What is the story behind Dave Leduc’s Lethwei tattoos?

Dave Leduc has never been one to shy away from his love of Lethwei and Burmese culture. This is so much so, that his legs are tattooed with strange markings that actually pay homage to the country and its traditions. Yes, that’s right, whilst Dave Leduc’s unique looking leg tattoos may look unusual, they’re actually a sign of respect to the country. So, what do they mean and where do they come from?

The correct term for his leg tattoos is called Htoe Kwin and these symbolize strength and courage. According to Leduc, these tattoos were very painful to endure and would act as a right of passage, from boyhood to becoming a man. If you search the term Htoe Kwin online, then you can find plenty of images and material that show similar artwork to the ones on Leduc’s legs.

Typically, these tattoos start at the upper parts of the legs, and cover the entire leg until just below the knee line. Usually, they have lots of circles with religious and cultural imagery drawn inside each circle, with patterns on the outside. Overall, it makes for a pretty interesting look and is not for the faint-hearted. As for Leduc, these aren’t the only tattoos on his body. He also has a large symbol on his back, as well as several smaller pieces on his upper body. However, the Htoe Kwin is what he’s mostly associated with.