Delonte Maurice West is an American former professional basketball player. Delonte was drafted to the NBA in 2004 by the Boston Celtics. He has also represented the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, and Minnesota Timberwolves. He has also played in the Chinese Basketball Association for Fujian Xunxing and Shanghai Sharks.
Delonte has many amazing inks covering his body. Let us take a look at his tattoos and the meanings behind them.
1. ‘Cross’ Tattoo
Tattoo: The left side of Delonte’s neck has a cross tattooed on it. There is a crown tattooed next to the cross and the word, “Allah” is also tattooed next to the cross in the Arabic language.
Meaning: The tattoo of the cross on his neck represents his religious views and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to save humanity.
2. Chinese Tattoo
Tattoo: There are two Chinese characters tattooed on the right side of his neck.
3. ‘Louis’ Tattoo
Tattoo: The player’s left shoulder has a tattoo of the name, “LOUIS X-III” on it along with the fleur-de-lis tattooed above the name.
Meaning: Fleur-de-lis is the symbol of power, honor, faith, and unity. There is a story related to this widely loved lily flower that an angel had descended from heaven with the Holy Ampulla in the form of a fleur-de-lis at the time when the proclamation of King Clovis of France was done.
4. ‘Survival’ Tattoo
Tattoo: Delonte’s left upper arm has a tattoo of a lion on it, tearing meat between its paws and the word, “Survival” tattooed above it. There is also a tattoo of a woman’s crying eyes tattooed above the word.
Meaning: The tattoo of the lion on his arm is a symbol of protection and strength. The tattoo also represents the bravery and courage of the bearer. The tattoo of the crying eyes represents the bearer’s time spent in prison. Delonte was pulled over for a traffic violation while driving a motorbike in 2009 and was found with three firearms in his possession.
5. ‘Skull’ Tattoo
Tattoo: A giant skull held in a creepy hand, tattooed on Delonte’s left bicep. There is a banner above the skull as well with the word, “JUDGE” written on it.
Meaning: The tattoo of the skull represents good and evil, and life and death.
6. Tribute Tattoo
Tattoo: There is a quote tattooed around the left forearm that reads, “Don’t gain the world and lose your soul; wisdom is better than silver or gold.” There is also a diamond tattooed on the player’s left wrist.
Meaning: The quote on his arm is a tribute tattoo to Bob Marley, who said it.
7. ‘Barcode’ Tattoo
Tattoo: There is a barcode tattooed on Delonte’s left hand with the word, “GCODE” written in between the lines.
8. Quote Tattoo
Tattoo: The words, “There’s Sunshine in the Rain” are tattooed on Delonte’s right wrist. There is another quote tattooed on the inside of his wrist as well.
Meaning: The tattoo of the quote on his wrist represents the idea that there is happiness even in the saddest moment.
9. ‘Dragon’ Tattoo
Tattoo: There is a dragon tattooed on the inside of his right forearm.
Meaning: The tattoo of the dragon on his arm is inspired by Chinese designs that represent wisdom, longevity, and good luck.
10. ‘Gambling’ Tattoo
Tattoo: The side of Delonte’s right forearm has a gambling tattoo design with a gambling table, dollar sign, money, and poker chips.
Meaning: The tattoo of the gambling table on his arm represents good luck.
11. ‘Compass’ Tattoo
Tattoo: There is a compass tattooed on the inside of his right forearm, just where his elbow folds.
Meaning: The tattoo of the compass represents safety and protection. It is also a symbol of spiritual direction, awakening, and discovery.
12. ‘Biker’ Tattoo
Tattoo: Delonte’s right bicep has a tattoo of a bearded biker riding a motorcycle on it along with the words, “Bad Ass Biker Boy”
Meaning: The tattoo of the biker on his arm represents his love for motorcycles and riding in the open wind.
13. ‘Angels’ Tattoo
Tattoo: There is a tattoo of angels along with the gateway to heaven done inside an outline of a cloud on his right upper arm. The words, “GONE FROM OUR LIVES BUT NOT OUR HEARTS” are also tattooed with the designs. A cross is also tattooed with the angels with the name, “Smoke” tattooed next to it. The word, “REDZ” is also tattooed above the whole design.
Meaning: The tattoo of the angels and gates to heaven on his arm is a tribute tattoo for a loved one. The tattoo of the word on his shoulder is a nod to his rapper name, Charlee Redz.
14. Scroll and Word Tattoo
Tattoo: There is a scroll with words tattooed on Delonte’s left pec along with an angel. There is also a tattoo of the words, “Via Dolorosa” on his chest, encased between two rose flowers.
Meaning: The tattoo of the words, “Via Dolorosa” is another one connected to his faith. The words mean, “Sorrowful Way” or the “Way of Suffering” and represent the name of the route, in the Old City of Jerusalem, believed to be the path Jesus walked to his crucifixion.
