Doctor Who: 50 Unanswered Questions

The Third Doctor

29. Why Does The 3rd Doctor Have A Tattoo?

3rd Doctor Tattoo Soon after regenerating the 3rd Doctor hops into a shower. While gifting the audience with a flash of his chest and a rendition of "La donna รจ mobile," a brief glimpse of a snake tattoo is spotted on his arm. In reality this was a relic of Jon Pertwee's time in the navy, but what is the significance of this regeneration having a tattoo? Considering that the 3rd Doctors face and body were selected by the Time Lords, fans have argued that this was a mark placed on him by his jailers to identify the Doctor as a criminal. Interestingly, the only other Time Lord seen to have a tattoo is The Doctor's friend the Corsair who also had a tattoo of a snake on his arm (The Doctor's Wife). Is the serpent a Gallifreyan mark to identify criminals? Did the 2nd Doctor somehow manage to manifest a tribute to his fellow Time Lord (and drinking buddy) the Corsair on the body of his 3rd incarnation?
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Jamahl Simmons has been a sportscaster, a Member of Parliament and a talk radio host. With a love of Doctor Who, Comics and absolutely horrendous movies, he now brings his talents to WhatCulture!