Amy Lee’s "pixel hearts" tattoo is a heartfelt tribute to her late brother — and it’s Zelda-inspired

Amy Lee recently revealed the deeply personal story behind her only tattoo: a tribute to her late brother, Robby.

In her candid interview with Netflix on April 13, amid Evanescence’s promotion of their new track, Afterlife, for the animated series Devil May Cry, the frontwoman shared that the tattoo features three pixelated red hearts from The Legend of Zelda, symbolizing health in the game.

“I am a gamer. I am a huge Legend of Zelda fan, for life.”

The Bring Me To Life songstress further revealed that Ocarina of Time, the 1998 installment of the franchise, was her first role-playing game experience.

“I still play it from time to time to just calm my heart down and go to sleep.”

But for Lee, The Legend of Zelda has been a long-running part of her life and something she’s always shared with her family. She got the tattoo in 2018, shortly after her brother Robby's passing from severe epilepsy at age 24.

“Well, I held out for 36 years but today I got my first tattoo. It’s exactly what my brother wanted, but didn’t get the chance to get. I always thought it was cool but it means more to me now.”

Lee described it as a way to honor him and keep a piece of him with her, saying:

“Besides the fact that playing Zelda together was one of our favorite things, he took a piece of my heart with him when he left. I love you forever, Robby!”

The Going Under hitmaker also discussed how her grief influenced Evanescence's 2021 album, The Bitter Truth, which she described as her healing outlet.

"Our music has always been a very sacred place for me to really just bare my soul. On the grief and everything, it has been really healing for me, having that outlet, to not only be able to pour my pain into, but also to be able to listen back, and reflect back, and see that something good was coming out of something so painful that honors the people we've lost, to still be able to stand back up and be your best self, and remember.”

She added that to “pretend like it didn’t happen” was something Robby wouldn’t want for her, saying:

“He would want me to be the best me I can be. And I know if he can see me right now, he's totally banging his head to this album and so proud of it."

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Amy Lee teases new Evanescence album

During her interview with Netflix, Lee spoke about Evanescence’s forthcoming album.

“We’ve been writing for a new album. Creation is just something that we need right now. I feel a sense of purpose to put something good, something empowering, into the world.”

READ ALSO: Is there going to be a Devil May Cry Season 2? Speculations, explored