14 Common Navy Tattoos and What They Mean

Mike Rothschild
Updated September 23, 2021 85.4K views 14 items

Navy tattoos are a tradition that goes back to the time of Captain Cook's first voyage to Polynesia. He brought back the Polynesian word "tatau," which over time became "tattoo." Since then, navies around the world have incorporated a complex set of traditions and customs related to tattoos. Naval tattoos persist, even though some of the traditions they represent are gone.

You can learn a sailor's life experience through their tattoos. If they've crossed the Atlantic, served in combat, lost a comrade, or held a certain rank, you can tell by their ink. Sailors who don't even speak the same language can look at each other and know they're in the company of a fellow ocean traveler just by their tattoos.

Here are some of the most common sailor tattoos and what they represent.

  • Swallow

    Swallow
    Photo: Dejan Furlan Tattoos
    A swallow tattoo represents 5,000 nautical miles sailed. It can also symbolize a sailor who intends to return home.

  • Anchor

    Anchor
    Photo: Public Domain
    An anchor can symbolize a trip crossing the Atlantic, the stability of an anchor, or achieving certain ranks.

  • Ship Mascots

    Ship Mascots
    Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY
    Sailors often get tattoos based on the name or mascot of a ship they served on. This World War II sailor has a tattoo of a hornet based on his service on the USS Hornet aircraft carrier.

  • 'Hold Fast'

    'Hold Fast'
    Photo: Public Domain
    The words "hold fast" tattooed on the fingers or knuckles are a sailing tradition.

  • Rope

    Rope
    Photo: Sailor Marc Tattooing
    A rope tattoo, especially around the wrist, usually indicates the wearer was a deckhand on a ship.

  • Pig and Rooster

    Pig and Rooster
    Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY

    These animals, usually tattooed on the feet or backs of the ankles, traditionally symbolize survival of a shipwreck. As both animals were often kept in wooden crates on ships, when a boat capsized, the crates would most likely be washed up on shore.

    Another explanation for sailors who had a pig tattooed on the left knee and a rooster on the right was, “Pig on the knee, safety at sea. A cock on the right, never lose a fight."

  • Nautical Star

    Nautical Star
    Photo: SailorJerry.com
    As the North Star was traditionally used by sailors for navigation, a tattoo of a star usually indicates that the wearer will find their way home.

  • Turtle

    Turtle
    Photo: SailorJerry.com
    A shellback turtle tattoo meant a sailor had crossed the equator on a voyage. These were sometimes applied as part of an elaborate initiation ceremony involving paying respects to the sea god Neptune, a humiliating talent show, and a bath in salt water.

  • Golden Dragon

    Golden Dragon
    Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY
    A regular dragon meant a sailor had served on a ship berthed in China. A golden dragon symbolized crossing the International Date Line.

  • Sailing Ship

    Sailing Ship
    Photo: ThreeYearsAtSea.com
    A fully-rigged sailing ship symbolized a sailor who had gone all the way around Cape Horn. After the Suez Canal was built, few ships sailed that far south, but the tattoo is still popular.

  • Crossed Cannons

    Crossed Cannons
    Photo: New Style Tattoos
    A pair of crossed cannons signified the wearer had served as a gunner's mate or saw naval combat.

  • Mermaid

    Mermaid
    Photo: TattooEasily.com
    The US Navy banned nudity in the traditional pin-up girl tattoo, sending droves of sailors back to the parlor to get tails and shell bikinis inked on their nudes.

  • Dagger Through a Swallow

    Dagger Through a Swallow
    Photo: buzzle.com
    A dagger going through a swallow signified honoring a comrade lost at sea or in battle.

  • Eagle

    Eagle
    Photo: Trinity Tattoo Company
    An eagle tattoo symbolizes patriotism and unity during times of war. They were common during World War II.