Nautical Stars

I was just wandering if anybody can tell me what the meaning behind nautical star tattoos is. I have heard a few different meanings and I wanted to make sure that they represent what I need them to represent or if they have a totally different meaning. I just wnted to find out before I make my decision on wether or not to get them done.

Ive heard it means good luck and good fortune.

i have nuatical stars on both of my elbows. i cant offer any insight into what they mean. but i can tell you while i was getting mine finished a very manly and butch lesbian woman and her girl/guyfriend were getting matching ones on their elbows.

This can either mean to find ones way home(salior or military) or find a new life (punk).

The wondrous nautical star that we admire today was a common tattoo found on the fore arms of naval sailors as a symbol of guidance and protection. Since the sailors used stars to help them navigate the seas, the nautical star was the star that would always be with the sailor so they knew where they were going not only on the sea but on their own lives. So here we have it folks, the history of the nautical star.

Historically most everyone agrees that Sailors were the first people to get nautical star tattoos. In fact the very word nautical relates back to sailing. So this connection has been pretty firmly established. Most people would agree the sailors were a pretty superstitious group historically and sailor lore abounds with superstitious and fantastical stories of life and death and being lost at sea. Early on sailors navigated by the stars at night and the north star became the symbol for finding ones way home. Once you know where the north star is you can point your ship in the right direction to get home. So the star became a symbol for finding ones way home or more symbolically even finding ones path in life.

There are many different meanings for the nautical star. I have one on my lower back, and to me it means finding your way in life. Others, however say it is a symbol for gays/lesbians, and others say it means finding your way home.

-Nautical 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. -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 representing love -Its meaning to most people is just following your dreams, and that it looks cool. Being an avid punk rocker I've noticed that this symbol is and has in the past been closely connected to punk rock, many other punk rockers have the tatoo and use the symbol. Even a lot of bands use it in their merchandise and logos.

The last I heard, it meant "Orange County Kanji". I got a good laugh out of that one.

Oh that is GOOOOD!!!! Krystof.Gotta remember that one!..T

here it is the truth they star way back in the days of the vikings they got the tattoos as a sign of leadership get it they are also on compasses and maps that lead you where you are going well they were picked up by marines and navy in the late 1800s the marines a department of the navy picked it up and pretty much stole it in about 1920s give or take then sometime about the 70s lebians started gettin them on their rist and ankles 4 gay pride in about the mid 90s they kinda became the tatto to get and no longer have a certain meaning cause everyone makes up what they want and everyone gets them i have six on my rib about to be seven i started when i joined the marines and i researched it alot before i got them but im telling you look it up in real fact based books not the net they are the things with paper dnt lesson to anyone these things are 4ever

I found this info on some site. I have nautical stars on part pf my hands just for the hell of it to go with my knuckles that are black and red also black and blue, the stars and the lettering are done opposite for the effect I wanted but other then that the stars seem to have gotten way trendy but it could be worse I guess. _________________________________________________________________ What is the history of the nautical star? Answer Nautical 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. Answer This is the star that shines past the universe, it shines in 5 diferent shades Answer the common nautical star that most are familiar with (red and black) has a counter part that is green and black. the colour red is used to represent the port side (left) and green is used to represent the starboard (right.) Answer 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. Answer 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 representing love Answer 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.... Just a version of one of the meanings that i have heard Answer Its meaning to most people is just following your dreams, and that it looks cool. Being an avid punk rocker I've noticed that this symbol is and has in the past been closely connected to punk rock, many other punk rockers have the tatoo and use the symbol. Even a lot of bands use it in their merchandise and logos. Answer Doesn't it have something to do with Straight Edge? Answer the symbol of 'straight edge' is normally a black x on the back of your hands. but im a bit confused bought the whole butch dyke thing, im a guy but its the first ive ever heard of it and i really cant believe that that is true Answer The history of the nautical star stands for direction at sea or for me personally in life. It also stands for Orange County California it is our trademark. Answer 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. Answer Actually, I do believe that the five pointed nautical star is representitve in the punk world as a symbol of anarchy. 5 points on an anarchy symbol, 5 points on a nautical star. often seen with a circle behind both..... think about it.... Answer its 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. Answer I don't know the meaning, but yes, it is on alot of elbows of tattooed punkers. and the outstretched dash in the A of the anarchy symbol makes it look like a star, so i can see that link. Answer I swear... if I hear ONE more person say the nautical star means straight edge, I will personally see to it that that person is shot. And maimed. Twice. 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." Answer 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. Answer Nautical has To do With sailors.. The Nautical star, I would assume has something to Do With Sailors.... much like the anchor... for lesbians, It's Cherries... for Gay guys, It's rainbows... {just saying this cause I've heard so many times that the nautical star meant something to do with gays.... It could, I Don't know, But Usually, It Would be the cherries or Rainbows}.. I'm Sure The Meaning Has Changed As Time Went on, so I'm going to stick with Saying that the meaning is "Sense of direction".... {But I Don't say the meaing has anything to do with sailors, even though I'm Sure That's where it originated...} Answer I think that for me the nautical star represents my life and my changes. I got my first nautical startoo when i was 14 on my forearm and then i got one on my shoulder blades and my lower back and my calf and each of my knuckles, and on my neck and then on my forearm again. because of me all my bros got them and im looking for a girlfriend. peace. Answer Sailor's would get it tattoed on thier forearms. Represents guidance and protection. Answer 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. Isn't that how we all remain calm in our lives? Don't argue, just accept. Be happy. Count your blessings. Smile! I don't think anyone can argue that. Answer Ok everyone has their opinions on the nautical star. I just had a dark blue and black one tattooed on my right inner side of my wrist. And I am not a lesbian and I do not cover it with no watch band, hahaha. The nautical star is what it always was it was used back in the day for direction with sailors, etc. People seem to over time (with anything) make it "trendy" and think it's "cool". It has nothing to do with punk rock, or any of that. Many punks get it because they interpret their own meaning by it and take it into their lives. So instead of getting all down to opinions, be smart and know what it REALLY is. A STAR USED TOHELP GUIDE SAILORS, TO ALWAYS KNOW WHERE TO GO. That is it plain and simple. To direct you the right way in life if you really want to get into it. Answer i dont know the history of this particular star but i know nowadays many "emo"bands use it for one reason or another

ok according to the TRUSTY TATTOO ENCYCLOPEDIA NAUTICAL STAR THE HISTORY OF THE NAUTICAL STAR is somewhat unclear but it likely derives from the signifiance of polaris,the north star.because polairs seems to be stationary in the night sky,with the other stars moving around its central north pole location,it is a key reference point for navigation.in nautical charts of today,the position of north ( or zero degrees) on a compass is marked with a five pointed star.while other maritime tattoo symbols deal with different destinations or the voyage and its pearls the nautical star is likely a symbol of the return home and the luck that is sometimes needed to reach it. hope this helps 14.95 the tattoo encyclopedia

Thanks Erlich!!!!...Smooches from the Hamster!!!!! TEE HEE!!!

Jessica Shadow's response about punks was stupid

You all keep repeating each other the text you pasted from somewhere else. You all suck.

I am a US navy sailor. And nautical stars were at first, a part of the ships compass. Then it became a fad amongst sailors to get the tattoo on their forearm to symbolize their guide home; because in olden days if you could find the north star, you could properly coordinate a route home. Sailors were also known for being very superstitious, so symbolism is a big part of our life. Just like when you see a sparrow on ones shoulder, symbolizing a tour of duty, or a turtle symbolizing a trip across the equater, or the pig on one foot and a cock (chicken) on the other, meaning, that sailor will never drown or have his ship sank.

By the wonders of the internet I've found a bunch of different meanings for the nautical star. Nautical stars were first tattooed on sailors because they used the stars to find their way. The nautical star is also found on compasses. It was a symbol to them that as long as the star was with them they would know where they were going in their life at sea. 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 it wasn't widely accepted to be homosexual (even though it still isnt today) butch females would get the star tattooed on the inside of their wrists. They would cover it up with a watch or bracelet and at night take it off so other dykes would know. All in all, I suppose it means what you want it to. I personally belive in it as a religious symbol. I don't belive in any religion but in a God. (The cross was given significance by Jesus "the proclaimed son of God" when he was crucified by the Holy Roman Empire, however, the Romans were crusifying people long before and long after Jesus so it means nothing to me. I don't belive in Jesus as the son of God.) To me, God is in the heavens, or space. The star therefore is a direct symbol of his existence. I favor the nautical star because of it's use at sea by humans for navigation, a link between created and creator, a physical manifestation of guidence by a heavenly being. You may choose to disagree...

For those of you who think it has anything to do with Punks or Lesbians your wrong. I’m in the coast guard and have a 8 inch one on my shoulder so I would know that the real reason is in fact that sailors had it done because it represents the north star and they feel that the tattoo will bring good luck and guide them to where there sailing to.

The nautical star is a symbol of protection and guidance.

My husband is in the Navy and the real meaning of the navy star is one star is red for portside and the other star is green for starboard, they also mean good luck for sailors in that they will always find there way home. They are not for punk rocker or gays and lesbians, those other people need to create there own symbol for once instead of stealing everyone elses, just like the rainbow means that God will never flood the earth again and the gays tried to steal it for there own symbol. dont get a tattoo for its trend, create your own unless you are a part of something so great that you wear the symbol with pride like the Navy star!

I know this may sound stupid, but I got my nautical star on impulse, not knowing what it meant. I had heard things from, "anti-christ" to Pro Abortion, a little bit of everything, so I was flipping out, and almost got it filled in. but when I realized what it REALLY meant, I was happy with the decision I made. I know at the time I didnt know what it meant, but since I did get it done, and didn't know what it meant, I felt a little stupid, when I heard people saying what they thought was the TRUE meaning. but after finding out, it relates a lot to me, and I am happy with how it turned out. I have it on my left hip bone, a japanese symbol on my right hip meaning happiness, and a butterfly on my lower back. I can say I dont regret any of them. =]

Wow dont respond if you have no idea what it is. It originated from sailing hence the word nautical. It's used by sailors to symbolize the north star which gave them the direction they would need to follow to make it home successfully. I know this because i've been a sailor in the military for 6 years. That is the true origination and meaning.

They are a sign of guidence, and security

The history, meaning and symbolism of nautical star tattoos is a hotly debated topic. Today many different groups have adopted the Nautical star tattoo as a symbol for their own movement and they have all ascribed their own meaning and history to the symbol. Thus has lead to a wide disagreement as the the meaning of the tattoo.Historically most everyone agrees that Sailors were the first people to get nautical star tattoos. In fact the very word nautical relates back to sailing. So this connection has been pretty firmly established. Most people would agree the sailors were a pretty superstitious group historically and sailor lore abounds with superstitious and fantastical stories of life and death and being lost at sea. Early on sailors navigated by the stars at night and the north star became the symbol for finding ones way home. Once you know where the north star is you can point your ship in the right direction to get home. So the star became a symbol for finding ones way home or more symbolically even finding ones path in life. Therefore many sailors would tattoo nautical stars on their forearms as a good luck symbol in hopes of returning home. However their modern day meaning is a more debated topic. Many believe that groups including gay and lesbians, punk rockers and those in the military have adopted the nautical star tattoo as a very important symbol. The diversity of these three groups has lead many to argue the meaning of their tattoos. For the military the connection is pretty obviously point back to the early sailors and the symbolism and meaning is the same as the early sailors. Many military people get a nautical star tattoo as a symbol for finding ones path home safely. Of course this can also include more symbolically just finding ones way in life. Here is a quote we found from a member of the armed services and his interpretation of the tattoo: "I am in the United States Army, an MP who searched towns and villages for Al Quida and insurgents. I was in Iraq for 1 year. I have a red and black nautical star on my wrist. The reason I got it was because when I was out there, I felt it was a guide to guide me home to my family safely. I got it so that it would remind me that I am going to make it to see my son grow up. I am not gay, it doesn't matter what you believe it represents, it means something different for everyone. Out in the desert, I would look up at the stars and think about home. So anyone can think what they want to, that is what it means to me. " Punk rockers have also adopted this as a popular symbol to have tattooed. The punk movement traces its history and use of the nautical star tattoo back to Sailor Jerry. Sailor Jerry is historically one one of the most famous tattoo artists ever. He was well known for his innovative and "cool" designs. Punks have taken this symbol and it has very much the same meaning of finding one way in life. Being the rugged individualists type Punks are drawing to the symbolism of true north and finding one own unique way in life. So the Nautical star has become a symbol for this. You see many punk bands that have full sleeve tattoos typically incorporate nautical star tattoos either on their elbows or elsewhere. The lesbian and gay connection is the one that does not seem so obvious at first. Historically back in the 1940's and 50's when alternative lifestyles were not the norm and often women had to hide their alternative choices they would sport a hidden nautical star. Often they would get the star tattoo done on the inside of their wrist where it could easily be hidden by a watch during the day but shown off in the evening when out on the town. Today many lesbians where the nautical star tattoo to show their connection with their early pioneering sisters. Here is a little evidence to support my points. "Here's the passage (with some pieces dropped) from "Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold: The History of a Lesbian Community" by Elizabeth Lapovsky Kennedy and Madeilne D. Davis copyright 1993 p. 189. (talking about the 1940's and 1950's): "...During this same time period, the cultural push to be identified as lesbians- or at least different- all the time was so powerful that it generated a new form of identification among the tough bar lesbians: a star tattoo on the top of the wrist, which was usually covered by a watch. This was the first symbol of community identity that did not rely on butch-fem imagery. We can trace this phenomenon back to an evening of revelry in the late 1950's, when a few butches trooped over to "Dirty Dick's" tattoo parlor on Chippewa Street and had the tiny blue five-pointed star put on their wrists. Later, some of the fems of this group also go the idea one night and did it...The community views the tattoo as a definite mark of identification..."the Buffalo police knew [that] the people that had the stars on their wrist were lesbians and they had their names and so forth. That it was an identity thing with the gay community, with the lesbian community". The fact that the star tattoo was created by those who were firmly into roles, in fact by the group that was considered the butchy butches and their fems, suggest that the force to assert lesbian identity was strong enough to break through the existing traditions of boldness based in butch-fem roles. The stars presage the methods of identity created by gay liberation. In fact, the mark has become something of a tradition in local circles and has seen a revival since the 1970s." This meaning of the symbol has of course created a lot of problems and arguments among the other two groups of bearers of nautical stars. Most puck and military people do not want to have a nautical star that points back to anything from the lesbian movement so many will say that there is no connection there and this is false. Here is a quote from another armed forces member about the symbolism of the nautical star among the gay community: "This "gay symbol" is a load of hooey that someone made up VERY recently. The nautical star tattoo has been around nearly as long as tattooing itself. The late Celts (or early Irish, depending on your view of World History) were said to have been the first to have the tattoos, although evidence of it being used on ships in Spain has been found pre-dating the Irish claim. As a Marine, it's a very commonplace symbol amongst us if we have been part of a Boat Raid company, red for port, green for starboard on varying parts of the body. On ship, I saw about a million different variations on the Sailors I was was serving with, obviously harking back to the sailor roots." Here is a quote from a punk rocker and his feelings about the symbolism of the tattoo: "what idiots..even the military boys dont know what it really means....JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW!!!!!it was used by OLD sailors.. and the symbol represents North on a Map ...and it is the North Star the sailors would use it as a baring to get home....you can find it on Really really old maps and old navy vessels... Punk Rock.. well we use it because we can and because Sailor Jerry made the coolest tattoos who started putting them on everyone.. my grandfather even had one thus being used as a traditional icon" It just goes to show that when the same powerful symbol is used over and over again over decades of time it can taken on very different meanings for different groups. So all of those that you see sporting a nautical star tattoo might not all have the same interpretation of its symbolism. So do you have a nautical star tattoo or think about getting one in the future? Which meaning of the symbol will you get the nautical star for? As long as you know what the symbolism behind the star is for and you have gotten it for the right reason to either support the lesbian movement or as a symbol to finding your way!

The nautical stars were originally a symbol of the sailors. If they always knew where north was they could always find their way home. But in today's world, it stands for lesbians, gays, punk rockers, and its starting to catch on in the army and marines. my source.. http://ezinearticles.com/?Nautical-Star-Tattoos-The-History,-Meaning-And-Symbolism---What-A-Strange-Mix!&id=67116