Star Tattoos
2) The Military Connection
The military is also closely connected with the nautical star tattoo design. To begin with, the star represents navigation in the Navy. But beyond that, many soldiers get nautical star tattoos as a symbol of protection and security. They hope that it will guide them through the danger that they face until they return home safely.
These days it's relatively common for military personnel to get a nautical star tattooed on their hand, wrist, arm or shoulder to provide them with protection, guidance and luck. Many soldiers use the design as a symbol of their honor and loyalty to the armed forces.
The red and black nautical star tattoo is also used by soldiers posted abroad to remind them of their family, and as extra motivation to get home safely and see their family growing up.
Instead of the red and black nautical star design, many marines have a red and green nautical star tattoo, with red for port and green for starboard. However, thousands of different variations have developed as people have taken the basic design and modified it to add greater personal meaning.
3) The Punk Connection
A more recent development in the history of the nautical star tattoo is the use of the design by punk rockers. Many punk bands and their followers have full sleeve tattoos that incorporate the nautical star on their elbows. The roots of this trend can be traced back to Sailor Jerry, one of the most famous tattoo artists of all time. He was known for his innovative designs and made the nautical star the height of cool in the punk era.
As for the meaning given to this tattoo design, it's the individualistic aspect of the nautical star that appeals to most punk rockers. They interpret the north star as a symbol of their ability to find their own unique way through life.
But perhaps the main reason for this punk-star connection is show in the following comment. When one fan of punk was asked why they use the nautical star tattoo as a symbol of punk, his reply was straight to the point, "we use it because we can". So perhaps it's an expression of their freedom of choice.
4) The Lesbian Connection
Perhaps the most controversial meaning associated with the nautical star tattoo is the claim that the nautical star was used by the gay and lesbian communities as a sign of their fight against repression and as a means to help identify each other.
This is widely disputed by many people, especially those who wear nautical star tattoos to represent other issues. After all, there are certain people with either a military or a punk background who don't want to be associated with the gay or lesbian movement. So as a form of counter defence these people strongly deny that there has ever been a link between the nautical star and a person's sexuality.
Part 3: Nautical Star Tattoos - Is the nautical star tattoo a gay symbol?
Part 1: Nautical Star Tattoos - The nautical connection
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Nautical Star Tattoos - Part 2
The military is also closely connected with the nautical star tattoo design. To begin with, the star represents navigation in the Navy. But beyond that, many soldiers get nautical star tattoos as a symbol of protection and security. They hope that it will guide them through the danger that they face until they return home safely.
These days it's relatively common for military personnel to get a nautical star tattooed on their hand, wrist, arm or shoulder to provide them with protection, guidance and luck. Many soldiers use the design as a symbol of their honor and loyalty to the armed forces.
The red and black nautical star tattoo is also used by soldiers posted abroad to remind them of their family, and as extra motivation to get home safely and see their family growing up.
Instead of the red and black nautical star design, many marines have a red and green nautical star tattoo, with red for port and green for starboard. However, thousands of different variations have developed as people have taken the basic design and modified it to add greater personal meaning.
3) The Punk Connection
A more recent development in the history of the nautical star tattoo is the use of the design by punk rockers. Many punk bands and their followers have full sleeve tattoos that incorporate the nautical star on their elbows. The roots of this trend can be traced back to Sailor Jerry, one of the most famous tattoo artists of all time. He was known for his innovative designs and made the nautical star the height of cool in the punk era.
As for the meaning given to this tattoo design, it's the individualistic aspect of the nautical star that appeals to most punk rockers. They interpret the north star as a symbol of their ability to find their own unique way through life.
But perhaps the main reason for this punk-star connection is show in the following comment. When one fan of punk was asked why they use the nautical star tattoo as a symbol of punk, his reply was straight to the point, "we use it because we can". So perhaps it's an expression of their freedom of choice.
4) The Lesbian Connection
Perhaps the most controversial meaning associated with the nautical star tattoo is the claim that the nautical star was used by the gay and lesbian communities as a sign of their fight against repression and as a means to help identify each other.
This is widely disputed by many people, especially those who wear nautical star tattoos to represent other issues. After all, there are certain people with either a military or a punk background who don't want to be associated with the gay or lesbian movement. So as a form of counter defence these people strongly deny that there has ever been a link between the nautical star and a person's sexuality.
Part 3: Nautical Star Tattoos - Is the nautical star tattoo a gay symbol?
Part 1: Nautical Star Tattoos - The nautical connection
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