Old school tattoos: history, features, sketches and their meaning

In our time, it is difficult to surprise someone with a bright and attractive pattern, captured on a male or female body. At the moment, it is impossible to even imagine that the art of tattoo originated more than 5 thousand years ago. It is worth noting that the surprise of scientists who have found tattooed mummies in the Egyptian pyramids, there was no limit. Now we can say with confidence that the tattoos appeared, almost at the time of the appearance of a man, because with their help people defended themselves from bad forces, ills and used tattoos as identification marks. With the help of tattoos, it was possible to find out not only the social status and position of a person, but also the tribe to which he belongs.

During the spread of Christianity in the world religion to the art of tattooing, the attitude changed, because it was blackened in every way, called “dirty” and wrong.However, with geographical discoveries, people discovered for themselves not only new lands, but also the culture of nations, where tattoos were revered and considered an essential attribute for humans. Returning to European culture, tattoos quickly gained popularity and at the moment became part of the life of a modern person who wants to express his originality and individuality. Now the art of body painting includes dozens of styles, one of which is old school.

Tattoo old school: the history of style

As you know, tattoos were the first that seafarers noticed on the body of the aborigines living on the island of Polynesia. The enthusiasm of travelers was so great that they decided to take over the knowledge of tattoos from the islanders and began to depict it on their bodies. The style that is most similar to the native images of Aboriginal people is Polynesia. But the founder for the old school is considered to be the American navigator Norman Keith, who visited various parts of the world and loved the tattoos of Asian people.

Returning home, he wanted to open his tattoo parlor, after which he rented a small building in the Chinese district. Having trained on his colleagues, he developed his own technique, the modern name of which is Old School. In this regard, the main subject of old school tattoos are objects that have a connection with the sea, for example, skulls, mermaids, anchors, etc. In general, old school is a collection of images and symbols that sailors of past centuries displayed on themselves. Distinctive features of the style are wide black outlines and bright colors.

Male and Female Old Style School Tattoos

Initially, the technique of applying a tattoo on a body called old cheekbones was depicted only on the body of men. The reason for this - the first who began to use these tattoos, were the mariners, who did not allow women on the ship, because the lady on the ship is a symbol of misfortune, ruin and failure. In general, this style is not particularly popular among girls, and still, because old cheekbones are characterized by bright patterns that need to be applied to visible areas of the body.

Demonstration of large size tattoos is more characteristic of men, with regard to girls, they prefer small tattoos that are easy to hide behind clothes. Men prefer large sketches, creating whole pictures that attract the attention of others. Girls with precision and vice versa prefer individual elements, so the tattoo sleeve in the style of old cheekbones on the body of the fair sex is almost impossible to meet.

In general, girls are not fans of the old school style, and when using sketches, they prefer small drawings that can be hidden behind clothes. However, even among the representatives of the weaker sex you can find quite large paintings in the style of the old school, striking in their mystery and originality.

Tattoo old school on the arm, leg and other parts of the body

When choosing a body part for an old-school tattoo, men prefer large and even planes, for example, back, forearm, or shoulder. Also, tattoo in the style of old cheekbones can be seen on the legs and chest of men, as for the girls, they use small tattoos located on the wrist or ribs.

Particular attention should be paid to the technique of application and quality of work. To create a beautiful tattoo you need to find a highly skilled master using the correct technique. To fill the tattoo use bright colors, for example, green, red or blue and complement it with wide black outlines. At the same time the tattoo is painted over with a thick and opaque layer, thanks to which the tattoo looks bright and attractive.

Style features

Tattoos in the style of old schoolbones are always very bright, but at the same time concise, while the detailing of the picture and its realism are not in the foreground. Nuances and features of style:

• The simplicity and monotony of the plots. Sketches in most cases have a nautical theme.
• High brightness and contrast.
• No shadows and volume, the picture looks flat.

Sketches of old school cheek tattoos and their meaning

As mentioned earlier, often sketches have a marine theme, so among the most popular options for a tattoo in the style of old skul should be noted:

• Anchor - unshakable temper, stamina and masculinity.
• The wheel - a symbol of leadership qualities, displays the hardness of character.
• Roses - beauty, rebirth and youth.
• Gun - for women it is a symbol of flirtatiousness and playfulness, often depicted together with the garter, for which it is tucked. At the same time, a pistol is a symbol of danger, inspiring a sense of fear to others.
• The skull is a pirate, gangster symbol that personifies the transience of human life.
• The ship is a symbol of reverie, suitable for people with light nature and lovers of travel, adventure.
• Swallow - a symbol of freedom, the long-awaited return home.
• The heart is a romantic symbol of loyalty, devotion and boundless love.
• Rose - pure and sincere love.
• Horseshoe - a symbol of good luck and faith in a bright future, often complemented by a four-leaf clover.
• Mermaid - the personification of female beauty.
• Pinup - a symbol of the muse, perfect and at the same time impregnable beauty.
• The tape with the inscription - a symbol of wisdom, is often depicted with other elements that the ribbon wraps around like.
• The star of navigation or the rose of winds is a landmark in life, a vector of movement in the right direction.
• The heart is a sign of the soul, vitality and high principles. At the same time - it is the embodiment of passion and romance, friendship and courage, kindness and honor.
• Fallen woman - a display of vices (women, alcohol and gambling), used only by men.
• The cross is a symbol of religion, a sign of immortality and interconnectedness of all living and nonliving. Also personifies the combination of the spiritual and the material, their unity and the impossibility of a separate existence.
• Panther - the value depends on the color performance. So the yellow panther (jaguar) is a symbol of the sun and light, and the black panther is the patroness of the moon and night.