Tattoos in the style of Old School (Old School), which translated from English means "old school", appeared and gained popularity in the 19th century. According to legends, the first people to get tattoos in this style were seafarers who went on long voyages. They believed that these images would help them escape and survive if a storm catches up with their ship. Tattoos of sailing ships, anchors, ribbons, skulls and cannons, as well as images of mermaids, hearts or the names of loved ones who remained on the shore, were very popular. Indeed, despite their largely chaotic life, they yearned for wives and children.

Features of tattoos in the style of Old School

Tattoos in this style are characterized by a bright saturation of the color palette and a thick, black outline. The images do not pretend to be realistic and harmonious of objects, and there are no three-dimensional images in this direction. Mainly the theme is related to the sea: ships, seagulls, ribbons, dolphins, sharks, mermaids. Girls, hearts and roses are also often found in these images, and the names of loved ones or quotes you like are used as an inscription.

Old School tattoos in the modern world

Nowadays, the meanings of Old School tattoos are not given as much importance as they used to be. In most cases, people make them as decoration for their bodies and do not consider the hidden meaning of the image. Increasingly, these wearable designs are made in a rich palette of colors, while in past centuries, black prevailed in tattoos. Often they are chosen when they are trying to find a vivid drawing that will remind of the sea or interesting travels.

The most common Old School tattoos and their meaning

A huge variety of tattoos of this style can be roughly divided into several groups:

• marine symbols (sailboats, daggers, sharks and other attributes of marine life);
• protective talismans (amulets) and symbols (religious themes and inscriptions);
• memories of loved ones (mermaids, names).

One of the oldest tattoos is the anchor, which gives hope for salvation - it constantly keeps afloat. This image was understandable to navigators, it is inextricably linked with the sea and reminded them of their work.

The swallow is considered a lucky symbol of good luck; this image was taken after returning from a long voyage. The swallow represents the successful return to its home shore. The image of the heart communicates love and fidelity, often the drawing is done on the chest.

Sincere and unselfish love is expressed by the rose, the tattoo of which is popular today among men and women. Moreover, if a red rose denotes love, then a rose without thorns communicates love from the very first sight. In the old days, the image of a white rose was evidence of virginity.

Location on the body

Old cheek tattooing is performed by many specialists, the technique itself does not take too much time. Tattoos are usually applied to any open areas of the body: shoulders, arms, legs. Often, tattoo sleeves are created, where, thanks to the clarity of the contour, every detail is perfectly visible. The so-called "sleeve tattoos" can be applied to the legs, however, if earlier it was done mainly by men, then today girls and women adorn their bodies in this way.

Old School tattoos for men

Male tattoos in the old school style are similar to the drawings of sailors who conquered the vast expanses of seas and oceans many years ago. To this day, they look great on the body of any man, recalling his strength and brutality. The most aggressive male tattoos have such a dangerous creature as a shark. Knife and dagger tattoos are also popular with men, as they are a symbol of courage and fearlessness, a willingness to take on a challenge and answer it without delay.

Old School tattoos for women

Girls prefer tattoos in the form of a rose, a swallow, a heart, or an inscription with ribbons on the back, collarbone or neck. These tattoos express all the subtlety and sensitivity of a woman, and also serve as an adornment for her.

Women's tattoos, as a rule, are small in size, and the image is made in a brighter color and symbolizes beauty and tenderness, but at the same time, their main style feature is preserved.

Photo of Old School tattoo

Old School, or Old School, is a tattoo style that dates back to the 19th and 20th centuries in America and Europe. The founders of this still fashionable trend were sailors. Superstitious people, they believed that tattoos would bring them good luck and protect them from harm. Therefore, the drawings were given a hidden meaning, sometimes understandable only to the owner himself. This could be the name of a place, events, names of people close to the navigator, and so on. But, like every style, the Old School has several characteristic features that are unique to it.

Plain Old School Tattoo

All tattoos are made with very bright colors and are outlined with bold black lines along the contour. Thanks to its catchy simplicity, Old School became famous all over the world, and in almost every salon there is a master working in this style. Over time, any meaning has ceased to be invested in the drawings, you can simply fill in the drawing you like. But the basic symbols of the Old School have become so popular that one cannot help thinking about their meaning. In this article, you will get to know them.

When the question arose of what style to make the sleeves, without hesitation I chose old school tattoos. The sketches are striking in their variety, and the drawings are easily combined with each other and folded into a single whole. I am completely satisfied with the result!

Maxim, Saint Petersburg

Old school anchor

A tattoo that is close to all sailors, without exception. According to legends, it helps to always stay afloat, a sign of security, strength and hope for salvation. Traditionally, it was pricked after the sailor first crossed the Atlantic Ocean.

The image of the anchor on the body in the style of old school

Did you know? It is noteworthy that the anchor can be combined with any other symbol. This flexibility is another feature of the Old School that cannot but rejoice. And this applies not only to the anchor, absolutely all Old School tattoos are easily and organically adjacent to each other.

Old school swallow in flight

I considered such a star to be a purely prison tattoo. But then I got a better understanding of the symbolism and realized that the prisoners simply took an already existing idea and rebuilt it in their own way. I like the concept, I am thinking about where and how to fill this sign, so that they don't get confused.

Oleg, Murmansk.

Council. So that the tattoo is not mistaken for being made in prisons, you just need to add other elements of the old school to it or just make it in color. But even without this, prison stars are fundamentally different from sea stars and the quality of execution, and the fact that they are pricked on the elbows, shoulders, knees or hands strictly symmetrically and change their meaning depending on the place of application. So there is absolutely nothing to worry about.

Old school heart

One of the most "intelligent" fallen women in the old school style

Of course, a symbol of love. Often depicted with a ribbon on which the name of a loved one is written. Stuffs on the chest, although not necessary. Also, the heart is used as a sign of the soul, vitality and high moral principles. Almost everything can be embodied in this symbol: romance, passion, friendship, courage, kindness, honor. Even the divine principle is present in the image of the heart, as it reflects the sacrifice of Christ in the name of humanity.

Fallen woman

Thus, the heart is depicted in the style of old school.

Depicts the vices inherent in almost all seafarers. Women, gambling and alcohol. Depending on the main addiction of the owner of the tattoo, the devil woman holds a bottle, cards, bones, or other things related to entertainment in her hands. Pin Up style tattoos for girls, popular in the 50s of the twentieth century, are also close to this topic.

Feminine attractiveness will definitely never go out of style.

Old school cross

Old school square cross. Usually goes in combination with something, in this case with an inscription

Despite the riotous lifestyle, the sailors did not forget about religion. Therefore, symbols such as the words of prayers, quotes from the Bible and crosses were quite common. However, long before the advent of Christians, the cross was a symbol of immortality, protection and interconnection of all living and nonliving in the world. The intersection point of two lines is understood as a combination of the material and spiritual essences of a person, their dependence on each other and the impossibility of one existing separately from the other.

The cross is the most recognizable symbol on Earth.

Panther old school

Panther grin in old school style. Usually the panther is depicted attacking with fangs and open mouth.

A cunning and dexterous animal, the only feline capable of hunting in the water. In the myths of many cultures, it is a symbol of shamans who have access to other worlds, including the afterlife. It was believed that the panther was a werewolf, moving from one state to another. In fact, panthers come in two different colors, and tattoos with them have different meanings.

• Black Panther is the patroness of the night and the moon.
• The yellow panther, more commonly known as the jaguar, is associated with bright sunlight and the sun itself.

Video: tattoo artist fills a tattoo in the style of Old School

SKETCHES OF TATTOO OLD SCHOOL

Free carefree life, the spirit of adventure and the pursuit of treasures, mermaids and robbers ... Old school follows the old traditions, which conquers to this day - well, we obey the old school and share our impressions with you.

Style history

Old school, literally "old school", originated at the turn of the 19th and 20th 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's the difference between old school and retro? The line is thin, but there is: if a retro-romance fan is a fan of mass culture, the "mainstream" of a certain time, then a 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 "Old School Man"

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

Old school tattoo

The style went to the masses from sailors who went on long voyages and got tattoo-amulets and tattoo-reminders of those who remained on the shore. Old school is different from other sea 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 motives in old school tattoos

Swallow

It is done 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 until the end of the journey.

A heart

A symbol of love, kindness and honor. Often stuffed together 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 bygone love.

Anchor

Classic old school. It is believed that with an anchor a person will not go astray and will remain himself in any situation. Often complemented by inscriptions, mermaids, wind rose or lighthouses.

Flame

Passion, a symbol of transformation and rebirth, destruction, creation and purification. Fire means something in every culture, it evokes 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, often depicted with the American flag and personifies honor, courage, and strength.

“Old school”(Old School) - a style of tattoos that previously existed mainly in European countries and America. The history of the style began at the end of the nineteenth century. The most popular in this direction were drawings of skulls, hearts, ribbons, angels, crosses, fire, flowers and anchors.

Tattoos were often done by sailors, so it is not uncommon to see inscriptions in this style with names, names of great events, and quotes. These tattoos are done in bright colors, which are framed by a bold black outline.
Sailors were the first people to revive the art and practice of tattooing in Western countries, as they were the first to visit the Pacific Islands of Polynesia and other states in Southeast Asia. Cook, in his exploration of the islands of Tahiti, Hawaii and Zeeland, was the first to take notes and sketches of local tattoos. The concept of tattoos comes from a Tahitian word that sounded like the sound when the inhabitants got tattoos with their tools.

Marine life was harsh enough that only the strongest men survived. The sailors, being constantly at the mercy of the wind and the sea and dependent on the vagaries of nature, were superstitious and believed that tattoos could protect from falling overboard, from predatory animals, from a shipwreck. Some tattoos were done while crossing the equator, or when crossing Cape Horn, when visiting Eastern countries. Sailboats and cannons were popular tattoos among sailors. Despite the riotous life, many tattooed prayers or texts of religious content, this reminded of piety and protected from corporal punishment. And of course, sailors often thought about the families and girls they left behind. Therefore, seafarers have always liked mermaid tattoos, hearts and names, various amulets, and this is how the direction in the tattoo of the 19-20 century - Old School was formed.

Meaning of Old School Anchor Tattoo

Old School Tattoo - Anchor

Anchor - The standard old school tattoo, most popular in Western countries over the past centuries. It has ancient roots that go back hundreds of years into the depths of time, was considered a symbol that helps to stay on track. The anchor represents the hope for salvation, safety, caution, reliability and strength. Anchors were painted by people who are closely associated with marine work. This tattoo is close to sailors around the world, often drawn after the first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean.

The meaning of the Old School Swallow tattoo

Swallow. Old School Tattoo

Swallow symbolizes good luck and happiness. Usually a swallow is a tattoo that sailors get after traveling, after traveling five thousand miles. For a sailor, this bird is a symbol of a safe return home, since the appearance of a swallow is a sign that dry land is nearby. Swallows usually fly long distances, making flights over the water, during the flight they sat down to rest on ships, thus giving a sign to sailors that land is not far. At ten thousand miles, a sailor could stuff a new bird on the other side of the body. Two swallows tell us about a successful trip.

The meaning of Old School Heart tattoo

Heart of Old School

A heart
A tattoo in the form of a heart, with a ribbon near it, or a scroll with an inscription - explanations will be unnecessary here. You can part with your loved one, but the tattoo will remain. Among admirers of the Old School style there is an aphorism: “Love lasts six months, and a tattoo - for centuries!” The heart tattoo is a classic Old School design and can be seen as an inverted triangle that has become a symbol of femininity and is often used to express love. The heart is considered a symbol of love, feelings and the power of life for humanity. The heart is often identified with the soul, acts as a symbol of truth, conscience and moral purity. We speak of "heartless" about people who are unfair or very cruel. Friendship, courage, romance and emotional expression are embodied in this symbol. The heart occupies an important place in the religions of the planet, and is recognized as a symbol of love, as well as the divine principle. It is also a symbol of mercy, piety and understanding. In addition, the heart is a medieval symbol of Jesus, the sacrifice, especially in the Catholic Church. The sacred heart depicts the love of redemption for God as a source of illumination and happiness. Due to the fact that this symbol is very common on the planet, hearts have become a popular motif in tattoos. The heart pierced by an arrow is a symbol of the expression of energy, flow and penetration. National banners in the form of a heart - often speak of a patriotic personality.

Old School Tattoo Ribbon With Inscriptions

Old School Inscription Ribbons

Tapes with inscriptions
The plot will tell a lot, but there is a time in the life of every person when a few selected words can give more information than a drawing. Each person would at least once recall the exact time and place of the moments that are dear and become something special. They make the heart flutter and beat faster! Sometimes, a few words can tell everything. Tattoos with words have been common for a long time, and even now tattoo inscriptions are very popular. In those years, sailors depicted words on their fingers. The most famous were: "life is difficult", "love and pain", "love and hate", "hold on" (do not drown, stay on the water) on the fingers of one hand, and "quickly" (quickly return home) on the other, served protective amulets. Well, now the ribbon with the inscription is a great addition to any Old School storyline.

The meaning of the Old School Razor tattoo

Old School Razor

Razor
A razor tattoo design can symbolize a large number of things, but they all carry the meaning of sharp, cutting, irritated, unrestrained. The razor has been used as a suicide tool, synonymous with cutting veins. The straight razor is a common Old School design that was used by cocaine users in the seventies. Using a straight razor, the cocaine was divided into doses. Also, a razor can display depression, explosive nature.

The meaning of the Old School Rose tattoo

Old School Rose

the Rose in Western countries it personifies the same thing as Lotus in Eastern countries. A symbol of love, but special, pure. Because of its scent, beauty and shape, the rose is considered the most perfect symbol.
Of all the flower designs, the rose tattoo is both the most popular and in demand. An interesting fact is that the rose is in demand among men and women. A red rose speaks of love, and a rose without thorns speaks of love at first sight. Yellow roses express joy, white - reverence and respect, pink - admiration and sympathy, orange - enthusiasm. In ancient times, the white rose symbolized virginity. The variety of roses and the scent have inspired people at all times. If you believe the myths, the white rose appeared at the moment when Aphrodite was born from the foam of the sea. Later, when Aphrodite was in a hurry to meet with Adonis, she hurt her leg on the thorn of a rose, the white rose turned red.
There is also a legend about the origin of thorns: Rodanaz was a beautiful girl, and all men dreamed of marrying her on themselves. However, she was proud, and thought that mortals were unworthy of her. Once the men entered her house forcibly. The goddess Diana saw all this, and, angry with the pride of men, turned the girl into a rose, and them into thorns.

Rock of centuries
A picture of Jesus Christ, an allegory - the classic version of tattoos. For sailors, for example, it symbolized hope, protection and support, was an amulet and talisman. Having phrases like, "Hold on!" gave hope and faith, and was also an amulet. Another version was that the religious symbol depicted on the back could mitigate corporal punishment, and such a sailor was less punished. Also common is a tattoo depicting a stone cross, or depicting a man or sailor kneeling in front of a stone cross. Often the Christian faith of people was mentioned in the form of a stone, the foundation upon which a virtuous life is built. This was based on the belief that the house was as strong as the foundation on which it was built. The stone cross is known as the “Rock of Ages”.

The meaning of the Horseshoe tattoo

Old School Horseshoe

Horseshoe - basic design in old school style. The horseshoe lowered down was an amulet of protection and good luck. In the image, the horseshoe can be displayed alone, as well as together with other images that are associated with good luck.
In many European countries and America, horseshoes are nailed to the doors of sheds and houses, and depending on cultural beliefs, they can be in the lower position or the upper position. If the horseshoe is in the top position, it meant a bowl where you can catch your luck. And if shown down, it meant failure poured out of a bowl that does not last long in it.
The horseshoe became a symbol of good luck, abundance and wealth during the Roman Empire, when the first Catholics shod horses to protect their hooves from injury and pain. The Romans built many roads where horses were an important part of the empire's transportation system.

The meaning of Old School Pin-up tattoo

Old school pin-up

Pin-up - a synonym for "Girls with a good figure"
In 1955, Betty Page was named Miss Planet Girl in the Picture.
Betty is a common noun. In the design of old school - the image of a girl whose beauty borders on a hint of rebelliousness and disobedience. The girl has become a legend, a symbol of beauty and femininity, and inspires new generations of tattoo lovers, because a woman's attractiveness is aimed at seduction, admiration and this never goes out of style.
Pin-up - a photo of a beauty, a pretty girl.

The meaning of the Old School Panther tattoo

Panther Old School

Panther Is a very ferocious feline. This animal is more cruel and dangerous than a tiger or lion. The panther is an independent and cunning animal, and also the only feline that can hunt in the water. The panther is featured in the mythology of many cultures in Latin and Central America. There is in the art and religion of pre-Columbian civilizations. Many cultures have noticed that panthers come in several colors - black and yellow. Believing that the black panther is associated with the moon and night sky, and the yellow panther (jaguar) is associated with the sun and light. This animal was a symbol of shamans who could unite the conscious and unconscious worlds who had access to the afterlife. Many believed that the panther was a werewolf who was able to transform himself into another image.

The meaning of the Old School Woman Devil tattoo

Devil Woman Old School

Devil woman - also known as the "fallen woman". A tattoo that consists of a drawing of vices, often a woman with a bottle of alcoholic drink, cards, bones or other attributes of excitement and fun. Tattoo motto: “Song! Women! Wine!"

Cherry tattoo meaning

Cherry
Fruits, berries are symbols of abundance, and very red, ripe cherries are no exception. Cherries are considered a symbol of chastity and purity, as fruits ripen on trees. A plucked cherry was considered a loss of innocence. A bitten cherry meant the loss of virginity. Cherry, which is surrounded by fire, speaks of great desire and passion.

The meaning of the billiard ball tattoo 8

Billiard Ball 8 Old School

Eighth ball - this design can have multiple meanings and its symbol depends on the context where it is used. In general, the "8 ball" ends the game in the pool, but due to the rules of the game, the pocketed "8 ball" automatically makes you a loser. And due to the fact that many billiard halls are known for a bad reputation, the "last ball" in the tattoo means alcoholic drinks, women of easy virtue, drugs, gambling.
Some people see it as getting a chance, if you're lucky, everything will come true.
8 ball is a tattoo that also hints at a test of fate, symbolizes the willingness to take risks and the possibility of success or failure.

The meaning of the Knife or Dagger tattoo

Dagger Old School

Knife or Dagger - such tattoo designs are famous in many styles. A dagger or knife can be made as an independent tattoo, or be part of the picture.
From the history of this symbol: The ancient Aztecs used ceremonial daggers to carve the beating hearts from human sacrifices, thus paying tribute to the gods. The dagger represented fear and the power of the gods. Wherever sacrifice was used, knives were used to make sacrifices to the gods. Knife designs, bloodletting and death are all intertwined. The ability to shed blood, the essence of life, is a powerful image and symbol that brings death. A knife or dagger has been famous since ancient times. Many knights and nobles wore daggers as weapons in addition to swords and spears, because daggers were the warrior's last line of defense and were used at a kind of last chance. Since ancient times, the knife has been the first tool in the arsenal of people, it was used to protect housing, mining and cutting food, becoming better and better with the development of mankind. Due to the fact that the knife had a large number of functions, and all men from different classes used them, then over time, the handle began to be decorated with gold and precious stones.
Knife and dagger tattoos are very popular in Old School and New School. The knife / dagger is a symbol of the willingness to take action, to be fearless and courageous, ready to answer for an insult. Pirates, skulls with a knife or dagger in their teeth - symbolizes the determination of action, thereby showing us that the owner of this tattoo, a decisive person, is “ready for anything”. A knife in the heart is infidelity, betrayal in love. A skull pierced with a dagger is a tattoo of a person who risks his life, an adherent of his ideas.

Meaning of the Apostle's Hand tattoo

Hands in prayer Old School

Hands of the Apostle
Hands in prayer
If the famous artist of the Middle Ages, Albrecht Durer, was alive now, then he would be the richest man. The copyright for Hands in Prayer could have been sold for millions of dollars. It was originally a sketch from the praying head of Frankfurt. A later version of the painting appeared in another work of Dürer - the hands of the apostle, who stands in an empty grave and looks at the sky. The original version of the drawing was destroyed by fire in the mid-18th century, but there are many copies that are as good as the sketch. Now Dürer's work is the most popular in tattoo design for all occasions.
"Hands folded in prayer" are often combined with various additions. It can be tapes with inscriptions, just inscriptions with the names of your beloved and dear people, hearts, rosary beads, crosses. In most cases, "hands folded in prayer" are applied as a memory of someone.

The meaning of the tattoo Star of navigation or wind rose

Windrose Old School

Navigation star or wind rose - an ancient and not at all outdated motive, which is known more than a hundred years ago. The stars were often a landmark, especially the North Star. The sailors drew navigation stars, because they often relied on them, life depended on it. The sailors were superstitious people and thought that their star tattoo would be an amulet of prosperity along the way. Around the same time, the starfish began to appear on compasses. At a later time, such stars became a symbol of the path of life, his search. They began to be made by those who wish not to go astray, so the navigation star became a guiding star - the image of a star helped not to go astray. Later, such stars became symbols of high encouragement and awards.

Star tattoo meaning

Old School Stars

Star - a common motif in a tattoo. The symbolism of the star embodies the concept of the divine spark in each of us. And their nature prompts to show the stars as a fight against darkness and obscurity. Stars with different designs have their own symbolism and meaning, their style depends on the number of angles and their direction.
You can read more about the symbolism of various stars.

The meaning of Old School Lightning tattoo

Lightning Old School

Lightning - lightning and thunder are familiar phenomena. Is there a more beautiful sight than flashes of lightning, fireworks of electricity, these flashes, like magic and something incredible, appear seconds before the thunder rolls! At night, a flash of lightning made you see everything as in daylight. A powerful symbol and a godsend for a tattoo! Ancient people had a large number of explanations for this natural phenomenon, and many myths tell about gods and incredible creatures who used lightning as a weapon. People were impressed by the power and magic of lightning, as the places where lightning struck were scenes of severe destruction. The trees were burning, the earth was being burned, the rocks were becoming sand. And if there was any person nearby, then he was dying.
For a long time, lightning was a symbol of the power and wrath of the gods. The Greeks believed that Zeus, the father of the gods, who lives on Mount Olympus, throws lightning. Lightning was a symbol of power as well as the vagaries of nature. Due to the fact that it rains and thunderstorms with lightning, it was a symbol of abundance, because rain is an important condition for the ripening of the crop.
Lightning tattoos are popular in most Asian cultures. Lightning is used in Japanese tattooing, in particular, when depicting a flying dragon.

The meaning of the flame tattoo

Flame Old School

Flame Is transformation, destruction, passion, beacon of light and warning. Fire and flames were mainly used in rituals, because the smoke of the fire ascended into the sky and was associated with the wishes and requests of people. The destructiveness made fire respected. But fire can not only destroy, but also give warmth and light. Fire and flames are considered a symbol of hope, light and knowledge. Fire is 1 of the 4 main elements. In Hinduism, fire is 1 of the 5 sacred elements that make up beings and is considered the eternal basis for religious ceremonies. In Christianity, it is spirit and is often used to describe hell. Fire is also a symbol of temptation and sin, and Satan is shown surrounded by fire.

The meaning of the dice tattoo

Dice Old School

Game of dice Is a well-known game with numbered cubes. Everybody played it as a child and is very popular in all cultures of the world. When playing dice, they rely more on luck, luck than on abilities and skill. As a tattoo, the game of dice is used as a metaphor for life: sometimes in life, as in games, it is more important to get a chance, to “grab your luck” than to rely on talent and ability. Therefore, dice is considered a symbol of good luck. At the same time, dice is often interpreted in a tattoo as an element of gambling, and is part of human vices: alcohol, drugs, women of easy virtue, etc. The phrase “throwing the dice” means that you need to take a risk, where the result will be unknown, because a person cannot control it.

The meaning of the Skull tattoo

Skull Old School

Skull - skulls are presented in many genres of tattoos: Asian theme, Old School, New School, Biomechanics and many others.
There is something mystical about the largest bone, looking at the skull, we see that death is staring at us with large empty eye sockets. Unsurprisingly, the skull is known as a symbol of death. The skull symbol in cultures is a reminder of mortality. The physical skull object is used to symbolize human mortality. As a result, none of us can escape death. In the art and culture of Christians, the skull is presented with a symbol of eternity, repentance and vanity and also reminded of death. Historically, the skull has been a famous symbol of triumph over the enemy, and a warning to people who are defeated in battle. Skulls were trophies and many skulls could be stacked by the victors in public, thus it was proof of victory over the enemy and a reminder of the losses of the vanquished.
You can also read about the meaning of the Skull tattoo

Cross tattoo meaning

Old School Cross

Cross - there is no universal religious symbol than the usual Cross.
Religious symbolism is shown in most tattoo genres, so it can be argued that all tattoos among different nations carry a strong spiritual element. The cross tattoo has been known for at least the last two centuries; sailors and merchants have been tattooed with them. It is an old school classic, and a very popular symbol among many walks of life around the world. The cross itself is an ancient and important symbol in the history of mankind - vertical and horizontal lines that represent Nature, the intersection point of 2 lines - represented mystical and spiritual concepts that embraced the meeting of the material and spiritual in human existence. Even before the advent of Christianity, the cross was the most common symbol on the planet: for example, in the Scandinavian countries, America, China and Africa, it was a symbol of life and immortality, abundance, the union of heaven and earth, the sun and stars and was used as a protective symbol ...
Several millennia ago, the Cross of the Hindus was a symbol of good and prosperous for people. This cross was called the circle of life, denoting a changing world.

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 vivid images of skulls, anchors, hearts, mermaids or birds with a clear outline. The sailors were quite superstitious and believed that the body pattern protects them from the elements and falling overboard. And although tattoos in the style of old school have evolved over time, they have their own clear characteristics that do not allow such a drawing to be confused with any other genre. We will introduce you to this style better and show you beautiful old school tattoos for girls.

Features of tattoo in the style of old school

The style name old school translates to “old school”. Old school tattoos are always bright and concise. When creating them, the master does not pursue the goal of achieving realistic or detailed 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 nautical 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 helps to achieve this.
• Elements inside the outline are usually filled with bright colors. Basic old-school colors: red, blue, green, yellow. The pigment clogs up tightly.
• Classic tattoos in this genre look flat, they have no shadows and volume. Modern artists are increasingly adding subtle details to their work, drawing shadows and using a wider color palette of paints to make drawings more expressive and interesting.

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

The origin of the old school

American Norman Collins is considered the founder of the style. The great tattoo artist is better known as Sailor Jerry. Norman served in the navy, and therefore the theme of nautical tattoos was close to him. After the service, he opened his own tattoo studio in Honolulu, in the foyer of which the tame monkey Romeo greeted visitors. Collins was a big fan of Asian painting and created a completely new style in his salon, combining traditional tattooing and multicolored Asian techniques.

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

Old school tattoos today are performed by many artists 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.

The location of old school tattoos on the body

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

Themes and plots of old school style tattoos

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

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

Russian folk old school

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