| The history, meaning and symbolism of nautical star | | | | Community" by Elizabeth Lapovsky Kennedy and |
| tattoos isa hotly debated topic. Today many | | | | Madeilne D. Daviscopyright 1993 p. 189. |
| different groups haveadopted the Nautical star | | | | (talking about the 1940's and 1950's): |
| tattoo as a symbol for their ownmovement and they | | | | "...During this same time period, the cultural push to |
| have all ascribed their own meaning andhistory to the | | | | beidentified as lesbians- or at least different- all the |
| symbol. Thus has lead to a widedisagreement as the | | | | timewas so powerful that it generated a new form |
| the meaning of the tattoo. | | | | of identificationamong the tough bar lesbians: a star |
| Historicallymost everyone agrees that Sailors were | | | | tattoo on the top of thewrist, which was usually |
| the first people to getnautical star tattoos. In fact | | | | covered by a watch. This was thefirst symbol of |
| the very word nauticalrelates back to sailing. So this | | | | community identity that did not rely onbutch-fem |
| connection has beenpretty firmly established. Most | | | | imagery. We can trace this phenomenon back to |
| people would agree thesailors were a pretty | | | | anevening of revelry in the late 1950's, when a few |
| superstitious group historically andsailor lore abounds | | | | butchestrooped over to "Dirty Dick's" tattoo parlor |
| with superstitious and fantastical storiesof life and | | | | on Chippewa |
| death and being lost at sea. Early onsailors navigated | | | | Street and had the tiny blue five-pointed star put on |
| by the stars at night and the north starbecame the | | | | theirwrists. Later, some of the fems of this group |
| symbol for finding ones way home. Once youknow | | | | also go the ideaone night and did it...The community |
| where the north star is you can point your ship in | | | | views the tattoo as adefinite mark of |
| theright direction to get home. So the star became a | | | | identification..."the Buffalo police knew |
| symbolfor finding ones way home or more | | | | [that] the people that had the stars on their wrist |
| symbolically even findingones path in life. Therefore | | | | werelesbians and they had their names and so forth. |
| many sailors would tattoonautical stars on their | | | | That it was anidentity thing with the gay community, |
| forearms as a good luck symbol inhopes of returning | | | | with the lesbiancommunity". The fact that the star |
| home. | | | | tattoo was created by thosewho were firmly into |
| However their modern day meaning is a more | | | | roles, in fact by the group that wasconsidered the |
| debated topic. | | | | butchy butches and their fems, suggest that |
| Many believe that groups including gay and lesbians, | | | | theforce to assert lesbian identity was strong enough |
| punkrockers and those in the military have adopted | | | | to breakthrough the existing traditions of boldness |
| the nauticalstar tattoo as a very important symbol. | | | | based in butch-femroles. The stars presage the |
| The diversity ofthese three groups has lead many to | | | | methods of identity created bygay liberation. In fact, |
| argue the meaning of theirtattoos. | | | | the mark has become something of atradition in local |
| For the military the connection is pretty obviously | | | | circles and has seen a revival since the |
| pointback to the early sailors and the symbolism and | | | | 1970s." |
| meaning is thesame as the early sailors. Many military | | | | This meaning of the symbol has of course created a |
| people get anautical star tattoo as a symbol for | | | | lot ofproblems and arguments among the other two |
| finding ones path homesafely. Of course this can also | | | | groups of bearersof nautical stars. Most puck and |
| include moresymbolically just finding ones way in life. | | | | military people do notwant to have a nautical star |
| Here is a quote we found from a member of the | | | | that points back to anything fromthe lesbian |
| armedservices and his interpretation of the tattoo: | | | | movement so many will say that there is |
| "I am in the United States Army, an MP who | | | | noconnection there and this is false. |
| searched townsand villages for Al Quida and | | | | Here is a quote from another armed forces member |
| insurgents. I was in Iraq for 1year. I have a red and | | | | about thesymbolism of the nautical star among the |
| black nautical star on my wrist. Thereason I got it | | | | gay community: |
| was because when I was out there, I felt itwas a | | | | "This "gay symbol" is a load of hooey that someone |
| guide to guide me home to my family safely. I got it | | | | made up |
| sothat it would remind me that I am going to make it | | | | VERY recently. The nautical star tattoo has been |
| to see myson grow up. I am not gay, it doesn't | | | | around nearlyas long as tattooing itself. The late Celts |
| matter what you believeit represents, it means | | | | (or early Irish,depending on your view of World |
| something different for everyone. Outin the desert, I | | | | History) were said to havebeen the first to have the |
| would look up at the stars and think abouthome. So | | | | tattoos, although evidence of itbeing used on ships in |
| anyone can think what they want to, that is what | | | | Spain has been found pre-dating the |
| itmeans to me. " | | | | Irish claim. |
| Punk rockers have also adopted this as a popular | | | | As a Marine, it's a very commonplace symbol |
| symbol tohave tattooed. The punk movement traces | | | | amongst us ifwe have been part of a Boat Raid |
| its history anduse of the nautical star tattoo back to | | | | company, red for port, greenfor starboard on varying |
| Sailor Jerry. | | | | parts of the body. On ship, I sawabout a million |
| Sailor Jerry is historically one one of the most famous | | | | different variations on the Sailors I was wasserving |
| tattooartists ever. He was well known for his | | | | with, obviously harking back to the sailor roots." |
| innovative and | | | | Here is a quote from a punk rocker and his feelings |
| "cool" designs. Punks have taken this symbol and it | | | | aboutthe symbolism of the tattoo: |
| hasvery much the same meaning of finding one way | | | | "what idiots..even the military boys dont know what |
| in life. | | | | itreally means....JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW!!!!!it was |
| Being the rugged individualists type Punks are drawing | | | | used by OLDsailors.. and the symbol represents North |
| to thesymbolism of true north and finding one own | | | | on a Map ...and itis the North Star the sailors would |
| unique way inlife. So the Nautical star has become a | | | | use it as a baring to gethome....you can find it on |
| symbol for this. | | | | Really really old maps and old navyvessels... Punk |
| You see many punk bands that have full sleeve | | | | Rock.. well we use it because we can andbecause |
| tattoostypically incorporate nautical star tattoos | | | | Sailor Jerry made the coolest tattoos who |
| either on theirelbows or elsewhere. | | | | startedputting them on everyone.. my grandfather |
| The lesbian and gay connection is the one that does | | | | even had one thusbeing used as a traditional icon" |
| notseem so obvious at first. Historically back in the | | | | It just goes to show that when the same powerful |
| 1940's and 50's when alternative lifestyles were not | | | | symbol isused over and over again over decades of |
| the normand often women had to hide their | | | | time it can taken onvery different meanings for |
| alternative choices theywould sport a hidden nautical | | | | different groups. So all ofthose that you see sporting |
| star. Often they would getthe star tattoo done on | | | | a nautical star tattoo might notall have the same |
| the inside of their wrist where itcould easily be hidden | | | | interpretation of its symbolism. |
| by a watch during the day but shown offin the | | | | So do you have a nautical star tattoo or think |
| evening when out on the town. Today many | | | | aboutgetting one in the future? Which meaning of |
| lesbianswhere the nautical star tattoo to show their | | | | the symbolwill you get the nautical star for? As long |
| connection withtheir early pioneering sisters. Here is a | | | | as you knowwhat the symbolism behind the star is |
| littleevidence to support my points. | | | | for and you have gottenit for the right reason to |
| "Here's the passage (with some pieces dropped) | | | | either support the lesbian movementor as a symbol |
| from "Bootsof Leather, Slippers of Gold: The History | | | | to finding your way! |
| of a Lesbian | | | | |