The True Meaning Of Queen Latifah's Tattoos
Jessica Wilkins Queen Latifah's trifecta of butterfly tattoos — on her left hand and behind her right ear — are a powerful reminder of her journey from a kid in Jersey to a multi-award winning megastar. Often associated with themes of transformation, butterflies remind us that anything is possible (via World Birds).
World Birds also explained that, "In the Mayan and Aztec mythology, a butterfly represents Xiutecutli, the god of fire." And to this we say "Yes, honey," because even in her OG days as a fledgling hip-hop artist, The Queen was spittin' straight feminist fire. Lyrics in one of her original anthems, "Ladies First," include the lines, "Some think that we can't flow (can't flow), Stereotypes, they got to go (got to go)," as well as, "Who said the ladies couldn't make it, you must be blind. If you don't believe, well here, listen to this rhyme" (via Genius).
Widely celebrated for clearing a path for female hip-hop artists, this song put her on the map as star, but also a feminist. The Queen has remained an outspoken advocate for equality, self-love, and — as her butterfly tattoos remind us — self-growth.
Ladies, just as The Queen advised Robin Roberts, our advice to you is, "Put on your crown."