If you’ve come across someone proudly sporting a pirate tattoo, you may be wondering what it means. Or maybe you’re thinking of getting a tattoo yourself and want to be sure what it means before you take the plunge?
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In this article, we’ll explore together the meaning of a pirate tattoo, what these outlaws of the seas symbolize in popular culture, and why you should (or shouldn’t) make these symbols your own! Let’s get started right away. ☠️ 🔥THE MOST POPULAR PRODUCTS🔥
What is a pirate?
Before tackling the subject of tattoos, let’s first consider what the pirate image itself represents. What is its reputation? Why do some people hate them while others adore them to the point of having their symbols tattooed on their skin, forever? 🧐
When we think of pirates, we imagine sailors turned outlaws of the seas. These are men tired of working for a decent living, who have chosen to plunder, often violently. They sometimes leave their victims no chance of satisfying their needs. They arrive on a ship, strip it of its riches and sink it before setting sail for new adventures. This is the “negative” version of the image we have of pirates.
But sometimes, when we think of sea captains, we think of heroes from films, cartoons, books and other media. We then have a positive perception of characters such as Hayreddin Barbarossa, Blackbeard the Pirate, Jack Sparrow, Captain Hook and many others. Some are quite remarkable or amusing, and getting a tattoo of one of them expresses a more “positive” ideal!
Pirate tattoos evoke a wide range of representations. Pirates sail the seas, taking what they want and doing what they please. Consequently, a pirate tattoo represents in particular:
- freedom
- courage
- bravery
- deception
- unity
- loyalty
- and wanderlust
All these characteristics are qualities we associate with pirates. The unity of the crew and, at the same time, the deceptive and low moral acts they can commit. Theft and murder are not admirable qualities, but the freedom to seek what we want and go where we want are concepts we associate with freedom. ⚓️
However, it’s important to note that everyone gives their own meaning to their tattoo. Everyone is free to assign whatever meaning they wish to their tattoo, based on their personal experience, worldview and the things that are dear to them.
The different variations of pirate tattoos
There are many pirate tattoo variants to consider. There are, for example, many fictional characters who sometimes have deep meaning for us from our childhood, as well as interest in the real pirates of yesteryear. There are even those who identify with modern-day sailors and proclaim themselves pirates. 💀
So let’s take a look at various examples and themes related to the world of sea raiders and their meanings.
1) Pirates of the Caribbean tattoos
The “Pirates of the Caribbean” saga began with “The Curse of the Black Pearl”. It was in this film that we met the legendary pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow. Played by Johnny Depp, Jack Sparrow is known as a con man in the world of piracy. However, he has a lot of fun and constantly finds himself in perilous situations, from which he often manages to escape 😉
In addition to Jack Sparrow, other popular characters played a role in this 5-movie series. The Pirates of the Caribbean logo is also a well-known image, sometimes used as a tattoo. This film offers us plenty of pirate tattoo ideas, and if you’re a fan of the series, you’re spoilt for choice!
2) Captain Hook tattoo
Captain Hook is probably the most famous fictional pirate in cartoon history. Appearing in the Peter Pan series, Captain Hook spends his time trying to destroy Peter Pan and take over Neverland in revenge for Peter cutting off his hand. He’s best known for his missing hand, replaced by a hook. He and his band of pirates have given up sailing the seas to devote their time to destroying Peter Pan. 😈
The Captain Hook pirate tattoo is a popular choice among pirate and Disney fans. Hook’s tireless efforts to defeat Peter Pan, his lack of intelligence and his constant fear of the crocodile make him an endearing character.
3) Skull Tattoos
The skull and crossbones tattoo is a very popular style in the pirate world. The meaning of the skull and crossbones tattoo is much deeper than you might think! ☠️
Nowadays, this image symbolizes dangerous substances or warns of something dangerous (a place, a product, etc.). As far as pirates are concerned, it often represents death. However, a skull tattoo can have a more spiritual meaning. It can mean, “I wear the symbol of death on me, because I’m not afraid and I live my life to the fullest!”
4) Pirate Ship Tattoo
The pirate ship tattoo is also a classic option for those interested in pirate history and all that surrounds them. These ships generally have a dark, intriguing look. In many tales, these ships emerge from the fog to attack a hapless crew carrying goods and wealth. Ships have always been a popular choice for those who want a tattoo related to the marine world. If you’re looking for a unique style, the pirate ship tattoo is an excellent choice. 🙌
Surrounding the pirate ship with various symbols such as swords, treasure and pirate flags adds even more charm and character to the tattoo. The location of the tattoo must be carefully chosen, as this type of tattoo can require a lot of space.
Showing pirate ship tattoos on your body is a way of asserting your rights, protecting your family or simply showing the world that you’re a rebel at heart. It also symbolizes power, inspires fear in the hearts of others and represents someone who isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty to stand up for what they believe in. 💪
These sailboats can be customized with inflatable sails, masts, birds, mermaids, storms, the sun or moon, or even a coastal landscape. For many, pirate ship tattoos represent home, for others the start of a new voyage or an immersion in nature.
A ship is nothing without its flag. Discover now the origin of the pirate flag!
5) Blackbeard Tattoo
One of history’s most famous true pirates is Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. He was an English pirate who sailed around the Caribbean and the east coast of the North American colonies. Little is known about Blackbeard’s early years, but we do know that he joined the crew of Captain Benjamin Hornigold around 1716. Hornigold gave Blackbeard command of one of his captured ships, and the two wreaked havoc on the seas for over a year. 🦴
If you’re looking for a pirate tattoo to represent a fearsome man, Blackbeard is the way to go! Here are a few examples of tattoos representing the most diabolical man of the sea.
Blackbeard is undoubtedly one of the 15 most famous pirates in history!
Symbolisms of Marine Tattoos
The symbolisms of all these variants, objects or characters revolving around the world of pirates, are extremely rich. Let’s take a look at various other symbols from this world and what they represent. 💉
First of all, here’s a fascinating little legend:
In the past, gunpowder was thought to offer mystical powers of protection and long life, which is why it was used back then as an ingredient in tattoo inks for sailors. Many sailors were superstitious, and we can hardly blame them. Their work revolved around many unpredictable things, as nature can be. So their lives were always at the mercy of luck. To stay safe, many sailors wore symbols on their bodies that they believed would ward off bad luck and protect them. 💫
Here are the best-known of these symbols and their meanings:
- Anchor: sailors sometimes get an anchor tattoo after successfully crossing the Atlantic Ocean. The anchor is also the ship’s safest object. Its image therefore serves as an icon of stability and unshakeable faith. Sometimes we find “MUM” or “DAD” or a first name significant to the person wearing this tattoo, a reason to exist and a proof of love.
- Dragon: This means the sailor served at a station in China or sailed to a Chinese port. 🐲
- Golden dragon: A golden dragon represents the crossing of the international date change line (an imaginary line on the earth’s surface that follows, for the most part, the 180th meridian).
- Fully rigged ship: This tattoo represents having sailed the tumultuous waters of Cape Horn. A fully rigged vessel is one that has at least three masts fully extended.
- Shell turtle: This is sometimes used interchangeably with King Neptune. The tattoo commemorates a sailor who crossed the equator and was initiated into the court of King Neptune, a line-crossing ceremony for navy members crossing the equator for the first time. 🐢
- Cochon and/or Coq: These animals were usually tattooed on the feet or behind the ankles. They traditionally symbolized survival after a shipwreck, and superstitious sailors also believed they were symbols of protection against drowning. This belief stemmed from the fact that both animals were often kept in wooden crates on board and, when a ship capsized, these crates were most likely brought ashore. If a pig was tattooed on the left knee and a rooster on the right leg, then the tattoo represented an old saying: “Pig on the knee, safety at sea. Rooster on the right, never lose a fight”.
- Twin Propellers: Twin propellers, a tattoo on each buttock, were supposed to prevent drowning as they were intended to “propel” you ashore.
- Nautical star: A nautical star tattoo represents the North Star, traditionally used for navigation at sea. Sailors often had nautical stars or “compass stars” tattooed for superstitious reasons, hoping that the star would help guide them through the night and home safely. Today, they are a symbol of protection. Some see nautical stars as a symbolic reminder to create one’s own path or sail at a certain point in one’s life. The nautical star tattoo is now popular among members of the navy and coastguard. It’s usually represented by a five-pointed star with alternating colors to mimic the colors of the compass rose on nautical charts. ⭐️
- Crossed anchors: Crossed anchors tattooed on the hand (between thumb and forefinger) were the mark of a deckhand, someone who managed all activities related to fishing, deck, seamanship, maintenance of the ship’s external structure, deck equipment and boats. Sailors could do this on the left, meaning they had sailed all the oceans, or on the right, meaning they had sailed the seven seas.
- Dolphin: Representing members of the submarine force. It therefore refers to anything underwater. 🐬
- Rope: A rope around the wrist is the mark of a deckhand. A deckhand is someone who maintains the hull, decks, structure, mooring and cargo handling on a ship.
The list could still go on and on, as there are many other symbols accompanying the marine world and pirates. Nevertheless, we’ve just explored the vast majority of them. You now have a complete understanding of what a pirate tattoo means and all the symbols that surround it. Now you can make the choice to get a tattoo to express your values and join the most devilish sailors! 😈 🔥THE MOST POPULAR PRODUCTS🔥
