Lots of debates focus on the meaning associated with nautical star tattoos, and the interpretation often varies with the user. This actually led to different way of interpretation according to the person who used it and depending on the context. Historically speaking nautical star tattoos were a characteristic of sailors, who had their superstitions and fears about being lost at sea or seeing their end away from the land. Thus the north star was seen as the home symbol and the silent promise that they'll find their way or path in life. Such nautical star tattoos clearly stand for good fortune and return home in perfect conditions.
Punk rockers, military groups, gays and lesbians are the ones to use the nautical star tattoos as symbols or logos, but taken separately they all attribute different significance to the symbol. For the military, the nautical star tattoos mean pretty much the same thing as for sailors; the military look forward to their return home. The lesbian connections with the nautical star tattoos are about choices. Back in the 1940s and 1950s, non-heterosexual orientations were not regarded as freely as they are today and, lesbians would tattoo the nautical star on the wrist inside where a watch could camouflage it very well, but in the evening when they went out, the tattoo could be seen and recognized by others just like them.
As for punk groups, nautical star tattoos represent a symbolic way of expressing their differences. With the same hints to the North star, these tattoos show individual attempts to find one's path in life even if that being a weirdo. Many full sleeve tattoos that are so common among punk rockers also include a nautical star, the elbow area is otherwise preferred for the decoration. Yet, the choice of a nautical star doesn't have to be connected with pertaining to one group or another, as it can simply be a matter of liking or disliking a design. The preference for one tattoo or another is highly personal and it should remain that way.
Rejections of possible interpretations for the meaning of nautical star tattoos are also very common; thus, the military often debunk and deny all the possible associations with gay or lesbian groups. Yet, other people wear such tattoos without even giving them a meaning other than their personal liking for the design. The thing that stays valid is the presence of nautical star tattoos in different moments in the history of mankind, which no one can deny.
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