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Small old school tattoos. Tattoo Old School. Meaning of old school tattoos. old school tattoo. The best places to apply

Despite the fact that old school tattoos appeared almost 200 years ago, this genre is still popular today. The first old school tattoos adorned the bodies of sailors and most often they were bright images of skulls, anchors, hearts, mermaids or birds with a clear outline. The sailors were quite superstitious and believed that the body pattern protected them from the elements and falling overboard. And although old school tattoos have changed over time, they have their own distinct features that do not allow such a pattern to be confused with any other genre. We will introduce you to this style and show you beautiful old school tattoos for girls.

Features of a tattoo in the old school style

The name of the style old school is translated as “old school”. Old school tattoos are always bright and concise. When creating them, the master does not aim to achieve realism or detail in the drawing.

Tattoos in this genre have a number of features:

  • The plots of old school tattoos are often uncomplicated and very monotonous. Sketches most often have a marine theme, but girls usually stuff roses, ribbons with inscriptions, anchors, hearts, animals and birds.
  • Old school tatto is always very contrasting. A bold black outline of the drawing helps to achieve this.
  • Elements inside the contour are usually filled with bright colors. Basic old-school colors: red, blue, green, yellow. The pigment is clogged tightly.
  • Classic tattoos in this genre look flat, they have no shadows and volume. Modern masters are increasingly adding subtle details to their work, drawing shadows and using a wider color palette of paints to make the drawings more expressive and interesting.

If an old school tattoo was performed by a professional using high-quality pigments, over time the drawing will not fade, will not float and turn into an unintelligible spot, but will remain clear and bright.

The origin of the old school

The founder of the style is considered the American Norman Collins. The great tattoo artist is better known as Sailor Jerry. Norman served in the Navy, and therefore the theme of marine tattoos was close to him. After the service, he opened his own tattoo studio in Honolulu, in the lobby of which Romeo, a pet monkey, met visitors. Collins was a big fan of Asian painting and created a completely new style in his salon, combining traditional tattooing and multi-color Asian techniques.

Sailor Jerry worked as a tattoo artist almost all his life and was among the first to get tattoos in disposable gloves. Norman shared his sketches with tattooing friends, of whom he had many. He sent them in letters to all corners of the world, which is why the old school tattoos of most masters are similar. Sailor Jerry called his competitors “bastard scratchers” and his business cards were decorated with the words “my work speaks for itself.”

Old school tattoos today are performed by many masters around the world. This technique is considered not very difficult, and the whole process of creating a tattoo does not take much time, which explains the popularity of the style.

Location of old school tattoos on the body

The place for tattooing in the old school style can be chosen arbitrarily, but usually these are open areas of the body: hands, neck, shoulders, legs. This technique is widely used in the creation of . Drawings made in this genre are saturated, and each element of the “sleeve” is well read thanks to a clear outline.


Themes and plots of old school tattoos

We suggest you familiarize yourself with the most popular tattoos in this style and their meaning:

  • Anchor. Such a tattoo was very symbolic for the sailors, it helped to achieve their goals, despite the oncoming winds and currents. The anchor is considered a symbol of security and balance.
  • Martin. This symbol brings good luck, it is especially popular with girls. with the image of a swallow are usually stuffed on the lower back and collarbone. For sailors, a swallow meant a safe return home, because when they saw a swallow, the sailor understood that there was land nearby.
  • Roses. Often on tattoos made in this style, there is a rose. In interpreting the meaning, the color of the flower itself is important: a yellow rose means joy, a red one means love, and a white one means respect.


Russian folk old school

Classic American old school tattoos depicting eagles, sailboats and flowers are undoubtedly popular with young people in our country. But lately there has been a trend of Russification of the old school tattoo. Increasingly, purely Russian motifs began to appear in the plots of the drawings, for example, for girls, these are images of nesting dolls and Khokhloma, and men's plots are samovars, portraits of heroes, the image of a hammer and sickle. Sometimes an ornament in the Slavic style is added to the traditional picture, and then the tattoo takes on a completely different meaning.

old school tattoo

"Old school" is a traditional style of tattoos in Europe and America, whose history begins at the end of the 19th century.

The most common in this direction are such drawings as skulls, hearts, ribbons, angels, crosses, fire, flowers, anchors.

Often sailors made such tattoos for themselves, so it is not uncommon to see inscriptions with names of people, names of memorable events, and sayings in "Old school". These images, as a rule, are executed in bright colors, framed by a bold black outline.

I would like to pay more attention to history and symbols:

Sailors were the first to revive the art and practice of tattooing in the West, as they were the first to visit the islands of Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean and other countries in Southeast Asia. Captain Cook, in his famous explorations of the islands of Tahiti, Hawaii and New Zealand, was the first to record and sketch the tattoos of the natives in 1786. The word "tatu" came into English from the Tahitian word, "ta-ttou", which was reminiscent of the sound when Polynesians tattooed with their traditional Polynesian implements.
Life at sea was very harsh, and only the strongest men survived. The sailors, constantly at the mercy of the wind and the sea and dependent on all the whims of mother nature, were very superstitious, and firmly believed that the tattoo would protect them from falling overboard, from the mouth of a shark, from a shipwreck. Tattoos of a certain type were made when crossing the equator, or when they went around Cape Horn, when visiting the countries of the East, etc., sailors had common tattoos on their chests, as well as cannons on the sirloin parts of the body. Despite the riotous lifestyle, many of them tattooed prayers or other texts of religious content completely on themselves, this was supposed to remind them of piety and protect them from severe corporal punishment. And of course, many sailors at sea often thought about their families and the girls they left in the port, or even in several ports! Therefore, tattoos of mermaids and girls, hearts and names of loved ones, amulets - anchors, talismans - swallows and dolphins have always been liked by sailors and subsequently formed a whole layer in the tattoo of the XIX-XX centuries - old school (OLD SCHOOL).

Anchor

The classic old school design, one of the most popular tattoos in the West over the past two centuries, and has ancient symbolic roots going back several millennia, was considered a symbol to help you stay on track, about the ability to resist winds and currents and be yourself with any circumstances. Anchors were tattooed by people closely associated with a maritime or naval career, this tattoo is especially close to sailors around the world, often performed after the first crossing of the Atlantic. Other synonyms for anchors are sailing ships, mermaids, and other navigational symbols.

Martin

The swallow tattoo (bird of happiness and good luck) shows the steady popularity of tattoo art in navigation. Traditionally, a swallow is a tattoo that a sailor gets after traveling 5,000 nautical miles. For a sailor, a swallow symbolizes a safe return home, because the appearance of a swallow is “the first sign that land is near.” Swallows, as you know, travel long distances, making long-distance flights through water spaces, during the flight they sat down to rest on passing ships, thereby giving a sign to sailors that the land was close. After traveling 10,000 miles, a sailor could make a second bird on the other side of his body. A pair of swallows is a sign of a good journey.

Rock of Ages

(image of Jesus Christ, allegory) - a classic tattoo. It served as a symbol of hope, protection and support, was a kind of amulet and talisman, for example, for sailors. The presence of tattooed words, such as, for example, "Hold on!" instilled hope and faith in the sailors and also served as an amulet. Other symbols showed that the sailor had crossed the Equator, rounded Cape Horn, or visited the Far East, for example. ) penalty, and such a sailor would probably have been less severely punished. Another popular tattoo, known for many decades, depicts a sailor or a person kneeling in front of a cross carved from hard stone. A person's Christian faith has often been referred to as the stone, the foundation upon which the virtuous life is built. This was based on the belief that a house or building was only as strong as the foundation on which it was built. The stone cross has been known for a long time under the name "Rock of Ages" or sailor's cross.

Navigation star or wind rose

An ancient, and yet, not at all outdated tattoo motif, known a century ago. The stars in the sky often served as a guide for sailors, especially the Northern or Polaris in the Northern Hemisphere, as well as the Southern Cross in the Southern. Sailors tattooed navigation stars for themselves because they relied on them, their lives depended on it, the stars were supposed to show the way home, and sailors were very superstitious people and hoped that their star-shaped tattoos would serve as an amulet for a prosperous journey. Around the same time, the starfish began to appear on compasses. At a later time, such stars began to symbolize the path of life, its search. They began to be made by those who want not to stray from the chosen path, thus, the star became a guiding one - its image helped not to stray from the chosen path when a person is lost or scared. Later, such stars became symbols of awards, high promotion, and a sign of distinction.

Star

Stars are often encountered as symbols, and in many cases the specifics of such a symbol depend on the number of angles and also their direction. As a light that shines in the dark, the star is often seen as a symbol of truth, spirit, and hope. The symbol of the star embodies the concept of the divine spark in each of us. And their nocturnal nature encourages us to imagine the stars as a struggle against the forces of darkness and the unknown. Stars with a certain design have their own symbolism and meaning. The descending pentagram is the case when the upper ray of the star points down, allegedly imitating the head of a goat, and is considered a sign of the devil. The hexagram, or six-pointed star, is a powerful symbol of the interaction of the Divine with mortal, God with humanity. The Star of David got its name "Shield of David" from the legend that David had a shield shaped like a six-pointed star in his fight with the giant Goliath. Also known as the Seal of Solomon or the Star of the Creator, its six peaks represent the six days of the week, and its center corresponds to the Creator's day of rest. The septagram or seven-pointed star is a symbol of integration and everything mystical associated with the number seven. It is associated with the seven planets of classical astrology and with other sevenfold systems, such as the seven chakras in Hinduism. The octogram or eight-pointed star is a symbol of abundance and regeneration, and is associated with eightfold systems, for example, in Egyptian mythology, the eight primordial gods, personifying the forces of chaos. The nonagram or nine-pointed star is a symbol of achievement and stability, although this is the kind of stability that can change. Also, the nonagram can be associated with ninefold systems, such as the nine Hindu chakras.

Razor

A tattoo design can symbolize many things, but they all carry the meaning of "sharp" (pointy, cutting, irritated, irritable, unrestrained). The razor was often used as a suicide tool, a synonym for "cutting the veins". The straight razor is a classic old school design that was often used as an accessory to cocaine use in the 70s and 80s, they were divided into portions. Also, like brass knuckles, a razor pointed to the professions of people beyond the bounds of the law, could symbolize depression, the explosive nature of a person, intemperance, danger.

Hands in Prayer or Hands of the Apostle

If the famous medieval artist, Albrecht Dürer, were alive today, he would be a rich man. The copyright for his drawing "Hands in Prayer" could be sold for millions. It is believed that initially it was a sketch from the praying head of the city of Frankfurt. A later version of this painting appeared in another work by Dürer - the hand of an apostle standing in an empty grave, looking at the sky at the coronation of the Holy Virgin Mary. The original was destroyed by fire in 1729, however, there are many copies that are as good as the sketch. Today, this work by Dürer is one of the most popular tattoo designs for all occasions, hands folded in prayer continue to excite people, their hearts and minds , especially when this image is completed and combined with various additions, such as a cross or a rosary. It is often combined with hearts or the name of a loved one, and applied as a memory of someone. Other additions may be in the form of text, requests or wounds from crucifixion, fire may also be added.
devil woman

devil woman

Also known as a "fallen woman", a tattoo consisting of many vices, often a woman, with a bottle of alcohol, cards, dice, or other gambling paraphernalia. The motto of such a tattoo: "Wine, Women and Song!".

Ribbons with inscriptions

- A story can tell a lot, but there are times in life when a few well-chosen words can say more than a drawing. Each of us at least once remembered the exact time and place of those moments that are very dear to us, and have become something special, they make our heart tremble and beat faster! It is an integral and beautiful part of human life. Sometimes, a few words can say it all. Word tattoos have been popular for a long time. For example, sailors tattooed words on their fingers. The most common were, for example, "hold" on the fingers of one hand, and "quickly" on the fingers of the other, and served as protective amulets (in the sense of staying on the water, not drowning; quickly get to the place, return home). “Love and hate”, “love and pain”, “life is hard” - these are the tattoos that were popular on the fingers in those years.

Heart

A tattoo in the shape of a heart, with a ribbon around the heart, or a scroll with an inscription across the heart - explanations are superfluous here. Your paths with the once loved one may part, but the tattoo will remain in the same place. There is an aphorism among oldschoolers: "Love lasts six months, but a tattoo is forever!" A heart shaped tattoo is a classic old school design, it can be seen as an inverted triangle that has become a symbol of all things feminine and is often used as an expression of romantic love. The heart is an eternal symbol of love, feelings and the very power of life for all mankind. In fact, the heart is responsible for feelings and truth. We say "heartless" about a person who is unfair or extremely cruel. Friendship, courage, romantic relationships and emotional expression are also embodied in this symbol. The human heart is central to all religions of the world, and is recognized as a symbol of love, as well as the divine principle in man. Over time, it has also become a symbol of mercy, piety and understanding. The designation of the heart is suitable for expressing love and joy, as well as for grief and misfortune (broken heart). Also, the heart is a medieval symbol of Christ, the sacrifice, especially in the Roman Catholic Church. The sacred heart shows the love of redemption for God as a source of illumination and happiness, therefore, fire and thorns represent the crown with thorns that was put on Christ (crown of thorns), and fire represents love and spiritual fervor - thus, the image of the heart became a symbol of salvation and eternal life .The heart also symbolized the center of man. Not only was it the most significant physical organ, it was also considered the seat of spirituality and the emotional center from which love for the divine flowed. In the Gospels, Jesus speaks of the heart representing love, humility, and gentleness. Because this tattoo design is so common all over the world, hearts have become a very popular tattoo motif, especially for women. In the old school, such a motif is very often placed on the chest. A heart pierced by an arrow is a symbol for expressing directed energy, flow and penetration. Stars and hearts are a symbol of happiness and opportunities. love for the country and patriotism. Hands holding a heart - represents the maternal or paternal kind of love in the old school.

Rose

In the West, personifies the same as the Lotus in the East. A symbol of love, but special love, which is pure. Because of its beauty, scent and form, it is the most perfect flower symbol. Of all the flower designs, the rose tattoo is still the most popular and the most sought after. An interesting fact is that the rose is in almost the same demand among men as it is among women. The symbol of passion, chastity and purity reigns supreme among all the flowers in the old school world. A red rose speaks of love, while a thornless rose means love at first sight. Yellow roses - an expression of joy, white - reverence and respect, pink - sympathy and admiration, orange - enthusiasm. In medieval times, the white rose was a symbol of virginity. The red rose, of course, covers every kind of love - both sacred and romantic, the beauty, variety and graceful fragrance of the rose has inspired both ordinary people and artists, and even saints. According to an ancient Greek legend, a white rose was born at the moment when Aphrodite was born from sea foam (the white rose turned red later, when Aphrodite, in a hurry to meet Adonis, hurt her leg on a rose thorn). The legend about the origin of the thorns is also known: Rodanaz was a very beautiful girl, and literally every man dreamed of taking her as his wife. But she was very proud, and believed that no mortal was worthy of her. One fine day, the men broke into her house by force. The goddess Diana saw all this, and, angry at the pride of mortals, she turned Rodonaz into a rose, and her fans into thorns.

Sexy or pinup girls/Bettie Page

Synonymous with "Girls with a perfect figure" In 1955, Betty Page won the title of "Miss World girl from the picture" (Pin-up - a photograph of a beauty, a pretty girl in photographs for leisurely looking at). Betty is a household name, in the old school - the image of a charming girl, whose perfect beauty borders on a hint of disobedience and disobedience. The dark-haired girl has become a living legend, a symbol of beauty and femininity, and continues to inspire the next generation of tattooists and tattoo fans everywhere, because a woman whose physical attractiveness is aimed at seduction, admiration, never goes out of style. Initially, such pictures were issued exclusively for decorating walls, but later, tattoos with images of girls and movie stars became commonplace on the skin.

Panther

The largest and fiercest feline in America, more vicious and dangerous than a tiger, lion, or leopard. The panther/jaguar is independent and cunning, and the only feline that can hunt in the water. The panther/jaguar figures prominently in the mythology of most cultures in the South and Central America, and is present in the art and religion of all pre-Columbian civilizations. Very ancient and powerful totem. Many cultures found it very significant that panthers come in two colors - black and yellow (panther and jaguar - the name of the same animal, differ in color) and believed that the black panther was associated with the night sky and the moon, and the yellow panther (jaguar) - with sun and light. The panther/jaguar was often a symbol of shamans, people who could bridge the conscious and unconscious worlds, who had access to the afterlife and the spirit world. Many thought that the panther was a kind of werewolf, capable of transforming himself at will into another image.

Lightning

Flashes of lightning, thunder - everyone is familiar with this formidable phenomenon that occurs during thunderstorms. Is there a more spectacular sight than flashes of lightning, fireworks of electricity discharges, these flashes of white and blue, like some kind of magic and something incredible, appear a few seconds before the sounds of thunder! On a cold, dark, rainy night, a flash of lightning made you see everything as if in daylight, but ghostly color. The most powerful symbol and just a godsend for a tattoo! Ancient people had many explanations for this natural phenomenon, and most myths tell of gods and other incredible mythological creatures who used lightning as a weapon. Ancient people were very impressed with the power and magic of lightning, because places where lightning struck became scenes of great destruction. Trees were burned, the earth was scorched, rocks turned into sand. And if, unfortunately, a person was nearby, then he died. For a long time, lightning symbolized the power and wrath of the gods. The Greeks believed that Zeus himself, the father of all gods, who lives on Olympus, throws lightning. Lightning was a symbol of power, as well as a symbol of the vagaries of nature. Since lightning often accompanies rain and thunderstorms, it was also a symbol of abundance, as it rain was a necessary condition for the ripening of a good harvest. In Norse legends, Thor was the God of Thunder, and lightning was the sparks that flew when his mighty war hammer hit his target. In the Bible, lightning accompanied the appearance of God. Lightning symbolizes the light of truth. The lightning bolt tattoo is popular in many Asian cultures. Lightning bolts are often used in traditional Japanese tattoos, such as the flying dragon.

Horseshoe

- one of the main designs of the old school, the horseshoe horns lowered down were an amulet of protection and good luck. In a tattoo, a horseshoe can be depicted alone, as well as in combination with other images associated with luck, such as a game of dice or a game of cards, which are laid out in a winning combination, also next to a four-leaf clover. In many parts of Europe and North America, horseshoes are nailed on the doors of sheds and buildings, and depending on cultural and traditional beliefs, can be located in the lower position or the upper one. In the case when the horseshoe is located in the upper position, this meant as a bowl in which you can catch luck. And if it is located down, it meant that, as it were, all the failure was poured out of the bowl and would not linger in it for a long time. The horseshoe as a symbol of good luck began at the time when the first Catholics (Rome) shod horses in it to protect their hooves from damage and pain. The Catholics built many roads to strengthen their empire (the expression “All roads go to Rome” was coined then), and horses were an integral part of the Roman transportation system. It was at that time that the horseshoe became a symbol of wealth, good luck and abundance.

Flame

In the old school, a tattoo represents transformation, destruction, change, passion, a beacon of light and a beacon of knowledge, and also a warning. Fire and flame were often used in religious rites and symbolism, as the smoke of the fire ascended into the heavens and was associated with the wishes and requests of the believer. The ability to destroy made fire respected and feared. But fire can not only destroy, but also bring warmth and light to dispel darkness. Fire and flames in torches, beacons, candles represent a symbol of hope, light and knowledge. Fire is one of the four basic elements - including Earth, Water and Wind - is also one of the main five Chinese elements. In Hinduism, fire is one of the five sacred elements that make up all living beings and is considered the eternal basis for sacred religious ceremonies. In Christianity, fire is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (purification) and is often used in descriptions of hell. Fire is also a symbol of temptation and sin, and Satan is often depicted surrounded by fire. In mythology, the Phoenix burns in fire and is reborn from its own ashes. Fire is a symbol of transformation and rebirth and represents the cycle of life.

eighth ball

This design can have several different meanings, and its symbolism depends on the context in which it is used. In general, the "eighth ball" completes the game of pool, but due to the rules of the game, pocketing the "eighth ball" in your stroke automatically makes you a loser - losing the game. And since many billiard halls were known for their bad reputation (we can see this in some films, for example, in "The Hustler" with Paul Newman, and "The Color of Money" with Newman and T. Cruz), the "eighth ball" in tattoos imply alcohol, drugs, gambling, women of easy virtue, gambling, etc. Some people see the "eighth ball" as getting a chance, if you're lucky, everything will work out. This is the kind of tattoo that hints at walking on the edge or a test of fate. The term "eighth ball" also carries a certain concept in jargon, for example, it is a very dangerous combination of heroin and cocaine. If you asked a dealer in the 60-70s in the USA "coke for the eighth ball" he would understand exactly what dose you need, thus the "eighth ball" symbolizes the willingness to take risks and the possibility of good or bad luck, in other words "Life is gambling!"

Pigeon

The symbol of the holy spirit in some Christian interpretations and often used to represent the Baptism of Jesus Christ, the most familiar episode from the Bible is the story of the Flood, when God told Noah to build the Ark and take on it a pair of each animal and bird. According to the Bible, during the flood, God sent heavy rains and the whole world was flooded. And only Noah and his family and the creatures aboard the Ark survived the flood. After many weeks at sea, Noah released first the Raven and then the Dove to fly in search of land. The dove returned with an olive branch in its beak, and Noah and his family were very happy that the flood had receded. The dove has become a powerful symbol as a harbinger of hope. Others believe that the flight of the liberated dove also symbolizes the exit of the soul.

Dolphin

The popularity of this motif is explained by the fact that for a long time there has been an invisible connection between humans and dolphins. Humans and dolphins have coexisted together for a long time, and even now, the more we learn about these creatures, the more inclined we are to believe that the dolphin carries some kind of divine spark that separates them from other animals. It has long been thought that dolphins serve as some sort of link between the surface and underwater worlds. Swimming with dolphins, for example, helps children cope with various ailments, calms and helps people suffering from depression or nervous disorders. It is no surprise that the dolphin tattoo has become so popular.

Game of dice

It is the familiar numbered dice that we all played as children and is popular in many cultures around the world. Dice games, by their very nature, rely more on luck than skill and skill. Like a tattoo, dice is a metaphor for life: sometimes in life, like in gambling, it is more important to get a chance, to "grab luck by the tail" than to be talented, so dice can be seen as a symbol of good luck. But at the same time, dice is often interpreted in tattoos as one of the elements of gambling, and is often included in common human vices, including playing cards, drugs and alcohol, weapons, betting on the hippodrome, racing and communicating with women of the lung. behavior. The expression "rolling the dice" implies taking a risk in which the outcome will be completely unknown, which a person cannot control. This implies that the result of such a risk will depend only on fate and the chance given to a person. The well-known expression: "The die is cast" (the aphorism of Julius Caesar when crossing the Rubicon) means that the choice has been made, but the result is unknown.

Scull

Skulls are represented in almost all genres of tattoo: nautical theme (with crossed bones were depicted on pirate flags), old school, new school and even biomechanics ... There is something mystical in the largest human bone, one look at the skull, and we see that death stared at us from large dark empty eye sockets. No wonder the skull is known throughout the world as a symbol of death. In many cultures, the symbol of the skull is a reminder of our own mortality, as immortal Latin says, "Memento mori!" (memento Mori). William Shakespeare uses the skull to great effect: when Hamlet discovers Yorick's skull in the graveyard in the first scene of Act 5, he speaks directly to the skull. The physical object of the skull is used to symbolize the theme of human mortality and death presented in the game. In the end, none of us can escape death, and even the Kings will be eaten by worms. In Christian art and culture, the skull has been presented as a symbol of eternity, remorse, and human vanity, as well as a reminder of death. In medieval, religious paintings, we can often see Adam with a skull placed at the feet of the Cross as a symbol of the wages of sin. The ancient symbol of a skull with a snake was a symbol of knowledge and immortality, denoting knowledge that survived death. Many renaissance works showcase skulls as a reminder of the importance of living a virtuous life. Historically, the skull has been a popular symbol of triumph over the enemy, and a warning to people defeated in battle. Skulls served as trophies and a large number of skulls could be stacked by the victors in public places, as direct evidence of victory over the enemy and a grim reminder of the losses of the vanquished. Today, the skull is as popular as it was in ancient times. In movies, games, literature, comics, and of course tattoos, the skull continues to garner a variety of symbolic meanings as there is a huge field of creativity for the artist's imagination.

Knife/Dagger

- Similar tattoo designs are popular in many different styles. A knife or dagger can be either an independent tattoo or part of a picture. Dry history: For example, the ancient Aztecs used special ceremonial daggers to carve still-beating hearts from their human victims, thereby paying homage to the gods. Such a dagger represented the fearsome and capricious power of the gods. Wherever sacrifice was practiced: in the Middle East, in Babylon, Mesopotamia, Persia and many other cultures, knives were used to offer sacrifice to the gods. The image of a knife, bloodletting and death - all this is intertwined. The ability to shed blood, the very essence of life, is an unusually powerful image and a very powerful death symbol. Many special forces include knives and daggers in their mandatory equipment. The symbolism of a knife or dagger in military designs is very similar to a sword tattoo, but with a less noble lineage. The knife or dagger represents ferocity, speed, perseverance and death. As weapons, the knife and dagger have been known since ancient times, all knights and nobles carried daggers as weapons in addition to their spears and swords, therefore they were the last line of defense of the fighter and were used last - a kind of last chance. Since prehistoric times, the knife was considered the first tool in man's arsenal, it was used for skinning animals, guarding their homes, for extracting and butchering food, becoming better as mankind developed. Since the knife had many functions, and absolutely all men from various classes used them, gradually the handle of the knife / dagger began to be decorated with gold and jewelry, and over time it became an indicator of the class of a person. For reference, men, for example, began to shake hands, greeting each other to demonstrate that they were not hiding a dagger or other edged weapon in their hands. Tattoos of knives and daggers are very popular in both old school and new school to this day - it symbolizes the willingness to accept measures, to be bold and fearless, ready to answer for the insult. A knife in the heart means betrayal in love, and often just infidelity, and a skull pierced with a knife means a person risking his life, completely committed to his ideas. A skull with a knife in his teeth symbolizes action . We often see this in tattoos from the beginning of the century: skulls, demons, pirates are depicted with knives in their teeth, this is the clearest way to show: "I'm ready for anything!"

Cross

There is no more universal religious image or symbol than the Christian Cross. Religious symbolism is prominently displayed in many genres of tattooing, both ancient and modern, and in fact it can be argued that all traditional tattoos among various peoples carry a strong spiritual element. The cross tattoo has been known for at least the past two centuries, sailors and merchants were tattooed with it, it is considered an old school classic, and is still mega-popular among all segments of the population in many countries of the world. The cross itself - one of the most ancient and important symbols in the history of mankind - vertical and horizontal lines representing Father and Mother Nature, the point of intersection of the two lines - the point of synthesis - represented those mystical and spiritual concepts that embraced the meeting of the material and spiritual in human existence. Of all the types of crosses, the Roman or Latin cross is the most popular and unmistakable symbol of Christianity, it was on such a cross that Jesus Christ was crucified. One of the oldest crosses was placed in a circle. This so-called Solar Cross or Wheel Cross appeared in Europe, often carved into rocks or petroglyphs. They are also found in Asia, America and India. Since the cross has been used all over the world, it is not surprising that it has many meanings in many different cultures. Even before Christianity, the cross was the most common symbol throughout the world: in Scandinavia, in pre-Columbian America, China and Africa, it symbolized life and immortality, abundance, the union of heaven and earth, sun and stars (four pointers symbolized North, South, East and West or four winds, elements, not to mention the human form of the body) and was used as a protective symbol. Four thousand years ago, the Indian Cross was a symbol of all that is good and auspicious for man. Such a cross was called the circle of life, denoting the ever-changing world around the unchanging Center of God. Later, thanks to Hitler, the swastika became a symbol of Nazi Germany and radically changed its meaning in the minds of most people. The Ankh cross, unique because of its loop over the cross, came to be used in astrology as a symbol of Venus, and is still used today in biology to indicate female gender. The ancient Egyptians used the hieroglyph ankh to represent regeneration, and it was later adopted by Christians to symbolize physical and eternal life. The Greek cross is mentioned in the history of ancient Greece three thousand years ago, today it is recognized as a symbol of the Red Cross, being equal in all four parts.

Cherry

Fruit symbolizes abundance, and deep red, ripe and juicy cherries are no exception. The cherry symbolizes chastity and purity as the fruits ripen on the trees. The plucked cherry represents the loss of innocence and dignity. A bitten cherry is no longer a virgin. Cherry, surrounded by fire, speaks of an insatiable desire or passion.

Tattoo Old school (Old school tattoo)

Old school tattoo is one of the styles of modern art of underwear painting, and it appeared in the 19th century. The literal translation of the phrase is the old school. According to unconfirmed reports, the first tattoo in the old school style was applied by one sailor. Then it became widespread among fans of sea adventures. Tattoos in the old school style marked on the body all the significant events associated with the difficult life of a sailor: images of relatives and friends who remained on land, a kind of amulets needed in a difficult and long voyage. Sometimes these were items encountered daily in the life of sea wolves: gambling items or signs of marine paraphernalia: anchors, chains.

Tattoo old school

Most often, images of this style are colorful, saturated with bright colors, and are distinguished by the presence of a thick outline; for them, an accurate, realistic image of the object is not important.

At present, the range of wearable designs in the old school style has expanded, in addition to the nautical theme, which is more characteristic of the stronger sex, girls can knock out an image of an old school tattoo rose, a swallow, a heart, or other patterns that are more common for women.

The color scheme used when drawing drawings in this style has also changed. Instead of a variety of color shades, monochrome colors are used. The black old school tattoo on the male body looks beautiful. Strictly, concisely, stylishly. The image of an anchor, a compass, a dagger, a skull are in harmony with the relief of inflated muscles and a strong torso. So old school tattoos for men are very popular and are more inherent in the stronger sex.

Black and white old school tattoos can also be found on the female body. A stylized heart, a bird, a rose flower (this is the flower they prefer to stuff when working in this style) looks good on any part of the body. To show the individual elements of the image, the artist, skillfully using halftones, shadows, the intensity of applying the coloring matter, makes smooth transitions from one detail of the picture to another.

An experienced tattoo artist can offer a variety of old school black and white tattoo sketches that are popular. In order for the image to have a touch of individuality, various additional elements (inscriptions, a dagger, arrows) can be added to the drawing, depending on the passions and wishes of the tattoo wearer.

Tattoo sleeve old school - this is a real work of art, if a professional put his hands here. Bright saturated colors, clear expressive contours make the drawing incredibly voluminous and attractive. Old school tattoos on the arm are preferred by men, but recently such images can also be found on the female body. It’s just that women choose the half-sleeve option, when the pattern is applied to the elbow, which allows them to cover the image with clothes as needed.

Due to the wide distribution of this style and the growing demand, there are masters working in this direction in every salon. In the tattoo studio "Broken unbeaten", located at the address: St. Petersburg, st. Chernyakhovsky, 5, there is a tattoo by an old school master. Despite the seeming simplicity of the image in the old school style, the work takes a lot of time, a good command of the pattern stuffing technique is required. Before the procedure for applying the image, you should make old school tattoo sketches in order to fully take into account the wishes of the client and accurately reproduce everything planned.

If earlier in the applied drawing there was always a certain hidden meaning, personifying the secret desires of the owner, now they do not carry any symbolic meaning. Feel free to fill in the picture you like - it's just an unusual, original picture, with its color coloring uplifting and attracting others.

Free carefree life, the spirit of adventure and treasure hunt, mermaids and robbers... Old school follows the old traditions, which still conquers - well, we submit to the old school and share our impressions with you.

Style history

Old school, literally "old school", originated at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries. This is not only a tattoo style, it is a lifestyle - love for the old order of things, worship of "that" music, films, atmosphere. It would seem, what is the difference between old school and retro? The line is thin, but there is: if the retroman is a fan of mass culture, the “mainstream” of a certain time, then the fan of the “old school” has an emphasis on personal experiences.

“Retro is common, but everyone has their own old school”

- the hero of the book "Oldschool"

This style expresses the history of a person, not an era or a country. Children of the seventies are nostalgic for the irrevocably gone USSR, children of the nineties are sad about Nokia 3310, Tamagotchi and VHS cassettes. Everyone has their own nostalgia and their own personal, real, old school.



Old school tattoo

The style went to the masses from sailors who went on long voyages and made tattoos-amulets and tattoos-reminders of those who remained on the shore. Old school is different from other marine tattoos (read about them in a separate article): the drawings are not very realistic, without volume and shadows, always with thick, black outlines and bright colors. As a plot in the 21st century, they often choose not ships and mermaids, but something personal, topical and not related to the sea.




Popular motifs in old school tattoos

Martin

Made for good luck. For sailors, it means a safe return home - swallows fly close to land and board ships to rest. A sure sign that there is not much left before the end of the journey.



Heart

A symbol of love, kindness and honor. Often stuffed with a ribbon on which the name of the mother, dear person, friend. Sometimes an old-school heart is made as a memory of a departed love.



Anchor

Old school classic. It is believed that with an anchor a person will not go astray and will remain himself in any situation. Often supplemented with inscriptions, mermaids, wind roses or lighthouses.


Flame

Passion, a symbol of transformation and rebirth, destruction, creation and purification. Fire means something in every culture, it inspires fear and respect and is one of the four elements of life along with Water, Wind, Earth.


Eagle

A popular patriotic symbol of the US Navy, it is often depicted with the American flag and personifies honor, courage, and strength.

Old school (Old school, "old school") is a traditional style in tattooing. It originated in the 19th century. Rumor has it that a sailor was the first to get such a tattoo. Later, this tradition spread to other sailors. On their tattoos, they depicted everything that was connected with their life.

The sailors went to sea for a long time and got tattoos as a reminder of those who were left to wait for them on the ground. It could be the names of close people, their faces. The work at sea was hard and dangerous. Tattoos were a kind of protection from all sorts of troubles. Gambling was common among sailors, so you could often see , on their tattoos. Now old-school tattoos are common among a wide variety of people, and masters working in this style can be found in almost any tattoo parlor.

Old school tattoos are characterized by bright and rich colors, thick outlines. For tattoos in this style, three-dimensional images are not typical, they do not differ in the realism of the depicted objects, the correctness of the forms is also not very important for them. The old school is characterized by a marine theme:, sea,. They refer us to the origins of this style.

Often depicted,. Such tattoos symbolize love, relationships. The inscriptions on old school tattoos are quotes or names of loved ones. Hands folded in prayer - all this is also used in old school tattoos as a kind of amulet that can protect against evil.

Tattoos remind of death and the value of life. symbolize danger, cruelty, courage. Pinup girls are often depicted, girls in the form of a devil, a witch. Also on tattoos in the old school style you can see razors, and many other designs.

However, do not pay too much attention to the symbolism. If earlier a hidden meaning was invested in tattoos, now they are made simply as an ornament. You can attach special meaning to your tattoo, perceive it as a reminder of something important to you, or you can simply fill in the drawing you like.

Now old-school tattoos are beaten by those who like this uncomplicated and bright style. They are reminiscent of the sea, travel to distant lands and dangerous adventures. But despite the seeming simplicity, old school tattoos also require a good command of the technique. You should not trust their execution to just anyone - find a good master who can make a quality tattoo.