Sailor tattoo

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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,…

Traditional Tattoos solid black

for Captaincake Verona

Sailor Jerry was tagged with the name Norman Collins at birth, but he began to distance himself from normalcy when he was 19 (that's why he became a sailor). He traveled around the world, not only getting his first tattoos, but also gaining exposure to the art and imagery of Southeast Asia. This later became a crucial influence when he opened his first tattoo shop in Honolulu's Chinatown, ground zero for swaggering sailors, drunken soldiers and whoever else wasn't afraid to hang around…

The root of small ship tattoos are inspired by sailors, and sailing ships. Check this list of small ship tattoo ideas perfect for every nautical lover.

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.

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.

Tattoos are part of Navy culture. Here's what some of them mean.

A look back at early ink, presented by Getty Images.

Sailor Jerry

Join us on Sunday, January 14th from 10am to 6pm for our Sailor Jerry Flash Day! We will have an assortment of pre-designed Sailor Jerry flash tattoos to choose from for $50 each. This is a first come, first serve, walk ins only event. We will keep a waiting list and will do our best to serve as