 |
|
The new monster tattoo joins up all
Beckham's previous artwork on his right arm.(Photo:
chinadaily.com.cn/Agnecy) Photo Gallery>>> |
BEIJING, April 19 -- David Beckham has had an
unsightly 2ft-long (about 3.66 meters) tattoo etched over the entire
surface of his right arm.
The marking, which he has showed off in its entirety for
the first time, joins a clouds and cherub design over his shoulders with
numerous other tattoos on his arm and wrist to make one continuous piece of
"artwork."
Beckham revealed the design as he took his wife
Victoria on a romantic break in Paris to celebrate her 33rd birthday - her last
in England before the pair move to California.
The design was needled in two sittings by Manchester
based tattoo artist Louis Malloy on Sunday March 11 and Tuesday March
13, the day Beckham bid farewell to Manchester United fans.
It consists of two "symbolic" pieces that reflect the
"deep turmoil he feels about going to LA" said a source close to the former
England captain.
Most significant, said the source, are the words
"Pray For Me" inscribed on the inside of his right wrist.
"This is how he feels about the massive move from
being an English boy through and through, who has represented his country for
many years and is now turning his back on England to embrace America," the
source said.
"The move was never an easy decision and it wasn't really
David's, it was Victoria's from day one.
"The tattoo is not something Victoria wanted him to
go ahead with as she felt it would not be a good start to their time in LA, but
David was adamant that he would show his true feelings about the move and stop
covering it up, even if it is rather cryptic," the source added.
The three words are inscribed next to another
symbolic piece Beckham apparently wanted to reflect who he feels he has been for
the past ten years - a Knight Templar, symbolised by a cross.
The Templar Knights, recognisable by their white
mantle with distinct red cross, are for David the symbols of him and the England
team.
He asked the tattoo artist to etch the Knight Templar
on his arm as he "feels the knights were the best equipped, trained, and
disciplined fighting units of the Crusades, just as he has always tried to be as
a footballer representing his team of knights".
The main tattoo on the forearm is a giant angel
sentinel, holding a flame in her hand so that her face is illuminated from
below. The wings spread round Beckham's arm and merge with the existing tattoos
The second tattoo across his arm is a quote by the Roman Emperor Tiberius and also used by Caligula.