The practice of tattooing or body-marking can be traced as far back as 3,300 BC – maybe even further. Humankind’s fascination with marking their bodies can be attributed to a variety of human traits, ranging from religion/spirituality to experience & memory. Tattoos emerged in use for wartime and military significance in the same fashion.
“Tattoos and other permanent forms of body modification have been paramount in establishing the status and reputation of warriors for hundreds, if not thousands, of years,” Lars Krutak, a tattoo anthropologist and the host of Discovery Channel’s Tattoo Hunter, told Medium’s “War is Boring” blog in 2014.
Military/Warrior Tattoos in the Ancient World
One example of military tattoos can be found during the Roman Empire. Roman soldiers were marked with dots representing SPQR, the Latin phrase “Senatus Populusque Romanus”. This signified Roman citizenship and the membership in certain legions – a common inscription to serve as a signature of the Roman state.
Interwoven into ancient history are tribal tattoos. Indigenous communities such as Maori, Filipino, Native American, African tribes, and more utilized tattooing as symbols of identity, status, rank, and a form of spiritual protection. These markings were culturally significant, serving to identify a person’s accomplishments, rank, and role within their community.
Early Western Culture
In the late 18th century, British sailors were introduced to tattooing during voyages in the Pacific. The practice of tattooing quickly spread in England and spread American sailors. By the mid-19th century, tattoos were a prominent part of American maritime life. Tattoos served as identification, personal expression, and sometimes as talismans for safe voyages. Interestingly, during the American Revolution, American sailors tattooed their identification to prevent being forcibly recruited into the Royal Navy.
The early 20th century saw a rise in the popularity of tattooing in port towns around the United States. Tattoo legends like August “Cap” Coleman and Franklin Paul Rogers aka The Father of American tattooing (who studied under Coleman) were integral to the growth of American tattooing. Similarly, Norman Keith Collins – best known as “Sailor Jerry” – further shaped traditional tattooing and his style remains popular & inspiring today.
Symbolism in Military Tattoos
Traditionally, military tattoos have significant symbolism, often a reflection of one’s time in service. For example, dragons represented traveling to Asia or a swallow tattoo symbolizing 5,000 nautical miles traveled. These and other iconic symbols serve as motifs of pride in service, patriotism, unit identification, and memorials. Nowadays, tattoos for military personnel represent more than just a reminder of their time in service, but also serve as a form of cathartic release. Tattoos offer a way to process past experiences, overcome adversity, and reduce stress & allow healing. A tangible expression of resilience and a rebuilding of their lives.
In conclusion, military tattoos are more than just body art – they are a living testament to the courage, sacrifice, and camaraderie of those who serve in the armed forces. Each tattoo tells a story, honoring the past, celebrating the present, and inspiring future generations to carry on the proud tradition of military service.
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