RandySavageIsMySpiritAnimal
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For centuries sailors have been getting tattoos. In the past they would tattoo each other with whatever tools and ink they could find and make. Some tattoos represent milestones while others have been used as superstitious talismans.
Swallows
Each swallow represents 5000 nautical miles traveled and was traditionally believed to provide safe passage home.
Crossed Guns or Cannons
Used to represent military naval service.
Hold Fast
Believed to keep one aboard during a storm
Anchors
Anchors keep a ship grounded, not unlike family. Often seen with the word "Mom" enscribed.
Nautical Star
Represents the North Star. Serves as a guide home.
Pig and Rooster
Usually tattooed the on the feet or the back of the ankles. In the event of falling overboard or the ship capsizing, would help to keep the sailor afloat.
Shellback
Used to represent "Shellback" status when a sailor has crossed the equator on a ship.
King Neptune
Also marks "Shellback" status.
Golden Dragon
Annotates "Golden Shellback" status, when a sailor has crossed the equator and the international date line at the same time.
Hula Girl
Marks a sailor who has been to Hawaii.
Mermaid
In mythology, mermaids would lure sailors to their death. Used to represent how enticing the sea is, despite the known dangers.
Sailor Jerry
Norman Keith Collins was the man who helped turn tattooing into an art form.
NinjaCongo
I thought "swallows" was a come-on amongst lonely sailors.
CheFaCose
In 1740..
DaftBrian
Too bad it was taken over by hipsters whom have most likely never done a days hard labor.
hathorlover
My friend got the pig and chicken fone on his feet after saving a friend from drowning.
RenardLeBlanc
Did...did that turtle get sodomized?
RandySavageIsMySpiritAnimal
He's a sailor. He's probably been fucked on more than one occasion.
LoboLex
Who knew Lionel Messi would have so many chest tattoos
azazyel
Rose https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d8SzG4FPyM
Myavar
I KNOW YOUR GIRLFRIEND, SHE'S MY GIRLFRIEND TOO
ProfessorDumbass
Why are there no comments talking about the fact that women are bad luck but every guy has his swallow
Mugfan
All these symbolism and then suddenly "Hula girl. - Sailor's been to Hawaii."
timbukktrukk
I'M OFFENDED BY THIS HULA GIRL TATTOO I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU ON GAWKER
tommyfever
That used to be a big deal.
Mugfan
I'm not saying it's lame, I just thought "Well, that's pretty obvious."
forgotmyokdpasswordsohereweare
Coolio
pivlatman
This was a great post OP, never knew any of this but I always wondered why sailors had specific tats.
HailToUltron
Never drink Sailor Jerry rum. It's overpriced and it tastes like shit. I'm a very experienced rum drinker.
RandySavageIsMySpiritAnimal
dietderpsy
Coco-Mo is a very nice rum and very cheap too.
PackedCatMeowingPowerDensity
Why is the shellback turtle's asshole hurting? :D
Papakeecha
Now everyone has tattoos. I bet you $10 im the only one in these comments with no tattoos xD
johnnyseattle
I was at the intersection of the equator and the international date line at 00:00, January 1st, 2000. Underwater. We were 1/
johnnyseattle
trying to figure out WTF kind of tattoo would symbolize that. I figured I had that as a one-up on most other sailors for this stuff. 2/2
RandySavageIsMySpiritAnimal
You should get Neptune fighting a golden dragon that has a clock stuck at midnight in its mouth.
clonetrooper250
My Brother has both the nautical star and an anchor tattooed. He's never set foot on a ship.
JasonDiazaster
In reference to the crossed guns or crossed cannons. I think you're wrong in the fact that it represents "military navel service"
APFSDS
Shellback ordeals are pretty grueling, especially ones on military vessels.
boozer69r
Got my shellback card on the USS Tarawa, WestPac '92.
RandySavageIsMySpiritAnimal
Nice. I helped decom the Tarawa aka raided their equipment.
RandySavageIsMySpiritAnimal
They've gotten watered down over the years with hazing laws and the like. It's not your grandpa's navy anymore.
tirogrande
I was on an icebreaker, done 'em all, back in the '70's. Watered down is being nice, they are ridiculously pussied out is more like it.
APFSDS
I knew a guy who got his shellback (second shellback, because "civvie doesn't count") around ODS. It's still enough for bloody knees.
advmrfoz
Is it just me or does the guy in the first picture look like a young Robert de Niro?
Zetor
Now we need a Yakuza sailor who has been imprisoned in Russia.
Ziggypiggyziggypiggy
Russian gulag! Just went to a tattoo exhibit at the ROM, and Ed hardy stuff was really nice when not clothed on douche bags
havock003
Pretty sure that was Oliver Queen in arrow. I half expect next season for him to have spent time on death row in america.
CaptCanada
with lenord snart and Mick Rory:SUPER PRISONBREAK
onyalasagna
My secret, I kill Yakuza boss on purpose! I very skilled surgeon. The best!
tsrivishnu
Shrimp24
I like sailor Jerry rum
lasthurrah
Excellent rum too
cooplander
I like Sailor Jerry's rum.
HailToUltron
It's one of the worst rums. It's terrible and it's overpriced.
SaintMaceToTheFace
It is basically captain and is cheaper.
Jaymuggs
Until the next morning.
JGthiccworth877THICCNOW
God ain't that the truth.
SugarSmack
Does that guy in the last picture have a socket wrench in his ear?
ThreeDimesDown
Now they all mean "I'm a hipster."
pessimisticcreeplikesitrough
nah. old school sailor tattoos (bert grimm, bob shaw, ed hardy, sailor jerry) aren't really hipster.
Idrinkforevil
Its just too bad that hipsters ruined the actual meaning of swallows and nautical stars
asrai86
I was told a swallow tattoo meant a sailor that would... "service" others
TheodoreWitchfucker
Would you even say that they are "appropriating sailor culture"? xP
pessimisticcreeplikesitrough
are you one of those people who thinks every tattoo "should have a meaning"?
KingGingerbear
Hate to break it to ya but those were already well overplayed before hipsters really became a thing.
beatingoffinfrontofapegasus
indeed *tweeker stars*
TerriblePokemon
Ok now explain the flaming skulls and Pikachu tattoos the idiots and my last command kept getting
overworkeddad
They were marines before they grew a set and joined navy
RandySavageIsMySpiritAnimal
Idk. My roommate at Corps School got Captain Crunch on his chest.
TerriblePokemon
Every Monday morning in A school, some dumbass would show up with a stupid out of regs tattoo
RandySavageIsMySpiritAnimal
Had a guy on the Peleliu that got a tattoo in the Filipines. Worst case of cellulitis I've ever seen.
TerriblePokemon
along with Hep A-E
BeepBoopBlorpSchlorp
Golden dragon is wrong, you get that when your cross the meridian, and you get a golden shellback when you do the meridian and equator.
TheSlenderman
I have a golden dragon certificate, its just for crossing the international dateline going from west to far east. (US to Asia for example)
BeepBoopBlorpSchlorp
Yeah you're right. I was just a complete 180 on the other side of the world.
RandySavageIsMySpiritAnimal
I have a Golden Shellback certificate. Never went underway in the Atlantic.
ArcaneConjecture
"Cross at the same time"...so you must sail across that one specific point in the ocean?
RandySavageIsMySpiritAnimal
Yep
BeepBoopBlorpSchlorp
Yeah I was doing some research, you probably crossed at the international date line.
RandySavageIsMySpiritAnimal
Yep. In 2008.
BeepBoopBlorpSchlorp
Solid. My ship only as far south as Panama. I always wanted that shellback.
RandySavageIsMySpiritAnimal
Crossed the line then partied in Sydney for three days.