What do crossed anchors mean?

Crossed anchors: A pair of anchors crossed on the webbing of the hand—between the thumb and index finger—meant you were a boatswain's mate. A boatswain was the foreperson on deck, in charge of managing the crew on duty and directing any rigging, anchoring, or cabling of the ship.

What does it mean when a girl has an anchor tattoo?

Miley said that she wanted a design that signifies safe harbor, a place to always return. In keeping with the tradition of the anchor tattoo, Cyrus also said that her anchor ink represents hope and a reminder to stay grounded. As well as the wrist, the ankle is a popular place for women to have a small anchor tattoo.

What tattoo do sailors get when they cross the equator?

An anchor tattoo symbolizes a Sailor's crossing of the Atlantic. Sailors may get a Shellback turtle once they have crossed the equator and get initiated into 'King Neptune's Court'.

What does crossed cannons mean?

The crossed cannons mean a veteran has seen military service as a sailor.

What does an anchor tattoo on face mean?

Anchor Under Eye Tattoo

In this photo we see a classic ship anchor tattoo; the meaning behind this type of design is usually a reminder to stay grounded.

The Meaning of the Anchor Symbol in Christianity

What does an upside down anchor tattoo mean?

People say it's silly because anchors sink, but that's not the whole point of the tattoo. The anchor is underneath the words and unattached, so the anchor isn't pulling the words down. The entire point of the anchor is that it symbolizes hope.

What does an upside down cross tattoo under the eye mean?

Sometimes this tattoo is also called an inverted cross. What is this? Report Ad. A key thing you should note is that this symbol has been used for anti-Christianity beliefs in recent times. So a person may be wearing this tattoo to represent anti-religious feelings.

What does a swallow tattoo mean navy?

Swallow tattoos are one of the most popular in the navy and have a number of meanings. Each swallow represents 5,000 nautical miles in a sailor's career. The circumference of the earth is 21,639 nautical miles – about 4.16 swallows. A swallow with a dagger would be used as a memorial of a lost comrade at sea.

What does a sparrow tattoo mean navy?

The swallow tattoo was a symbol used historically by sailors to denote their sailing experience.

Why did sailors get anchor tattoos?

Anchor: Originally indicated a mariner who had crossed the Atlantic. In the present day, an anchor in one form or another may be the first nautical tattoo a young Sailor acquires (often during his or her first liberty from boot camp) and is essentially an initiation rite into the naval service.

What does a swallow tattoo on the neck mean?

Swallow tattoos on a man's hands and neck originated in British prisons from the term 'jail-bird'. It simply means you have been to prison and served your 'bird'. Freedom.

What do spider web tattoos on the elbow mean?

They were inked on the elbows to symbolize their loyalty to their group. Spider web tattoos gained popularity in prison systems all across the United States during the late 1900s. Even in modern times, the tattoo is still a popular prison tattoo. But in the late 1970s, to wear such a tattoo would come at great cost.

Why do prisoners have swallow tattoos?

The swallow tattoo was traditionally a symbol that a sailor had returned home safely after a successful voyage. But it can also be a symbol that someone has spent time in prison. The tattoo is supposed to mean that you have "done your bird, done your time".

What does cross tattoo mean?

Cross tattoos can be a representation of your devotion to religion or faith. In Christianity, the cross is where Jesus died to save humanity, so it's a significant symbol. Likewise, a cross tattoo can also mean unconditional love and sacrifice, as Jesus felt and did for the human race.

What does a fouled anchor tattoo mean?

Fouled anchor: a “fouled” anchor is one that is wrapped with a chain or rope. At sea these types of anchors are highly unstable and not ideal. However, many navies worldwide have adopted this symbol. The reason why many people like to get the fouled anchor is because it represents hope in troubled times.

What do matching anchor tattoos mean?

In most cases, it is usually worn by a man to show he is in a committed relationship. It is not common, but women can wear the anchor tattoo for the same thing. Some couples may choose to get matching anchor tattoos to symbolize their relationship with each other.

Why do sailors get pig and chicken tattoos?

Sailors believed that a nautical star or compass rose would help them navigate, including finding their way back to port or back home. A pig and a hen, usually tattooed on each foot (pig on the left, chicken on the right), were wards against drowning in a shipwreck.

What does hold fast mean tattoo?

“Hold Fast” written across the knuckles indicate a sailor's career as a deckhand. It's said that having “Hold Fast” on each of a deckhand's fingers would give them the grip they needed to work with the ship's lines and rigging.

What do swallow tattoos on hands mean?

There's a belief that when two swallows are tattooed on separate parts of the body, like left and right hand or foot, it marks the departure and long-distance. Sailors used to tattoo swallows on each side to mark the long journey that they need to pass to get to the final destination.

What do teardrop tattoos mean?

One of the most widely recognized prison tattoos, the teardrop's meaning varies geographically. In some places, the tattoo can mean a lengthy prison sentence, while in others it signifies that the wearer has committed murder. If the teardrop is just an outline, it can symbolize an attempted murder.

What do hummingbird tattoos mean?

Although the hummingbird tattoo often represents overcoming difficult times, it also has many other meanings, including love, joy, hope, life, and charm, and to many different cultures and people, the hummingbird is a symbol of peace.

What does an envelope tattoo mean?

An envelope is most often a symbol for a letter, and a letter can hold an infinity of meanings. There are love letters, fan mail and hate mail, rejection letters, official letters, and more. This means that there is an absolute plethora of inspiration for how to represent yourself via an envelope tattoo.

What does a cross in the middle of the forehead mean?

The ash cross marking observers' foreheads is meant to represent mortality and penance for their sins. It is applied by a priest during a morning mass, often along with a small blessing: "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return." Many choose to keep it on all day.

What does a lightning bolt tattoo under the eye mean?

Most inmates in the US have these cracker bolts inked on their skin to let the other prisoners know that they support the Nazi party's racist ideology. Having a tattoo is an art, and it is also one way of expressing yourself.

What does a star tattoo under the right eye mean?

While many star tattoos have nothing to do with crime, they can sometimes be used to represent killings, said Kevin Waters, a criminal justice professor at Northern Michigan University and former agent with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.