In the same way Stefani Germanotta transformed herself into Lady Gaga for the stage, she is transforming her body into a visual expression of her personal philosophies. Starting at age 17, when she first decided to tattoo herself, her idea of body art transcended the usual ink idealogy. We'll get into the reasons as we track her journey of ink. Since 17, she only had three tattoos, but in 2009 she really took off with inking up.

Gaga confirmed in a September 2009 Newsweek interview that she has six tattoos.

Her first was a trebel clef (musical symbol). In 2003 she used a fake I.D. at the age of 17 to get it. You could call this not only her first tattoo but her third as well, as it's part of another design. We'll get to that.

Where did she locate it? Back hip.

A remembrance tattoo in tribute to John Lennon. Located on her left wrist. Upside down, but according to her, it's rightside up as she is the one looking at it constantly.

In 2008 Lady Gaga decided to cover her trebel clef tramp stamp with something more tasteful. She turned to famed Los Angeles tattoo artist Kat Von D. You can Youtube search a video of it being performed in the open air. The new design, which covers the treble clef, is vines and roses that begin at the base of her back and wrap up her waist under her left arm just up her torso.

The lower back sports a set of three roses as does her side with another set of three.

Hawaiian flower in the high profile location of her left shoulder.

In August 2009 Lady Gaga celebrated the Haus's (Haus of Gaga) collaboration with legendary Japanese photographer Araki. Acquired in Tokyo along with her 6th tattoo. It's located on her left shoulder above her Hawaiaan Daisy tat.

In her own words she says, "I was bound by Araki's personal bondage artist, by several ropes and Japanese knots ... Araki photographed me, using a series of several cameras. He did not photograph my image; he photographed my soul. We spent the night with Araki and his friends at a members' only bar he's owned for more than 20 years, where he displays his work. Here, he painted me and took Polaroids through the night. I was honored to be the first American woman he's photographed, and only the second pop artist, in the company of Björk. He signed the Polaroids 'Tokyo Love,' and the Haus got tattoos of his marking in celebration."

Rumored to have taken place at midnight in Osaka Japan. Inspired by S&M photographer Araki. It's located on her inner left arm and takes up quite a lot of real estate.

While inspired by Araki, the quote is actually from half way around the world by German philosopher and poet Rainer Maria Rilke.

The Quote: 'Confess to yourself in the deepest hour of the night whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write. Dig deep into your heart, where the answer spreads its roots in your being, and ask yourself solemnly, Must I write?'