Unlike other services, the U.S. Navy has a long tradition of tattoos. Learn about 19 popular nautical tattoo designs including what they mean and how a sailor earned the right to wear each symbol.

The U.S. Naval Institute outlines many of the traditions from the last 100 years, including getting a swallow for every 5,000 nautical miles traveled or an anchor for crossing the Atlantic.

Not to be confused with a swallow tattoo for every 5k nautical miles … or the Disney Pirate. (Image from Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean) To be initiated into this order, one must sail the ...

Angelina Jolie is no stranger to permanent ink but the actress debuted a new tattoo in the center of her chest while attending the 2024 Tony Awards. Fans are curious about the meaning behind the ...

On Wednesday at Naval Station Norfolk, the Trident's Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 9 “tattooed” their ceremonial aircraft in celebration of National Tattoo Day.

The law is unusual and unique, but it hasn't stopped tattoo artists and sailors from expressing themselves and celebrating Navy culture with eclectic and bold designs. 'Extreme excitement' ...

Although the meaning behind it will be personal to Angelina, according to the U.S. Naval institute: “legend has it that tattoos began when seven sailors from a ship called the Swallow each tattooed a ...

The Navy's effort in recent years to ease restrictions on tattoos on service members' bodies has increased the recruiting pool for those who can join the service and allowed for ...

Tradition, though, generally holds that a swallow tattoo is used measure how far a sailor travels. Originally, a swallow was earned every 5,000 nautical miles.” ...