'My reason for living': Ariel Winter looks slim in new snap as she explains meaning behind those FIVE initials tattooed on her rib cage

By Jennifer Pearson For Dailymail.com

Published: 21:14 EST, 13 April 2016 | Updated: 21:19 EST, 13 April 2016

Ariel Winter sparked interest after she was spotted with a new tattoo on her left side while on holiday in the Bahamas.

The 18-year-old Modern Family star finally explained the meaning behind the ink art in a revealing way on Wednesday.

Ariel posted a black and white Instagram of her ultra slim and bare waist that displayed the five initials of her loved ones in big bold capital letters.

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What's in a name: Ariel Winter explained the meaning behind the new tattoo on her side in a new Instagram on Wednesday, writing, 'the initials of five of the most important beings in my life: my nieces and nephew'

What's in a name: Ariel Winter explained the meaning behind the new tattoo on her side in a new Instagram on Wednesday, writing, 'the initials of five of the most important beings in my life: my nieces and nephew'

The young actress, who sports quite a few tattoos on her body now, was seen lying down on her back with just a peek of her bikini top showing.

'My second and most special tattoo, the initials of five of the most important beings in my life: my nieces and nephew,' Ariel explained.

'Their initials are on my ribcage, on the side where my heart is. They are my inspiration, and my reason for living (sic).

Inspired: The Modern Family star - pictured on March 3 - added in the photo caption that her nieces and nephew 'are my inspiration, and my reason for living'

Inspired: The Modern Family star - pictured on March 3 - added in the photo caption that her nieces and nephew 'are my inspiration, and my reason for living'

'Love these babies more than anything and proud to have their initials forever on my body,' she wrote.

She then included their names: 'Dakota Patrice Workman, Skylar Athena Gray, Parker Eleni Gray, Demetra Eleni Workman, Asher Ruben Gray'

Ariel, who just turned 18, was fully embracing the freedoms that come with adulthood as she relaxed with her boyfriend while on a romantic vacation in The Bahamas last week.

Wearing a high-cut red swimsuit to best display her body art, the teen frolicked happily in the surf with Laurent Gaudette, stopping to hug him as they enjoyed their island getaway.  

Tatt's permanent! Ariel, who just turned 18, revealed the new inking in a high cut swimsuit while in the Bahamas surf with boyfriend Laurent Gaudette on April 4

Tatt's permanent! Ariel, who just turned 18, revealed the new inking in a high cut swimsuit while in the Bahamas surf with boyfriend Laurent Gaudette on April 4

The teen star's other new inking, in cursive script along the top of her thigh, could be seen on her right thigh.

And DailyMail.com can reveal the tattoo is just one of three Ariel has had since her landmark birthday back in January.

The teen had her body inked by Hollywood tattoo artist Dr Woo last month, sharing an image of herself reclining in his chair, as he sat needle in hand.

No longer a child: The young star's other new tattoo is a cursive script along the top of her right thigh; DailyMail.com can reveal it's just one of three Ariel has had since her landmark birthday back in January

No longer a child: The young star's other new tattoo is a cursive script along the top of her right thigh; DailyMail.com can reveal it's just one of three Ariel has had since her landmark birthday back in January

'About last night...' she wrote, later adding that the tattoo was one of three.

While tattoos are illegal in minor children, at 18 Ariel is entitled to get as many as she likes - something she is obviously keen to do.

Meaningful: The second tattoo on her rib cage attracted gazes too 

Meaningful: The second tattoo on her rib cage attracted gazes too 

While she may seem young to be making permanent changes to her body, Ariel, who plays good student Alex on Modern Family, has already undergone life-altering breast reduction surgery.

Explaining her F-cup bra size was making her 'unhappy,' Ariel has said it also caused her physical problems.

'Having so much weight on my frame was affecting me psychologically,' she confessed. 

'I was uncomfortable and unhappy. It wasn't because I didn't like how I looked,' she wrote in an essay for Motto, a new website from the editors of Time.

She added: 'Women are already over-sexualised and I grew into my body so young. I was 13, 14 years old and I looked 19. Suddenly, people didn't want to talk about my job - they just wanted to talk about my cleavage.'

The award-winning actress stated: 'I chose surgery because of how I felt, not because of what anyone else thought.'

Ariel insisted she was never bothered by the negative comments she received about her figure online and her decision was made purely to please herself.

'People may find it hard to believe but when I got my breast-reduction surgery last year, it wasn't because of the mean comments online.'

'Afterwards, I automatically felt so much happier and just better physically,' she added. 'My back and shoulders didn't hurt any more!'

Drawings in the sand: Ariel showed her romantic streak and her bikini-clad figure as drew in the sand during her vacation in the Bahamas with boyfriend Laurent

Drawings in the sand: Ariel showed her romantic streak and her bikini-clad figure as drew in the sand during her vacation in the Bahamas with boyfriend Laurent

Ariel first began dating Laurent, 19, two years ago, but the two briefly broke up in December.

Amid reports of a breakup, the actress posted a note about Beyonce's Single Ladies, hinting she no longer had a boyfriend. 

Ariel currently lives in Los Angeles with her older sister, having left home in 2012 alleging physical and emotional abuse against their mother Chrisoula Workman.

Her father retained control of the young actresses finances until her 18th birthday. 

 

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