Navy tattoo - list of meanings, use of names (Northern, Baltic, Black Sea, Pacific), interesting sketches and photo ideas

For those at sea

The Navy tattoo is, first of all, a way to show your affiliation with the troop subdivisions, the connection of your destiny with the oceans and ships. The variety of pictures in this vein is so great that it is worth looking closely to understand the secret message of the picture.Initially the naval tattoos were popular in the United States, then gained popularity in the Soviet Union in the 1970-1980-ies.Now it is a whole direction in tattoo art, with its traditions and unusual aesthetic. Most often they are worn by members of the Marines, as well as civilians associated with merchant shipping.

Seafarers tattoos appeared just by sea - after the return from the voyage to Tahiti of the famous traveler James Cook in 1769 They were symbolic talismans, which were supposed to protect the sailor from death in the ocean, to bring good luck and success at sea. Often sailors showed in this way their achievements, the number of crossed seas and oceans, the miles traveled and the dangers, storms and battles.

The nautical theme prevails in these drawings. There can be a variety of combinations of anchors and palm trees, islands, maps, names of parts of the land and seas, various attributes of sailor's life, ship instruments and the very silhouettes and images of ships, winged expressions, encrypted inscriptions and numbers.

Tattoo varieties: general meanings

Tattoo Navy attracts attention with its details, by which you can judge the meaning of the sketch:

• Ships with sharks, just sharks - these mammals, one of the most dangerous on the planet, mean fearlessness and the will to live, because sharks are very strong and know how to survive.
• St. Andrew's flag is the official flag of the Russian Navy, for sailors it is a real shrine, which is revered and in no way allowed to be tarnished by disgrace. The Apostle Andrew is the patron saint of sailors and fishermen. The flag means the will to victory and fearlessness before the water element.
• A rooster or a pig does not have a pejorative meaning because these animals were often taken with them alive, in cages and crates, so they would not drown and make it to shore. This is how the crew insured themselves against starvation and bad luck. These drawings could be on the hands and feet, on the knees as an additional talisman. The rooster raises the fighting spirit, the pig symbolizes peace and contentment.
• Polar bears are often worn by members of the Northern Navy.
• Neptune or his trident - such a Navy tattoo was applied after a man crossed the Earth's equator for the first time. Another option in this case is a turtle.
• A sparrow - was tattooed after the first 5,000 nautical miles.
• Dolphins - moderation, harmony.
• Dragons, especially oriental style - memory of sailing to China or Japan.
• Seagulls, swallows, albatrosses - coastal sea birds bear a good sign of the proximity of the coast.
• The star is a guiding symbol that points the way to home and salvation on the water. Stars were especially important in the past, because navigation in navigation was very poorly developed.
• Palms - sailing on the Mediterranean Sea.
• Girls, naked women - just an entertainment tattoo, a sign of attraction to the female sex.
• Roses, a cross covered in roses - religiosity, attraction to the earth.

Anchors in all their variants - anchors.

• Anchors in all variants - the amulet of all seafarers, helps to keep the presence of mind. It is a sign of a firm footing, a strong position in life. Obereg protects against storms, even 9-point. It can be a symbol of hope as well as a memorable sign of Atlantic passage. Anchor with a heart - love for loved ones, care for family that you want to return to.
• The words Hold / Fast (more often in the form of a tattoo on the fingers) - a reminder to hold the moorings that save you from falling overboard. Often pocked on the wrists.
• The Wind Rose is a popular geographic pattern, a real good luck charm that helps to return home unharmed.
• Globes, maps - sign of power over the oceans.
• Compass - the desire to return home and achieve your goals.
• Ship's helm - the embodiment of the love of sea wanderings, the ability to pave your way and follow your plans. This Navy tattoo is often found in captains and helmsmen. In alliance with anchors, ropes - the ability to defeat obstacles.
• The inscriptions are the name of the navy, numbers of the military unit or naval base, the name of the ship, blood group and rhesus factor. Very popular in the Navy tattoo different abbreviations or names of navies: the North, Baltic, Black Sea, Pacific.
• Crossed cannons - the memory of military service.
• Fishing tackle, hooks - a sign of working on a fishing vessel or harpooner.
• A sailing sailboat - a symbol of struggle and motion, often a sign of passing Cape Horn.
• A ship with its name - the memory of the ship on which the service was.

Places of the Navy tattoo on the body

The color scheme of such drawings is often restrained, in the blue and black scale. But now monochrome is being replaced by color options, as new technology allows you to decorate the picture richer and brighter.

Most often the Navy tattoo is applied to the shoulders and arms - these are the most exposed places on the body. If it is a small inscription or motto "For the Navy", it can be seen on the ribs of the palms, as anchors and steering wheels - on the shoulders and forearms. Large compositions, large-scale images of ships and landscapes are applied on the back, chest, shoulder blades.

The style of padding is most often photographic or graphic, it all depends on the talent of the master and the client's requests.

Various photos will help to get acquainted with the variety of Navy tattoos. This is an interesting world with its own aesthetics and traditions, which is important to know if there is a desire to understand the nature and destiny of the owner.

Photo ideas and sketches of Navy tattoos