History of tattoos: Sailors & Prisoners

History of tattoos: Sailors & Prisoners

The History of Tattoos Among Sailors and Prisoners

Tattoos have a long and varied history, with evidence of tattooing dating back to ancient civilizations across the world. In many ancient cultures, tattoos were used for spiritual or religious purposes, as a way to mark important life events or social status, or as a form of therapeutic intervention.

In the Western world, tattoos were originally associated with sailors and prisoners. Sailors would often get tattoos to mark their travels or to symbolize their membership in a particular maritime community. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, tattoos were also popular among prisoners, who would use tattoos to mark their criminal affiliations.

Sailors and prisoners were not the only ones who got tattoos, of course, but they were some of the earliest adopters of the practice in the Western world. As such, tattoos have long been associated with the seafaring and criminal subcultures.

Prison - Sailor Tattoo

But why were tattoos so popular among sailors and prisoners?

For sailors, tattoos served a number of purposes. In addition to marking their travels and affiliations, tattoos were also seen as a way to ward off bad luck at sea. Many sailors believed that tattoos had mystical powers that could protect them from danger, and as a result, they would often get tattoos of symbols such as anchors, sharks, and mermaids.

Prisoners, on the other hand, used tattoos as a way to mark their criminal affiliations and to show their membership in a particular gang or group. Tattoos were also used as a form of identification, as prisoners were often not allowed to carry any personal belongings with them while incarcerated.

Over time, the association between tattoos and sailors and prisoners has changed. While tattoos are still popular among these groups, they are no longer the exclusive domain of the seafaring and criminal subcultures. Instead, tattoos have become increasingly mainstream, with people from all walks of life getting tattoos for a wide variety of reasons.

Despite this shift, tattoos remain a powerful symbol of the seafaring and criminal subcultures, and they continue to be an important part of the history and culture of tattooing. Whether for decorative or personal reasons, tattoos are a popular form of body art that continues to evolve and change with each passing generation.

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