Popular Old School Tattoo Ideas
Initially, old school tattoos adorned the bodies of sailors and depicted the characteristic attributes of the profession:
- ships;
- anchors;
- handwheels;
- mermaids;
- compasses, etc.
All these symbols performed a protective function, protecting seafarers from natural disasters, diseases, and death. Later, Old School began to spread on land and gained popularity.
Distinctive features of an old school tattoo:
- use of bright pigments: red, blue, green, yellow, orange, etc.
- no shadows, overlapping colors, gradient transitions;
- borders the picture with a bold black outline.
Anchor
Initially, the anchor tattoo was a marine mascot, then its interpretation has expanded. What does the anchor on the body mean for guys and girls:
- sustainability;
- responsibility;
- loyalty;
- firm conviction;
- self-confidence;
- steadfastness;
- strength;
- be careful.
Rose
The old school style is ideal for creating beautiful floral designs. Rose evokes the following associations:
- glowing feelings;
- sincere love;
- passion;
- romance;
- sexual desire;
- admiration;
- beauty, youth.
Traditionally, the bud is depicted in fiery red shades. Other colors can be used: blue, orange, yellow, sometimes black. A rose with thorns reminds us that love can be painful.
Skull
Old School Skull Tattoos can mean:
- overcoming difficult life stages;
- awareness of the frailty of being;
- the struggle between good and evil;
- sacrifice;
- belief in reincarnation.
Additional elements in the tattoo affect its interpretation:
- fire emphasizes strength, resilience, thirst for adventure;
- watches represent the transience of life;
- crown - a symbol of power, victory;
- roses - the desire to stay with a loved one until death.
Ship
Old School tattoo with imageships symbolize:
- thirst for adventure;
- travel;
- follow the intended path;
- achieving goals.
Drawing on the body with a ship overcoming a storm can mean going out into the open sea of life. A person with such a tattoo relies on his own strength, prefers to deal with difficult situations on his own, boldly takes the blows of fate.
Tiger
The tiger is a strong, fearless animal, the image of which evokes many associations:
power;
- masculinity;
- strength;
- beauty;
- power;
- wisdom;
- courage and invincibility.
Compass
Compass is an indispensable device on a ship that allows you to navigate endless waters, adhere to the route, stay on track and reach your destination. Similar meanings are attributed to tattoos:
- finding a way of life;
- the desire to move forward;
- balance;
- loyalty;
- persistence;
- getting out of difficult situations.
For guys
When creating a sketch using the old school technique, guys prefer simple, straightforward images:
- anchors;
- ships;
- compass;
- skulls;
- weapons (swords, pistols);
- playing cards, dice.
There are old-school drawings with inscriptions, memorable dates, names of loved ones, philosophical sayings. Men apply tattoos on their arms, chest, back, legs.
For girls
In women's old school tattoos, bright colors and positive stories prevail:
- flowers;
- animals, birds;
- hearts;
- images with mermaids, portraits of famous women, etc.
In combination with additional elements, the tattoo forms a whole storyline.
For many centuries, old school tattoos have not lost their popularity. View vivid drawings in our photo gallery and be inspired to create your own unique sketch.
