The Secret Ink: Every Scarlett Johansson Tattoo And The Shocking Meanings Revealed (2025 Update)

Scarlett Johansson, one of Hollywood's most private and highest-paid actresses, possesses a collection of intricate and deeply personal tattoos that often remain hidden from the public eye. As of the current date in December 2025, her body art continues to generate significant buzz, especially the massive, detailed piece that covers her back, which has been prominently displayed at recent film festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) for her latest projects.

Far from being spontaneous ink, each piece of Scarlett Johansson's body art tells a story, connecting moments from her life, her career, and her family. From the subtle, colorful design on her forearm to the iconic matching ink she shares with her Avengers co-stars, this guide breaks down every known tattoo, their placement, and the personal meanings she keeps close to her heart.

Scarlett Johansson: Biography and Profile Overview

As a foundational step to understanding the personal significance of her tattoos, here is a quick look at the life and career of the woman behind the ink.

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• Full Name: Scarlett Ingrid Johansson
• Born: November 22, 1984
• Birthplace: Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
• Career Highlights: Two-time Academy Award nominee; one of the world’s highest-paid actresses in 2018 and 2019; known for roles as Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), as well as critically acclaimed performances in Lost in Translation, Marriage Story, and Jojo Rabbit.
• Spouses:
  • Ryan Reynolds (m. 2008; div. 2011)
  • Romain Dauriac (m. 2014; div. 2017)
  • Colin Jost (m. 2020; present)
• Children: Rose Dorothy Dauriac and Cosmo Jost.

The Massive Backpiece: Rose, Lamb, and Thorns (The Family Tribute)

The most attention-grabbing and complex piece in Scarlett Johansson’s collection is the large, ornate mural that covers much of her upper and middle back. This tattoo is not a single piece but a stunning composition that has been added to over several years, culminating in a beautiful, intricate design.

The Central Rose and Vine Motif

The core of the backpiece is a large, detailed rose and vine design, complete with visible thorns and shading.

While Johansson has maintained her characteristic privacy about the ultimate meaning, the prominent rose is widely rumored to be a tribute to her daughter, Rose Dorothy Dauriac, whom she shares with ex-husband Romain Dauriac.

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This type of floral tattoo often symbolizes love, beauty, and growth, but the inclusion of thorns suggests a deeper narrative—perhaps the complexities and protective nature of motherhood.

The Subtle Lamb Motif

Tucked subtly near the rose design is a small, tender lamb motif.

The lamb is a classic symbol of innocence, purity, and gentleness. Paired with the rose, the design beautifully encapsulates the dual nature of protecting a child: the fierce, thorny defense of the rose and the soft, vulnerable innocence of the lamb.

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The Artist Behind the Masterpiece: Josh Lord

Scarlett Johansson’s go-to tattoo artist for several of her pieces, including this major back work, is Josh Lord.

Lord is a highly respected figure in the tattoo world, and his intricate, detailed style is evident in the complex shading and composition of the backpiece. Johansson has never explicitly discussed the piece's significance, allowing the artistry of Lord to speak for itself.

The Seven Iconic Pieces: From MCU Unity to Graffiti Art

Beyond the large back tattoo, Johansson has several smaller, yet equally significant, pieces of body art that reflect her friendships, career milestones, and personal philosophy.

1. The Avengers Insignia (The Matching Tattoo)

This is arguably her most famous tattoo, symbolizing a decade of friendship and cinematic history.

The Avengers Insignia is a small, stylized "A" that incorporates a subtle arrow. Johansson, along with four of the five original Avengers co-stars—Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, and Jeremy Renner—got this matching tattoo to commemorate their bond and the historic run of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Johansson and Evans were reportedly the ones who came up with the idea for the matching ink, cementing their status as the core of the team both on and off-screen.

2. The "Lucky You" Horseshoe (The Graffiti Style)

Located high on her right rib cage, this tattoo is a distinct piece of street art.

It features an upside-down horseshoe with the words "Lucky You" written around it, surrounded by tiny stars.

The piece was commissioned in 2012 from French graffiti artist Fuzi Uvtpk (also known simply as Fuzi).

Johansson reportedly met Fuzi at an exhibition in Paris, and the design reflects his signature "ignorant style" or "jailhouse style" of graffiti art, making it a unique, edgy, and non-traditional piece in her collection.

3. The Colorful Sunrise (The Only Color Ink)

On her left inner forearm, Johansson sports a small, vibrant sunrise design.

This piece is notable as it is the only one of her known tattoos to feature colored ink, depicting a rising sun among a cluster of clouds.

The sunrise is a universal symbol of hope, new beginnings, optimism, and the promise of a new day, suggesting a deeply personal and positive philosophy for the actress.

4. The Flying Owl

A majestic flying owl is another piece rumored to be part of her collection, though its specific placement is often debated. The owl is a classic symbol of wisdom, knowledge, and intuition, reflecting a desire for insight and a connection to the nocturnal world.

5. The Lamb and Flowers (Ankle Piece)

One of her earlier, more subtle tattoos is a small circle on her ankle, which is sometimes described as a small lamb and flowers.

This simple, circular design is often the first tattoo fans spot, and it speaks to her love for delicate, meaningful imagery.

The Topical Authority: The Evolution of ScarJo’s Body Art

The public's interest in Scarlett Johansson's tattoos peaked when she began appearing in backless gowns at major red carpet events, such as the 2023 premiere of Asteroid City and the 2025 premieres of Eleanor the Great and Jurassic World Rebirth.

The evolution of her ink from a few small, discreet symbols to the large, cohesive backpiece by Josh Lord demonstrates a shift from subtle personal markers to a bold, artistic statement.

The Art of Concealment and Revelation

For years, due to her roles as Black Widow in the MCU, Johansson's tattoos were often covered with makeup for filming and public appearances. This created a mystique around her body art, with fans constantly speculating about what lay beneath the costumes.

The deliberate choice to show off the backpiece at high-profile events in 2023 and 2025 signifies a period of greater personal freedom and confidence in displaying her permanent collection. The backpiece, in particular, has been praised for its detailed, almost Baroque style, blending traditional tattoo elements (like the rose and lamb) with a modern, large-scale composition.

The Meaning of Matching Tattoos in Hollywood

The Avengers matching tattoo is a powerful entity in celebrity culture, representing a unique bond forged over a decade of filming one of the most successful franchises in history. The fact that five of the six core actors—including Chris Evans (Captain America) and Chris Hemsworth (Thor)—participated underscores the genuine camaraderie and shared experience of the original team.

This tattoo is not just a personal memory but a piece of cinematic history, permanently linking the actors to their iconic roles and to each other, making it one of the most talked-about matching celebrity tattoos of the 21st century.