Nautical Star Tattoos – A Simple Guide
The meaning of nautical star tattoos has been the subject of many debates since different groups have taken this old symbol as an icon of their movement. This actually led to an increased significance level according to the person who used it and depending on the context. Historically speaking nautical star tattoos were a characteristic of sailors, who had their superstitions and fears about being lost at sea or never seeing land again. Thus the north star became the home symbol and a silent promise that they'll find their way or path in life. Such nautical star tattoos clearly stand for good fortune and the chance to get home in the best of conditions.
The groups who have predominantly adopted nautical star tattoos are the military, lesbians and gays as well as punk rockers, but taken separately they all attribute different meanings to the symbol. For those in the army, the nautical star tattoos mean pretty much the same thing as for sailors; the military are also looking or waiting for their return home. Freedom to choose, this is the message given by lesbians to the nautical star tattoos. Back in the 1940s and 1950s, non-heterosexual orientations were not regarded as freely as they are today and, lesbians would tattoo the nautical star on the inside part of the wrist where a watch could camouflage it very well. But in the evening when they went out, the nautical star tattoo could be seen and recognized by others just like them.
As for punk groups, nautical star tattoos represent a symbolic way of expressing their differences. With the same hints to the North star, these tattoos point to personal efforts to find one's path in life even if that means being different. Many full sleeve tattoos that are so common among punk rockers also include a nautical star, the elbow area is otherwise preferred for the decoration. Besides these categories of people who wear nautical star tattoos for a purpose, there are many others who simply take a liking in the pattern. The preference for one tattoo or another is highly personal and it should remain that way.
One interesting aspect remains the denial of the symbolic charges of the nautical star tattoos. Thus, the military often debunk and deny all the potential hints to a different sexual orientation. Yet, other people wear such tattoos without even giving them a meaning other than their personal liking for the design. All in all, the truth is that nautical star tattoos are part of a tradition that is far from dying out.
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