One of the standard symbols in traditional tattoos is the swallow. It is a bird that flies a long way and comes back home. It is like the sailors who went on long trips and returned home.
Symbolism
Traditional English tattoos use many symbols that are personal to the person with them. They can show what they have experienced and felt in life.
For example, some people might have a dagger tattoo to show they are strong or brave. Some people might have butterfly tattoos to show they have changed or grown.
Subject matter
Many people started to get tattoos in shops and parlours. It made more people interested in tattoos and more artists skilled in making them. They all wanted to win a prize for the best tattoo, but they were still determining who would get it!
Colours
Traditional English tattoos use colours that are simple but bright. This gives the artists more freedom to make their designs.
This style also pays attention to small details. The artists use dots or lines instead of shading to make their tattoos look more attractive. Sometimes they combine many details into one grand design. If you want this style, visit a tattoo shop and watch the artist’s work.
Style
Traditional English tattoos have a long history that goes back centuries. They started when sailors got tattoos as reminders of their travels worldwide in the late 1700s.
One of the famous sailors was Captain James Cook. He was known for his sea adventures and for bringing Tahitian tattoo art to England. He met people who had beautiful tattoos on their skin.
Some people got tattoos because of legal cases that involved tattoos, like Roger Tichborne’s case.
The tattoo style we know today was developed during this time and became a stable business. Some of the first tattoo artists were Jessie Knight and Sutherland Macdonald. They inspired other artists to follow their path and make tattoos a career.
