Let’s be real for a second. If you’ve spent any time scrolling through Jhené Aiko’s Instagram or watching her live sets, you know she’s basically a walking art gallery. But people love to jump to conclusions, especially when it involves a certain rapper’s face and a massive dragon.
Jhené doesn't just get tatted because it looks cool. For her, it’s visceral. She’s gone on record saying she sometimes needs to experience physical pain to process emotional weight. It’s a literal transformation—taking a feeling that hurts and turning it into something beautiful.
That Big Sean Portrait (And the Dragon That "Ate" It)
The internet nearly broke back in 2017 when Jhené revealed a hyper-realistic portrait of Big Sean on her arm. It was done by the incredible Miryam "The Witchdoctor" Lumpini. People called it "risky." They called it "too much."
Then, a year later, it was gone.
In its place? A massive, "big ass" dragon with phoenix wings breathing light into a new galaxy. Of course, the breakup rumors started flying immediately. But Jhené, being Jhené, shut it down with a tweet that was basically: "It’s new art, no beef, all love."
Honestly, she didn't just cover Sean. She covered a bunch of older pieces at the same time, including a Buddha and a Bible verse. She’s into the idea that everything is temporary. If she feels like she’s transitioning into a new version of herself, she wants her "outside to match her insides." Simple as that.
The Heartbeat of Her Ink: Miyagi
If you want to understand the soul of Jhené’s tattoos, you have to talk about her brother, Miyagi Hasani Ayo Chilombo. He passed away from cancer in 2012, and he is all over her skin.
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- The Name: She has "Miyagi Hasani Ayo Chilombo" scrolled in red cursive right under her collarbone.
- The Wrist: A simple, haunting question: "Why Aren't You Smiling?" This was Miyagi’s final tweet before he passed.
- The Back: She used to have a Buddha on a lotus flower, but she’s evolved that into a sprawling celestial piece.
The lotus was her very first tattoo. She chose it because it symbolizes rising from the mud to bloom. It’s a trope, sure, but for her, it was the start of a lifelong obsession with spiritual symbolism.
More Than Just Aesthetic: The Spiritual Symbols
Jhené’s body is a map of her spiritual journey. It’s not just "yoga girl" vibes; it’s deeply rooted in her actual lifestyle.
You've probably noticed the Dharma Wheel on her shoulder. In Buddhism, this represents the path to enlightenment and the "turning" of the law. It matches her interest in the Seven Solar Chakras, which she famously integrated into her Chilombo album using crystal alchemy singing bowls. While the chakras aren't all tattooed in a neat line down her spine, the themes of energy centers—root, sacral, solar plexus—are recurring motifs in her visual art.
Then there are the Moon Phases. These were part of the big back piece she eventually covered up. She told Refinery29 that she realized all things are temporary, and even her spiritual markers need "editing" sometimes.
Why She Keeps Getting Tattoos
Jhené isn't trying to finish a collection. She’s documenting a life.
She’s mentioned that most of her pieces come from a place of emotional upheaval. It’s a release. If you’re looking at her tattoos and thinking they’re just for the "aesthetic," you’re missing the point. They are scars she chose to have.
When she turned 30, she felt a massive shift. That’s when the dragon—the "Chilombo" dragon—really took over. Being born in 1988 (the Year of the Dragon), it’s a power move. It represents her taking control of her narrative after years of being defined by her relationships or her grief.
How to Approach Your Own Meaningful Ink
If you’re looking at Jhené’s journey and thinking about getting your own "healing" tattoo, here’s how to do it without the regret:
- Embrace the "Edit": Don't be afraid that you might change your mind in ten years. Jhené covers things up constantly. If a tattoo served its purpose for a specific era of your life, it did its job.
- Focus on Vibration: Like her chakra-infused music, think about what the symbol feels like, not just what it looks like. Does it give you peace? Does it remind you of your strength?
- Find a "Witchdoctor": Not literally (unless you can get an appointment with Miryam Lumpini), but find an artist who understands the why behind your piece.
Next time you see a new piece of ink on Jhené, don't check the tabloids to see who she broke up with. Just know she’s probably just "breathing life and light into a new galaxy" on her own terms.