According to statistics, 65% of WWII sailors had tattoos, the highest of any of the military branches. It was during this period that the popular pinup girl tattoos and mermaids became common. Names of girlfriends and wives or a hometown symbol. During WWII, popular tattoos were symbols that reminded the sailors of the homes they had left behind. Some sailors believed that tattooing a pig and a rooster on each foot would prevent them from drowning. In addition, it would not be the Navy without some superstition and tradition. Second, it was believed that if a sailor dies at sea, birds carry his soul home to heaven. The first was the swallow’s famous migration pattern, always returning home to San Juan Capistrano. This “return” symbolism is rooted in two ideas. In addition to indicating that a sailor had sailed 5000 miles, swallow tattoos are also associated with the idea of return. It is said that Franklin Paul Rogers, known for his development of modern tattooing machinery, learned the trade from August Coleman who made a living in Norfolk, Virginia tattooing sailors. Port towns became havens for tattoo businesses. “Shops” were set up wherever and whenever it was possible. Many sailors would become amateur tattoo artists, using India ink to keep busy during down times in long voyages. During the American Revolution, the British often destroyed American citizenship papers, so sailors would tattoo their identification information to avoid illegal recruiting by the British Navy. Eventually, the body art would travel to American sailors, where being tattooed became a permanent part of the maritime culture. Beginning with the British Royal Navy in the 1700’s during their Tahitian voyages, British sailors were intrigued by the body art that the native Tahitians displayed. This popular image is rooted in centuries of nautical traditions. ![]() One image that often comes to mind in popular culture about sailors is tattoos.
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