Matthew James Matheson is a Canadian chef, host, and internet personality. He is the chef at Parts & Labour. He has also hosted Munchies, It’s Suppertime!, and Dead Set On Life. Matty has also released a few cookbooks.
Matty is known for his tattoos just as much as his culinary skills. His entire body is covered in various tattoo designs. Let us take a look at them and the meanings behind them.
Right Arm Tattoos
1. Eagle, Mask, and Beast Tattoo
Tattoo: There is an eagle tattooed on the chef’s right shoulder. His right upper arm also has a mask tattooed right next to a snake. Below the mask is a tattoo of the face of a growling beast. There is also a tattoo of the letters, “TS” tattooed above the snake inside a heart and a cross tattoo above the heart.
Meaning: The eagle is a symbol of power and freedom. The tattoo design appears at several places on his body as well. The mask follows the color scheme of the flag of Yugoslavia. The tattoo of the cross on his shoulder represents his religious views and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to save humanity.
2. Eye, Heart, and Cross Tattoos
Tattoo: Matty’s right bicep has a tattoo of an intricate cross on it along with the letters, “NNG” on the cross. There is also a red-colored eye, tattooed next to the cross with a word above it. His bicep also has a tattoo of a heart on it that is daggered and has the name, “SHAT” written on a banner wrapped around it.
Meaning: The tattoo of the heart being daggered is a symbol of heartbreak or betrayal. The cross might be for the death of a loved one.
3. Eagle and Rose Tattoo
Tattoo: There is another eagle tattooed on the upper side of Matty’s right forearm. There is also a rose flower tattooed next to the eagle. Below the rose is a design of a chain that wraps around his forearm and also has the letters, “JS” inside it.
4. Gorilla Tattoo
Tattoo: The chef’s right elbow is covered by a large tattoo of the face of a gorilla on it that has the body of a crab.
5. True Love Tattoo
Tattoo: The upper part of his right forearm has a tattoo of a heart-shaped crystal on it that has a keyhole. The crystal also has a blue flower above it and a banner below it that reads, “TRUE LOVE”. The side of his right wrist also has a tattoo of four lines and a tiny flower.
6. Butterfly and Riff Raff Tattoo
Tattoo: The chef’s left hand has a tattoo of a butterfly on it with the words, “ENDLESS LOVE”. His knuckle also has the letters, “DSOL” tattooed on it separated by stars. His right hand’s fingers have letters tattooed on them that spell the word, “RIFF”.
His left hand also has a tattoo of a butterfly on it. The butterfly also has an eye, a tiny flower, a string of the numbers, “-W-W-D-D-D”, and stars tattooed on his knuckles. His left hand’s fingers spell out the word, “RAFF”
Meaning: The words on his fingers spell the word, “RIFF RAFF”. The butterflies on his hand are a symbol of beauty and transformation. The string of letters represents a winning streak of win-win-draw-draw-draw.
7. Finger Tattoos
Tattoo: Matty’s right hand’s fingers, starting from his pinkie and moving towards his index, have a tattoo of a circular design, the crescent moon, a symbol, and a heart on it. His left hand’s fingers also have tiny designs tattooed on them.
Meaning: The tattoo of the crescent moon represents new beginnings in life. The bell tattoo on his left ring finger is a symbol of peace.
Left Arm Tattoos
8. Heart, Horseshoe, and Quote Tattoos
Tattoo: There is a tattoo of a heart containing an anchor inside it on Matty’s left wrist. There is also a horseshoe tattooed next to it and the words, “DEATH BROS” are tattooed near his thumb.
Meaning: The tattoo of the horseshoe is a symbol of luck. The anchor is the heart is a symbol of hope, calm, and steadfastness, and might also represent one’s love for the sea. The tattoo of the word, “DEATH BROS” on his hand represents his near-death experience in his twenties.
9. Rose and Dagger Tattoo
Tattoo: There is a tiny dagger and a rose stick tattooed on Matty’s left thumb.
Meaning: The tattoo of the rose and dagger together symbolizes the duality of human life.
10. Bouquet and Spiderweb Tattoo
Tattoo: There is a large bouquet tattooed on the lower side of his left forearm. There is also a spiderweb design tattooed on his left elbow with a large purple flower in its middle. His left wrist also has a band tattoo of a chain on it.
11. Jesus Tattoo
Tattoo: The upper part of Matty’s left arm has a tattoo of the face of Jesus Christ on it along with red flowers below it.
Meaning: The tattoo of Jesus on his arm represents his faith and his religious views. The tattoo represents the sacrifice Jesus gave for humanity and is also a symbol of inspiration and hope.
12. Demon and Flower Tattoo
Tattoo: There is a large tattoo of the face of a demon on Matty’s left shoulder. Below the demon’s face is a tattoo of a word along with a large flower.
13. Bicep Tattoo
Tattoo: Matty’s left bicep has a tattoo of another cross on it. The cross sits at the top of a rock and has flowers and leaves tattooed around it.
Meaning: The cross here represents a gravestone and the tattoo represents the grave of a loved one.
14. Fairy Tattoo
Tattoo: Matty’s left bicep also has a tattoo of a fairy on it. The fairy is seen flying amongst the stars sitting on top of a swan.
Abdomen Tattoos
15. Snake, Scorpion, and Panther Tattoos
Tattoo: The back of Matty’s neck has a tattoo of the face of a panther on it. Above the panther is a tattoo of a scorpion right next to a black and green snake. The upper portion of his head also has a flower tattooed on it next to another eagle.
Meaning: The tattoo of the eagle represents strength and freedom. The snake sheds its skin so it represents transformation and rebirth. The tattoo of the scorpion on his head represents the ability to control and protect oneself, and loyalty. The tattoo of the panther represents guardianship and power.
16. Back Tattoo
Tattoo: The back of the chef has the largest tattoo designs of his body. His back has a tattoo of a skeleton with wings, riding a horse, holding a scythe in his hand. There is also a gem that is glowing. There is also a pattern tattooed above and below the whole design consisting of diamonds on a black background.
Meaning: The tattoo is a European depiction of Death as a skeleton wielding a scythe, riding a horse. Death is also shown riding a carriage being pulled by black horses in some depictions.
17. Neck Tattoo
Tattoo: The words, “Defiant Hearts” are tattooed on Matty’s neck. There is also a tiny cross with a heart on it and a floral design tattooed on his throat. The quote, “The Outside Looking” is also tattooed on his neck.
18. Reaper Tattoo
Tattoo: The left side of his chest has a tattoo of a skull on it that has a cloak over its head, and a cross-chain around its neck. There is also a flower tattoo right next to it.
19. Quote Tattoo
Tattoo: The right side of Matty’s chest has the quote, “Gift of God. Son of Bear” tattooed on it.
Meaning: The tattoo of the quote on his chest represents the birth of his son. The chef posted a picture on his Instagram along with his newborn along with the caption, “MACARTHUR MYER MATHESON🙌 home birth, Trish is beyond amazing and Mac is 7.3lbs born at 3:42 pm march 15, 2016! GIFT OF GOD SON OF BEAR 🌋”
20. Eagle Tattoo
Tattoo: There is a tattoo of a large eagle tattooed in the middle of Matty’s chest that is carrying a rose stick in its beak. The name, “Macarthur is tattooed right alongside one of its wings. There are also tiny flowers tattooed around the eagle and another scorpion is tattooed on the right side of his chest.
Meaning: The name, Macarthur represents the name of his beloved son, Macarthur Myer Matheson. The scorpion is a symbol of loyalty and strength.
21. Heart, Rat, and Girl Tattoo
Tattoo: The right side of Matty’s stomach has a tattoo of a winged angel on it, seen playing the harp. There is also a large heart tattooed on his stomach, above the angel, with a banner wrapped around it that reads the name, “SARAH”. Next to the heart is a tiny rat with the word, “DEATH” below it. There is also a design of tiny butterflies and stars below the rat.
Meaning: The tattoo of the heart with the name represents his name for his beloved sister, Sarah.
22. Snake and Pinup Girl Tattoo
Tattoo: The middle of the chef’s stomach has a large tattoo design of a snake, along with a tattoo of a pinup girl with four eyes and a peacock feather over her head. There is also a crescent moon above the girl’s head.
23. Pig and Quote Tattoo
Tattoo: The left side of his stomach has a large tattoo of a pig on it with the words, “FULL-TIME PIG” written on its body. There is also a cross, a spider with a spiderweb tattooed on it middle of his stomach. The quotes, “BRICKS AND MORTAR”, and “NO DRUGS” are also tattooed on the left side of Matty’s stomach, above the pig’s body.
Meaning: The tattoo of the quote “NO DRUGS” represents his struggle with drugs during his twenties when he had a near-death experience. Matty turned his life around after that.
Leg Tattoos
24. Work Hard Tattoo
Tattoo: The chef’s right thigh has a tattoo design of the faces of a few horses on it along with the words, “Word Hard” tattooed below them on a banner.
25. Snake and Grave Tattoo
Tattoo: There is a tattoo of a snake’s head being daggered below his right knee. The inside of his right thigh has a gravestone tattooed on it with flowers tattooed around it.
Meaning: The tattoo of the skull and the dagger represents the battle between good and evil. The gravestone tattoo is a lasting remembrance of a loved one who is no more of this world.
26. Fairies, Snake, and Cross Tattoo
Tattoo: There are two fairies tattooed with clouds, on the inside of his right lower leg. The front of his lower right leg has a tattoo of a snake along with a rose flower. The design also has the words, “FOR THE KIDS” tattooed with it on a banner. The inside of his right lower leg also has a red and black cross on it. There is also a shark tattooed near his ankle, next to the cross with a hook going through its belly.
Meaning: The tattoo of the cross represents the religious views of the bearer. The tattoo of the snake along with the rose represents blinding passion and temptation that lead to corruption.
27. Mickey Tattoo
Tattoo: The inner side of his right foot has a tattoo of the face of Mickey Mouse on it.
28. Popeye Tattoo
Tattoo: The inside of his left foot has a tattoo of Popeye The Sailor Man on it.
29. Cross Tattoo
Tattoo: The chef’s left foot has another tattoo of a gravestone on it. The gravestone has a glowing cross at the top, and the letters “IT” are written on the steps below it. There is a similar design tattooed on his right foot as well.
30. Lizard Tattoo
Tattoo: There is a tattoo of a small lizard tattooed on the inside of his left lower leg. The lizard is bend and is showing its butt, with its head peeking from between its legs. The words, “MATTY #1” are also tattooed on his leg.
31. Gravestone and Spider Tattoo
Tattoo: The front of Matty’s left leg has a large gravestone tattoo on it. The gravestone is surrounded by plants, stars, and flowers and has a huge heart tattooed in the middle of it. There is also an eagle sitting on top of the gravestone. There is an incomplete skull tattooed on the inside of his left lower leg and a spider tattooed to the right of the gravestone.
Meaning: The tattoo of the gravestone is a tribute tattoo that is done for the remembrance of a loved one. The spider tattoo represents protection as well as wisdom.
32. Jesus, YinYang, Cheetah, and Rose Tattoo
Tattoo: The inside of Matty’s left thigh has another portrait of the face of Jesus Christ, wearing a crown of thorns with a cross below it. Below Jesus, there is a tattoo of a skeleton hand holding the yin-yang symbol and it is also chained to the symbol. There is the face of a cheetah tattooed on his left knee. His left thigh also has a tattoo of a rose stick, a spiderweb, and another eagle on it.
Meaning: The tattoo of Jesus Christ on his thigh represents his religious views. The yin-yang symbol comes from Chinese philosophy and symbolizes unity in opposites. The tattoo of a cheetah represents agility and seduction.
