John Wick 4: What does Keanu Reeves’ back tattoo mean?

In John Wick, released in 2014, we met this ruthless killer with a dark past, played by Keanu Reeves. In the curve of the shower scene, the mysterious tattoos on the bruised body, nicknamed Baba Yaga, could be clearly distinguished.

On his shoulders, between flames and a wolf’s head, above a Catholic cross and two praying hands, can be read the inscription “Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat”. Latin for “fortune smiles on the bold”.

These tattoos are relics from John Wick’s past that remain a mystery even after the 4th movie. As we know, Baba Yaga is a fearsome killer who served for the high table; But how did he acquire his superhuman fighting skills?

One theory could explain this with his service in the US military. Indeed, “Fortes Fortuna Juvat” (“Fortune smiles on the bold”), is a very mild variation of a phrase used by John Wick; It corresponds to the motto of the United States 3rd Marine Regiment.

John Wick in the US Army?

Does this Latin proverb, popularized by Virgil in the Aeneid, mean that the killing machine was part of the US Marine Corps? One might think so considering John Wick’s exceptional skills in all styles of martial arts, in addition to knowing how to wield all types of firearms.

The wolf tattoo on John Wick’s right shoulder may also betray his connection to the Russian mafia. The latter use the figure of this animal to distinguish their members according to rank, mistakes made, or successful achievements.

In addition, the criminal organization has a habit of making symmetrical tattoos, which is explained by their placement on John’s back.

Is John Wick subject to Ruska Roma?

The inscriptions are also believed to be linked to Ruska Roma, the criminal organization that orphaned John Wick to become the ruthless killer we know. Therefore, this tattoo would be a sign of loyalty to the Ruska Gypsy family.

In Parabellum, when Baba Yaga asks the director of Ruska Roma for help, the dancer wears the same kind of tattoos with similar inscriptions.

Note that in episode 4, John Wick visits them again in Berlin to restore their former status as Ruska Roma; He needs this to get permission to challenge the Marquis to a duel.

In that sense, the Ballerina spin-off should provide an explanation on the subject, namely what might have happened between episodes 3 and 4 of Ruska Roma.

of wolves and gods

A wolf could also go through John Wick in a Russian prison box. This beast, like a leopard or a tiger, is traditionally tattooed on particularly aggressive prisoners who have difficulty with authority. This description fits our Baba Yaga well.

Also, let’s remind you that in the first movie, we learned that Vicky worked for the Tarasov family, an influential clan of the Russian mafia.

Ioseb Tarasov made the monumental mistake of stealing John Wick’s car and killing his puppy, a gift from his late wife.

Has John Wick found faith?

Finally, how do we define the symbols of the cross and the two hands joined in prayer in the middle of the back? Has John Wick found his faith after being in an international criminal organization?

We know that he tried to settle down after his wife’s death before finally letting go of the past. Does this tattoo translate to a late conversion to Catholicism for Baba Yaga?

It’s also possible that John decided to tattoo this design to come to terms with his many sins, culminating in his insatiable thirst for revenge in the movies. Thus, he would be a kind of fallen angel of God, a symbolism that fits the character’s personality and journey in the saga.

Art lovers will recognize the similarity of the praying hands motif to a famous painting by the 16th century German artist Albert Dürer. John Wick may also be a fan of classical religious painting.

However, it is more likely that his tattoo simply indicates his allegiance to the Ruska Gypsy crime syndicate, as well as his position in this underworld family associated with the High Table.

We’ll have to wait until the spin-off Ballerina with Anna De Arma and Keanu Reeves is released to find out more.