Comments on: Flash Packets

Flash Packets

Miko — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:10:39 -0800

Skin & Bones is a new exhibit about sailor tattoos and their symbolism and history, developed at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia. NYTimes story with neat art slideshow.

By: The White Hat

The White Hat — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:35:46 -0800

I nearly got port and starboard tats back when I worked on a riverboat. Also, not to derail (because this is a damn cool subject) but does anyone else think that the two descriptions of tattoo symbolism in the "sailor tattoos" and "symbolism and history" links look plagiaristically similar?

By: Xoebe

Xoebe — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:52:32 -0800

Plagiaristically similar, yes. Unicorn tattoos, no.

By: Mojojojo

Mojojojo — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 02:54:03 -0800

Umm, symbolism and history..history? Captain Hook stumbled upon the Polynesians? Captain Hook? I thought he was a mortal enemy of the Lost Boys. Anyway, cool post.

By: JoanArkham

JoanArkham — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 06:07:17 -0800

A cool and timely post! My brother is trying to research the WWII-era tattoo my grandfather got while in the Navy. We remember it as mostly a big blue smudge, but it was a cowgirl...formerly topless, top added once he got home.

By: The Whelk

The Whelk — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 06:53:32 -0800

That symbolism site helped clear up the meaning some weird lyrics in folk songs/sailor's songs for me.

By: Miko

Miko — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:46:04 -0800

I learned a lot about the symbols while working in maritime museums. Any songs in particular,The Whelk? The link offers a few items but there has been a lot of book documentation of superstitions and the related symbols.