In the late 2000s, Rihanna entered a infamously tumultuous relationship with Chris Brown. Before things took a turn for the worse, Rihanna had Bang Bang ink a trail of stars down her neck to match with her then-beau, who also has a trail of stars on his neck (via Capital Xtra).

Things took a turn for the worse in 2009, when Brown physically assaulted Rihanna in a car and threatened to kill her, states an affidavit written by a detective on the case, (via Billboard). Through this harrowing experience, Rihanna found a new strength and commemorated it with new ink.

Months after the assault, Rihanna unveiled a handgun tattoo on her right side. In an interview with Elle U.K, (via Yahoo! Entertainment), she says of the art, "Everybody wanted to know what was happening in my life. Is she a drug addict? No. Is she an alcoholic? No. Is she a victim? No. That's why I got the gun. It was a symbol of strength. I'll never be a victim."