Being a sailor and interested in everything to do with sailing the sea it was inevitable that the history and culture of sailors tattoos would pique my interest as I had a couple already, and so below is some history on the origins of tattoos of seafarers and what and why I have chosen the tattoos I have.

When did seafarers start tattooing?

It seems that the sailor’s tattoos started to appear with European sailors in the 1500’s when Captain James Cook’s voyages took them to the Pacific islands and the skill was learnt from the Polynesians. The word tattoo is derived from tatau.  By the late 1700’s one third of British sailors had tattoos and by the 1800’s sailors of whaling fleets, merchant ships and naval vessels were all at it.

The early tattoos were simple improvised marks made with soot, gunpowder and needles during long passages.

Why did they do it?

The designs served as protective talismans, records of voyages, markers of seamanship and sometimes of rank. I like to think that there was likely a talented artist onboard who tattooed during the long passages where the sailors had little to do or were off watch

What did they all mean?

The below is a list of the ideas and meaning I have found from my research, however there will be more I’m sure.

Accomplishments or status

• The swallow  – sailors knew that swallows flew long distances over oceans and always found their way, at some point a swallow tattoo came to show that a sailor had completed 5000 nautical miles in passages.
• The anchor – showed a sailor had crossed the atlantic
• Rope around the wrist – identifies the wearer as a deck hand
• Crossed Cannons – indicates military service
• A shellback turtle – showed a sailor had crossed the equator
• A full rigged ship – the sailor has succesfully rounded Cape Horn
• The golden dragon – signifies a sailor who has crossed the international date line
• A harpoon – stated that a sailor worked in a whaling or fishing fleet
• The skull and crossbones (Jolly Roger) – to signify a sailor had faced disciplinary action

Faith or fate

• The star – this is a good luck tattoo and symbolises the sailors guide back home
• The compass rose- similar to the star, this was a sailors desire to have direction and purpose
• A ships wheel – symbolized destiny or leadership and the power to steer a sailors own course
• Pig and rooster – often tattooed on the feet or ankles, they were believed to prevent drowning. This stems from shipwrecks where livestock often survived because their wooden crates floated
• HOLD FAST – inscribed across the knuckles to give a seaman a firm grip on the rigging
• A lighthouse – a symbol of hope and a guide through dark and stormy waters
• Crosses on the soles of the feet – thought to act as a deterrent to sharks
• Hinges and oil cans (later on) – to ward off ailing joints
• Dice – representing a risk taker or someone who lets their fate to chance

How it all links to my thinking

I’m a Scout, and all through my formative life I gained badges and symbols that had meaning, and so I think this is why I am still drawn to tattoos that have meaning.

Commisioning the first one in Gran Canaria

I was given a recommendation by a friend who had used Renato Tatuajes and I was lucky to find Elena @dystopia.ink . Elena took my brief and after a week or so came up with a design. I was so pleased, Elena’s artwork was just what I had in mind and the research I had done to find the right artist had paid off, her style was exquisite.

I had briefed her on the swallows on my left arm and told her about the scouting significance of collecting badges of achievement, I had sailed over 10,000 miles by then.

I also wanted to create a compilation tattoo that included;

• A Pearl for my daughter Maisy (Pearl is a derivative of the name Maisy)
• A Symbol of the God Freya for my daughter Freya
• A knot to symbolise my sailing life, I chose a diamond knot, my favourite knot used for tying soft shackles. I later realised it was also symbolising Jenni tying me to her. Or maybe she’s my diamond!
• A Compass Rose for direction and purpose.

When it came to the day of the tattooing I arrived prepared for a four hour session. Elena printed several sizes of her atwork and we discussed how best they might fit, I had previously suggested a line through the swallows and down my arm which didn’t feature in her current artwork and we tried it on the day. She drew it on my arm by hand and so I now have the line that future swallows will follow.

The results

The artwork was fantastic and I cant thank Elena enough for her work. Since I’ve had them, many people have commented on how good they are, particularly the swallows

Commissioning the second in Grenada

We are currently making our way back to Grenada where we intend to spend three months to see out hurricane season. I have found a tattoo artist and my next commission will be;

• Another swallow for my next 5000 miles sailed
• An anchor as we’ve sailed across the Atlantic

Jenni is also thinking about having a tattoo and working on her own creative design. This will be her first so watch this space….