John Wick, played by Keanu Reeves in the John Wick film franchise, is a legendary assassin who seeks vengeance after his dog is killed and his car is stolen. One of John Wick’s most iconic features is the large tattoo on his back. Fans have long wondered – what does John Wick’s back tattoo say? In this article, we will examine the meaning behind John Wick’s back tattoo and the text it contains.
The Text in John Wick’s Back Tattoo
John Wick has a large tattoo covering most of his back. The tattoo contains a passage of Latin text written in a Gothic medieval style font. The text reads:
“Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat”
This Latin phrase translates to “Fortune Favors the Bold” in English. It is a famous Latin proverb that encourages taking risks and bold action to achieve success.
So in summary, the text in John Wick’s back tattoo is:
“Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat”
Which means “Fortune Favors the Bold” when translated into English.
The Meaning Behind the Tattoo
This Latin proverb sheds light on John Wick’s character and life philosophy. By tattooing “Fortune Favors the Bold” on his body, John Wick embraces risk-taking and audacious acts as a way of life.
The tattoo represents John Wick’s boldness and courage to take on dangerous missions and opponents without hesitation. He operates by his own code and does not let fear hold him back from completing his objectives.
This mentality serves John Wick well in his work as a legendary hitman. He approaches every assassination mission with steadfast determination, regardless of the obstacles in his way. John Wick’s confidence in his abilities allows him to prevail against all odds.
The tattoo is a reminder to constantly press forward with tenacity and valor. John Wick never settles for the easy path or allows setbacks to impede his progress for long. Fortune favors the audacious moves he makes to reach his goals.
In this way, the Latin phrase tattooed on John Wick’s back reflects his stoic personality and steadfast dedication to his lethal craft. It represents the core of who John Wick is as a character.
The Tattoo’s Connection to John Wick’s Past
Prior to the events of the first John Wick film, John retired from life as an assassin after falling in love and getting married. However, his wife’s untimely death due to illness left John distraught and adrift.
During this low period, John decided to cement his life’s maxim by getting “Fortune Favors the Bold” tattooed on his back. The tattoo commemorated the courageous path he walked in his former life while also motivating him to bravely face his grief and the uncertainty ahead.
In this way, the tattoo signifies John Wick emerging from heartbreak and loss to embrace his destiny as a legendary hitman once again. His boldness is reawakened to set forth on the mission that kicks off the film – seeking vengeance on the Russian mobsters who took everything from him.
The Tattoo in the Films
John Wick’s conspicuous back tattoo makes several memorable appearances throughout the films:
– In John Wick: Chapter 1, John undergoes the rituals required to rejoin the Continental Hotel and services for assassins. The tattoo is seen during a close-up of his back while he showers before the rituals.
– In John Wick: Chapter 2, John meets with Italian crime lord Santino D’Antonio who comments on seeing the “mark” of his past work. The tattoo is shown as Santino refers to it.
– In John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, John is declared “excommunicado” from the assassin underworld and seeks allies to help him survive. During a scene in the desert, he strips off his shirt, revealing the tattoo covering his back.
– The tattoo is featured prominently on posters and other promotional artwork for the John Wick franchise. It has become an iconic symbol of the character.
So in the key moments when John Wick re-embraces his violent capabilities and reputation, the back tattoo serves as a visual reminder of his life’s driving creed – “Fortune Favors the Bold.”
Significance of Back Tattoo Placement
The considerable size and placement of John Wick’s tattoo on his back also carry meaning.
By having “Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat” emblazoned across his upper back in bold font, the life motto sits just over John Wick’s heart. This signifies how central the concept of courageous action is to his character’s psychological makeup and emotional drive.
The back placement also suggests the phrase is “watching John’s back” as he heads into battle, reminding him to stay bold. When John Wick needs to steel his nerves before a fight, he can sense the emboldening words stretched across his back.
Lastly, the tattoo being on Wick’s back illustrates how he never shows weakness or retreats from challenges he faces head-on. The Latin quote, and Wick’s back itself, remains turned away from fears or hesitation. He only moves forward with fortitude.
The Tattoo’s Appearance Explained
Several key details about the look of John Wick’s back tattoo contribute to its striking appearance:
– The Latin quote is written in strong, straight lines without curves in a Gothic medieval style font. This gives the tattoo a bold, solid feeling matching the “Fortune Favors the Bold” meaning.
– The lines are thick and black, without any color, which emphasizes clarity and focus. This parallels John Wick’s own single-minded determination.
– The lettering is large in scale, covering most of Wick’s upper back. The substantial size equates to the huge presence strength and courage have in John’s life.
– The tattoo has rough graphic edges adding to the intense, masculine vibe. The tattoo is not meant to be delicate or subtle.
– The simplicity of black ink on skin reflects the straightforward philosophy John Wick lives by. No complexity or uncertainty – only the bare will to act boldly.
Conclusion
John Wick’s prominent back tattoo contains a fitting Latin quote for his character that translates to “Fortune Favors the Bold.” This powerful life motto spurs John Wick to face every challenge with determination and audacity, backed up by his incredible skills as an assassin. The prominent placement and bold style of the tattoo present an indelible mark of Wick’s courageous and unflinching core. The “Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat” body art has become an iconic part of what defines John Wick, a reminder for him to press forward bravely and never retreat from the code he lives by in the criminal underworld. It communicates the strength and tenacity that makes John Wick a force to be reckoned with against all enemies.
| Language | Text | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Latin | Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat | Fortune Favors the Bold |
References
Reeves, Keanu, as John Wick. *John Wick*, directed by Chad Stahelski, Summit Entertainment, 2014.
Stahelski, Chad, dir. *John Wick: Chapter 2*, Summit Entertainment, 2017.
Stahelski, Chad, dir. *John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum*, Summit Entertainment, 2019.