Having a dragon tattoo signified a sailor had been stationed in China or stopped at a Chinese port. Dragon tattoos are an option if you want a more subtle reference to water (despite their fire-breathing features, dragons are serpents and associated with water). Dragon – There is no animal more synonymous with a country than the dragon is with China. Crossed cannons also represent the GM (Gunners Mate) rating. Polar Bear: Blue Nose sailor (those sailors that traveled above the fifth parallel. Head on over to our adventures page and find out where you can Sail On Board today. Mar 19, 2017 - Explore Jimmy Sommerville's board "Nautical Tattoos" on Pinterest. Amanda from Mississippi on August 13, 2012: Interesting! Question: I'm researching US tattoo art from the 1860's...any site you'd suggest for photos or design-books from that era? The nautical star is a traditional sailor tattoo and one that you will still see many people get today for a variety of reasons. The nautical … @OLD Navy - Thank you so much for that additional info, I'll include that in the article! Mandala Compass tattoos have a special meaning as … Edited! From a tiny nautical compass to a huge cardinal rose design, you can fit a compass tattoo just about anywhere. Sail Training International I'd imagine that there would have still been some who'd thought that tattoos were impermanent, but I'm pretty sure they'd still do it either way. Crossed Rifles is infantry Army , Crossed cannons is a gunnersmate Navy, @Jim Lynch, @Deck SN - Thank you for your input, there's so many symbolical references. @ Green Art - You're welcome! Anchor Cross Tattoos. Back then, Snipes would work on coal-fed steam engines, and due to the atrociously high temperatures of their working space, The Pit was likened to the fiery depths of hell (also fitting since they were located at the bottom of the vessel). Swallows – Each swallow represented 5,000 nautical miles of sailing. I always find myself thinking about what common tattoos mean and if the people that are wearing them know. Nautical Star Tattoo Meaning 1. Well this term is related to the land of waters and we can mostly see its application for calculation having direct connection with water. It's amazing how meaningful they are (: Cherylann Mollan from India on February 20, 2014: This is a really nice hub. They have some really rad old school tattoo designs that you can draw inspiration from. For me as a seaman is interesting to know the back ground storys because now im zhinking of getting some of these tattoos. Nathan Bernardo from California, United States of America on June 09, 2018: Very interesting, I didn't know the history or meanings to tattoos. It guided them through physical and emotional confusion, always leading them back home to friends and loved ones. Symbolism Behind Nautical Tattoos. @ Semi-There - I do too, haha! Little Red Devils: Symbolic to a Snipe—a term for enlisted men working in “The Pit” or the engine rooms and machinery spaces in the mid-19th century. Mermaid Tattoos Nautical or Maritime Tattoos Nautical Star Tattoos Navy Tattoos. Chances are if you know more than a few people with tattoos, one of them will be rocking something nautically themed. Swallows and an anchor incorporated into a larger tatttoo. This is the most secure object on the ship. A large portion of maritime tattoos were: Many maritime men were superstitious and you could hardly blame them for that. They presumably used gunpowder and urine for ink. Swallows also acted as a beacon of optimism, because swallows never flew too far into the ocean, and their sighting meant that land was quickly approaching. Over the years, many groups have tried to adapt tattoo designs of the nautical star with their own unique interpretation. Ship wheel tattoo meanings . ), Order of the Blue Nose in Neo-Traditional Style. The nautical star is a staple of tattoo art, partly due to its pleasing design and partly due to the meaning. If you have ever seen compass that is used for determining ships’ locations, you can easily identify this tattoo and the nautical star tattoo meaning. At a very generic level the meaning of a nautical star tattoo is to guide its wearer towards their desire. Thanks for writing this excellent article. To stay safe, many sailors wore images on their bodies that they believed would ward off bad luck and bring them good luck. Sailors were among the first to revive the art and practice of tattooing when they visited the islands of Polynesia in the South Pacific and other lands in … Nautical Tattoo Meanings: Luck. @ Ivan - I hope this hub has helped you better understand (: @ Nick - Thanks for pointing that out! of nude ladies) would be refused and would only be considered after the tattoos were modified. This is why you'll often see anchor tattoos emblazoned with "Mom" or the name of a sailor's sweetheart (the people who keep them grounded). So choosing a sailor girl name for your munchkin is no longer a difficult task. Crossed Anchors – Indicated the sailor wearing them was a Boatswain Mate. The little red devil tattoo became the symbol for those working in the fire rooms and machinery spaces of 20 century ships. And, of course, compass tattoos symbolize … Jim I respect your words, I rescued friends from the fire room of the frank cable. Pig and Rooster: These animals were usually tattooed on the feet or behind the ankles. I love the meanings for the different tattoos, great job Peony! Wearing two … The tattoos must be earned, and an inmate wearing an undeserved tattoo risks a beating or worse. Answer: The National Archives is a great place for historical info and photos. HOLD FAST: To hold fast means to hold onto the lines fast when the ship is aloft in bad weather, so sailors would not be thrown off. Only the most respected can wear the thieves’ stars in that area of the body. A sheep wheel symbolizes several meanings in sailor tattoos but generally represent leadership, victory and is a reminder for the wearer not to stray and to strictly adhere to plans. This tattoo also represents a sailor’s way home. They believed tattoos were talismans used to ward off back luck. Kitty Fields from Summerland on August 13, 2012: Jeff Gamble from Denton, Texas on August 13, 2012: Great article, the story behind these common images is interesting. Many people look for nautical half sleeve tattoos. Nautical star tattoos are also worn by anyone whose livelihood is on or near the sea. Anchors were also popular nautical tattoo motifs at the time. There was a reason why people got nautical tattoos: It was a symbol of patriotism. (Bear colored in gold to denote a surfacing submarine above the fifth parallel, or ice walk in the arctic). @ Kuran - Thank you for that input, I've included your little reminder (: Don't forget about a turtle or "Shellback" for sailors who crossed the equator, I'm a seafarer also... First place I've seen a sparrow represent 5000 nautical miles traveled instead of the swollow. Will check that out. I myself have served in the navy for 5 years now and it's always great to understand different types of old naval tradition such as tattooing. Often their tattoos of choice would reflect these superstitions, and were selected with the aim of alleviating their fears of drowning, becoming lost at sea, not receiving a proper burial in the case of death, etc. Gosport Anchor – Sailors would get an anchor after crossing the Atlantic Ocean successfully. Before you go signing up for history classes, hold on. Anchors have become popular within general tattoo culture over the years, but the symbolism is still the same. Information regarding COVID-19 can be found here. @ Leland Johnson - Thank you so much for the kind words! Full Rigged Ship – After sailing around Cape Horn, a sailor would have this tattoo. The origins of the symbol are, as the name suggests, connected to sailing and navigation. @ Paul - You're very much welcomed, and thank you for commenting! I often wondered why birds, now I know. Sailor tattoos or nautical tattoos are body arts that are usually sported by sailors, captains and the naval crew; people who spent most of their lives at open seas. “Hold Fast” – Beginning as a identifier of someone who worked as a deckhand, “hold fast” across the knuckles evolved into a good luck charm for sailors to not be thrown overboard in stormy weather. Some really rad old school tattoo designs that you can draw inspiration from broadly. 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