You’ve probably seen it on hoodies, in Instagram bios, and etched into the skin of millions of fans worldwide. It's almost impossible to talk about Jarad Higgins—known to the world as Juice WRLD—without talking about those three digits.
The Juice WRLD 999 tattoo isn't just some edgy aesthetic choice or a random lucky number he picked out of a hat. Honestly, it was a lifestyle. It was a philosophy for a generation that felt a little bit broken and needed a way to flip the script on their own pain.
What 999 actually meant to Jarad
If you ask a casual listener, they might think it's just a reference to his SoundCloud handle or a simple lucky number. But if you dive into his old interviews, specifically with MTV and Montreality, Jarad was actually pretty vocal about the spiritual flip he was doing with those numbers.
In the Bible, specifically the Book of Revelation, 666 is labeled as the "mark of the beast." It represents hell, evil, and the worst parts of the human experience.
Juice basically said: "999 represents taking whatever hell, whatever bad situation, or whatever struggle you're going through and turning it into something positive."
🔗 Read more: Stacy Lattisaw Net Worth: Why She Walked Away From Millions
It’s an inversion. You take the 6, flip it upside down, and you get a 9. It’s about taking the weight of depression, anxiety, or heartbreak—things Jarad sang about with brutal honesty—and using that weight to push yourself forward rather than letting it crush you. It's kinda poetic when you think about how he turned his own internal "hell" into melodic hits that helped other people feel less alone.
Where Juice WRLD had his 999 tattoos
Jarad was a fan of ink. He had a lot of it, and much of it was deeply personal. He didn't just have one 999; he had several variations that evolved as his career exploded.
- The Right Hand: One of his most recognizable pieces was the flaming skull on his right hand with "999" integrated into it.
- The Left Wrist: He had a simple "999" on his wrist, which is the one most fans end up recreating because of its visibility and clean look.
- The Forearm: He also had a tattoo that said "Abyss" followed by "999," which was a nod to his song "Abyss" and the "No Vanity" era of his life.
Interestingly, he had a "Hellproof" tattoo on his forearm that he told Montreality was actually unfinished. He ended up liking it that way because he felt the unfinished, rugged look made it seem like the tattoo itself had "been through hell and back." That sums up his whole vibe—beauty in the mess.
The fan connection and the "999 Family"
Walking through a Juice WRLD Day event or a tribute concert, you’ll see the 999 tattoo on literally every other person. It’s become a secret handshake for people who struggle with mental health.
When Juice passed away in December 2019, the number took on a even heavier meaning. It wasn't just his mantra anymore; it became a symbol of his legacy. It’s a way for the "999 Family" to keep his spirit alive. You see it on fellow artists too—Polo G, for instance, got a massive tribute tattoo that includes the 999 digits alongside Juice’s "World on Drugs" globe icon.
Misconceptions about the 999 symbolism
Some people try to link it to "angel numbers" or specific numerology theories that say 999 signifies the end of a cycle and a new beginning. While that fits the "transformation" theme, Jarad's explanation was always more grounded in that 666 flip.
💡 You might also like: Gary Coleman Cause of Death: What Really Happened
There's also a common mistake where people think it was just a reference to "Lucid Dreams" or his "Goodbye & Good Riddance" album. In reality, he was using the 999 branding long before he was a household name, dating back to his early SoundCloud days as "Lil Juice 999." It was the foundation of his identity, not an afterthought of his fame.
Why it still matters in 2026
It’s been years since we lost him, but the influence hasn't faded. If anything, the Juice WRLD 999 tattoo has become a permanent fixture in the culture of emo-rap and Gen Z mental health advocacy.
Jarad showed that you don't have to be "tough" or ignore your problems. He taught his fans that the abyss is real, but you can navigate it.
How to use the 999 philosophy in your own life
If you're looking at that number and wondering how to actually "flip your hell," here are a few ways to apply Jarad's logic without necessarily getting the ink:
- Acknowledge the 666: Don't pretend things aren't bad. Juice was famous for being "sad," but he was really just being honest.
- Find the Flip: Identify one way your current struggle is making you more resilient or more empathetic toward others.
- Keep Pushing: The 999 wasn't a destination; it was a reminder to keep moving through the "Death Race for Love."
Whether you get the tattoo on your wrist or just keep it as a mental note, the message is the same: the bad stuff doesn't have to be the end of the story. It’s just the raw material you use to build something better.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you're planning on getting a tribute tattoo, look for artists who specialize in fine-line work or "ignorant style" ink if you want to match Jarad's specific aesthetic. You can also visit the Live Free 999 Foundation, started by Jarad’s mother, Carmela Wallace, which focuses on providing mental health resources for young people—a true real-world extension of the 999 philosophy.