The ship is one of the most popular tattoo designs. Both men and women willingly decorate their bodies with the image of a sailboat on the waves. A tattoo with a ship is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also conveys hidden meaning, the meaning of which goes deep into the waves of centuries.

Ship on hand, B&W photo

Initially, a tattoo with a ship was popular among sailors - for them it simultaneously served as a talisman and an identification mark. A ship with raised sails indicated that it belonged to a kind of higher caste of seafarers - it was filled only with those who had overcome the most dangerous section at that time, Cape Horn. A sailboat, submerged reefs, stones or waves indicated the grave of a sailor - from such a picture it was possible to identify the sailor who died in a shipwreck and bury him with due honors.

The history of the origin of the ship tattoo

Several centuries later, the image of the ship became popular among prisoners - prison tattoo with a sailboat signified the desire to break free and was given to those prisoners who had an uncontrollable desire to escape. Female prisoners preferred a stylized image of a ship going out to sea; Usually a girl was drawn nearby, chained or entangled in barbed wire. Together these two images symbolized farewell to freedom.

Did you know? Sailors believed that a tattoo would protect not only from evil spirits or death at the bottom of the sea, but also from many other misfortunes, including sexually transmitted diseases.

Ship in color on the shoulder

The meaning of a ship tattoo

In modern reality, a ship tattoo is popular - its meaning has expanded over time. The sailboat has become a symbol of change, striving for better, finding oneself and one’s place in life. A ship with raised sails is associated with dreams and romance, a pirate ship with a Jolly Roger fluttering in the wind - with adventurism and a love of adventure. A yacht signifies the desire for a good life and well-being, a ship with a raster signifies strength and power. A tattoo with a sailboat, the inscription “Homeward bound”, in honor of the Paul Simon song of the same name, and scarlet roses indicates that its owner is homesick and feels nostalgic for his native places.

“I love to travel and dream of times when I can immerse myself in Pacific Ocean somewhere in the tropics. In honor of my dream, I got a tattoo with a frigate sailing on the waves - this symbol means a lot to me, it is my inspiration, which gives me the strength to work to achieve what I have planned.”

Mikhail L, Volgograd, 21 years old.

A ship with a skull is depicted on the shoulder

Who is a ship tattoo suitable for?

Previously, tattoos with ships were only applied to men, because a woman on a ship is unlucky. But the times of superstition have passed and representatives of the fair sex willingly decorate themselves with images of sailing ships. Dreamers, waiting to meet their betrothed like Assol from the novel by A. Green, choose a drawing of a ship going to full speed ahead under scarlet sails. Girls who are bolder prefer corsair ships, and fans of Johnny Depp and the Pirates of the Caribbean prefer a frigate with black sails, like the Black Pearl from the film.

“For a long time I didn’t dare to get a tattoo with a ship - in my stereotypes it was a purely masculine symbol. Out of curiosity, I asked the master to make a sketch and I unexpectedly liked it - the multi-colored drawing looked bright, but not defiant, feminine, but not vanilla. I got a tattoo on my shoulder blade, didn’t leave the mirror for the first days - it looks gorgeous. Girls, don’t be afraid to make such drawings - they are really beautiful.”

Masha P., Kazan, 28 years old.

Colored ship in old school tattoo style

How to choose a design for a ship tattoo

Rarely does a design give you the opportunity to show your imagination like a ship tattoo - sketches can be diversified various parts, large and small. A wind rose, lighthouse, compass or map will fit well into the composition of the picture and harmoniously decorate it.

From the days when there were tattoos distinctive sign seafarers, the tradition has been preserved of supplementing sketches with images of dolphins or swallows. These animals were considered a talisman for the sailor - according to legend, they protected against shipwrecks and death in the depths of the waves. Female lovers can add busty sirens or sea houris to the sketch of the ship.

A ship over a girl with a peculiar meaning

The image may also contain inscriptions in Latin, English, Russian or any other language, such as “Sea Wolf”, “Only forward”, “Hold Fast” (which was originally also considered a talisman and meant “Hold your moorings tight”), “Follow your dream”, “Born to be free” and others. Modern sailors often complement a tattoo with a ship with an inscription indicating that they belong to a naval training unit or any vessel - for them this is a kind of tribute to naval traditions and a symbol of solidarity with seafarers around the world.

Tattoos with ships look great both in monochrome and in bright colors. They can be adjusted to almost any style, except perhaps biomechanics.

Important! It's up to you to decide what will serve as a prototype for such a work of art as a ship tattoo - a photo taken from the Internet or a sketch designed by yourself. If you have not yet decided on the style or details of the image, then it is better to take time and look through galleries of ready-made tattoos and, perhaps, choose from all the available options the one that you like. If one of the main requirements for a sketch is individuality, it is better to draw it yourself. You can also involve a master in creating the design - an experienced tattoo artist will create a composition taking into account the location of the tattoo you have chosen, its style, and additional details.

Sailboat on a guy's shoulder

Where is the best place to place a ship tattoo?

It is advisable to choose the location of the tattoo taking into account the features and size of the sketch. A large frigate with carefully drawn details and small decorations is best placed on the back, side or chest and upper abdomen - there is enough space there. Small images without small details or schematic drawings of a sailboat look good on the back of the wrists, shoulders, shoulder blades, and shins.

Video sketches of ship tattoos

Ship tattoo designs

Tattoo lovers often pay attention to designs related to marine themes. In ancient times, they distinguished travelers and sailors: according to one version, they helped identify those killed during the crash. But the origin story was forgotten, and tattoos took on a new meaning. What does the image of a sailing ship or schooner say now?

Meaning for guys

Representatives of the stronger sex do not consider the image of a sea vessel to be the most popular option, but it is still in demand. A drawing like this changes its meaning depending on the details.:

• A warship indicates that a man is ready to stand up for himself.
• In the past, the image of a sailboat sailing on a stormy sea indicated that its owner had been on long voyages. Now the meaning has changed: such body painting emphasizes that the man is not new to life’s trials.
• A ship rushing across the waves under a white sail becomes an image of the human soul. He's coming up creative individuals or restless travelers, always ready to take off.
• A tattoo in the form of a ship with a pirate flag is suitable for those who do not depend on the law. It indicates that a representative of the stronger sex does not obey the rules and is guided by his own ideas about life.
• The depicted schooner with decoration in the bow signifies the seriousness and reliability of its owner.

The location of application does not matter, but men prefer to get a tattoo on the arm, back or shoulder. It is believed that it brings good luck and attracts a fair wind in life, which contributes to any endeavors.

Meaning for girls

Tattoos are also liked by the fair sex, who strive to individualize them. For girls, drawings on the body become not only decorations, but also talismans that bring the favor of Fortune:

• Beauties will like a ship with scarlet sails, because it means romance and the expectation of a miracle.
• Another tattoo option would be an elegant schooner with light lines, which emphasizes the girl’s dreaminess and her tendency to have her head in the clouds.
• If a loved one has chosen the profession of a sailor, then the tattoo takes on special meaning - it tells everyone about fidelity and enduring love.
• The star shining above the deck symbolizes faith in the future and dedication to the goal.
• The presence of an anchor speaks of a love of stability and a desire to find a home.

Tattoos can be applied to the thigh, which gives the girl a sexy look, the base of the neck, or the area below the knee. Such a design will attract all eyes to the beauty!

Meaning on the "zone"

If the tattoo was chosen by a representative of the criminal world, then it is done in black. In this case, a ship with sails becomes a distinctive feature of a “tourist” - a person who committed crimes in a foreign city. It also means a love of wanderlust and thieves' romance, and the sails are depicted in white. The number of masts plays an important role, because from it you can understand how many terms in “ track record"criminal.

Women who have lost their freedom prefer another variation of the tattoo: they choose a ship with a bound or shackled beauty on board. This drawing takes on the meaning of farewell to freedom and longing for freedom.

Criminal tattoos are performed in a special manner and do not differ in quality, so they cannot be confused with the work of a professional artist! In ordinary life, the meaning of drawings on the body has acquired a positive connotation, speaking of determination and free spirit, and the shades of meaning are individual in each case.

Marine themes in tattoo subjects are quite common and have different meanings. Long ago, such images were painted by sailors and travelers. It was believed that thanks to tattoos, identifying the body in the event of a disaster would not be difficult. Now the meaning of tattoos has changed, as well as the purpose of their application. What does a sailboat tattoo mean?

The meaning of a sailboat tattoo for men

Most often, men prefer ship tattoos, applying them to the back, chest, and forearms, which looks very effective. The image of a sailboat on the body contributes to the appearance of a fair wind in the life of its owner, in addition, there is another semantic load, varying depending on some details.

• A sailboat depicted in a composition with raging water speaks of the tattoo owner’s readiness for the most unpredictable turn of events, as well as his life experience.
• A ship sailing under white sails symbolizes human soul and is suitable for creative, extraordinary individuals and travelers.
• Pirate flags on a ship speak of rebellion and unwillingness to live by established rules.
• A sailboat with decorations on the bow will testify to the reliability and seriousness of a man.

The meaning of a sailboat tattoo for girls

Marine themed image on female body emphasizes individuality and is also beautiful decoration, attracting attention. Typically, tattoos are applied to top part hips, neck or area under the breasts. It is believed that fortune treats owners of such tattoos favorably.

Girls who prefer tattoos with a sailboat put a slightly different meaning into them.

• Scarlet sails will tell about a romantic nature and faith in a dream.
• An elegant ship made with light lines will also tell about daydreaming.
• A sailboat will be a special symbol if the girl’s chosen one is related to shipping. In this case, the tattoo speaks of devotion and fidelity.
• A star in a composition with a ship will be evidence of the cherished goal towards which the girl is moving.
• An anchor depicted next to a sailboat will tell about the desire to create a family and home comfort.

The meaning of a sailboat tattoo on the zone

A tattoo made in dark colors can also symbolize its owner’s involvement in the criminal world. As a rule, the images are popular among criminals “touring” in different cities, and the number of masts is equal to the number of terms of imprisonment. The choice of women in prison also quite often falls on maritime themes. So, as a symbol of farewell to a free, free life, the ladies pinned a sailboat with a tied up girl depicted on it. A tattoo made in custody can be easily distinguished from an artistic one not only by the style of execution, but also by its quality and technique.

In ordinary life, a tattoo with the image of a sailboat is more likely to positive value, regardless of its style and color, and speaks of such character traits of its owner as determination and fortitude.

A sail or sailboat as a tattoo can mean striving for better things, daydreaming, a penchant for adventure and changing places, farewell to freedom, homesickness, love at a distance, material well-being, luck, success, sadness.

The meaning of the sailboat tattoo

Initially, only sailors wore a tattoo in the form of a sailboat, as a sign of successful sailing, a talisman and an identification mark. Among the violence of the elements, only sailors who rounded Cape Horn had the right to wear a sailing ship, as a sign of good luck. A ship in a bottle is a symbol of a shipwreck. A sailboat submerged in water has the meaning “sailor’s grave.” This sign served for identification in case of death.

A tattoo with a sailboat has been given special meaning in places of deprivation of liberty. A tattoo in the shape of a sailboat means that the thief did not commit thefts in his own city, but was “touring” in different places. The number of sails correlates with the number of proven crimes, and the number of masts sometimes means the number of sentences.

If a sailboat sails off into the sunset on the tattoo, this indicates that the prisoner has “said goodbye” to freedom. A ship sailing towards you, on the contrary, speaks of a desire for freedom and escape.

Modernity implies new interpretations. Sailing ships have lost their leading roles, leaving behind romantic images. A sailing yacht is an attribute of exclusively luxurious life.

A lonely white sail above the waves became a poetic image of the freedom of the soul. IN figurative meaning flight of creative imagination, inspiration, freedom in creativity.

White sails filled with wind serve as a symbol of an achieved goal, the desire for new discoveries, good luck and joy.

A lowered sail means readiness for everyday storms and faith in successfully overcoming them. The holes in the sails symbolize the hardships experienced.

A ship flying a pirate flag or a sail with pirate symbols represents a penchant for adventure, life on the brink of a foul, and an unwillingness to obey rules and abide by conventions.

A scarlet sail means a romantic nature, faith in miracles, ardor of feelings, love at a distance, fidelity in separation, expectation of change for the better.

The guiding star above the stern of the ship symbolizes the desire to achieve a goal, the future. The presence of an anchor in the image speaks of a desire for stability and the desire to acquire a home, a place where one wants to return from travels.

The emphasis on the helm of a sailboat means faith not only in luck, but also in own strength, management of life currents. If a flower bouquet or a rose is depicted under a sailboat, the whole image takes on the meaning of homesickness, a desire to return.

A yacht under an open sail denotes the desire for material well-being, the love of luxury and traveling in comfort.

A ship with black sails carries the gloomy meaning of failure, loss, sadness or anticipation of death. Or this Black Pearl, packed with fans of the film.

Any sailing ship represents change, love of travel, freedom of thoughts and feelings, and a dream. Solid ships with nasal decorations are a symbol of wealth, trade, wealth, greatness and nobility. Serious ships equipped with rasters and rams are designed to personify power and the conquest of new heights.

With the development of navigation in body painting a new symbol has appeared. The image of the ship became distinctive feature sailors, evidence of their love for dangerous adventures. Because due to strong winds not every sailing ship returned from a sea voyage, original tattoos also helped identify bodies after a shipwreck. However, over time, the symbolism of maritime themes has expanded significantly. Let's look at several interpretations of the ship using specific examples.

Interpretation of the symbol in everyday life

Considering the variety of modern designs, as well as their carriers, the interpretation of a ship on the body can be highly individual. At the same time, there are universal associations that accompany his image. Often a sailboat has a positive connotation, symbolizing a thirst for freedom and adventure. Its owner is distinguished by a strong spirit and decisive disposition. A raised sail and a fair wind indicate a desire for change. Such a tattoo serves as a talisman that attracts good luck to a person. Often the image of a ship is supplemented with other “talking” symbols. This could be a beacon (indicating a desire for family and home), compass (symbolizing the search for oneself and the right path), wind rose, various inscriptions, etc. The ambiguous symbol attracts both men and women. Let's look at the variations first among the stronger sex.

Men:

• The image of a warship can signify the owner's domineering nature. His desire for power and constancy. If the ship is equipped with rostras, then there is no doubt about the man’s readiness to stand up for himself;
• The raging sea around a lonely sailboat speaks of the resilience of the image bearer. It is obvious that the man had to go through many trials in life;
• A white sail can also mean the soul of a person. Creative people They always strive for perfection and look for it in everything. Their own body becomes for them a material for creativity, a source of inspiration. In addition, an elegant sailboat can indicate a frequent change of place of residence and be a hallmark of a restless traveler;
• Pirate symbols are suitable for those who love risky adventures. For whom the law is not written, and the rules are always conditional. Jolly Roger on a waving flag serves as proof of the independent nature of man. A penchant for adventurism, while touchingness is combined with youthful romance;
• If the ship is depicted on the body of a representative of the criminal community, then its interpretation takes on several meanings at once. The number of masts may indicate a track record of crimes or assigned terms. White sail - to be business card a guest performer marauding in other cities. Thieves' romance also attributes to the symbol a burning desire for freedom, a readiness to escape from places of imprisonment.

As a rule, men apply ships to their arms, chest or back. But representatives of the fairer sex prefer the neck, ankle and thigh area.

Women:

• An eloquent symbol on a woman’s body is a ship with scarlet sails. The image sung in the book speaks of an enduring faith in a miracle, the expectation of true love;
• The graceful, smooth lines of the sailboat indicate the dreamy nature, creative inclinations and sexuality of the owner of the image;
• The presence of an anchor on a schooner can indicate a desire to find a family rear. A star in the sky will mean a woman’s devotion to her idea, her determination;
• If a woman shackled is depicted on board the ship, then this hallmark a person without will. Sometimes such a tattoo can mean hopeless love for a windy sailor.

One way or another, a positive interpretation of the symbol prevails. The key associations of the ship can safely be considered freedom and fortune.