Tattoo Old School - The Most Popular Tattoos in the Old School Style

Old school tattoos have not lost their popularity over the years. Introduced by the sailors, this style has stood the test of time and acquired the status of a classic. Today, bright tattoos in the traditional style are chosen by men and women around the world.

Tattoo Oldschool  — History of Old School Style

The history of the Old School style begins with sailors, the origin of the style dates back to the end of the 19th century. It is the people whose life was connected with the sea that we should be grateful for the bright, concise, but meaningful tattoos. The sailors were very superstitious, and tattoos became the best solution to always carry a lot of talismans and amulets with you. The most popular stories at the time were anchors, swallows, heart, wind rose.

Because of homesickness and family, romantic subjects appeared: roses, portraits, mermaids. Well, do not forget about the magnificent beauties in the pin-up style, which, like the old school, is strongly associated with sailors.

Tattoo Oldschool — Characteristics of the Old School Style

The old school style is characterized by thick black outlines, the most simple colors (mostly black, red, green, blue) and concise drawings without unnecessary details.

The old school style today differs from the style in which the first masters worked, but retained its fundamental features.

Tattoo Old School - Popular Plots Tattoo Old School

Tattoo Ship Old School

For sailors, their ship was a home and a small world, their team was a family and support, so the ship tattoo carries a very deep meaning. The ship embodies hope, movement, freedom.

Today, tattoos with a marine theme in the old school style are made not only by people whose profession is somehow connected with the sea. The main thing in a tattoo is a meaning, a message that has been formed for many decades and absorbs the experience of generations. Old school tattoos, including a ship, are chosen by people who honor traditions and history.

Compass and Windrose Tattoo

A compass tattoo means finding the right path, a clear direction in life and confidence in your beliefs. The compass has long helped people find the right direction and saved them from death at sea.

Today the compass has a figurative meaning. People do not need to care about the direction of transport. But it is always worth thinking about finding your own life path.

Old School Mermaid Tattoo

A mermaid tattoo (in some versions, a siren) in the old school style is associated with the beauty, temptation and danger that the sea carries. This mythical creature promised sailors both luck and death in equal measure.

Tattoo Butterfly Old School

Butterfly tattoo means the life path and the development of the personality and soul. This insect received such a symbolic meaning due to the transformation from a caterpillar into a beautiful fluttering butterfly. For most cultures and religions, this cycle of development means the formation of the human soul. The possibility of easy flight, inspiration, brightness and airiness that butterflies personify made them a popular tattoo plot.

Tiger Tattoo Old School

Tiger tattoo is a symbol of stamina, militancy, readiness to confront difficulties at any moment and join them in battle. The tiger is equivalent in meaning to a lion tattoo and carries the same meaning.

Tattoo Dagger Old School

The main meaning of the Dagger or Blade tattoo is fearlessness, risk, willingness to fight to the end and maintain honor. This is a noble symbol, which in modern times has a metaphorical meaning. It is meant to fight not with the enemy, but with difficulties, life traps and difficult situations.

Black and White Tattoo Old School

Although the style is characterized by bright colors, black lovers decided to return to the very origins of the tattoo. The old school tattoo artists who tattooed sailors didn't always have all the colors on hand to work with, but black can replace all the others. In black, the laconic old school looks even more authentic.

Old School Tattoo - Popular Spots for Old School Tattoo

Old school tattoo on arm

Traditionally, the drawings in this style were small and the hand was ideal for drawing them. The Old School tattoo can be placed on absolutely any part of the arm, depending on the idea and the shape of the sketch.

Tattoo Old School Sleeve

Most often, an Old School sleeve is a set of small sketches on a common or similar theme. Since the style is characterized by a small detail of the drawing, it is impossible to make one continuous drawing on the hand. Due to the similarity of plots and meanings of each individual sketch on the sleeve, the overall motif looks harmonious and stylish.

Sketches of Tattoo Old School