Old School Skeleton Full Body Tattoo Drawings
One-time school tattoos, or American traditional tattoos, are the foundation of tattoo art in the Western world.
For nearly a hundred years now, this fashion has been among the most popular and fascinating movements.
Even the development of new trends and techniques hasn't put an cease to the reign of the classic American sailor tattoo.
In this commodity, we're going to explore the history and meaning behind old school tattoos.
We're also sharing some of our favorite designs – both original old school tattoos and more modern designs that they've inspired.
The history of old school American tattoos
Although there is evidence that diverse cultures effectually the world proficient tattooing for thousands of years, this form of trunk fine art took a relatively long fourth dimension to reach Europe and North America.
It was merely in the 1700s that European sailors began getting tattoos. The earliest evidence concerns the crew of the British helm James Cook.
During their voyages in the Pacific, sailors would get tattooed past the local communities.
In this manner, for Europeans and subsequently Americans, tattoos became the domain of sailors: only sailors reached areas such every bit Polynesia, where it was easy to get a tattoo. The first tattooing business in the U.Southward. wouldn't open up until as late as 1870.
But the tattoos sailors received in Polynesia and other remote areas of the earth were unlike than what we at present describe as one-time schoolhouse tattoos.
For example, most Polynesian tattoos were tribal patterns similar to the ones that the natives wore.
So what are American traditional tattoos?
What we now call 'old schoolhouse tattoos', or classical tattoo designs, started to appear in the early 1900s and reached their heyday in the 1930s and 40s.
They were relatively simple designs, using colour and a assuming black outline. Importantly, there was niggling to no shading – the make full was generally solid.
In addition to black, the palette originally included merely 3 other colors: red, yellow, and green. Later on on, artists began using purple ink as well.
Many people believe that for a traditional American tattoo to appear 18-carat today, you should stick to only these colors.
In terms of American traditional tattoo designs, some were more pop than others – partly because they held specific meanings for sailors.
Examples of traditional tattoo art include swallows, stars, pin ups, daggers, anchors, sharks, and Hawaiian motifs, amongst others. We'll expect at these staples of old school tattoos in more than item in the next department.
Not many people are aware that these simplistic designs have a fascinating story to tell. And that story starts with the tattoo fable, Norman Collins – better known as Sailor Jerry.
Crewman Jerry – the male parent of one-time schoolhouse tattoos
Norman Collins – soon to exist known equally Sailor Jerry – was born in 1911 in Reno, Nevada. By the time he was a teenager, Collins had taken upwards travelling the country on freight trains.
This is when his passion for tattoos started. Initially, he'd create tattoos with only blackness ink, cartoon them freehand using a needle. Back in those days, tattoos were nowhere near as pop in America every bit they are today.
In 1927, Collins met Gib 'Tatts' Thomas, another legendary tattoo creative person, who taught him how to use a tattoo auto. Soon after that, he joined the Navy.
While in the service, Sailor Jerry traveled to People's republic of china and Japan, where he developed a passion for traditional Asian art. He was the first Westerner to learn from Chinese and Japanese tattoo artists, which helped him develop his own signature style.
This style is what we'd come up to know as old schoolhouse tattoos. Past the 1930s, Sailor Jerry had left the Navy and began working as a tattoo creative person in Hawaii.
Then, in the 1940s, World War Ii brought thousands of American soldiers into the expanse. As information technology happens, Sailor Jerry'due south tattoo studio was in the vicinity of Pearl Harbor.
This was a turning point for American tattoo art: thousands of soldiers on shore leave in Honolulu began frequenting Sailor Jerry's studio. Before long, Sailor Jerry's tattoos were known the world over.
In this mode, Norman Collins pioneered the American classical tattoo designs.
This was only i of his achievements, though. He was famously always working towards improving his technique, corresponding with Japanese tattoo masters even at a time of open hostility between Japan and the U.Due south.
He also studied electronics and improved the fashion tattoo machines work, as well as introducing the use of purple ink in classic American tattoos.
Other notable figures
It would be inaccurate to say that Norman Collins was single-handedly responsible for popularizing classic American designs.
Before and after Sailor Jerry, there were a number of other tattoo artists who contributed to the creation of the style. Gus Wagner, Amund Dietzel, Herbert Hoffman, Bert Grimm and his pupil Bob Shaw are merely some of the well-nigh pregnant figures in the motility.
Ed Hardy and Mike Malone, Sailor Jerry's apprentices and legends in their own right, are as well worth mentioning. Information technology is to them that Collins left his Honolulu tattoo studio before his death in 1973.
Old school tattoo meanings
Armed with an understanding of the context and history behind archetype tattoos, we can fully appreciate the American traditional tattoo meanings.
We've established that but before and after WWII, these tattoos were the marks of sailors, in the Navy and beyond. Afterward – from the 50s to the 80s – tattoos in America were marks of counterculture, often of the criminal kind.
As with every other kind of tattoo, old schoolhouse designs oft take personal meanings and only the wearer knows their full significance. Still, Sailor Jerry'south archetype designs have universal meanings transcending the personal level of significance.
For case, since the sailor culture is rich in superstition, oftentimes tattoos served as protection from specific dangers that a sailor may encounter.
Many designs also marked achievements, such as reaching a landmark location or sailing a prepare number of miles.
The designs could too indicate the crewman's position in the coiffure's hierarchy, their status, or rank.
Many of the designs include a ribbon. Writing can exist placed there, for example a name, date, or unmarried-give-and-take statement. Phrases such every bit 'Expiry before dishonor' or 'Homeward bound' were likewise common additions.
Back in the day, almost onetime school tattoos were flash designs. A wink is a pattern displayed in a catalogue or on the wall of a tattoo studio, reused for many customers. Substantially, it's the opposite of a custom design.
Let's look at specific traditional tattoo meanings, outlining the details of the nearly important designs.
Ship tattoos
A ship, equally you lot may expect, represents all aspects of a sailor's life. Later on all, a sailor's entire existence is spring upwardly in the vessel on which they work.
The send is more than than a workplace to a sailor. It besides represents the freedom and adventure they experience while sailing.
Back in the day, a tattoo with a fully rigged send meant that the crewman had travelled effectually Cape Horn in Chile.
A major milestone on the Clipper route – a traditional sailing route between Europe and the Far Eastward, Australia, and New Zealand – Cape Horn was infamous for the extremely dangerous sailing conditions.
Ballast tattoos
Anchors are amidst the quondam school tattoo designs that survived the transformations in tattoo art through the decades. They are as popular in tattoos nowadays – in all styles, from geometric to watercolor – as they had been dorsum in Sailor Jerry's heydey.
An anchor represents protection, stability, and safety. On an active send, it'south the strongest symbol of security in a sailor'due south life.
Today, anchors nonetheless concord the same significance in tattoos. They correspond the thought of security, as well every bit symbolizing beingness grounded and balanced.
Often, traditional tattoos with an anchor would as well include the name of the sailor'due south girlfriend or married woman, or the word 'Mom'.
This is a testament to how the person 'grounds' the sailor. It could also be a reminder of someone who's waiting for them dorsum on land.
Furthermore, the symbol of the anchor in a sailor's tattoo refers to achieving the rank of Boatswain or Chief. It can also signify the milestone of having sailed across the Atlantic.
Swallow tattoos
A great instance of small traditional tattoos, swallows – like anchors – are however highly popular today.
These pocket-sized birds are famous for travelling long distances equally office of their migration pattern, ever ultimately returning habitation. As such, they represent a safe return dwelling house for a sailor.
Old school consume tattoos are also marks of achievements for a crewman. Back when tattoos were beginning becoming popular, new sailors about to prepare out to sea would get a swallow design.
Later on, each swallow came to stand for v,000 miles sailed. In some circles, they indicated that the crewman has crossed the equator during his travels.
Certain placements for swallow tattoos take their own special significance.
A pair of swallows tattooed on the chest is supposed to comport the crewman'south soul to heaven if he drowns. Meanwhile, a swallow on the back of the hand indicates a good fist fighter.
Like all birds, swallows can too be symbols of freedom in tattoos of whatever style. Because they mate for life, they also stand for one true love.
Heart tattoos
A sailor's life involves long periods of fourth dimension spent abroad from habitation. A center tattoo is a reminder of loved ones.
Getting a heart tattoo – ofttimes with a name – is a way to have a loved one along for the journey.
Star tattoos
The distinctive nautical star is an of import element of old style tattoos.
This symbol represents the Northward Star, used as the master reference point for maritime navigation. It's as well a reference to the rose of the compass – the lines indicating the cardinal directions of North, Southward, East, and West.
Therefore, information technology's literally a guiding star. The tattoo is a proficient luck charm for a crewman, reflecting hopes of a safe return dwelling and reminding them of what's of import.
For some sailors, nautical star tattoos represent certain achievements and experiences. For example, sailing a certain amount of miles may warrant a star tattoo, or surviving a particularly dangerous voyage.
2 nautical stars on the chest are the marks of a skillful fighter, and are a means of warning others not to mess with the crewman. Interestingly, this likely comes from the lite bespeak that a ship displays to others as an order to yield and requite fashion – starboard and port lights on.
Similarly, some accounts say that a red and greenish nautical stars on the chest of a sailor hateful that he won a bar fight in a strange port.
Shark tattoos
In traditional tattoos, sharks are symbolic of what the sailor has overcome and what he's willing to do.
They represent force of character and torso, likewise as the qualities of being fierce and unstoppable.
Shark tattoos were also protective charms. In case the crewman fell into the water, a shark tattoo would supposedly protect him from being eaten by a real shark.
Hawkeye tattoos
Eagles in erstwhile schoolhouse tattoos commonly stand for America.
Sailor Jerry oftentimes used eagles in his designs, frequently in the visitor of the American flag. It is said that to him, the eagle represented an idealized version of America.
In general, eagles besides symbolize freedom and courage. Because they fly and then high upwards in the sky from the ground, they represent man's connection to the divine.
An eagle killing a ophidian is also a common motif in quondam schoolhouse tattoos. Unsurprisingly, this design usually represents war.
This can be a real conflict betwixt two nations or concrete entities, or it tin mean a metaphorical disharmonism. Sometimes, it stands for an inner disharmonize betwixt two sides of i person's character.
Eagles usually represent positive, beauteous qualities, and serpents oftentimes get the crude end of the deal – symbolizing treachery and lies, among other things. For this reason, this design can represent the triumph of expert over evil.
Interestingly, the Mexican glaze of arms depicts an hawkeye devouring a rattlesnake. It has been inspired by a legend, according to which the Aztecs would build a new city in a spot where they saw an eagle eating a snake.
Ophidian tattoos
Snakes, equally we've just seen, are often a negative symbol. Due largely to the unenviable role that the snake plays in the Bible, snakes are associated with lies and betrayal.
However, there have been plenty positive associations with snakes in different cultures over the centuries.
In old school tattoos, snakes tend to mean danger. Specifically, the danger the sailor tin can correspond when crossed. They thus serve as protective symbols confronting evil and treachery.
In his snake tattoos, Sailor Jerry almost oftentimes depicted cobras, commonly mid-strike.
Pharaoh's Horses
This archetype design completely mystifies most people, as its significant is non immediately clear.
In fact, the traditional tattoo of three horses heads – always bundled in the same pattern – is a reference to the Bible.
Specifically, to the Pharaoh's Horses, which appear as Moses closes the Cerise Sea. Disregarding the storm and the volatile waters, the horses charge in attempted pursuit.
Although it'southward technically a Bible reference, this tattoo design doesn't necessarily reverberate strong religious faith.
It's generally accepted that the Pharaoh's Horses design means fortitude, determination, and strength in the confront of adversity. Information technology too symbolizes the longing for freedom and the triumph of spirit.
You'll notice that the horses are always shown in the same way in these tattoos. The particular composition of the design comes from a 19th century paining by John Fredrick Herring Sr.
Pig and chicken tattoos
This is an odd pairing that deserves an extended explanation.
Stories merits that during shipwrecks, if in that location was lifestock on board – such as farm animals – they were the almost likely to survive.
This might seem counter-intuitive – after all, pigs don't strike nigh people equally the best swimmers. (Neither do chickens, for that affair.)
Still, the point is that animals such equally pigs and chickens were kept in wooden shipping crates. If the ship was destroyed, these crates would stay adrift – thus saving the animals while the sailors may accept perished.
This is where this pair of tattoos comes from. Traditionally, the pig tattoo should exist placed on the left foot, and the chicken (or rooster) on the correct. Together, they would protect the sailor from drowning if the ship was destroyed.
Hawaii-themed traditional tattoos
If you've read the history of old school American tattoos above, the presence of Hawaiian themes probably won't surprise you.
Sailor Jerry settled in Hawaii later leaving the Navy, and spent about of his life in that location, working as a tattoo artist. Hawaiian motifs were a office of his signature style, and they remained popular in the broader old schoolhouse tradition.
For sailors and soldiers, a Hawaiian archetype tattoo – oftentimes depicting a hula girl – could simply mean that they were stationed in Hawaii.
Pivot upwards girl tattoos
Pin ups were incredibly popular during Globe State of war II, often used in official wartime propaganda. Their presence in classic tattoos is mostly just a reflection of the times.
For sailors, pin up tattoos could be a reminder of a specific woman dorsum dwelling house, or they could simply be a permanent alternative (or addition!) to having a pin up poster.
Last words
At that place's more than meets the center to old school tattoos. The extensive range of meanings and significance are certainly appealing, equally is the air of adventure that the life of a sailor – signified by a vintage tattoo – represents.
Hopefully, yous're now well-equipped to decide on an old school tattoo of your very own. Take a look through the gallery below for more traditional tattoo ideas and some visual inspiration!
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Source: https://thestyleup.com/old-school-tattoos/