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The Story Behind Her Tattoos

Celtic Band




TATTOO: Celtic Band WHERE IT IS: around right bicep
This was Melanie's first tattoo. It means, Allegiance to your tribe.



Celtic Cross




TATTOO: Celtic Cross
WHERE IT IS: left arm
The Celtic Cross is for protection.





The Lotus Flower and Tibetan writing

TATTOO: A scripted black V and Lotus Flower
WHERE IT IS: Lower back
The Tibetan writing is for grounded and the Lotus Flower symbolizes the Earth.


The Phoenix


TATTOO: Phoenix rising from the ashes.
WHERE IT IS: upper back between her shoulders.
'That symbolizes a new beginning for me with my solo album and a feeling of independence. I'll always be Sporty and stick with the band, but I'm now also doing something that's just about me as well - so that tattoo is special.'


Star

TATTOO: Star
WHERE IT IS: On her right hand between her thumb and first finger.
Melanie got the star because her album is entitled, 'Northern Star' and thought it would be perfect to have a tattoo of a star.


Tibetan Character

TATTOO: Symbolizes love in Tibetan writing
WHERE IT IS: left wrist




Chinese/Japanese Characters




TATTOO: Chinese & Japanese Characters
WHERE IT IS: Right shoulder
The characters mean woman & strength.




Behind the Angel tattoo



TATTOO: Angel
WHERE IT IS: On her tummy, just below her belly button
Melanie C believes last year (1998) was one of the toughest she has ever faced - as she was forced to sacrifice family for her career.
She explains: 'Both my grandfather and step-gran died from cancer while I was in France.'
'It was very hard for me because I couldn't be with my family.' But, despite her sadness, Sporty Spice was determined to turn her hurt and loneliness to her advantage.
'Sometimes, it could be quite magical because even though I'd be on stage with a whole host of other people, I was still able to feel a kind of solitude up there. You can be singing a little verse in front of tens of thousands of people, but you can still feel alone. I knew my granddad loved 'Viva Forever' and sometimes, when we sang it on stage, I felt he was there and I was singing it just for him. Both my grandparents had been ill with cancer for a long time, so we knew we were going to lose them, but it was still really sad. It was awful to be away from home, but luckily the girls were there. They really looked after me.'
Melanie says her grandparents' deaths inspired the 'Angel' tattoo on her stomach. She says: 'I always feel like they're my guardian angels looking after me, so I wanted something to signify that I still think about them.'
This is the first time Melanie has revealed the reason for her famous tattoo.


The Chinese Dragon

TATTOO: Chinese Dragon
WHERE IT IS: Right calf
She says she got this one because 'In the Chinese tradition, the Phoenix represents the female and the Dragon represents the male because before I was a little out of balance (the Phoenix on her back).'


Tibetan Character

TATTOO: Symbolizes happiness in Tibetan writing
WHERE IT IS: right wrist