Nautical Star Tattoos The History, Meaning And Symbolism

The history, meaning and symbolism of nautical star tattoos is a hotly debated topic. Today many different groups have adopted the Nautical star tattoo as a symbol for their own movement and they have all ascribed their own meaning and history to the symbol. Thus has lead to a wide disagreement as the the meaning of the tattoo.

Historically most everyone agrees that Sailors were the first people to get nautical star tattoos. In fact the very word nautical relates back to sailing. So this connection has been pretty firmly established. Most people would agree the sailors were a pretty superstitious group historically and sailor lore abounds with superstitious and fantastical stories of life and death and being lost at sea.

Early on sailors navigated by the stars at night and the north star became the symbol for finding ones way home. Once you know where the north star is you can point your ship in the right direction to get home. So the star became a symbol for finding ones way home or more symbolically even finding ones path in life. Therefore many sailors would tattoo nautical stars on their forearms as a good luck symbol in hopes of returning home.

However their modern day meaning is a more debated topic. Many believe that groups including gay and lesbians, punk rockers and those in the military have adopted the nautical star tattoo as a very important symbol. The diversity of these three groups has lead many to argue the meaning of their tattoos.

For the military the connection is pretty obviously point back to the early sailors and the symbolism and meaning is the same as the early sailors. Many military people get a nautical star tattoo as a symbol for finding ones path home safely. Of course this can also include more symbolically just finding ones way in life.

Punk rockers have also adopted this as a popular symbol to have tattooed. The punk movement traces its history and use of the nautical star tattoo back to Sailor Jerry. Sailor Jerry is historically one one of the most famous tattoo artists ever. He was well known for his innovative and "cool" designs. Punks have taken this symbol and it has very much the same meaning of finding one way in life. Being the rugged individualists type Punks are drawing to the symbolism of true north and finding one own unique way in life. So the Nautical star has become a symbol for this. You see many punk bands that have full sleeve tattoos typically incorporate nautical star tattoos either on their elbows or elsewhere.

This meaning of the symbol has of course created a lot of problems and arguments among the other two groups of bearers of nautical stars. Most puck and military people do not want to have a nautical star that points back to anything from the lesbian movement so many will say that there is no connection there and this is false.

It just goes to show that when the same powerful symbol is used over and over again over decades of time it can taken on very different meanings for different groups. So all of those that you see sporting a nautical star tattoo might not all have the same interpretation of its symbolism.

So do you have a nautical star tattoo or think about getting one in the future? Which meaning of the symbol will you get the nautical star for? As long as you know what the symbolism behind the star is for and you have gotten it for the right reason to either support the lesbian movement or as a symbol to finding your way!

Sexy Star Tattoo Designs for Girls

Stars are often encountered as symbols, and many cases the meaning of a particular star symbol may depend upon the number points it has, and sometimes the orientation of these points as well. As a light shining in the darkness, the star is often considered a symbol of truth, of the spirit and of hope. The symbol of the star embodies the concept of the divine spark within each of us. Their nocturnal nature leads stars to represent the struggle against the forces of darkness and the unknown.

star tattoos on foot - foot star tattoo

sexy star tattoo on foot for girls

Cool place for a tattoo....but so cute .holy crap! I thought at first they were temps until i saw the redness and read the tags!

sexy star tattoos on back for women

Sexy star tattoo for girls

This is another star tattoo design.

Sexy Star Tattoo Designs | Female Tattoos Gallery

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Sexy star tattoo for women

Sexy Star Tattoo Designs For Women

Sexy star tattoo for women

Sexy Star Tattoo Designs | Female Tattoos Gallery

Sexy Star Tattoo Designs | Female Tattoos Gallery
Sexy star tattoo for women

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Sun Tattoo

Sun tattoo is very popular and common that it is hard to find a distinctively unique sun design. There are many reasons why so many people choose sun symbol for tattooing. It is various according to the person’s culture, beliefs, and personal preferences.

The most common reason why the sun tattoo is still very popular in the first place is that the sun symbolizes vitality and the cycle of life. The sun shine is shine representing that life is short. Therefore, it is suggested be lived to the fullest. The rising of the sun means a new day is about to begin. The worries of yesterday should be a thing of the past. This then serves as a reminder to enjoy the sun while it is shining.


In the ancient times, a sun tattoo could also have deeper spiritual connotations. A sun tattoo represents divine power and the bearer usually holds a position of authority within their religious circle. The sun would rise again after a night of darkness symbolizes the sun’s ability to give life. This sun tattoo also symbolizes immortality, and reincarnation.

In the Asian culture, there is Yin-Yang philosophy, the good and evil symbolism, and the symbol for balance. There is sun tattoo combined with moon tattoo. This combination is believed to be a union of the male and female power, sexually and spiritually speaking. It also fit for the philosophy of yin-yang.

Sun could also be considered as a symbol of light and goodness. It is pureness of the soul, or at least an attempt to emulate the concept of goodness. Therefore, some people especially the intellectuals or those who fancy themselves as one, the sun tattoo have the meaning of learning and knowledge for an ignorant mind, just as the sun would bring light to darkness.

Sun Tattoo

Sun Tattoo

Sun Tattoo

Sun Tattoo

Nautical Star Tattoos

Nautical Star Tattoos
The nautical star tattoo is the most masculine design amongst star tattoos. Nautical star tattoos are considered old school. In the early days of tattooing, they used to be popular amongst sailors, who had them for guidance and protection. Sailor Jerry is a famous tattoo artist from those days.

The nautical star is a 5-pointed star, the points are split in half and filled with an alternating color (usually black-red or black-white), creating a 3d illusion.
Sailors used stars and the North Star (aka Polaris) for navigation, so it's not hard to see why so many of them have star tattoos. They function as a guide to get them back home safely. Soldiers have them for the same reason. Swallow tattoos also have a similar kind of nautical history.

Also today, people have star tattoos for similar reasons, you can rely on them when you are lost in your life, they are a light in the darkness.
In Ireland the nautical star is a symbol for good health, it's an old Pagan symbol you can find in certain Irish hospitals.

The nautical star tattoo has a special meaning in the gay and lesbian community. Some gay and lesbian people have a nautical star tattooed on their wrist as a sign of their disposition. The wrist is a place that can easily be covered by wearing a watch or a bracelet. Curiously, many celebrities have a star tattoo on their wrist (see further).

The nautical star is also a popular punk rock tattoo design.

Nautical Star Tattoos

Nautical Star Tattoos
Nautical Star Tattoos

Nautical Star Tattoos

Nautical Star Tattoos

Nautical Star Tattoos

Nautical Star Tattoos

Great History Of Body Art Tattoos

The history of body art started with prehistoric humans. In the prehistoric era, belief in a soul, guarded by the spirit of another creature, inspired pictures of that creature on the body. The spirit of that creature guarded, gave safety, and led the soul down the path of life. Body art was a way to keep the spirit close, always.

The History of Body Art Tattoos

Throughout time, body art kept its position as a spiritual expression, and it also became an expression of social importance. Native American and African tribes used tattoos and body piercing to express beliefs and stature in society. Chiefs, for instance, had different body markings than an ordinary hunter or any other tribe member. Where a chief may have had a tattoo that symbolized power or resembled a god, a hunter might have had a tattoo that resembled a buffalo or some game he hunted. Piercings and tattoos were signs of accomplishment and membership.

The History of Body Art Tattoos

Certain tattoos stood for positions in the community, and in some cases, every member had some type of body marking that indicated their status. For ceremonies, the elite class donned the trappings of their rank and power. Women in the tribes received a special marking for marriage, to signify they were a spouse. The chief had more tattoos and more piercings because of his stature in the tribe, and the older members of the tribe had more because of age. In many cases, the markings had high, religious significance.

The History of Body Art Tattoos

As time progressed further, body art stayed as an expression of beliefs, but the beliefs and reasons for body art strayed from religion and community stature. Some Americans believe that
body art grew in popularity in the 1960s as a revolt against the formalism of society. Along with that theory, some “flower children” used bodyart to demonstrate the incompleteness of all art. Some got tattoos to express love for another person, orto state a belief about an issue facing society. A quote in an article by Deborah Irmas states that “Tattooing has become an expression of art, a far cry from the times when it was viewed as a ritual of passage in ancient cultures”. Some men, however, got tattoos to demonstrate membership in a gang or group, much like the Native American and African tribes.

The History of Body Art Tattoos

Body art is still used in ancient practices and to show status rankings in tribes like the Surma of Ethiopia. For example, in the Surma tribe, young boys still use lip plates. Lip plates are used to stretch the lips and indicate how many cattle a man’s family will receive from his bride’s family when they are married. The tattoos that women receive when they are married include symbols of prosperity and well-being.

Body art has lasted throughout history and is still important in society. The tribes of Africa keep old traditions alive by continuing to use body art, and Americans use body art to identify themselves and as a form of individuality. In a sense, as society has grown and changed, so has body art.

The History of Body Art Tattoos