Old school tattoo

"Old school" is a traditional style of tattooing in Europe and America, the history of which dates back to the end of the 19th century.

The most common designs in this direction are skulls, hearts, ribbons, angels, crosses, fire, flowers, anchors.

Such tattoos were often given to sailors, so it is not uncommon to see inscriptions with the names of people, names of memorable events, and sayings in “Old school”. These images are usually performed bright colors, framed by a thick black outline.

I would like to pay more attention to history and symbols:

Sailors were the first to revive the art and practice of tattooing in the West, as they were the first to visit the Polynesian islands in the Pacific Ocean and other countries in South-East Asia. Captain Cook, in his famous explorations of Tahiti, Hawaii and New Zealand, was the first to record and sketch the tattoos of the indigenous people in 1786. The word "tattoo" came to English language from the Tahitian word, "ta-ttou", which resembled the sound when Polynesians tattooed with their traditional Polynesian tools.
Life at sea was very harsh, and only the most strong men. The sailors, constantly at the mercy of the wind and sea and dependent on all the whims of Mother Nature, were very superstitious, and firmly believed that a tattoo would protect them from falling overboard, from the mouth of a shark, from a shipwreck. Tattoos of a certain type were made when crossing the equator, or when they rounded Cape Horn, when visiting the countries of the East, etc., common tattoos among sailors were sailing ships on the chest, as well as cannons on the loins of the body. Despite their riotous lifestyle, many of them completely tattooed prayers or other religious texts on themselves; this was supposed to remind them of piety and protect them from severe corporal punishment. And of course, many sailors at sea often thought about their families and girls whom they left in port, or even in several ports! Therefore, tattoos of mermaids and girls, hearts and names of loved ones, amulets - anchors, talismans - swallows and dolphins have always been popular with sailors and subsequently formed a whole layer in tattooing of the 19th-20th centuries - old school (OLD SCHOOL).

Anchor

The classic old-school design, one of the most popular tattoos in the West over the last two centuries, and with ancient symbolic roots going back several millennia, was considered a symbol to help one stay on track, about the ability to withstand winds and currents and remain oneself when under any circumstances. Anchor tattoos were tattooed on people closely associated with a maritime or naval career; this tattoo is especially close to sailors around the world, often performed after the first crossing of the Atlantic. Other synonyms for anchor are sailing ships, mermaids and other navigational symbols.

Martin

The swallow tattoo (the bird of happiness and good luck) shows the enduring popularity of the art of tattooing in sailing. Traditionally, a swallow is a tattoo that a sailor gets after traveling 5,000 nautical miles. For a sailor, a swallow symbolizes a safe return home, because the appearance of a swallow is “the first sign that land is nearby.” Swallows, as you know, travel long distances, making long flights across water spaces; during the flight they sat down to rest on passing ships, thereby signaling to sailors that land was close. After traveling 10,000 miles, a sailor could make a second bird on the second side of his body. A pair of swallows is a sign of a good trip.

Rock of Ages

(image of Jesus Christ, allegory) - classic tattoo. It served as a symbol of hope, protection and support, and was a kind of amulet and talisman, for example, for sailors. Having tattooed words such as "Hold on!" it instilled hope and faith in sailors and also served as an amulet. Other symbols showed that the sailor had crossed the Equator, rounded Cape Horn, or visited Far East, for example. Another version of tattooing a cross and/or an image of Jesus Christ was that a religious symbol tattooed on a sailor's back could mitigate the disciplinary (often corporal) penalty imposed, and such sailor would likely be punished less severely. Another popular tattoo that has been around for decades depicts a sailor or man kneeling in front of a cross carved from solid stone. A person's Christian faith is often referred to as the rock, the foundation on which a virtuous life is built. This was based on the belief that a house or building was only as strong as the foundation on which it was built. The stone cross was known for a long time as the "Rock of Ages" or the sailor's cross.

Navigational star or compass rose

An ancient, and yet not at all outdated tattoo motif, known a century ago. The stars in the sky often served as a guide for sailors, especially the Northern or Polaris in the Northern Hemisphere, as well as the Southern Cross in the Southern. Sailors tattooed navigation stars because they relied on them, their lives depended on it, the stars were supposed to show the way home, and the sailors were very superstitious people and hoped that their star-shaped tattoos would serve as an amulet for a safe journey. Around the same time, the starfish began to appear on compasses. At a later time similar stars began to symbolize life path, his search. They began to be made by those who want not to stray from the chosen path, thus the star became a guiding star - its image helped not to stray from the chosen path when a person was lost or scared. Later, such stars became symbols of reward, high encouragement, and a sign of distinction.

Star

Stars are often encountered as symbols, and in many cases of design, the specificity of such a symbol depends on the number of angles and also their direction. Like a light shining in the dark, the star is often considered a symbol of truth, spirit and hope. The star symbol embodies the concept of the divine spark within each of us. And their nocturnal nature encourages us to imagine the stars as a struggle against the forces of darkness and the unknown. Stars with a certain design have their own symbolism and meaning. The descending pentagram is where the upper ray of the star points downwards, supposedly imitating the head of a goat, and is considered a sign of the devil. The hexagram, or six-pointed star, is powerful symbol interaction of the Divine with the mortal, God with humanity. The Star of David got its name "Shield of David" from the legend that David carried a shield shaped like a six-pointed star in his battle with the giant Goliath. Also known as the Seal of Solomon or the Creator's Star, its six points represent the six days of the week, and its center corresponds to the Creator's day of rest. The septagram or seven-pointed star is a symbol of integration and everything mystical associated with the number seven. It is associated with the seven planets of classical astrology and with other sevenfold systems, for example, with the seven chakras in Hinduism. The octogram or eight-pointed star is a symbol of abundance and regeneration, and is associated with eightfold systems, for example, in Egyptian mythology, the eight primordial gods personified the forces of chaos. The nonagram or nine-pointed star is a symbol of achievement and stability, although it is the kind of stability that can change. The nonagram can also be associated with nine-fold systems, such as the nine Hindu chakras.

Razor

A tattoo design can symbolize many things, but they all carry the meaning of "sharp" (pointed, cutting, irritated, irritable, uncontrollable). The razor was often used as a suicide tool, synonymous with “cutting the veins.” The straight razor is a classic old school design that was often used as an accessory for cocaine use in the 70's and 80's. Just like brass knuckles, the razor pointed to the professions of people outside the law; it could symbolize depression, the explosive nature of a person, intemperance, and danger.

Hands in Prayer or Hands of an Apostle

If the famous medieval artist, Albrecht Durer, were alive today, he would become a rich man. The copyright to his drawing "Hands in Prayer" could have been sold for millions. It is believed that this was originally a sketch of the mayor of the city of Frankfurt praying. A later version of this painting appeared in another work by Dürer - the hands of an apostle standing in an empty tomb, looking up at the sky at the coronation of the Holy Virgin Mary. The original was destroyed by fire in 1729, however there are many copies that are as good as the sketch. Today this work of Durer is one of the most popular tattoo designs for all occasions, hands clasped in prayer continue to move people, their hearts and minds , especially when this image is supplemented and combined with various additions, such as a cross or rosary. It is often combined with hearts or the name of a loved one, and is applied as a remembrance of someone. Other additions can be in the form of text, requests or with wounds from crucifixion, fire can also be added.
Devil Woman

Devil Woman

Also known as a "fallen woman", a tattoo consisting of an image of a variety of vices, often a woman, holding a bottle of alcohol, cards, dice or other gambling paraphernalia. The motto of such a tattoo is: “Wine, Women and Song!”

Ribbons with inscriptions

- a plot can tell a lot, but there are times in life when a few well-chosen words can tell more than a picture. Each of us at least once remembered the exact time and place of those moments that are very dear to us, and have become something special, they make our heart tremble and beat faster! This is an integral and beautiful part human life. Sometimes, a few words can say it all. Word tattoos have been popular for a long time. For example, sailors tattooed words on their fingers. The most common ones were, for example, “hold on” on the fingers of one hand, and “quickly” on the fingers of the other, and served as protective amulets (meaning, to stay on the water, not to drown; to quickly get to a place, return home). “Love and hate”, “love and pain”, “life is difficult” - these are the tattoos that were popular on fingers in those years.

Heart

A tattoo in the shape of a heart, with a ribbon around the heart, or a scroll with an inscription across the heart - no explanation is needed here. Your paths with your once loved one may diverge, but the tattoo will remain in the same place. There is an aphorism among old schoolers: “Love lasts six months, but a tattoo lasts forever!” The heart tattoo is a classic old school design that can be seen as an inverted triangle that has become a symbol of all things feminine and is often used as an expression. romantic love. The heart is an eternal symbol of love, feelings and the very power of life for all humanity. Essentially, the heart is responsible for feelings and truth. We say "heartless" about a person who is unjust or extremely cruel. Friendship, courage, romantic relationships and emotional expression are also embodied in this symbol. The human heart occupies a central place in all religions of the world, and is recognized as a symbol of love, as well as the divine principle in man. Over time, it also became a symbol of mercy, piety and understanding. The designation of the heart is suitable for expressing love and joy, as well as for grief and unhappiness (broken heart). Also, the heart is a medieval symbol of Christ, sacrifice, especially in the Roman Catholic Church. The sacred heart shows the redemptive love of God as the source of illumination and happiness, hence the fire and thorns represent the thorned crown that was given to Christ (the crown of thorns) and the fire represents love and spiritual fervor - thus the image of the heart became a symbol of salvation and eternal life .The heart also symbolized the center of man. Not only was it the most significant physical organ, but it was also considered the seat of spirituality and the emotional center from which the love of the divine flowed. In the Gospels, Jesus talks about the heart representing love, humility and gentleness. Since this tattoo design is quite common throughout the world, hearts have become a very popular tattoo design, especially among women. In old school, such a motif is very often placed on the chest. A heart pierced by an arrow is a symbol for expressing directed energy, flow and penetration. Stars and hearts are a symbol of happiness and favorable opportunities. National flags in the form of a heart - a common old school motif in America - indicate Great love to country and patriotism. Hands holding a heart - represents a maternal or paternal type of love in the old school.

Rose

In the West, it represents the same thing as the Lotus in the East. A symbol of love, but a special love that is pure. Because of its beauty, scent and shape, it is the most perfect flower symbol. Of all the flower designs, the rose tattoo is still the most popular and most sought after. An interesting fact is that the rose is in almost the same demand among men as among women. The symbol of passion, chastity and purity reigns supreme among all flowers in the old-school world. A red rose speaks of love, while a rose without thorns means love at first sight. Yellow roses are an expression of joy, white roses are reverence and respect, pink roses are sympathy and admiration, orange roses are enthusiasm. In medieval times, the white rose was a symbol of virginity. The red rose certainly covers every kind of love - both sacred and romantic, the beauty, variety and graceful scent of the rose has inspired both ordinary people, and artists, and even saints. According to the ancient Greek legend, a white rose was born at the moment when Aphrodite was born from sea foam (the white rose turned red later, when Aphrodite, in a hurry to meet Adonis, injured her leg on a rose thorn). There is also a legend about the origin of thorns: Rodanaz was very beautiful girl, and literally every man dreamed of taking her as his wife. But she was very proud, and believed that no mortal was worthy of her. One fine day, men forced their way into her house. The goddess Diana saw all this, and, angry at the pride of mortals, she turned Rodonaz into a rose and her fans into thorns.

Sexy girls or pinup girls/Bettie Page

Synonym for “Girls with a Perfect Figure” In 1955, Betty Page won the title of “Miss World Picture Girl” (Pin-up - a photograph of a beauty, a pretty girl in photographs for leisurely viewing). Betty is a common noun, an old-school image of a charming girl whose perfect beauty borders on a hint of disobedience and rebellion. The dark-haired girl became a living legend, a symbol of beauty and femininity, and continues to inspire subsequent generations of tattooists and tattoo fans everywhere, because a woman whose physical attractiveness is aimed at seduction and admiration never goes out of fashion. Initially, such pictures were produced exclusively for wall decoration, but later, tattoos with images of girls and movie stars became commonplace on the skin.

Panther

The largest and most ferocious feline in America, more fierce and dangerous than the tiger, lion or leopard. The panther/jaguar is independent and cunning, and is the only cat that can hunt in water. The panther/jaguar figures prominently in the mythology of most cultures in the South and Central America, and is present in the art and religion of all pre-Columbian civilizations. A very ancient and powerful totem. Many cultures found it very significant that panthers came in two colors - black and yellow (panther and jaguar are the names of the same animal, they differ in color) and believed that black Panther associated with the night sky and the moon, and the yellow panther (jaguar) with the sun and light. The panther/jaguar was often a symbol of shamans, people who could connect the conscious and unconscious worlds, who had access to the afterlife and the spirit world. Many thought that the panther was a kind of werewolf, capable of transforming itself at will into another image.

Lightning

Flashes of lightning, thunder - everyone is familiar with this formidable phenomenon that occurs during thunderstorms. Is there a more exciting spectacle than lightning flashes, fireworks, electrical discharges, these flashes white and blue, like some kind of magic and something incredible, appears a few seconds before the sounds of thunder! On a cold, dark, rainy night, a flash of lightning made you see everything as if in daylight, but in a ghostly color. The most powerful symbol and just a godsend for a tattoo! Ancient people had many explanations for this natural phenomenon, and most myths tell of gods and other incredible mythological beings who used lightning as a weapon. Ancient people were very impressed by the power and magic of lightning because the places where lightning struck became scenes of great destruction. Trees burned, the earth was scorched, rocks turned to sand. And if, unfortunately, a person was nearby, he died. For a long time lightning symbolized the power and wrath of the gods. The Greeks believed that Zeus himself, the father of all gods, who lives on Olympus, threw lightning. Lightning was a symbol of power, as well as a symbol of the vagaries of nature. Since lightning often accompanies rain and thunderstorms, it was also a symbol of abundance, because... rain was a necessary condition for the ripening of a good harvest. In Norse legends, Thor was the God of Thunder, and lightning was the sparks that flew when his mighty hammer of war struck his target. In the Bible, lightning accompanied the appearance of God. Lightning symbolizes the light of truth. The lightning bolt tattoo is popular in many Asian cultures. Zippers are often used in traditional Japanese tattoo, for example with a flying dragon.

Horseshoe

- one of the main old-school designs, the downward horns of a horseshoe were an amulet of protection and good luck. In a tattoo, a horseshoe can be depicted alone, or together with other images associated with luck, such as a game of dice or a game of cards, which are laid out in a winning combination, also next to a four-leaf clover. In many parts of Europe and North America, horseshoes are nailed down on the doors of barns and buildings, and depending on cultural and traditional beliefs, may be located in the lower position or upper position. In the case when the horseshoe is located in the upper position, it means like a bowl into which one can catch good luck. And if it was located downwards, it meant that it was as if all the bad luck had been poured out of the cup and would not stay in it for long. The horseshoe as a symbol of good luck began at a time when the first Catholics (Rome) put horses in it to protect their hooves from damage and pain. The Catholics built many roads to strengthen their empire (hence the expression "All roads go to Rome"), and horses were an integral part of the Roman transportation system. It was at that time that the horseshoe became a symbol of wealth, good luck and abundance.

Flame

In an old school tattoo it represents transformation, destruction, change, passion, a beacon of light and a beacon of knowledge, as well as a warning. Fire and flame were often used in religious rituals and symbolism, as the smoke of the fire rose into the heavens and was associated with the wishes and requests of a believer. The ability to destroy made fire respected and feared. But fire can not only destroy, but also bring warmth and light to dispel the darkness. Fire and flame in torches, beacons, and candles represents a symbol of hope, light and knowledge. Fire is one of the four basic elements - including Earth, Water and Wind - and is also one of the basic five Chinese elements. In Hinduism, fire is one of the five sacred elements of which all living beings are composed, and is considered the eternal basis for sacred religious ceremonies. In Christianity, fire is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (purification) and is often used in descriptions of hell. Fire is also a symbol of temptation and sin, and Satan is often depicted surrounded by fire. In mythology, the Phoenix burns in fire and is reborn from its own ashes. Fire is a symbol of transformation and rebirth and represents the cycle of life.

Eight ball

This design may have several different meanings, and its symbolism depends on the context in which it is used. In general, the “eighth ball” ends the game of pool, but due to the rules of the game, pocketing the “eighth ball” in your shot automatically makes you a loser - you lose the game. And since many billiard halls were famous for their bad reputation(we can see this in some films, for example, in “The Hustler” with Paul Newman, and “The Color of Money” with Newman and T. Cruise), then the “eight ball” in the tattoo implies alcohol, drugs, gambling, women of the lung behavior, gambling, etc. Some people view the "eight ball" as giving them a chance, if they're lucky, everything will work out. This is the tattoo that hints at walking on the edge or testing fate. The term "eight ball" also carries a certain slang concept, such as a very dangerous combination of heroin and cocaine. If you had asked a dealer in the 60s and 70s in the USA for “coke for the eighth ball,” he would have understood exactly what dose you needed, thus the “eighth ball” symbolizes the willingness to take risks and the possibility of success or failure, in other words, “Life is gambling!"

Pigeon

The symbol of the holy spirit in some Christian interpretations and is often used to represent the Baptism of Jesus Christ, the most familiar episode from the Bible is the story of the Flood, when God told Noah to build an Ark and take on it a pair of every animal and bird. According to the Bible, during the flood, God sent torrential rains and the entire world was flooded. Only Noah and his family and the creatures on board the Ark survived the flood. After many weeks at sea, Noah freed first the Raven and then the Dove to fly to find land. The dove returned with an olive branch in its beak, and Noah and his family were very happy that the flood had receded. The dove has become a powerful symbol as a harbinger of hope. Others believe that the flight of the freed dove also symbolizes the exit of the soul.

Dolphin

The popularity of this motif is explained by the fact that for a long time there has been an invisible connection between humans and dolphins. Humans and dolphins have coexisted together for quite a long time, and even now, the more we learn about these creatures, the more we tend to believe that the dolphin carries some kind of divine spark that separates them from other animals. It has long been believed that dolphins serve as some kind of connection between the surface and underwater world. Swimming with dolphins, for example, helps children cope with various ailments, calms and helps people suffering from depression or nervous disorders. It's no surprise that the dolphin tattoo has become so popular.

Game of dice

Is the familiar numbered cube we all played with as children and is popular in many cultures around the world. Dice games, by their very nature, rely more on luck than skill. Like a tattoo, the game of dice is a metaphor for life: sometimes in life, as in gambling, it is more important to get a chance than to be talented, so the game of dice can be seen as a symbol of good luck. But at the same time, playing dice is often interpreted in a tattoo as one of the elements of gambling, and is often included in common human vices, including playing cards, drugs and alcohol, weapons, betting on the racetrack, racing and communication with women. behavior. The expression “rolling the dice” implies taking a risk in which the result will be completely unknown, which a person cannot control. This implies that the outcome of such a risk will depend only on fate and given to a person chance. The well-known expression: “The die is cast” (an aphorism by Julius Caesar when crossing the Rubicon) means that a choice has been made, but the result is unknown.

Scull

Skulls are represented in almost all genres of tattoos: nautical themes (with crossed bones were depicted on pirate flags), old school, new school and even biomechanics... There is something mystical in the largest human bone, one look at the skull and we see that death stared at us from large dark empty eye sockets. It's no surprise that the skull is known throughout the world as a symbol of death. In many cultures, the symbol of the skull is a reminder of our own mortality, as the immortal Latin says, “Memento mori!” (memento Mori). William Shakespeare uses the skull to great effect: when Hamlet discovers Yorick's skull in the graveyard in the first scene of Act 5, he speaks directly to the skull. The physical object of a skull is used to symbolize the theme of human mortality and death presented in the game. In the end, none of us can escape death, and even Kings will be eaten by worms. In Christian art and culture, the skull has been presented as a symbol of eternity, repentance and human vanity and also a reminder of death. In medieval, religious paintings we can often see Adam with a skull placed at the feet of the Cross as a symbol of payment for sin. Ancient symbol a skull with a snake was a symbol of knowledge and immortality, denoting knowledge that survived death. Many Renaissance works feature skulls as a reminder of the importance of living a virtuous life. Historically, the skull was a popular symbol of triumph over an enemy, and a warning to people defeated in battle. The skulls served as trophies and a large number of skulls could be piled up by the victors in in public places, as direct proof of victory over the enemy and a grim reminder of the losses of the vanquished. Today, the skull is as popular as in ancient times. In movies, games, literature, comics, and of course, tattoos, the skull continues to collect various symbolic meanings, since there is a huge creative field for the artist’s imagination.

Knife/Dagger

- These types of tattoo designs are popular in many different styles. A knife or dagger can be either an independent tattoo or part of a painting. Dry history: For example, the ancient Aztecs used special ceremonial daggers to cut out the still-beating hearts from their human victims, thereby paying homage to the gods. Such a dagger represented the fearsome and capricious power of the gods. Wherever sacrifice was practiced: in the Middle East, Babylon, Mesopotamia, Persia and many other cultures, knives were used to make sacrifices to the gods. The image of a knife, bloodletting and death are all intertwined. The ability to shed blood, the very essence of life, is an unusually powerful image and a very powerful symbol - the bringer of death. The knife/dagger is present in many military tattoos due to its use as a weapon, excellent for close combat due to its silent action. Many special forces include knives and daggers in their mandatory equipment. The symbolism of a knife or dagger in military designs is very similar to a sword tattoo, but with a less noble pedigree. A knife or dagger represents ferocity, speed, tenacity and death. As weapons, the knife and dagger have been known since ancient times, all knights and nobles carried daggers as weapons in addition to their spears and swords, therefore they were the last line of defense of a fighter and were used last - a kind of last chance. Since prehistoric times, the knife was considered the first tool in the human arsenal, it was used to skin animals, protect their homes, and for obtaining and cutting food, becoming better and better as humanity developed. Since the knife had many functions, and absolutely all men from different classes used them, gradually the handle of the knife/dagger began to be decorated with gold and jewelry, and over time it became an indicator of a person’s class. For reference, men, for example, began to shake hands when greeting each other to demonstrate that they were not hiding a dagger or other bladed weapon in their hands. Tattoos of knives and daggers are very popular in both old school and new school to this day - it symbolizes a willingness to accept measures, to be bold and fearless, ready to answer for the insult. A knife in the heart means betrayal in love, and often simply infidelity, and a skull pierced with a knife means a person risking his life, fully committed to his ideas. A skull with a knife in the teeth symbolizes action . We often see this in tattoos from the beginning of the century: skulls, demons, pirates - depicted with knives in their teeth, this is the clearest way to show: “I’m ready for anything!”

Cross

There is no more universal religious image or symbol than the Christian Cross. Religious symbolism is prominently featured in many genres of tattooing, both ancient and modern, and in fact it can be argued that all traditional tattoos among various peoples carry a strong spiritual element within them. The cross tattoo has been known for at least the past two centuries, sailors and merchants were tattooed with them, it is considered an old-school classic, and is still mega-popular among all segments of the population in many countries around the world. The cross itself is one of the oldest and most important symbols in the history of mankind - the vertical and horizontal lines representing Father and Mother Nature, the point of intersection of the two lines - the point of synthesis - represented those mystical and spiritual concepts that embraced the meeting of the material and spiritual in human existence. Of all types of crosses, the Roman or Latin cross is the most popular and unmistakable symbol of Christianity; it was on such a cross that Jesus Christ was crucified. One of the oldest crosses was placed in a circle. This so-called Solar Cross or Cross of the Wheel appeared in Europe, often carved into rocks or petroglyphs. They are also found in Asia, America and India. Since the cross has been used all over the world, it is not surprising that it has many meanings in many different cultures. Even before Christianity, the cross was the most common symbol throughout the world: in Scandinavia, in pre-Columbian America, China and Africa, it symbolized life and immortality, abundance, the union of heaven and earth, sun and stars (the four pointers symbolized North, South, East and The West or the four winds, the elements, not to mention the human form of the body) and was used as a protective symbol. Four thousand years ago, the Indian Cross was a symbol of everything good and auspicious for man. Such a cross was called the circle of life, denoting the ever-changing world around the unchanging Center of God. Later, thanks to Hitler, the swastika became a symbol of Nazi Germany and radically changed its meaning in the minds of most people. The Ankh Cross, unique because of its loop above the cross, came to be used in astrology as a symbol of Venus, and is still used today in biology to indicate the female gender. The ancient Egyptians used the hieroglyph ankh to symbolize regeneration, and it was later adopted by Christians to symbolize physical and eternal life. The Greek cross is mentioned in history ancient Greece three thousand years ago, today is recognized as a symbol of the Red Cross, being equal in all four parts.

Cherry

Fruits symbolize abundance, and deep red, ripe and juicy cherries are no exception. The cherry symbolizes chastity and purity as the fruit ripens on the trees. A picked cherry represents the loss of innocence and dignity. A bitten cherry is no longer a virgin. A cherry surrounded by fire speaks of an insatiable desire or passion.

The popularity of tattoos is currently only increasing. Despite this rather painful and expensive pleasure, more and more people prefer to decorate their body with a bright picture that will not disappear over time. Tattoos have quite a large number of styles. They all differ from each other in the thickness of the outline, the palette of colors used, and the technique of execution. The old school style is still recognized as one of the most popular. A tattoo made using this technique is very difficult to confuse with anything else and place it in another category. It has a lot of distinctive features that immediately catch the eye. So, what is this tattoo technique?

A little history

This style is of American and European origin. It originated in the 19th century. The first owners of tattoos of this style were sailors. As a rule, for them such a pattern on the body was associated with some memorable event or person. Direct knowledge about tattoos came to sailors from Polynesia, whose islands are located in the Pacific Ocean. The first sketches of such decorations on the bodies of the local population were brought with him by Captain Cook after exploring Tahiti, Hawaii, and Zealand. However, those drawings were very different from modern ones.

Main motives

Old school style tattoos have distinct distinctive features. First of all, the motives of the drawing are strictly observed. Since the first owners of this kind of tattoos were sailors, the sketches were based on themes related to sailing on ships. Drawings very often depict various waves, charming women, anchors, crosses, mermaids, roses (precisely these flowers). Various inscriptions and quotes are also widely used, and they can be done in any language. Masters also often make stars and hearts with daggers using this technique. Old school tattoo “sleeves” have also become common. What is it? The arm from the wrist to the end of the shoulder is completely covered with designs, between which, as a rule, there is no free space, that is, the tattoo turns out to be continuous. Moreover, it can consist of separate sketches that the master connects with each other. The "sleeve" is made in the same style. The old school technique is very popular in this case. The “sleeves” turn out bright, clear and rich.

Performance technique

Basic distinctive features These tattoos are as follows. Bright, simple colors are used (black, red, blue, white, green). The coloring is dense and opaque. But smooth color transitions and shadows are possible. In general, the drawing turns out to be far from realism, but very rich and bright. A wide black outline adds contrast. This is a must for old school style. A tattoo, as a rule, does not lose brightness over time, does not lose clarity and does not blur into a spot (unless, of course, it was performed by a qualified craftsman using high-quality materials).

The best places for application

There is no particular rigor in choosing the location of the picture in this case. Basically, tattoos of this style are done in prominent places - for example, on the arms, chest, wrist, stomach, calves, ribs. The last option is the most painful, since there are many nerve endings there, and the skin is close to the bones. The same goes for the wrist. But the shoulder is the most painless place for a tattoo. Basically, you can make a similar drawing anywhere. It's not that important. The main thing is the meaning that is put into the tattoo. There are also general ideas about the meaning of such drawings. However, it should be remembered that today a tattoo is perceived exclusively as a beautiful picture on the body, nothing more.

Old school tattoo: meaning and meaning

Let's look at the most common motives. The classic option is an anchor. In the West, its popularity has remained high for a couple of hundred years. And the symbolism of such an image is very ancient. Its roots go back about two millennia. Such a symbol was considered real guiding star protecting sailors. An old school tattoo with an anchor helped to stay on course and clearly follow the chosen goal. Another meaning of such a pattern is to always remain yourself, to steadfastly withstand all opposing winds and currents.

The second, no less successful and popular, subject for a tattoo in the old school style is a swallow. In this case, it turns out to be a little cartoonish. This bird brings good luck and happiness to its owner. Ladies usually make them in the collarbone area, on the back or near the ankle. However, old school tattoos for men are also often created based on images of pretty swallows. True, maybe not so colorful and feminine. As for the same sailor, he will get such a tattoo only if he walks 5,000 miles through the water. For him, the swallow symbolizes a safe return to his native shore. After all, this bird is sure sign that there is land somewhere nearby. Two swallows are perceived as a successful journey.

Quite often, tattoos in the old school style had religious significance for their owner. A prime example is the Rock of Ages. It is considered a true classic in Christian allegory. These are hopes, protections and supports. It is believed that such a tattoo served as a talisman for a sailor. Very often, such a drawing was combined with some inscriptions like “Hold on!” This was supposed to support a person in a difficult situation and instill faith in the best.

Old school rose tattoo is another interesting aspect of the style in question. She is a symbol of special pure love, passion, but also chastity. The color joy plays a huge role, white - respect and reverence, orange - joy. The red rose, of course, is associated with love in all its forms.

Choosing a master

The person you are going to entrust your precious body to must be a true professional. These have diplomas of completed studies, very often an art education, as well as a fairly voluminous portfolio (examples of previously completed work). If the master refuses to draw you a sketch on his own (even for a fee), you should be wary. Try to get tattoos only in salons where a written contract is previously concluded. This will save you from further problems in case of a poor-quality design.

How to care

An old school tattoo needs exactly the same healing method as all other designs applied with a needle under the skin. After the end of the session, the master will apply a special film compress to you so that you can safely get home. The film will not allow clothes to stick to the fresh pattern and cause discomfort. In the first days, the tattoo will ooze ichor. It is necessary in mandatory wash off carefully warm water. This should be done as moisture forms. After washing, you need to apply a thin layer of special ointment to the tattoo. The master himself will tell you the name. Do not scratch the drawing under any circumstances, do not peel off the peeling upper layer, do not sunbathe, do not visit the solarium, do not drink alcohol!

Old school tattoos have not lost their popularity over the years. Introduced by sailors, this style has stood the test of time and acquired the status of a classic. Today, bright tattoos in a traditional style are chosen by men and women all over the world.

Tattoo Old School — History of Old School Style

The history of the Old School style begins with sailors; the origin of the style dates back to the end of the 19th century. It is to the people whose lives were connected with the sea that we should be grateful for their bright, laconic but meaningful tattoos. Sailors were very superstitious, and tattoos became the best solution to always have a lot of talismans and amulets with them. The most popular stories at that time wereanchors, swallows, heart, compass rose .

Because of homesickness and family, romantic subjects appeared: roses, portraits, mermaids. Well, don’t forget about curvaceous beauties in the pin-up style, which, like old school, is strongly associated with sailors.

Tattoo Old School— Characteristic Features of Old School Style

The old school style is characterized by thick black outlines, extremely simple colors (mainly black, red, green, blue) and laconic designs without unnecessary details.

The old school style today differs from the style in which the first masters worked, but has retained its fundamental features.

Tattoo Old School - Popular Stories Tattoo Old School

Tattoo Ship Old School

For sailors, their ship was home and a small world, their crew was family and support, so the ship tattoo carries a very deep meaning. The ship embodies hope, movement, freedom.

Today, tattoos with a marine theme in the old school style are made not only by people whose profession is in one way or another connected with the sea. The main thing in a tattoo is the meaning, the message, which has been formed over many decades and absorbs the experience of generations. Tattoo old Schools, including the ship, are chosen by people who honor traditions and history.

Tattoo Compass and Wind Rose

Denotes the search for the right path, a clear direction in life and confidence in one’s beliefs. The compass has long helped people find the right direction and saved them from death at sea.

Today the compass has figurative meaning. People don't need to worry about the direction of transport. But you should always think about finding your own path in life.

Mermaid Tattoo Old School

A mermaid tattoo (in some versions a siren) in the old school style is associated with the beauty, temptation and danger that the sea brings. This mythical creature promised sailors good luck and death in equal measure.

Butterfly Tattoo Old School

It signifies the path of life and the development of personality and soul. This insect received such a symbolic meaning due to its transformation from a caterpillar into a beautiful fluttering butterfly. For most cultures and religions, this development cycle means the formation of the human soul. The possibility of easy flight, wingedness, brightness and airiness that butterflies represent has made them a popular subject for tattoos.

Tiger Tattoo Old School

Tiger tattoo is a symbol of perseverance, belligerence, readiness to confront difficulties at any time and engage in battle against them. The tiger is equal in meaning to and carries the same meaning.

Tattoo Dagger Old School

The main meaning of a Dagger or Blade tattoo is fearlessness, risk, willingness to fight to the end and maintain honor. This is a noble symbol that in modern times has a metaphorical meaning. This implies a struggle not with the enemy, but with difficulties, life’s traps and difficult situations.

Black and White Tattoo Old School

Although the style is typical bright colors lovers of black decided to return to the very origins of tattoos. The old-school artists who tattooed sailors didn't always have all the colors to work with, but black can replace all the others. In black, the laconic old-school looks even more authentic.

Old School Tattoo - Popular Places for Old School Tattoo

Old School Tattoo on Hand

Traditionally, drawings in this style were small and the hand was ideal for applying them. An Old School tattoo can be placed on absolutely any part of the arm, depending on the idea and shape of the sketch.

Tattoo Old School Sleeve

Most often, an Old School style sleeve consists of many small sketches on a common or similar theme. Since the style is characterized by little detail in the design, it is impossible to make one continuous drawing on the hand. Due to the similarity of plots and meanings of each individual sketch on the sleeve, the overall motif looks harmonious and stylish.

Sketches Tattoo Old School

Tattoos with the frantic energy of travel and wandering were actually created in water. Despite their cheerful and sometimes dissolute lifestyle, the sailors knew a lot about tattoo art, creating batches of romantic images for body painting.

Tattoos in the old school style reveal bright colors, and the contours of the figures are outlined with thick lines for catchiness. The most common in this style are images of hearts, skulls, angels, crosses, and ribbons. The sailors filled their bodies with drawings of everything that surrounded them. Often these are portraits of girls left to wait on land, fairy-tale mermaids, names of dear people, anchors. Tattoos were believed to protect against storms and shipwrecks. Basically, old school tattoos are depicted on the arm.

The brightness and recklessness of the images is the main thing distinguishing feature this style. The drawn objects are not realistic, they do not have any regular shapes, which is why they are so attractive and in demand. The simplicity, skillfully combined with style, is captivating.

Men's old school tattoos are just as famous as women's ones. Thanks to the endless choice of images and sketches, this style will universally suit two opposite sexes. Old school tattoos on sleeves are generally preferred by the stronger sex. Girls love small old school tattoos that will not take up a significant part of the body.

Tattoo art is one of the most popular forms of body decoration, which has ruled the hearts of millions of people for centuries and continues to remain at the top of popularity even in our time. Despite the fact that artists are constantly working to create new modern and realistic designs, traditional old-school tattoos do not lose their relevance.

Old school style: history of origin and description

Old school tattoos ( old school Tattoo) refer to the traditional American style, which involves the use of a limited color palette, thick black lines and unnaturalness.

Old school tattoos are designs painted blue, green or red. There may also be some shades of blue, purple, brown and yellow, in addition to the common color black. There are no restrictions on the size of the pictures: both small and large images look great.

Famous artists who were highly regarded in the old school tattoo genre are Sailor Jerry, Amund Dietzel, Herbert Hoffman, Bob Shaw and Bert Grimm. Modern tattoo art takes a lot of inspiration from the old school and uses them to create new designs.

Old school tattoo ideas and designs

Eagle old school

The eagle is a symbol of American culture and signifies strength, freedom, loyalty and dedication. Most eagle tattoos are quite large and are inked along with words, quotes or other elements.

Rose

The meaning conveyed by old school flower tattoos is love or passion. Moreover, there are several variations of this design: a combination of a rose with names, inscriptions, a dagger, a skull, etc.

Girls

Pin-up figures, which were especially in demand in the 1960s, greatly increased the popularity of this motif due to their charming and feminine images. Sexy old school girls are undeniably attractive, but their images are more difficult to execute, and this requires more experience from the tattoo artist.

Anchor

This motif is valued not only for its aesthetic value, but also for its symbolic meaning. The tattoo signifies determination, faith and hope. Sailors usually got an anchor tattoo in the belief that it would help them stay on track during the long periods of time spent sailing away from their families. It is worth noting that the image of an anchor will look more harmonious in combination with a heart, birds, ropes or roses.

Compass

The image of this device signifies direction and helps the owner determine the right path in his life, which will lead him to achieve his goals. These tattoo designs are especially popular among sailors, travelers, adventurers and navigators.

Images of chiefs and tribal symbols

These tattoos have a strong connection to tribal heritage, in addition to symbolic meanings associated with customs and traditions. The most common symbols used for tattoos are a dream catcher, feathers, animals, natural elements or the human form. Often, an old school sleeve tattoo is performed with these very motifs.

Old school Indian tattoos refer to the tribal culture of ancient times and are important element old school design.

Heart

Heart tattoos are associated with love, compassion and friendship. They are preferred to be applied to their bodies by people who want to express their feelings towards loved ones, such as parents, children or friends. The most popular motifs: a heart with wings or inscriptions, as well as a pierced or broken heart.

These designs are the most common old school designs.

Swallows

These tiny birds symbolize health, prosperity, loyalty, freedom, protection and strength. The old school swallow tattoo is a highly prized old school design that was once used by sailors as a sign of hope for a safe return home. Later, the swallow was considered a symbol of freedom among people released from prison. Gradually this Beautiful design became popular and went to the masses.

Swallows look great in both black and white and color.

Owl

This bird symbolizes intelligence, knowledge, learning. Tattoo means receiving secret knowledge, self-development, wisdom. The image of an owl is especially popular among girls and boys, as it helps to find the right direction in life.

Mermaid

The mermaid design signifies independence and playfulness, showcasing the grace and charm of this mythical creature. Mermaids were originally a popular image among sailors who spend most of their lives at sea, but today these tattoos have become popular among women as they look very original.

Dagger

Edged weapons can represent many things, but mainly symbolize danger, death and ferocity. There are many variations in this design: the dagger goes well with other elements, such as a skull, flowers or a heart.

Wolf

This predatory animal represents ruthlessness, bloodthirstiness and audacity. Old school wolf is usually used to represent a desire for something important in life, such as wealth, success or happiness. In some cases, a traditional wolf tattoo can symbolize that a person has gone through a difficult time. life situation. The panther, tiger and bear have similar characteristics.

Scull

A skull tattoo symbolizes awareness and acceptance of death as an inevitability, and also states that a person appreciates and enjoys life. Most often, skulls are applied to the forearm.

Besides the fact that these tattoos have a deep meaning, they boast a unique and recognizable all over the world appearance. In addition, wearable pictures are very versatile: they are perfectly placed both on the leg or arm, and on another part of the body.

Male and female tattoo sketches

The photos below show best ideas for boys and girls. Perhaps one of the presented sketches will help you in choosing a future tattoo.