What sailor tattoos mean?
For a sailor, ships are both practical and metaphorical. It’s where you go for work – but also for meaning and adventure. Sailor Jerry loved ships and held master papers on every major type of vessel. His legendary clipper ship tattoos represent both the call to adventure and the determination to be “Homeward Bound”.
Why did sailors have tattoos?
Sailing cultures tend to be rich in traditions. Over time, tattoos became one of the more popular traditions among mariners. Since their introduction, tattoos became a graphic language and a way for sailors to express themselves through body art, as well as a means of visually identifying with a broader social group.
What does a swallow tattoo mean sailor?
Memorial. Dagger Through Swallow – This tattoo would be used as a memorial of a lost comrade at sea. You’ll remember the swallow represented 5000 nautical miles, and in this circumstance, it also represented the sailor who sailed those miles too.
Why do sailors get sparrow tattoos?
The swallow tattoo was a symbol used historically by sailors to denote their sailing experience. It is also said that if the sailor drowns, the swallows will carry his soul to heaven. Today, the symbol of the swallow can mean many different things.
What tattoos did pirates get?
The pirate we see is covered in sailor tattoos, including a fully rigged ship, a pirate flag with the classic Jolly Roger (skull and crossbones), mermaids, a snake, and daggers.
Can sailors get tattoos?
The official academy policy on tattoos states body art is prohibited anywhere on the body that is “prejudicial to good order, discipline, and morale, or are of a nature to bring discredit on the Naval Service.”
How do you get a Navy tattoo?
Swallow. Legend has it that tattoos began when seven sailors from a ship called the Swallow each tattooed a swallow on his chest to mark their mutiny. Tradition, though, generally holds that a swallow tattoo is used measure how far a sailor travels. Originally, a swallow was earned every 5,000 nautical miles.