Cody Simpson’s Tattoos: What Do the Australian Swimmer’s Inks Signify?

Australian swimmer Cody Simpson surely knows how to settle with both the sport and the glamor world. Beyond his accomplishments in the pool, Simpson is a singer, lyricist, fashion icon, entrepreneur, and environmentalist—a true Renaissance man. While juggling these diverse roles, the 27-year-old consistently keeps captivating his audience, whether by sharing his published children’s books and songs on social media or advocating for environmental causes. He often shows up sharing lyrics on social media with his fans or posing for environmental campaigns. Each endeavor reflects his deep passion for his interests. However, there’s another aspect of the swimmer’s life that reveals more about his passions and beliefs. 

Simpson’s tattoos serve as visual evidence of his experiences, values, and aspirations. Unlike many celebs who opt for pure aesthetics in their rather eye-catching designs, Simpson’s ink is deeply personal and symbolic, representing things that he holds dearest. From tributes to loved ones to symbols of his personal journey, each piece of ink tells a unique story. Yet, it’s one tattoo that stands out the most for its connection to a high-profile relationship.

When Cody Simpson got a tattoo with his ex-partner Miley Cyrus

When Miley Cyrus, artist, and pop singer extraordinaire, confirmed her separation from her then-boyfriend and fellow musician Cody Simpson in 2020, many fans might’ve heaved sighs of disappointment. However, when the couple was going strong together, their romantic life gave birth to several gossip, one of which found its flames being fanned when they displayed their tattoos together, confirming their love for each other. As they say, opposites attract, and the choices for their tattoo designs couldn’t have been more distinct than the couple themselves.

Cody went in for a skull and crossbones lined on the right side of his chest, accompanied by the signature scythe of Grim Reaper. Maybe as a complimentary gesture, Miley chose a more metal, more raw declaration of their love. Tattoo artist Nico Bassill saw himself etch a bleeding heart with a knife pierced through it on the backside of Miley’s right arm, which Bassill shared snaps of later in his socials, along with moments of the couple sharing the first glimpses of their inks. The couple also got a pair of matching trident tattoos together!

Yes, okay, maybe we are speaking about what’s not there to cherish anymore. Let bygones be bygones, amirite? The swimmer might have lost Cyrus’ love in 2020, but his love for ink only grew with time, and now Cody Simpson has reportedly been finding solace in Greek mythology. The inked symbols etched across his skin certainly reflect that!

Cody Simpson’s connection with Greek mythology tattoos

In 2023, Simpson discovered a perfect occasion at the Athens World Cup to reveal his Grecian tattoos gotten around 2016 and 2020. There couldn’t have been a better moment to call for the announcement, as the swimmer revealed the Greek gods serving as inspirations for those designs. Cody himself spilled the beans on that: “A bust of Apollo is tattooed on my right arm – god of light, music, poetry, knowledge; the trident of Poseidon on my left.” Maybe he expected that those tattoos would fuel him to win the championship, and boy, oh boy, win he did!

In Simpson’s words, “To compete in and explore the lands of origin this week has been enlightening.” The swimmer achieved his target as he left the Athens contest with the 100m butterfly title and the “first 48 100m freestyle.” Deep down, the tattoo of Poseidon’s trident or Apollo’s bust might have also signified his love for nature, art, and culture. He has a few more on his body to prove that love, after all!

Other tattoos on Cody Simpson’s body

The fame on the stages or the swimming pools never let Cody Simpson forget his roots. Belonging to a family that has a long relationship with the sporting world and nature, Cody always found ways to celebrate those roots through his ink. The plethora of tattoos on his arms is a testament to that. 

In 2015, Cody Simpson was introduced to tattoo art for the first time. His first tattoo was of the design of the Coast House, which shows the sun, water, and earth in the same place. Through this, he celebrated his newly launched record label of the same name, Coast House. The same year, on October 29, the swimmer made tattoo artist Jon Boy draw two more. While the print of an anchor found its way to his left hand, a shark fin found its place on his right wrist.

In the same year, he gave a shoutout to the worshipers of nature by flaunting a Mayan sun on his left shoulder, etched by Dr. Woo, who’s also the visionary behind the swimmer’s fine-line thunderbird tattoo inked in 2016. A single-line armband tattoo followed him earlier that year to join his “Mystic Man in the Sea” piece, both inked by Jon Boy from NY’s West 4 Tattoo Studio. As of now, the swimmer is bearing all these tattoo designs—and then some more—and it probably won’t take much time for him to add another ink to his body. Does Cody Simpson inspire you to get a similar design, or do you think there’s any hidden meaning lying behind one of his tattoos? Let us know in the comments below.