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The swallow for loyalty (swallows have a single mate for life), to guide a sailor home (finding birds at sea mean you're near land/swallows always find their way home) and also to signify sailing 5,000 nautical miles (one swallow for every 5,000 miles).
A rooster and pig on the ankles, knees, calves, or top of the feet are to prevent a sailor from drowning. These animals were originally carried on most ships in wooden crates. When a ship went down, the crates would float, then catch currents and wash ashore with the other debris from the ship, making the pigs and roosters often the lone survivors of a shipwreck. Also signified, "Pig on the knee, safety at sea. A cock on the right, never lose a fight."
A tattoo of King Neptune or a turtle standing on its back legs or a "shellback" for crossing the equator and being initiated into King Neptune's Court. Sailors who cross the equator are nicknamed "(Trusty) Shellbacks", those who cross the equator at the 180th meridian (International Date Line) are then known as "Golden Shellbacks", while the rarest title of "Emerald Shellback" is reserved for those who cross at the Prime Meridian.
Crossed anchors on the web between the thumb and index finger for a Bosun's (Boatswain's) mate.
Royal Navy tattoos of palm trees for the Mediterranean cruises in WWII. Palm trees, hula girls and pin-up girls were also popular tattoos from the WWII era.
The words HOLD and FAST were tattooed on the knuckles to help hold line and to keep from falling overboard.
An anchor tattoo for sailing the Atlantic or to signify being in the merchant marine, a full-rigged ship for sailing around Cape Horn or to signify a literal or figurative journey (sometimes accompanied with a banner, reading "Homeward" for those loyal to home and family), a dragon for crossing the International Date Line or serving in China.
Rope around the wrist for being a dockhand.
A compass rose, or one (and sometimes two) nautical stars to ensure always knowing the way or being able to find your way home (sailors once navigated using the stars). In more recent times, the color of the star could also denote port (blue or green) or starboard (red).
Guns or crossed cannon for military naval service and harpoons for the fishing fleet.
Crosses on the soles of one's feet to ward off sharks.
A tattoo of a shark, octopus, leviathan, etc. shows that the sailor is not afraid of death at sea.
A dagger through a rose signified a willingness to fight and kill even something as fragile as a rose. A dagger through a swallow signifies a lost comrade.
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What is the symbolism of a barn swallow?
Bluebirds and swallows are traditional nautical tattoos with a long history of use. They symbolise happiness and good fortune. The swallow was a tattoo a sailor got after traveling 5000 nautical miles.
How many nautical miles equal a nautical star for sailors tattoos?
1000 miles per nautical star.
What is the significance of the traditional nautical tattoo of a shark?
From what I've gathered any traditional tattoo of a shark, octopus, leviathan, etc. shows that the sailor is not afraid of death at sea. Today, Navy Divers get shark tattoos.
What is the meaning of 2 nautical star tattoos on your chest?
The meaning of 2 nautical star tattoos on your chest can mean a number of things. There are no standard meanings for tattoos, it is up to the person getting tattooed. Often nautical stars are used as symbols of moving forward, or of being able to follow your path.
Which group of people commonly uses nautical star tattoos as an informal signifier?
The group of people that commonly use nautical star tattoos as an informal signifier are the United States Armed Forces. Nautical star tattoos are made to look like a five-pointed star in a dark and light color.
What does a purple and black nautical star mean?
Nautical stars are popular tattoos. The nautical star was originally a symbol for sailors but in present times, despite color, they do not have a meaning.
What does green and black nautical stars mean?
Green and black Nautical star tattoos to my knowledge are a symbol for Irish strength and diversity
What are traditional tattoos?
Tattoos that look like they were drawn by a 12 year old.
Do sparrow tattoos symbolize hope?
Historically, in the days of large sailing vessels, sailors would get a sparrow tattoo for every 50,000 nautical miles they traveled. They have never been known to symbolize hope but today they can symbolize anything.
What is the meaning of a beveled star tattoo?
The beveled star or "nautical star" is seen often in early American traditional tattoos. It was first made popular by sailors. The star was used to represent the north star and coincided with finding one's way home.
What do nautical star tattoos mean?
You need to have two nautical stars tattoo. One is for to find your way in life and the other one is for luck. So they both have to be the same sizes and color.
What do the stars on the knuckles tattoo mean?
Tattoos of stars on knuckles can have different meanings to them. They can have a nautical meaning or they can just be decorative.
