By Steve Brian, August 29, 2019
And twice the bite. But that’s a rather dark point to needle in on. And that’s not the mark I’d leave upon you right now.
Tattoos have a long and proud tradition throughout cultures worldwide. No more so than nautical tattoos. Now if you were to look at and study a sailor’s skin art, you’d read a fascinating tale inked out on his very flesh. The story would speak of his adventures, (and misadventures), his accomplishments, his superstitions, and even his resume in a way. His life lived in pictures on his body.
There’s a code and a language to nautical tattoos. Each image tells its own tale.
Every swallow inked in means that sailor has traveled 5,000 nautical miles, so count the birds to know how salty that sea dog really is. An anchor is earned when one crosses the Atlantic.
Back when we would see sails lofting above the vasty main, a fully-rigged ship with all sails depicted and pulled-taut meant that sailor has made his way around Cape Horn and lived to tell the tale. And if you see a shell-backed turtle, that ol’ salt has joined King Neptune’s Court by crossing the Equator. If you find a dragon slithering around, that man had been as far as China; a golden dragon if you’ve crossed the international date-line.
A star would remind a sailor to keep his sense of direction and head home when the journey was done. If you find a pig and a rooster, those are talismans for good luck. If the ship wrecks, the sailor will hopefully float to safety, like the pig and the rooster who would’ve been crated up and more likely to survive.
I could go on, and on, and on. But pop into Blue Ox Tattoo and see what story your skin wants to tell.
Steve Brian
Broker | OR
He/Him
Steve has made his career based on the concept that “service comes first.” He has helped clients buy and sell homes on both sides of the river and has a strong understanding of what it takes to negotiate in a way that allows his clients to feel that their best interests are always at the forefront of the negotiation table...
Read More
- T: 503-720-2529
- steve@stevebrian.com
