Webster’s defines tattoo as the permanent insertion of ink or other pigments below the skin using a sharp instrument. For centuries, tattooing has been used in both ritual and punishment. Today, tattooing is an outlet of self-expression, used by celebs and common-folk alike.

Angelina Jolie, one of Hollywood’s most photographed/talked about/envied superstars, has over a dozed tramp stamps on her body. The actress says all her ink blots have meaning.

Angelina told USA Today in 2003, “Usually all my tattoos came at good times. A tattoo is something permanent when you’ve made a self-discovery, or something you’ve come to a conclusion about.”

Other stars, that you may not suspect, have indulged in the obsession. Rihanna, Gisele Bundchen and Bruce Willis all have star tattoos. Country music star Keith Urban and oh-so-hot Actor Johnny Depp both have Indian tribal tats.

Some celebs wishing they hadn’t taken the plunge are Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards. Their divorce left them both with permanent reminders, in the form of the other’s inked name. Denise recently had Charlie replaced with a fairy and Charlie had Denise removed via laser. When Rocker Tommy Lee’s marriage to Pamela Anderson went sour, the blonde bombshell had her wedding ring tattoo, Tommy, altered to say Mommy.

While the relationship of the beautiful Beckhams is still in tact, it will be interesting to see what David will do with his permanent portrait of Posh if things go South.