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Nautical Star HistoryNautical stars were first tattooed on early sailors because they relied on the stars to find their way, therefore they always had a star to be with them and always knew where they were going in their own lives and at sea. It was kind of a sense of security and guidance.

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  • I believe the design you are all talking about is the traditional design for the face of a ship's compass. The 4 longest points indicate the cardinal directions, N, S, E & W. Between these are shorter points for NE, SE, SW, and NW. 8 additional points indicate NNE, ENE, etc.
  • People who have nautical star tattoos have said it is: a symbol to follow your dreams, a remembrance star, something to let everyone know that you rely on the stars to guide you in the specific path you choose, or representing love.
  • Back in the day when being gay wasnt the thing to do, butch females would get the tattoo on the inside of their wrists so they could cover it up with a watch during the day and at night they could take off the watch and other dykes would know.
  • The bit about the nautical star being used as a signal for butch lesbians to find other lesbians in the 40's-60's is true. It fell out of favor in the late 60's with the advent of feminism, when lesbians became more openly visible. It was typically hidden under a watchband.
  • It was used for navigation back in the day now people say its for sense of direction in your life it has nothing to do with anarchy or the pentogram and whoever said that they are an "avid" punk rocker needs to smack themselves very hard in the face.
  • Back in the day the sailors had it tattooed on them, much like they would an anchor. The nautical star is a symbol of guidance. The sailors rely on the stars for navigation, hence "follow the stars." Nowadays, people like to say "follow your dreams."
  • First of all the star represents navigation in the Navy. That is where its original meaning came from. Now days it is a representation of OC = Orange County, CA. Straight edge is a black X not a Nautical Star and straight edge ended along time ago here in Huntington Beach, CA. The gang anyways. Alot of people still say they are straight edge (followers) meaning that they do not do drugs, smoke or have sex. Not that they are in a gang. I also had a Mexican guy come up to me in Santa Ana and ask me where I did 2 years at. I have 2 nautical stars on my shoulders since 1995 not 2000 when MTV put them out and they became trendy so I assume in the Mexican community that it represents doing 1 year for each star. I do not know about the whole lesbian thing. That sounds like a gimmick. I believe dykes have Dolphins tatted on them not stars.
  • The nautical star may be a fad, however there is a real reason it was created to mean what it does. Regardless, it doesn't matter what it really means now, right? Sailors apparently started it, then only lesbians got them, the emo kida had 'em circa 1985, then it went out of fashion, blah blah blah. I have 2 1.5 inch black and dark pink stars tattooed on my lower stomach, on both sides of my hips. I got them because I had a wristband with the exact star on it for about 2 years, and it was my favorite. I love stars too! Don't get me wrong, I'm not a lesbian, I'm not a sailor, and I'm not a hardcore punk chick. I'm not straight edge either. You can compare and contrast the real meaning of the nautical maritime star, but I believe there is no real meaning. Just like the swactica, the cross, and even the middle finger. They were all started somehow, sometime, no one knows for sure. It all comes down to personal interpretation. Whatever you feel is right.
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Where to get a nautical star tattoo?

Any tattoo parlor should be able to tattoo a nautical star. Use your phonebook or the internet to find one near you.


Nautical tattoo meanings?

That depends on what each individual tattoo looks like.


Does the nautical star represent evil?

No it represents a direction.


Does a nautical star tattoo on each arm mean you are gay?

Not necessarily. It means whatever you want it to mean. It was originated by sailors who commonly used the stars to guide their way home. They used the nautical star tattoo to help symbolize a safe trip home.


What does a nautical star tattoo on the inside of a leg symbolize?

The nautical star is a very old modern tattoo, going back at least a century or more. Back in the days of yore, before modern navigation, sailors would navigate in part by the stars in the night skies, in particular the North Star in the Northern Hemisphere, and various other constellations of stars in the night sky. In the Southern Hemisphere, sailors had to use different stars and the Southern Cross became quite well-known. Sailors would then tattoo nautical stars on them because they relied on the stars to take them home, and being superstitious, they hoped their star tattoos would get them home safely as well. Compass stars are also popular for this reason. The nautical stars were originally used by sailors to help guide their way as they sailed through the night. They relied upon the stars to protect them and bring them home safely. A lot of soldiers get nautical stars for the same reason...protection. It is a symbol of protection and guidance. It was a very popular tattoo among sailors. So a case could be made that the nautical star tattoo, or a tattoo of any star for that matter, would be a symbol of guidance. Now as time has passed the nautical stars represent the direction of one's life, for those of us who are not sailors but still need guidance. Some say that if the nautical star is pointed upwards they have a higher outlook on life and so on. The meaning of the Nautical star is to create your own path, but use the stars as a guide when you are lost or scared.

Related Questions

If you get a star tattoo are you gay?

No, only you can decide weather you are gay or not. Enjoy you're tattoo!


What tattoo symbolizes guidance?

nautical star or dragon! nautical star or dragon!


Where to get a nautical star tattoo?

Any tattoo parlor should be able to tattoo a nautical star. Use your phonebook or the internet to find one near you.


Where can a person find an image of a nautical star for a tattoo idea?

The nautical star tattoo ranks among the oldest and most symbolic of tattoo designs. Images of the nautical star can be found in a large number of places such as the Lyricwriter and TattooMeNow.


How long does it take to get a nautical star tattoos?

The time it takes to get a nautical star tattoo can vary depending on the complexity and size of the design. Generally, a simple nautical star tattoo can be done in one session lasting a couple of hours. More intricate designs or larger tattoos may require multiple sessions spaced out over a few weeks.


What is the meaning of a beveled star tattoo?

The beveled star or "nautical star" is seen often in early American traditional tattoos. It was first made popular by sailors. The star was used to represent the north star and coincided with finding one's way home.


Nautical tattoo meanings?

That depends on what each individual tattoo looks like.


Does the nautical star represent evil?

No it represents a direction.


What does the emo star mean?

The emo star is actual a nautical star. The nautical star is usually seen as a tattoo representing membership in the US Navy or Marine Corp. The symbol represents the five pointed star of the US flag and the red/black color pattern represents the compass rose found on old nautical maps. I do not understand why emo's get the tattoo or what it means to them.


What star tattoo is best to symbolize family?

nautical star because it means yours together as a family and you all have at least one thing in common the tattoo.


What is the significance of the colors on a nautical star?

I have heard that for sailor the colors represent port and starboard, Port is left and starboard is right. So a green star would be starboard and on the right, and a red star would be port and on the left. if you are returning home. I dont know what present colors mean but i know the colors for sailing and that sailors used the nautical star as a tattoo for guidance


What is the meaning of a nortic star tattoo?

I think you may mean nautical star, if so then that is a tattoo tha sailors used to get. It symbolises guidance or good luck on a long journey.