Navy sailor tattoo

Tall ship sailor-turned-cartoonist Lucy Bellwood's gorgeous "The Art of the Sailor" is an informative guide to the meaning of sailor tattoos. It first appeared in Vancouver Maritime Museum's traveling exhibit,…

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Sailor Girl Tattoo by Tony Nilsson #SailorGirl #traditional #classictattoos #TonyNilsson

A navy anchor is an indicator of character and integrity tied to patriotism, the memorials of loved ones, or unit within the Armed service.

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Unlike other services, the U.S. Navy has a long tradition of tattoos. Learn about 19 popular nautical tattoo designs including what they mean and how a sailor earned the right to wear each symbol.

Getting a traditional sailor tattoo is much more than a representation of maritime accomplishments, a talisman against omens, or a memorial for loved ones. This ThoughtfulTattoos post breaks out of these cliché ideas and gives you 21 wonderful designs along with their meanings.

Standing out among a variety of styles and techniques, aesthetics, and traditions, perhaps nothing is more recognizable in the tattooing world than the sailor tattoo. Steeped in maritime lore and echoing a chorus of sea shanties across well-navigated oceans, the relationship between sailors and their ink has earned its place in the identity of modern Americana.