Introduction

Viggo Mortensen is a Danish-American actor, producer, author, musician, photographer, and painter. He is best known for his role as Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Mortensen is also known for his love for tattoos, which he has been collecting for over 40 years. In this article, we will take a closer look at Viggo Mortensen tattoos and the stories behind them.

Early Tattoos

Mortensen got his first tattoo when he was just 18 years old. It was a small dot on his ankle, which he later covered up with a larger tattoo. His second tattoo was a small design on his chest, which he got while he was in the army. Mortensen has said that he got these tattoos mainly to rebel against his conservative upbringing.

The Lord of the Rings Tattoos

During the filming of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Mortensen got several tattoos to commemorate his experience. One of his tattoos is a Tengwar script on his right forearm, which reads “nine” in Elvish. This is a reference to the nine members of the Fellowship of the Ring. He also has a tattoo of the Elvish word “nine” on his left shoulder blade. In addition, Mortensen has a tattoo of the Elvish word “sûl” on his neck, which means “wind”.

The Hidalgo Tattoo

Mortensen also got a tattoo to commemorate his role in the film Hidalgo. The tattoo is a design of a horse and a Native American headdress, which symbolizes the relationship between his character and the horse in the movie. He got this tattoo on his left arm.

The Eastern Promises Tattoo

In the film Eastern Promises, Mortensen played a Russian mobster. To prepare for the role, he got several tattoos, including a star on his knee and a Russian prison tattoo on his chest. The tattoo on his chest is a symbol for the Russian mafia and represents the idea of “thief-in-law”. Mortensen has said that he got these tattoos to better understand the character he was playing.

Other Tattoos

Aside from his movie-related tattoos, Mortensen has several other tattoos, including a design of a bird on his arm and a tattoo of a tree on his back. He has also said that he has a tattoo of a snake on his leg, but he has never shown it in public.

Comments from People Who Know It

“I have always admired Viggo Mortensen’s dedication to his craft, and his tattoos are a testament to that. Each tattoo has a story behind it, and it shows how much he puts into each role he plays.” – Peter Jackson, Director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

“Viggo Mortensen is one of the most fascinating actors I have ever worked with. His tattoos are a reflection of his personality – unique and full of character.” – David Cronenberg, Director of Eastern Promises.

Conclusion

Viggo Mortensen tattoos are a reflection of his personality and his passion for his craft. From his early tattoos to his movie-related tattoos, each one has a story behind it. Mortensen’s tattoos are a testament to his dedication to his roles, and they have become a part of his iconic image as an actor.

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