janet fashion

The one on the inside of her right wrist is a “Sankofa.” This is a concept, supposedly derived from King Adinkera of the Akan people from West Africa. The literal translation means “it is not taboo to go back and fetch what you forgot.” The idea being expressed is one of learning from the past so that you can move forward with knowledge. The design is an abstract symbolization of a bird flying forward while looking backwards, carrying an egg in it’s mouth (the symbol of the future), but can also be represented as a heart-like symbol, which is the variation Janet sports. 

She also has a tattoo in the crease of her right thigh of Mickey and Minnie Mouse engaging in sex, with Minnie giving oral sex to Mickey. Some fan sites claim that this was also tattooed by Ronnie Zulu, however it is not mentioned anywhere on his web site, although he does state he did the other three. Jackson has admitted to having done a lot of sexual experimentation in her 20s and 30s, and that the tattoo of the Disney characters “doing the nasty” as she phrases it, is humorous to her as well as being symbolic that she feels sex is good and should be fun.

If you want to emulate Ms. Jackson or get a tattoo in homage to her, don’t worry, you are far from alone. Her official fan site includes a gallery of pictures of fans who have either gotten designs that she herself wears or who wear tattoos that depict Janet herself.