| Star tattoo |
Question:
You know those 5-pointed star tattoos, the ones with the 5 lines in the
middle and the shading on half within each point? I think they're called
navigational stars - I know they have a name... anyhow - What do they
mean, or are they just flash ?
I see them everywhere lately, especially on rock'n rollers. I saw a
million at a Black Halos concert.
Answer:
- This is just one of several nautical designs that were popular with sailors
and fishermen at the beginning of the last century.
One of the most common versions, was a five pointed star with a line from
the centre of the star to the centre of each point, one half coloured black
and the other half coloured red. They often appear in designs drawn by the
old time tattooers, around the fifties such as Burchett, Lone Wolf, Cash
Cooper etc. and in the Ziess catalogue.
- They're one of the oldest "popular" tattoos, AFAIK - I've heard them
referred to as "naval/marine stars," "traditional stars" and a couple of
others that escape my mind.
They exist within a lot of flash and custom designs that are going for the
older look - I'd like to get a pair either just below the inside of my
elbow, or inside my wrists, simply because I enjoy their aesthetics. And
you're correct - a lot of punk/rockabilly/roots musicians have 'em - part of
the image they're going for, I guess.
- Nautical Star is what I've always called them. I plan on getting one
on my sternum, between where my future swallows will be. It's sad,
but I have the majority of my tattoos planned out, but not an inch of
ink in my skin yet.
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