Old School Tattoos

Cherry treas have been cultivated since 300BC and although native to Asia and Europe, they now grow all over the world.  Once traded as a delicacy, they were considered to be a sign of fertility.  The resemblance to a wanton lovers lips and the erotic color of the juice led to many tales of its prowess.

Cherry blossoms also became the symbol of the samurai in Japan leading to the tree being considered delicate yet powerful and strong. As a result of this association, the cherry blossom treas are becoming very popular as tattoos.

Anchor tattoos have been around as long as their have been sailors.  For decades sailors who had completed their first Atlantic crossing would have an anchor tattoo.  They symbol of the anchor is that of steadfast and safe, keeping you anchored during bad winds, tides and weather.

For obvious reasons the anchor still remains very popular with sea fearers and the anchor tattoos of old have been replaced with intricate details as well as military and nautical emblems.  Other great nautical themes that sailors and fearers of the ocean will enjoy are nautical star tattoos, mermaid tattoos and sparrow tattoos.

Pin up tattoos have always been popular with men who are away at sea or war.  The old sailor pin up tattoos tended to be lurid and often depicted buxom women in sexy posses.  As far as that is concerned, not much as changed, but the pin up of today is weapon savy, sexy as hell and has a hint of sophistication that her predecessors lacked.

Take a look at some of the pin up pictures and tattoos that we have collected.

Over the last decade the old school tattoos have had a bit of a renaissance.  With high profile celebrities such as Amy Winehouse sporting a pin up on her arm, the idea of having a sexy old style tattoo is no longer for aging grey haired bikers or salty seamen.

For a complete look at various old school tattoos ranging from pin up tattoos to nautical star tattoos all the way to harley davidson tattoos, you are sure to find something that will fit your style and your personality.  It is no longer just copying someone elses idea of a tattoo, but the building and incorporating of different elements into a tattoo that make yours so unique.

We hope that on these pages you will find elements that you can include in your tattoo as well as the meanings behind all the tattoos depicted on this website.  Our collection will also include cherry tattoos,  heart tattoos, dagger tattoos and anchor tattoos.

Lets also not forget the great eagle tattoos that are such a huge emblem of the spirit of freedom and the American way.  There are also classical tattoos in the shape of skulls and roses as well as crosses that have experienced a revival due to the massive improvement of the art of tattooing.

Half the journey is about finding the right design for your tattoo, the second half is finding the right artist to create it.  Knowing what works long term and what will look good for years to come has a lot to do with how the tattoo is drawn on you, how you care for it in those first days and also how you treat it for years to come.

Your old school tattoo doesn’t have to look like a sailor forearm twenty years from now, but knowing what you want and making it your own could revive an old school classic which you can be guaranteed will never go out of date.

Eagle tattoos have been a staple of the American tattoo tradition.  Eagles represent the freedom of the skies and the strength that the American population have taken to heart.  The government have incorporated the eagle in their emblem and eagles are often used in memorial tattoos.

The American Bald Eagle is the favourite, but there are other new school designs that are worth looking at.