There are many tattoos that people choose to get that have historical symbolism. Although over time the original meaning has changed or shifted, people continue to give new meaning to these tattoos. Unlike many designs found on flash sheets, these tattoo designs have been a part of the tattoo industry since the beginning of the craft. The top three symbolic tattoos given would be swallows, nautical stars, and spider webs.
The history of swallow tattoos dates back to sailor times. It is speculated that the swallow tattoo represented the amount of sea miles a sailor has sailed. For example, if a sailor had one swallow tattoo then that meant he traveled 5000 miles, whereas if he had two, then he would have traveled 10,000 miles on the sea. This tattoo represented a sailor’s life on the sea and how long he had spent there.
Another explanation, more commonly in the UK, states that those with swallow tattoos on their wrists or hands symbolize their release from prison and their freedom. Swallow tattoos are now very trendy and have nothing to do with sailors or the release from prison. These tattoos generally come in pairs and are placed on the upper chest with the two birds facing each other.
Another popular nautical tattoo received historically by sailors, and now by those who follow tattoo trends is the nautical star. This tattoo is said to symbolize guidance, freedom, and controversially the lesbian community. Sailors got the tattoo to symbolize protection from the sea and since they used stars to guide them while sailing, to help guide them home. They were considered very superstitious and thought having the nautical start tattooed on them would bring luck and guidance during their trip home.
This tattoo design was also considered what can only be thought of as a secret handshake between lesbians in the 40s and 50s. These women would have the tattoo placed on their inner wrist where it could be easily hidden during the day and exposed during the evening hours. Lesbians today get this design tattooed on them as an homage to the lesbians of the past who had to hide their sexuality.
Another symbolic tattoo that has many meanings historically is the spider web tattoo. This tattoo is generally placed on the elbow and many say that this tattoo symbolizes time served in prison while others associate it with white supremacy. The lines on the spider web represent each year spent in prison, or more controversially the number of minorities that the wearer has killed. This tattoo design has also been thought to represent entrapment, whether it be in prison, in society, or in the system.
Although these tattoo’s meanings have changed over time and are more controversial than some others, they have become very trendy and the majority who choose them would not have been the typical person who would have received them in the past. For example, the majority of the people getting swallow or nautical star tattoos are not sailors. Most of those who get spider web tattoos are not prisoners, nor are they racist. The meanings of these tattoos have evolved and have become more symbolic to subcultures, but there are always those who get these tattoos only because they are cool thing to do, not knowing the symbolism behind what they are permanently adding to their flesh.