg
I do believe that in Oral/Visual it is mentioned somewhere about the asterisk tat… if it was not there, then in the 1993 book Red Hot Chili Peppers by Dave Thompson. I read them both nearly back to back. The only other place I may have seen something on it was Me and My Friends, but I am doubting th
Thanks! I’ll go and have a look when I get five minutes.
I wan’t to get the same tattoo as well for the same reason. Hope you get it:)
I can’t find anything definite; sorry. I’m assuming it’s Anthony. Have just scanned an article (was hanging on for it to see what it said exactly) and added a link to the article but it’s vague. I think it was Flea first, and then AK- remember reading something about it once but can’t remember where. I’ll update if ever I find it… but it’s THINK; sorry don’t know for sure. I have one other person to ask so I’ll see if they know any more.
We can see the asterisk tattoo on Anthony’s arm on the video of « Behind the sun » in 1987 (the guitarist was Hillel Slovak). So it’s seems that Anthony got it first.
I keep meaning to watch all of the videos in date order to work out dates for tattoos but I don’t think this helps in this case. Although the song was recorded in 1987, the video wasn’t made until ’92 as part of the ‘What Hits!?’ promotion using earlier footage (you can even see Chad in it and he didn’t play on the original song). But thanks anyway!
Maybe they got it together? Maybe even in Amsterdam by Hank Shiffmacher?
Neither Anthony or Johan had the asterisk beginning of june 1989, live show at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA (this one is the clearest video, only thing is that it mentions a wrong place and date: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPsoZco5XXE). Then both of them had it almost 3 months later august 1989, live show at Dam Square, Amsterdam (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZS09kB_kWo)
The video where you say it is clearly visible (Austin, Texas) says it was the beginning of october 1989, not march 1989 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dft4gRu_Aps)
Thank you!
Does anyone know what his left arm bicep means ( the heart / broken heart ). It’s super nice : )
I’ve never read anything as to it’s meaning; I don’t know if anyone else has? I read somewhere that the bands were designed to fit in with the other tattoos and be symmetrical but nothing as to why the Fleur de Lys and the broken heart were incorporated into them.
Damn ! No one seems to know , and I’m really considering getting it , I love the design and have major respect for AK. It may say it in scar-tissue , will have to give that a read!
I’ve re-read Scar Tissue in detail recently and I’ve seen nothing in it; was looking for info for the articles on this site so I would have quoted it if there was anything about the tattoos. When I get a few minutes, I will look through some of my other RHCP books- one has got a bit about tattoos in it (there’s the quote in this article. I copied that when I wrote the first version of this tatto article for another website a couple of years ago; I haven’t read the book since so there may be more in it). The other place where there might be info, is in the magazine articles. I haven’t used them for info (yet! Reading them all and taking quotes/info from them is on my loooong list of things to do!) But it might be worth having a glance at them – are even more on my other website thechilisource.com ! If I ever find anything, I will update this. It’s a really cool design! 😀
Thank you , it sounds like you have a real passion for the chili’s. I will keep searching also. Looking forward to the new album and interviews to follow! If only we could ring him up eh !
Think RHCP has taken over my whole life at times…. hehe! Happy hunting! 🙂
I love the peppers!! And his tattoos. I have read “Scar Tissue” and am about to start it again. Glad to know I am not the only one…
I Love Anthony’s tattoo,especially the Totem..but he doesen’t have earrings?
I don’t think he does; I can’t remember ever seeing him with them but I’ll double check with a few people and get back to you (might be next week as I’m going away for a few days over Easter).
Sorry… no he doesn’t
he never worn it?Anyway his style is really cool.Thank you so much!
i’m really sorry,this is my last question!He didn’t wear an earring or he does not like it?Thank you so much!
I do believe that in Oral/Visual it is mentioned somewhere about the asterisk tat… if it was not there, then in the 1993 book Red Hot Chili Peppers by Dave Thompson. I read them both nearly back to back. The only other place I may have seen something on it was Me and My Friends, but I am doubting that.
I would be interested to know if Tone has a small Ant tattoo on one of his arms. My brother tells a story of spending time with him in singapore on a Chili’s tour some years ago. The tattoo was done in about 20 minutes by Singapore Tattooist Tommy Two Thumbs. Love to get picture/confirmation of that.
Never heard of it or seen it but I’m going to check that one out for you; give me a couple of days and I’ll see what I can find out.
I’ve asked my two AK experts and both are saying they know nothing about such a tattoo and there’s nothing on any photo, I or they, have ever seen.
Does anyone know who’s asterisk is on the back of the bssm album, and what colour it is, cause wherever I look people say black, but on the album sleeve it doesn’t look like a full on black, it looks kinda faded, which is the effect grey ink gives (my girlfriend had a tattoo with grey ink), I really like the one on the back of the bssm album cover, it’s the perfect size (a lot of people have it done too big in my opinion) and as I said, I prefer the shade over a jet black colour, thanks.
Asking around, the general consensus seems to be to that it’s AK’s (seems to be nothing definite though that I can find); only he and John have the asterisk on their wrists. They both have the tatts on their right wrist so no help there but JF’s does look marginally lower down than AK’s.
BSSM back cover:
http://sleevage.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/rhcp_bssm_back.jpg
AK’s hand (seems same shape hand and tatt position):
http://anthonykiedis.net/info/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/ak-tattoo-flowers1.jpg
http://anthonykiedis.net/info/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/kimberly-anthony-kiedis-signature-silverlake-meal.png
John’s hand has longer fingers:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-qYGgXnkRU/TeFxMbWAesI/AAAAAAAABD4/35fSftmqaSM/s1600/john-frusciante-ep-promo-2001.jpg
As for the colour, both JF’s and AK’s vary from photo to photo-I’ve looked at that many tonight lol! I think you should go for what suits you-add your own twist on it! 🙂
Watch someone prove me wrong now lol but that’s what some of us here think! If I find anything more/definite, I’ll update.
Haha, thank you so much! I think I’ll probably go for the same shape and size as AK’s then, but in a grey colour. I just love exactly how it looks on the BSSM album cover!
i’m really sorry,this is my last question!didn’t he wear an earring ?or does he not like earrings?Thank you so much!!!
No he doesn’t wear an earring; have never seen any evidence of him with one and I’ve just asked my AK expert – according to his mother Peggy has mentioned him wearing one as a child but there is no photo of that and he’s never been seen in one since. Hope that helps! And feel free to answer all of the questions you like; sorry it’s taking me a while to answer them but real life has been getting in the way 🙁 )
Thanks!:)Your answer is very clear!Could it be a question of look?Does He prefer himself without?
Sorry I have no idea what AK himself thinks about this. Anyone else?!! 🙂
What kind of earring he worn when he was a kid?Please!
Someone just tell me that he likes indian’s earring,but i don’t think so!
Thanks!!!
cool tatto
Cara mais foda do mundo ! RHCP
hey! look I live in Mexico, and I´ve been looking for the Scar-tissue book for years!! can you tell me where I can find it in Mexico please!!?? thanks
I’m sorry I have no ideas but hopefully somebody else can help you
You can definitely find it online, both in English and Spanish. Check out Amazon.com or AbeBooks.com maybe. 🙂
I’m wondering what his affiliation is with Chief Sitting Bull and Chief Joseph if any.
Man, I’d just like to say thank you! Handsome website! Congrats
I’m going crazy trying to figure out what does Anthony has in his belly. Is it a tattoo? a scar? please help me!!!
You can appreciate it in this photo
http://www.google.es/imgres?q=anthony+kiedis+abdominales&um=1&hl=es&sa=N&rlz=1C1AVSW_enES365&biw=1280&bih=685&tbm=isch&tbnid=SHh5mIivBLe8-M:&imgrefurl=http://foros.vogue.es/viewtopic.php%3Ff%3D8%26t%3D31349%26start%3D6560&docid=nHj0ANPA_0NF-M&imgurl=http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/3103/x1pphu2k6hcg6puovgainjdfi7.jpg&w=600&h=480&ei=D-8dT5b4EMvV4QSlm7DdDQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=182&vpy=151&dur=31&hovh=201&hovw=251&tx=163&ty=111&sig=114155981165378750327&page=1&tbnh=144&tbnw=174&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0
It’s a scar I think; it’s not a tattoo (if you mean the line you can see).
I’ve got the picture where he shows to the photographs the scar in the ceremony of The Billboard Music Awards 1999… It seems a scar of a surgical intervention… but i don’t know for sure.
If someone wants the pic, just tell me 🙂
I would please!!! 🙂
It’s a hernia repair op scar
i love Anthony and his tattoos but i wish he would have never cut his hair and grew out his mustache.
Like his back tattoo!
hai sos hermosos esos tatuajes !!=)
please could put more tattoos anthony ??? please respond… 😀
please put more tattoos anthony
What kind of earring he worn when he was a kid?Please!
Someone just tell me that he likes indian’s earring,but i don’t think so!
Thanks!!!
Please!! Respond!
Hey thanks for the site! Any idea who took the back tat you posted (5th down) of Anthony or where I could get a high res image? Any help would be hugely appreciated!!!
Hey! I was just wondering about his asterisk tattoo, roughly how big would you say it is? I’m think of getting one done when I am older:)
hi anthony , i was wondering what the fore arm ( celtic daggers ) represent as i am having them done myslef next week , so when people ask why then i can say , i noticed on a site they said love underneath the picture , so are they for that,
many thanks john
Does Anthony Kiedis hate wear an earring?
I love him too much but i’m really curious about this! Thank you admin,you’re great!
What is the tatt that most defines AK as im getting tatt to represent each of my kids n one of them was named Kiedis as a tribute to him and the band.
thanks
Hi there. 3 years before the doctors discovered a tumor on my leg. So at the age of 17, i lost half of my left leg. i was 5 months in hospital. I had there only my phone, and on him was few songs of RHCP. They was my companions in that hard time. And to say Thank You , i made a tattoo few days ago. The same heart that AK have on his left arm. Its made to say Thank You !!! I love your songs. One day i buy a guitar, and the 1st thing i want to play is Under the Bridge, after that i can die in peace 😀
I was just wondering if you have an original image of the inca bird that Anthony got
I read something that he may be Mohawk? Though the article said “Mohican” which isn’t really a tribe. Mohegan is, Mohawk is Mohawk, of the Haudenosaunee, or Iroquois Confederacy. So it’s a little confusing he has a NW Coastal on his back, and Chief Joseph (Nimiipuu, or Nez Perce), a plateau tribe. Awesome, but, a bit confusing. I guess if one were honouring their heritage, I’d figure they’d use something from their own nation.
Mohican is a tribe they are actually known as the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohicans. They tribe resides in Shawano County Wisconsin. Here you read all about them http://www.mohican.com/
WONDERFUL!!!
Hi! somebody knows places wher anthony get tatoos in USA? somewhere in NY or FLORIDA? specially the asterisk or the broken heart? Thanks!
Hi guys, I am an Aussie Chilis fan. Heading to the states in a few months and keen to get the asterisk tattood on me while in LA. Does anyone know if Anthony used any LA tattooists to do any of his tatts? I would love to have mine done by someone who has done some work on AK. <3
Hi.. I’m a huge fan of the peppers.. I would like to know who got the logo on the right inner wrist first? Does the 4 of you guys have it? I’ve got 1 & its red in color.. Hope u guys reply..
I have a Branded Garment leather jacket my brother gave to me in the 90’s. I still have this leather and it has Anthony’s tattoos embroidered on it in with turquoise thread. Any idea when these were released exactly? I think this is a pretty rare item cause I can not find any information on it at all.
I’ve never heard of it either!
I heard Anthony Kiedis travel to Borneo – Indonesia to make a tattoo, is this true?
He went there to catch some waves a.k.a surfing @ Mentawai, Indonesia. i’m not sure about the tattoos, but it has a similiar type / shape with Dayak tribe / Borneo drawings.
Not many chili peppers fans know this, because it’s ‘Asian’ things, you know… doesn’t sound european / american.. doesn’t sound cool. haha.. and i don’t know whether it’s a big issue / not.
and one more, FLEA’s back tattoo: a Balinese evil folklore creature named: Léak.
Go google it. A VERY similiar shape. and the most notable two sharp teeth (what d’you guys call it? like ivory?) like a Léak mask.
Keren banget ih tattonya
rhcp vokalist has made his tatto in borneo indonesia
RHCP tattoo created in indonesia
WoW..beautifully..
Does Anthony kiedis likes piercing ? Has he ever put one?
I can’t recoil any.
I love the Red Hot Chili Peppers and looking froward to see them June 21 in Milano.Anthony has lot of cool tatts,especially one from Henk Schiffmacher on his back..The only one i dont like is the Asterisk (wrist, right hand)..The RHCP logo Im sorry but really dont like that one at all..Sorry
So nice!!
Who tattooed the asterisk on kiedis’ wrist? Is he/ she expensive?
I’m not sure who did that one. A lot have been done by Henk Schiffmacher https://www.tattooing.nl/
The sixth tattoo was done in August 94, The seventh The other Celtic dagger I Believe was around match/may 96 Little time before The tribal in The left sem wich I Believe that have be done around mau/june 96.
Thank you!
Has he got a new tattoo? On The stamack – something like a piramidę?
Anthony Kiedis got the red outline of a pyramid in March 209 while RHCP were in Cairo for their concert at the pyramids. More info on it here: http://anthonykiedis.net/about-the-man/tattoos/