Are Chaos Symbol Tattoos Alloweed In Rhe Navy

Peony is a tattooed tattoo enthusiast who loves studying and discussing tattoo history and meanings. Japanese themes are her favorite.

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Traditional American nautical tattoos accept a long history behind them. If you want a maritime tattoo for yourself, check out the meanings and history, and you might find some informative aureate nuggets.

History of the Nautical Tattoo

Dating back equally far equally the sixteen^th century, sailors sported tattoos (called "tatus" in the Polynesian language) and brought these tribal "souvenirs" from the Pacific islands back to Europe. Later on, in the 17^th century, written records (namely Helm John Cook'southward diary) spoke nigh the tattoos that were observed on indigenous people.

Back in the 24-hour interval, sailors actually tattooed each other and had to make do with what they had. They presumably used gunpowder and urine for ink.

Nautical Tattoo Symbolism

A big portion of maritime tattoos were:

Mementos used to mark a milestone in a sailor's voyage
Symbols of patriotism
Reminders of certain triumphs or places they've prepare pes on
Talismans used to ward off dorsum luck

Many maritime men were superstitious and you could hardly arraign them for that. Work revolved around the unpredictable elements, and their lives were, therefore, e'er nether luck'due south mercy. To stay safe, many sailors wore images on their bodies that they believed would ward off bad luck and bring them good luck.

Swallows and an anchor incorporated into a larger tatttoo

Nautical Tattoo Meanings: Milestones

Swallow: These blue birds are sometimes dislocated with sparrows, just they are actually completely unlike birds. Each swallow represents 5000 nautical miles traveled, which is nearly v,754 regular miles.
Anchor: In the Navy, sailors get an anchor tattoo later successfully crossing and returning from the Atlantic Ocean. An anchor is too the well-nigh secure object on the ship, so its prototype serves equally an icon of stability and unfaltering faith. Sometimes y'all will meet "MOM" or "DAD" written across the anchor in a banner because mom and dad are both reasons for staying grounded. Y'all might too see a sweetheart's proper noun also.
Dragon: This signifies that the sailor has served in a station in China or has sailed to a Chinese port.
Golden Dragon: A gold dragon represents crossing the International Appointment Line (an imaginary line on the surface of the earth that follows, for the most part, the 180th pinnacle).
Fully Rigged Ship: This tattoo is for having sailed around the torrential waters of Greatcoat Horn. A fully rigged send is i with 3 or more fully deployed masts.
Shellback Turtle: This is sometimes used interchangeably with King Neptune. The tattoo commemorates a sailor who has crossed the equator and been initiated into King Neptune's Court, a line-crossing ceremony for Navy members who cross the equator for the first time. (Suggested by commenter "Kuran" Thanks!)

"Hold fast" is a reference to holding onto the lines of a ship during a storm. — "Concord fast" is a reference to belongings onto the lines of a transport during a tempest.

magnacreative @ flickr

Nautical Tattoo Meanings: Luck

HOLD FAST: To hold fast means to hold onto the lines fast when the send is aloft in bad weather, and then sailors would not be thrown off. These words served equally a special reminder to agree on and persevere during tough times.
Pig and Rooster: These animals were usually tattooed on the feet or behind the ankles. They traditionally symbolized survival from a shipwreck, and superstitious sailors also believed that they were symbols of protection from drowning. This belief originated from the fact that both animals were often kept in wooden crates on board, and, when a ship capsized, these crates would nearly likely become washed up to shore. If a pig was tattooed on the left human knee and a rooster on the right foot, then the tattoo represented an old saying: "Hog on the articulatio genus, safety at bounding main. A cock on the right, never lose a fight."
Twin Propellers: Twin propellers, one tattooed on each butt cheek, were said to prevent drowning, as they were meant to "propel" y'all ashore.
Nautical Star: A nautical star tattoo represents the North Star, traditionally used for navigations out at body of water. Sailors often got tattoos of nautical stars or "compass stars" for superstitious reasons, hoping that the star would help guide their way through the night and get them dwelling safely. It is now a symbol of protection, guidance, and practiced luck. Some see nautical stars equally a symbolic reminder for creating 1's own path or navigating through a sure point in one'southward life. The nautical star tattoo has now become popular among Navy Seal and Coast Guard members. The nautical star tattoo is usually rendered as a 5-pointed star with alternating colors to mimic the colors on the compass rose institute on nautical charts. A plain compass tattoo was too popular and carried the same meaning as a nautical star tattoo.
Swallow: Because swallows were known for their long migration patterns where they travel long distances from dwelling house and then back again, a swallow tattoo meant that you would ever be able to find your way home. "Home" in this sense could mean home with your family or called home to God after death (information technology was believed that birds could comport souls of the departed to heaven). Most people incorporate this bluish bird tattoo with another sailor tattoo pattern, such every bit having a blue swallow standing on an anchor.

Swallows are known for traveling great distances and finding their way home. — Swallows are known for traveling great distances and finding their mode home.

Swallows & Daggers

Memento Mori Nautical Tattoo

Dagger Through a Swallow: A dagger through a swallow signified a lost comrade.

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Sailor'due south Identification Tattoos

Crossed Anchors: Crossed anchors tattooed in the web of the hand (between the pollex and index finger) were a mark of being a Boatswain Mate, someone who managed all activities relating to marlinspike, deck, boat seamanship, painting, upkeep of ship's external structure, rigging, deck equipment, and boats. Sailors could have it done on the left hand, meaning they had sailed all the oceans, or on the right, meaning they had sailed the Seven Seas.
Harpoon: This identifies a member of the Fishing Fleet.
Dolphin: Representing members of the Navy Submarine force (The dolphin is a Submarine Warfare Insignia). (Suggested by commenter "Madkahar" Thank you!)
Polar Bear: Denotes a Blue Nose sailor, a coveted line-crossing certification and ceremony whereby maritime personnel who'd crossed the Arctic Circle (Northern Domain of the Polar Bear) are awarded. This rite of passage is also known to be a rare opportunity to come up by. A polar Acquit colored in gold to denotes a surfacing submarine above the fifth parallel, or water ice walk [sic] in the chill. (Suggested by commenter "Madkahar" Thank you!)
Rope: A rope around the wrist is a mark of being a deckhand, currently or previously. A deckhand is someone who maintains the hull, decks, superstructure, mooring, and cargo handling on a ship.
Guns or Cross Cannons: Crossed Rifles indicates a member of the Infantry Army while Crossed Cannons refers to a Naval Gunner'south Mate—they are ordinarily done every bit a piece with navy themes in the background or placed where a Boatswain Mate would get their crossed anchors on their easily. (Additional info by commenter "One-time Navy" and "Deck SN" Give thanks you!)
Anchor: A single anchor represented the Merchant Marine, a civilian armada that carried armed forces goods. During World War II, the Merchant Marine entered the war even before the U.S. military machine joined considering they were attacked past a German submarine while delivering war supplies to United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland every bit role of the Lend-Lease agreement.
Fiddling 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. These men include (broadly): technicians, engineers, control-human, firefighters, machinists and electricians. 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 plumbing fixtures since they were located at the bottom of the vessel). The Petty Scarlet Devils were a direct representation of Snipes who were very much, "rulers of the Underworld". (Suggested by commenter "Jim Lynch" Give thanks y'all!)

Modern Nautical Polar Acquit Tattoo

Order of the Blue Nose in Neo-Traditional Style — Society of the Blueish Nose in Neo-Traditional Mode

Tattoo Artist: Abigail Bowen

Tattoo of Girls for Sailors

Pivot-Upwardly Girls: Life at sea meant leaving behind loved ones, such as wives and girlfriends. The girls tattooed on these men were a reminder of the ladies that waited for their prophylactic return back home.
Mermaids: These half-women, half-fish creatures were said to seduce sailors into the sea to their eventual death by luring them with their enchanting songs. This was believed to be an analogy for how enticing the sea was, even to men who knew well the dangers associated with it.
Hula Girls: Hula girls were usually inked on sailors who had been to Hawaii.

Norman Keith Collins, AKA Sailor Jerry, helped turn nautical tattoos into an art form.

Off-white Use, via Wikimedia Commons

Old School Nautical Tattoo Artists and Ideas

Hopefully, the meanings above inspire you and will aid you pick out a symbol that resonates best with you and what y'all're trying to convey with your tattoo. You could then tell your tattoo artist nearly the icons y'all'd like in your overall slice. They might have a creative blueprint in mind for an image limerick.

If you're looking for some examples, try researching the works of:

Franklin Paul Rogers
Baronial "Cap" Coleman
Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins

These dudes are the leading pioneers of American traditional tattoos and the tattoo civilisation in full general. They have some really rad old school tattoo designs that you tin can draw inspiration from.

Sailor Jerry octopus tattoo

Nautical Tattoos From Other Countries

Celtic Sailor's Knot: This aboriginal tattoo, also called a Celtic Cross, depicted two intertwined knots and symbolized the affection and devotion between a sailor and his lover.
Polynesian Tribal Tattoos: These designs mimic the currents of the sea and sometimes incorporate sea animals, like sharks and whales.

Modern Nautical Shoulder Tattoo

Questions & Answers

Question: I'1000 researching U.s. tattoo art from the 1860's...any site you'd propose for photos or design-books from that era?

Answer: The National Archives is a dandy place for historical info and photos.

Peony (author) on June ten, 2018:

@NateB11 - Thank you! Promise you enjoyed reading about information technology.

Nathan Bernardo from California, United States of America on June 09, 2018:

Very interesting, I didn't know the history or meanings to tattoos.

Lt on April 07, 2018:

Is there a Circumnavigation tatoo

Peony (author) on February 08, 2018:

@OLD Navy - Thank you so much for that additional info, I'll include that in the article!

Former Navy on February 04, 2018:

Crossed Rifles is infantry Army , Crossed cannons is a gunnersmate Navy

Peony (author) on December 14, 2017:

@Jim Lynch, @Deck SN - Thank you for your input, there's so many symbolical references. I'll always update this piece with new info, and so I give thanks everyone who's commented to contribute to this ever-growing listing! Especially to those who are seamen themselves! Much appreciated, kudos to you guys :—)

Peony (writer) on December 14, 2017:

@Madkahar - Thank you for those, you stone!

Madkahar on March 31, 2017:

Couple others:

Dolphin fish: which represents the submarine strength.

Polar Bear: Blue Nose sailor (those sailors that traveled above the 5th parallel. (Comport colored in gold to denote a surfacing submarine to a higher place the fifth parallel, or ice walk in the arctic)

Rock of Gibraltar: For traversing the mediterranean thru the Straits of Gibraltar.

There are quite a few others but these are the ones I recollect from my service time.

Will on December 10, 2016:

Jim I respect your words, I rescued friends from the burn down room of the frank cable. Even so have night mares

Deck SN on June 04, 2016:

Crossed cannons also represent the GM (Gunners Mate) rating. They normally go it done as a slice with navy themes in the groundwork or the same place a BM would get their crossed anchors on their hands.

Jim Lynch on May 08, 2016:

I was hoping to run into a Snipe tattoo. The little red devil tattoo became the symbol for those working in the fire rooms and machinery spaces of xx century ships.

Peony (author) on December 07, 2015:

@ Light-green Art - You're welcome! I'm glad this article shared some insight (:

@ Larry Rankin - Thanks for thinking so!

Laura Ross on December 03, 2015:

Great hub! My step-dad was in the navy during WWII and had two blue bird tattoos on his chest. I ofttimes wondered why birds, now I know. Cheers

Larry Rankin from Oklahoma on July 01, 2015:

I don't accept any tattoos yet, just I relish learning about tattoo history and symbolism.

Fascinating hub!

Peony (author) on April 04, 2015:

@ Leland Johnson - Thanks so much for the kind words! I'd imagine that there would have still been some who'd thought that tattoos were impermanent, merely I'1000 pretty sure they'd notwithstanding do it either mode.

@ Ivan - I hope this hub has helped you better understand (:

@ Nick - Cheers for pointing that out! Sparrows and Swallows have very unlike meanings, totally saw by that blunder. Edited!

@ Kuran - Thank you for that input, I've included your little reminder (:

Kuran on March 29, 2015:

Don't forget about a turtle or "Shellback" for sailors who crossed the equator

Nick on February twenty, 2015:

I'm a seafarer also... First place I've seen a sparrow stand for 5000 nautical miles traveled instead of the swollow

Ivan on February 07, 2015:

For me as a seaman is interesting to know the back ground storys because now im zhinking of getting some of these tattoos.

Leland Johnson from Midland MI on January 29, 2015:

What an interesting article! Well written and illustrated. Question- Do y'all know if sailors from the 16th century understood that the tattoos were permanent, or did some assume they would launder off over time? Thanks for writing this excellent article.

Peony (writer) on June xvi, 2014:

@ Daniel Collison - You're welcome, I'm happy this article provided some insights.

Daniel Collison on June 14, 2014:

I wondered what made my grandfather get the tattoo's he had on him, this article explains a lot. thanks.

Peony (writer) on April thirty, 2014:

@ Paul - You're very much welcomed, and cheers for commenting! Ah, that'due south awesome, much respect to the people who're serving the country. I'g very glad to have helped and I promise your next tattoo turns out beautifully (:

Paul on April 29, 2014:

Very informative, thank y'all. I myself have served in the navy for five years at present and it'southward always keen to understand unlike types of quondam naval tradition such as tattooing. I have already had a squid/anchor piece washed on my forearm and was specifically looking for "milestone" related tattoos considering I've already met the criteria for a few of them and this has helped me understand and verify my findings.

Thank you lot!

Peony (author) on March 01, 2014:

@ NRCollins & katoch - Thanks!

@ Cherylann Mollan - That'south smashing! I try to update this commodity whenever I come up across something new. Information technology's amazing how meaningful they are (:

Cherylann Mollan from Bharat on Feb 20, 2014:

This is a really nice hub. I've been thinking about getting an anchor washed as my second tattoo. Happy to know that I got the symbolism right. Didn't know about the 'Nautical Star' though. Will cheque that out. :)

katoch on February xiv, 2014:

great mail service you can vist this site from NASA

NRCollins on Feb 01, 2014:

Slap-up hub!

Peony (author) on August 14, 2012:

@ Semi-There - I do too, haha! I think for some people, they but get it for the aesthetic purpose without a inkling as to what they symbolize. It'due south fine though, whatever floats their boat (;

Peony (author) on Baronial fourteen, 2012:

@ Mama Kim 8 - Thanks! Aren't they interesting? When you don't understand the stories backside them some might not make much sense (like the pig and rooster), only once you practice it, everything just falls into place.

Peony (author) on August 14, 2012:

@ kittythedreamer - Cheers, glad y'all enjoyed reading information technology (:

Peony (author) on August xiv, 2012:

@ Jeff Take a chance - Thanks! Yeah, having not bad ink is sick, only to know the meanings behind these Fine art makes it fifty-fifty sweeter.

Amanda from Mississippi on August 13, 2012:

Interesting! I love reading nigh things like this. I always notice myself thinking nigh what common tattoos mean and if the people that are wearing them know.

Sasha Kim on August xiii, 2012:

I beloved the meanings for the different tattoos, great job Peony!

Kitty Fields from Summerland on August 13, 2012:

Wonderful tattoo hub. Great chore!

Jeff Take a chance from Denton, Texas on August 13, 2012:

Great commodity, the story behind these common images is interesting.