The Superstitious Sailor: Tattoos 

My tattoos are one of the reasons I joined the Navy. I have "R E V E N G E" in Old English letters down my right forearm, and, the Marine Corps refused to give me a waiver for it. I showed it to the Navy recruiter, and, he was like, "Yeah, so?" So, it was 6 years in the Navy for me.

Got a sparrow on my chest. When lost at sea, sparrows are guides to to afterlife. I’m an avid surfer and my great grandfather who I was close to had a similar one as well. He got it shortly before the Battle of Makin in 1943. He surfed all the way till his 80s, and boogie boarded the rest of his years. He passed away at 101, I got my tattoo shortly after as a tribute, and to know I have sum kind of invisible guide.

I once saw this documentary about a disenfranchised sailor - called himself a pirate - and he had a sparrow tattoo on his wrist. I always wondered why he didn't have turtle tattoos - since, as far as I've heard - he had once sailed from an abandoned island on the backs of some sea turtles, latched together from his own back hair.

A mate of mine is a retired OF-4 class Navy Officer. He served during the 80s-90s, and has lots of tattoos (Apart from his neck and head) which I'll ask him about and edit this post if anyone's interested?

I love tattoos, and seeing the significance and superstitions behind nautical ones are always fun to hear. I knew about the dragons, but first time hearing about the bears

You mentioned a swallow tattoo for every 5,000 miles. My question goes as follows: African or European swallows?

The Maori's method could be brutal, an account I read had the man getting his face tattooed smoking a pipe, face impassive, but with one strike the tattooist cut too deep into the man's cheek, and smoke could be seen rising from the wound. One of the first mechanical tattoo machines was based on a repurposed design by Edison, yes, that Edison. There was a fad for tattooing amongst the English nobility at one point, Prince Albert (married to famously thicc Queen Vic) a notable example. It was fun working in a tattoo studio, must say.

Really interesting. My grandad had quite a few of these from his life in the navy and I was always curious what some of them meant. I love when tattoos are treated like medals or markers of achievement, gives them a lot more weight and meaning.

I've got a turtle, goat and crab on my back, for crossing the line and the tropics, trying to decide how best to add a dragon and wyvern to that piece for Asia and sailing the Welsh coast. Funny story about getting my swallow tattoo, I was the first sailor that artist had actually tattooed a swallow onto. My favourite though is the lego skull Jolly Roger I got after passing my engineer exams.

My Uncle Bob had a snake twining around his wrist, an Irish thing apparently, from his days in the Merchant Marine. He joined for the fat stacks in early '41, and also ended up missing toes from taking a dip on his way to Britain. My ink is not nautical. My advice if you want a tattoo is pay what's needed for a good artist and make *damned* certain it's something you want for the rest of your life. I've known too many folks with Rorschach tests or "No ragrets" type stuff.

Get a good artist. There’s no undo button on that flesh canvas. Edit: and congratulations!

I remember reading old salts would tell newbies to get a crucifix tattooed on their backs (back in the days when sailors were whipped for discipline infractions).

I have a compass rose and an anchor and I'm glad that there's no hidden meaning I have missed before I had it done. An anchor is better than roots. You can stay where You want and leave when You want, while roots keep You in place and can only be removed permanently. The anchor stands for security and freedom at the same time.

Some other tattoos not mentioned: Crucifix tattooed on the back. Its purpose to protect against flogging, because the person administrating the punishment would try avoid striking Christ. Pig and Cock was mentioned however the placement of tattoos were not correct. Pig goes on the knee and the rooster must be on the right leg. Two reasons for this; survive a shipwreck (mentioned in video) and the other reason is to never lose a battle. It is explained in the tattoo's poem, "Pig on the knee, safe at sea. Cock on the right, never lose a fight." The two sparrows were mentioned but there are more to those symbols. They are tattooed on the crest. When a sailor has reached 15,000 nautical miles a chain is tattooed connecting them. 20,000 nm, a second chain is tattooed. Altogether the tattoo as a whole means you've sailed around the world. No more tattoos are needed for distance, since they represent a highly skilled sailor. What you might see within the commonwealth (maybe America) is when a close shipmate dies, a dagger is tattooed going through one sparrow (normally the sparrow above the heart). Sparrows follow ships out at sea and it was believed that they never lose their way back home. As well as, carry deceased sailors' souls back home. Dagger doesn't always represent murder or killing but an "ending to something". Combined meaning the sparrow is carrying your deceased comrade to their home so they are not lost at sea. The thin Black ring tattoo. Came from Irish sailors within the British navy. Placement is extremely important. Any new port you visit, a thin black ring is tattooed around your arm. If the sailor had relations with red light worker, a thin black is tattooed around the thigh or leg (somewhere officers can't see). The crossed anchors were mentioned but one might also see a single anchor tattooed on the hand's webbing. This means the person with the tattoo has been locked up in a foreign port. It can be determined where they were locked up by what hand, left or right, the tattoo was done on. Right side of the body always represents the Atlantic. Left side of the body always represents the Pacific. Doesn't matter if your from the Commonwealth or America, meaning is universal. More about anchors. Anchors for many sailors, old and new, represented faith anchored in Christ, often tattooed on left side of the chest above the heart. An anchor tattooed on the legs or feet, helps keep the sailor anchored to the ship's deck during bad sea states. An anchor on the forearm means they are in the military naval service and have crossed that ocean which that side of the body represents. When a sailor retires, a skull is placed on the anchor. As it represents the death of their naval service/career. There is alot to the shellback tattoos. Too many to mention. If bored it is worth a internet search. The Cooking Cauldron tattoo. Believed to protect sailors from starvation and also from being eaten. Sailors at the time believed Captain Cook was killed and eaten by cannibals on Hawai'i. So to protect themselves the cauldron tattoo was created. The Death Rose or Roses. Becoming more common now, this tattoo represents losing a loved one while away at sea. The sailor will often start with a single rose but over time, will add a bush and sadly more roses might be added. A rose always represented something beautiful, precious, delicate or innocent. STAY TRUE across the knuckles. HOLD FAST is common but rarely one might see "Stay True". Which was the command to the captain to stay true to the compass heading to avoid being blown far off course. For the sailor wearing the tattoo, means they'll never lose their way. There are hundreds of tattoos, I'm not going to expand on them all but I'll list a couple more: Mermaids Dolphins The Sword Fragarach Five tipped spear Liquor Bottle Fully rigged and also a ship with no rigging An Island Panther Shark Lion Octopus Blue star Oil can Hinges A para of Dice Blue men Harpoon Captain's defaulter Hunters lines Whale Red Dragon Rose with a dagger Eyes Lighthouse Shark teeth Kelpie Britannia holding her trident (a symbol of British Patriotism and a British naval power). White Elephant. Samurai ...etc

Funny, I have a fully rigged ship and an anchor tattooed on me and didn't even know these meanings. Speaks to the ubiquity of this style. Pretty lucky though - from what I understand an anchor can mean having crossed the Atlantic (which I've done) and the ship is Cape Horn (I've stood near Tierra Del Fuego - close enough?). Sick video!

Great video. In the other (less reputable) place where improvised tattoos are common, ashes from burnt toothbrushes are the substitute for the obviously unavailable gunpowder and mixed with urine to make tattoo ink.

My buddy had the butt cheek props and was very proud to show them off in the chow line lol. You missed the emerald shellback.

The only one that you missed that I know of is getting an anchor tattooed on either forearm to know which coast you were deployed to, i.e. an anchor on the right arm would show that you were deployed across the Atlantic and an anchor tattooed on the left forearm would show that you were deployed across the Pacific.

I just found this channel and it's an instant sub from me. Naval/maritime history was the first thing I ever got interested in as a child (I even named my first ever pet dog after teh battleship Bismarck!). I like the knowledge and the background editing of the videos! Keep up the great work!

Love the subject matter of this vid!! Thanks for posting! I'm Shellback 1993 USS Belleau Wood. Will never forget the experience!!!

I've been waiting for this video! I've always tried finding as many traditional sailor tattoos (and the reasons behind them) but I could never find them all in one place and now you've gone and put them in one video! Thank you so very much!

My Uncle Johnny had a hula girl on his right arm. So did others I met. Now I know the meaning! Good info ; nice video, thanks!

Golden Shellback Coastie with blue and red nosed bear rights (but not the ink). I had a crusty old master chief tell me the square knot on his wrist was because he sailed the seven seas. Don’t know if that is historically accurate but after I did the same I took his lead and got one too. Good momento.

Due to my Icelandic heritage I got the Vegvísir on my back to "help find your way home through storms even if you don't know the way"

Awesome video as usual! I have a Guinea pig and a parakeet in Trojan gear on my feet as a spin of the old chicken and pig and the superstition is in fact true they kept me treading water when I fell over board. (I did have a float coat on but that’s besides the point) I have a swallow and I rope on my wrist along with many. Many more. Keep up the good work!

The reason for pig and rooster on the feet was so that if the ship sank, their feet would float and then they could walk home on the water.

Don't forget the crossed keys for a Storekeeper.

Crossed Papa flags in the web of the thumb for Signalmen. AKA Skivvy Wavers.

I don’t know if this is on here already but at least in my local area a lot of fishermen get tattoos with the name of them boats and a different tattoo for each person so if there body’s wash a shore they could be identified.(the family of a fisher men would know there tattoo and could tell them straight away)

I have my Coastie oohrah tattoo and a few more sailor inspired ones. There was a cook who sailed with me on the Mellon who had bacon & eggs tattooed on his feet instead of the traditional pig & chicken. Never did get my swallows or chains. Anyhow, good video shipmate!

My gramps has an anchor on his forearm that he got somewhere while shipping out to fight in the Korean War during his time in the US Navy. He was about 17 years old. The ink and/or method they used back then didn't age very well and these days it's looking more like a dark patch of skin than artwork.

1:48 - Well hello, Sailor Jerry.

Newly subscribed and I love the content! I can’t wait to see what other stores you have in store. Have you considered doing a video on the SS Daniel J Morrel, or the SS naronic?

Just found your channel & subscribed! Interesting topics & real history. Thanks for bringing maritime history to current history on utube.

Today is a bless-ed day! Another banger hath been delivered!

Boatswain's mate here, Shellback, Golden Dragon, Red Nose, Blue Nose, and Order of the Square-rigger, served in the Main Mast of Eagle. Fouled Anchors, a star to sail by, some skulls, a Turk's head around the wrist, and list of my first four steel wives on my forearm.

I love that first pic of Lyle Tuttle, he was one hell of a guy, rip. Glad I got to meet him at my local tattoo convention right before he passed.

I have 5 and plan more. So far only one is nautical, but all of my tattoos in the future will be nautical based since I'm a tall ship sailor for a living.

Trusty Shellback here: Spent 6 years in the USN, have traveled to the PI, Hong Kong, etc. I have circumnavigated the globe. Back in the day, it really wasn't that common for sailors to have tattoos. As I understand it, the Navy had to set uniform guidelines to curb excessive tattooing. Sailors have little else (use your imagination) to do with their money when they visit a port of call.

I’ve always loved these old school tattoos, I just got a Homeward bound tattoo on my forearm after years of planning

I remember my grandfather having a black panther tattoo on his left forearm. He served in WWII in the Pacific, but that's about all I know about his time in the Navy.

I really enjoyed this video. I had no idea of all the various stories the tattoos could/would mean. I imagine it would help make for some instant camaraderie among sailors

I qualified for the fully rigged ship, and gotten it tattooed last year. I also have 2 swallows, but qualify for 4. Hoping to be able to get the hula girl soon :) (I'm not in any sort of navy, just really into sailing)

As for my time at sea, I have a Pirate Flag with crossed wrenches and an atom as i am a retired nuclear machinist mate as well as Italy labeling the bre of my first submarine (Submarine NR1) the "Pirates of the Skerki Bank" because we recovered ancient artifacts on th 97 deployment .

Dumb question from a lubber-a sailor doesn’t stay in one job forever, does he? What happens when he gets a promotion? Just more ink?

Made me think of my Grandfather's Tattoo...a single dagger on his forearm. Can't remember what he stated it meant..

Corpsmen normally get a caduceus somewhere on them. I have one on my right shoulder and some sailor get their warfare devices on them as well. I still need to get my fleet marine force device on me as part of my left are sleeve. I have a sailor pin up and soon to get a marine pin up as well to match.

Excellent work skipper!

1:20 .. That tall ship is gorgeous, great art..

Gotta say, I've been subscribed since you were around 8-10k, and I am SO glad to see your channel doing so well. Truly well deserved.

My first tattoo was an anchor wrapped in the American flag. I got it when I was in A-School in the Navy.

I cant not wait for the next video

Yay! you're back... Thanks :-)

another thing that could be related to this is the ancient celtic and briton traditions of covering yourself in ornate paint designs before battle, because it was believed that the gods would protect you

As a sailor and us navy veteran i got quite a few traditional navy tattoos anchors polar bear shellback iyaoyas-AO rate tattoo and more

my uncle worked on submarines, late 60, whole of 70's and some of the 80(50's as a stupid kid on fishing boats since he ran away from home when he was 12 haha). He had 2 tattoos on his left arm a panther and the wheel and anker, denoting he is left-handed does navigation(the dudes that calulates depth distance etc) and he has been at see x amount of years old /all in blue(was black at one point)ink only

I just noticed the thumbnail, apparently I had tunnel vision. It's hilarious 🤣🤣

Both of my grandfathers were in the Navy. A welder and a flag men one had a pinstripe girl and the other a anchor

I have a suggestion for a video the USS Lexington the Blue Ghost. Has an amazing story and has some great ghost stories.

Hey, Do you think you could do a video about the induction of new sailors and the traditions of that. Specially the feast of Neptune.

my brother’s navy and last time we were in a shop together, he got two swallows. think he’s up for the rooster and the pig next time he’s home. i love the sailor jerry style and want to get something eventually myself, though lord knows what

Love the topic. I don't have any tattoos but I have heard another reason for tattoos of barnyard animals on the feet is because they don't usually drown at sea so by association they might not meet the same fate. Have you done a video on ear rings yet? I've heard from my shipmates that utility of both earrings and tattoos is to ID your body as after some time in the drink you become bloated and or might be missing other identifiable parts. I nod to that tradition by labeling some of my floating gear with my boats name and my name is on my PFD. Nice, a clip showing the HMS Surprise (replica ship) at the San Diego Maritime Museum. Had to freeze the clip because I recognized the Ferryboat Berkeley then could ID the ship! Thanks for adding more visuals.

My uncle spent 20 years on the Enterprise and he had among other things Popeye the sailor on his forearm😊

I cant wait for the next video!

I love the thought of superstitious and honorary tattoos. I wish more cultures and professions had such tattoos engrained in them

Did my blue nose ceremony in 2017 but finally decided to get it just recently. I got the walrus instead of the polar bear. Get after it and get yours dude!

you should do a video on the queen of the north disaster

You should do one on the USS Liberty. Lots of uhhhhhhh mystery to that one

I qualify for the dragon, the hula girl, and Shell Back and Golden Shell Back. I don't have them tat'd on me though. I only have my USMC tattoo.

There’s one more shellback. 200 consecutive days underway and that’s the Iorn Shellback or Steelback

The anchor was originally a Christian symbol of hope. There's a passage in Hebrews which makes reference to hope being the anchor of the soul, hence hope anchor. In the UK, there are still many pubs named the Hope Anchor - with a similar original meaning and association with the source nautical tattoo.

I do not have navy tattos however I have tattoos (quite s few) and my navy-inspired one is a compass for my first son as he brought me home. It is the old fashion one with a long chain ⛓️. I love it!

Crossed line and international date line at same time, was a gunnersmate, deployed to Asia Have several tattoos but no navy related ones

If you don't mind me saying, I have a video suggestion for maritime horrors. The sinking of USS Frank E Evans

Having spent many years at sea in submarines. I am happy to say I still have no tattoos. However I came close to getting a pair of submarine propellers on my butt cheek's down the gutt in Malta one time. I was ashore with a bunch of lads when after a good skin full we decided all to get tattoos. So off we went. Well as there were a good few of us, some had to wait. I was one. When it was my turn I had napped and was sober!!!

Been in the Navy for 9 months now, gonna get a shellback tattoo on my right hand after i (hopefully) cross the equator on deployment also, for anyone wondering, my rate is Mineman. 👊

My dad has some kind of Asian style lion I think, it's been some time since I saw it

the hula girl typically doesn't just mean you've been to Hawaii, it means that you have a girl waiting for you back home when you get to Hawaii. Great video

Love your uploads man!

I sailed as a deck hand for around a year and have several tattoos but have yet to get a nautical one out of superstition and fear that I might get one I didn't earn. I'm considering getting a basic square knot. As other commenters have said please please do your research and choose an artist who knows what they are doing. Bargain hunting is great but not when it's something you will wear forever.

Nice to know my devil idea had navy lore. Working in the engine room yea it’s hot af underway

Hurah Up She Rises Early In The Morning. What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor.

Dagger through the Heart… or dagger through a rose showed a sailors grit, to “kill” (endure through) something as beautiful as a rose or as frail as a heart to accomplish the mission. It was thought to have thickened a sailors skin.

You should do a video on the port Chicago disaster

I have an Anchor with ‘hold fast’ in a banner around it on my right lower forearm above the wrist. This is the hand that brings my bowstring back and anchors it to the same place on my face each shot. Hold fast for discipline. Above it I have a swallow. Because I swallow seamen. Im just jokings lmfao. No, I do have a swallow, but thats so I always find my way. On the back of my bicep I have 2 crossed arrows with ‘Stay True’ written either side. This is so my arrows stay true. Above and below the crossed arrows I have the Alpha and Omega symbol.. the beginning and the end. Representing my life, I started shooting and always will. Next to it is Amy Winehouse’s eye ahaha. Love tattoos. They can mean something or nothing and both are true.

Swallow is for crossing the equator man.

I've got my shellback on one shoulder and a swallow on the other. I qualify for way more but my "gave" the other one to my wife. Swallows mate for life and she got her's on the opposite shoulder so we dance our swallows "kiss." I've got a compass tattoo plan for this year, probably round September.

I have 15,USCG shield,buoy,CG engineer tat,north star,swallow,Mermaid.among others.

Enjoyed your video and I gave it a Thumbs Up

Most folks I’ve seen with tattoos got them to commemorate their time in the military, like war time. It’s never any of the above though. Makes me wonder when these fell out of style with military personnel, if at all.

Getting the tall ship today

You had your mic volume / input gain set too high in this one. Sounds fuzzy / crackling.

I hate tattoos, but I love this channel. More!

I remember a story of my uncle in the Coast Guard chewing a young seaman out for having dumn tattoos. I remember some supposed to be for things this young sailor had clearly not earned, but the one that's really funny was the skull and crossbones. I reiterate, the was a sailor in the _coast guard_ .

dis tatau beah gread powah

Got my hold fast tattoos on my knuckles and swallows (x2) compass and anchors

Also Suez Canal as well as Gibraltar

Lets go boys. Gruntposting represent

My Grandfather, WWII ARMY, had a tattoo.

i never thought about marine meanings to my tattoos but i have a hellhound on my fist and own a old powerboat i think i accidentally did it right?