Each piece of the Rock’s tattoo has a very specific meaning, with spiritual protection at the forefront of his Polynesian tribal body art.

1. A broken face marked by shark teeth: this acts as the Rock’s spirit protector, a symbol of his constant struggle to live and achieve to his fullest capability
2. The Sun: an evergreen theme in tribal tattoo the orb represents good luck
3. A/ga fa’atasi: This translates to three people in one. This represents Dwayne, his first wife Dany, and daughter Simone
4. The Great Eye: a protection symbol used to divert the enemy’s attention in battle
5. A tortoise shell: to watch his back and deflect evil spirits
6. The stones of achievement and abundance: these act as visual representations of the bedrock of heritage Johnson’s life has been built on
7. Coconut leaves: These acknowledge a Samoan chief-warrior
8. Descending swirls: this technical application is used to display the past, present and future
9. Two eyes: another protective sigil symbolizing his ancestors watching over his path
10. A priest and guide: these figures represent enlightenment

Bull Tattoo Cover Up

Johnson’s other tattoo is a half sleeve bull on his right upper bicep. It’s an abstract black and gray skull with white highlights threaded into the piece. The bull is a cover up of an older, smaller brahma bull referencing the Rock’s college nickname, and Zodiac sign Taurus.

The new bull was inked by high profile artist Nikko Hurtado in 2017 and took in excess of 20 hours to complete. In an official Instagram post introducing his new addition, Johnson said of the bull’s symbolism:

“Every detail is a reflection of my own personal history. “From the cracks and heavy damage in the bone representing life’s hard lessons I’ve learned over the years. Just like scars and wrinkles — I’m so grateful to have ’em because they’re earned,” he wrote.

“To the horns, not pointing up or out to the side, but pointing straight ahead representing relentless energy and forward progress. The core and anchor of this image is in the eye. Look closely and you’ll find the life, energy, power and you’ll feel the MANA (spirit). The eye tells the story of a disruptive positive energy always ready to dent the universe.”