Rihanna's 'protective' tattoo is the pits

Rihanna has a new tattoo - a handgun under her armpit which signifies power and protection. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

Rihanna has had a tattoo of a handgun inked under her armpit as a symbol of "power" and "protection", says tattooist BangBang.

The 'Umbrella' singer had the firearm inked under her right armpit last Thursday to signify "protection", according to the artist who etched the design.

Tattooist BangBang, said: "I'm a big advocate of guns. So I said, 'How about a gun?' I printed out a picture of a gun that I thought would look good, and she loved it. It's powerful. It's protection. At least that's my interpretation of it."

The Barbados-born singer - whose boyfriend Chris Brown has been charged with felony assault and making criminal threats after allegedly attacking her - initially wanted the gun design on both her shoulders, but decided against it as it may have interfered with her modelling contract with make-up company Cover Girl.

BangBang continued: "We were thinking of putting it on her finger next to her wrist, or on her shoulders. She loved that, but it took away from her face, and you know, Cover Girl wouldn't have liked it much, and they pay the bills!

"It took about 15 minutes. She didn't complain while I did the tattoo."

Rihanna, 21, flew BangBang to Los Angeles to tattoo her friend for her birthday, then decided to get an etching as well.

BangBang has done the majority of Rihanna's body art, which also includes a collection of stars down her back, a music note on her ankle and a Pisces sign behind her right ear, as well as a star inside her left ear and the word "Shhh..." on her index finger.

- BANG! SHOWBIZ