Lord of the Rings fans know that getting a fellowship of the ring tattoo means more than simply wearing an elven inscription; rather, it represents their dedication and embrace of its themes and messages. Sir Ian McKellen and most of the cast of The Lord of the Rings trilogy got matching tattoos to commemorate their work together, though stunt double John Rhys-Davies refused his.
Symbolism
The ring tattoo has long been recognized as a timeless sign of togetherness, representing friendship, love, and loyalty. Show your loved one that they can count on you through all life’s trials by getting this timeless ink on their body as a constant reminder to remain loyal friends or partners.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy is an incomparable cinematic experience for Tolkien fans and film lovers, but its cast also holds special memories. After spending nearly one year working on New Zealand filming locations for Lord of the Rings movies, the Fellowship cast decided to mark this experience by getting tattooed together to remember their adventure. Most actors, except John Rhys-Davies, chose to ink the Elvish word nine on their bodies – Dominic Monaghan and Orlando Bloom got it tattooed on their sword arms while Viggo Mortensen got him on his shoulder. Sean Bean also has one featuring initials belonging to himself, his ex-wife, and his son on one arm – while another features Sean Bean’s initials combined with those of both these individuals.
Design
Tattooed rings represent a commitment to one another; having this mark symbolizes that love that unites friends and family, strengthens both parties involved, and the strength that comes with having committed relationships with those you hold close. A tattooed ring represents this strength, which comes from loyalty and devotion.
After filming The Lord of the Rings trilogy, several members of its cast decided to mark their time together with Tattoos of matching designs. Dominic Monaghan (Merry), Billy Boyd (Pippin), Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn), Orlando Bloom (Legolas), and Elijah Wood each got tattoos bearing an Elvish word meaning nine – including director Peter Jackson who got one too but in simple written Elvish script. John Rhys-Davies declined the offer and had his stunt double, Brett Beattie, get it for him instead. Beattie now runs a native tree farm in Canterbury, New Zealand, while occasionally performing movie gigs or working on EA Lord of the Rings video games. However, he is not in touch with other Fellowship members, but he considers himself part of it indefinitely.
Colors
Tattoos should be treated like any permanent decoration; therefore, they must receive proper care to ensure their longevity and look their best. Avoid exposure to water and any other substances that could make the ink fade or bleed off; to protect your tattoo, apply an ointment that keeps the area moisturized.
Lord of the Rings actors also sport matching tattoos to commemorate their time working on the trilogy: Elvish words spelling out “nine.” Actors chose this word to easily remember their time on set.
Tattooist Roger Ingerton from Wellington inked them all a week before filming wrapped on the trilogy, including Orlando Bloom, Dominic Monaghan, and Sir Ian McKellen, who all received Tattoos with one word written across their bodies in gold or silver ink – unlike its Elven counterpart which reads: “One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them all, and one ring to unite them all.”
Placement
Ring tattoos are an expressive way of showing love and gratitude towards loved ones. Additionally, they represent strength in terms of indicating faithfulness. Because of these qualities, ring Tattoos have become very popular. Their placement on your body determines its overall look; therefore, they should be placed somewhere easily visible for maximum impact.
After finishing filming for The Lord of the Rings, its main cast decided to mark their time on set by getting matching Tattoos based on the Sindarin word for nine – symbolizing nine members of Fellowship (minus John Rhys-Davies and Sean Bean’s stunt doubles). Orlando Bloom, Viggo Mortensen, Elijah Wood, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd visited a Wellington tattoo parlor to get their ink done for this film. Once done, they all posed in front of cameras to show off their unique tattoos.
