Moon and Star Tattoos - Where Are the Great Designs?

By Adam Woodham

You can find moon and star tattoos in just about any corner of the internet. You may have already started your search. If you have already started, you have probably realized just how much generic, low end artwork that is out there. It's even worse if you rely on search engines, which don't bring up very many good tattoo galleries at all. Well, here is how you can find the tons of good moon and star tattoos you've probably been bypassing.

We live in a world which is ruled by instant gratification, which is why we all rely on search engines to find what we want. When you look for moon and star tattoos this way, you get a huge list of places that might have them. The only thing is that most of the galleries that search engines pull up are paced full of generic, cookie cutter artwork. On top of that, most of these galleries just take artwork from all of the other galleries, including moon and star tattoos and it becomes a jumbled mess on nine year old tattoo art.

These galleries are in such a competition to fill their websites up with as much artwork as possible that they even put up images that weren't even supposed to be used as a real tattoo! That's right. They only care about one main thing, which is to pack their gallery with tons of tattoo art. They don't care if half of their inventory was not drawn to be used as a real tattoo.

It's sad that they would do this, because men and women will pick one of these deigns and run to get it inked. They are in for a nice surprise when the design come out looking nowhere near as good and crisp as it looked on the paper they printed it on.

Ok, enough of that depressing stuff. Let's talk about how you can find the tons of great moon and star tattoos that are being left behind...

The way to do this is to spend a bit of time sifting through internet forums. The bigger forums are always jam packed with topics about tattoo artwork. People love talking about where they have found a great tattoo and will always share links to the galleries they have found. It's a fantastic way to find all of the hidden tattoo galleries out there. The great thing is that most of these places will have far better artwork than most of the generic websites that search engines pull up. Finding good moon and star tattoos is just a little bit easier when you broaden your searching options.

When you are deciding on which moon and star tattoos to get, just make sure you are 100% sure about the one you pick before getting it inked.

Moon and Star Tattoos - Finding the Great Artwork

By Adam Woodham

Moon and star tattoos are everywhere if you take a second to look online. The only thing is that most of them are generic, low end designs that have been posted on hundreds of websites for the last nine years. Is there any fresh, quality artwork on the web? There sure is, but most people don't find the good moon and star tattoos because of one reason.

This goes for any tattoo designs you may be searching for. It's not solely dedicated to looking for moon and star tattoos. The reason so many people bump into low end galleries is because they are using search engines. No matter which styles you are looking for, they tend to bring up page after page of cookie cutter type galleries that will throw just about any kind of artwork on their pages. They even put up a ton of images that aren't even meant to be used as a real tattoo!

That's the scary part. They are so set in their ways about putting u pas much artwork as possible that they don't care about the quality of the designs, or even that they aren't real even real "tattoo artwork". Picking those so called moon and star tattoos is not a wise decision, because of the way it comes out once inked on your body. When random images are used as a tattoo, they tend to come out looking far less superior to how it looked on the paper you printed the design on.

To find great moon and star tattoos, you might want to look into this next alternative...

The alternative method for searching for moon and star tattoos in through internet forums. Why forums? Because the bigger forums out there are usually sizzling with topics revolving around tattoo artwork. You can use their searching function to pull up all of the different past topics they had going on dealing with tats. Inside of these topics you can browse for all of the great links that people have posted to the superb galleries they have uncovered.

You can find new, fresh moon and star tattoos this way and at least you will have some great galleries to bookmark. It sure beats weeding through the endless amount of generic artwork that most people end up finding.

Star Tattoos Naturally Shine

By Marilen Kapchan

No matter what size star tattoos are rendered on ink, they seem to shine all the time. This makes them a favorite choice for those who are looking to get tattooed. Their flexibility in terms of color, size and symbolism ranked them in top spot for being one of the most sought after designs for tattoo newbies and veterans alike.

Stars were believed to influence human life during the early days as divinities or agents of divinity. They can symbolize many things such as supremacy, constancy, vigilance, aspirations or guidance. Meanings can also differ depending on how many points a star has. In the world of tattoos, stars as designs vary for both men and women.

Nautical star tattoos is a favorite design for men because it can make them appear very masculine. The nautical star is a 5-pointed star with 3d illusion; the points are split in half and filled with an alternating color (usually black-red or black-white). Sailors during ancient times rely on stars to find their way and get them back home safely. Thus nautical star tattoos stand for protection and guidance, probably an indication of finding one's path in life. Men usually prefer them embedded their on arms or chest.

Traditionally shooting stars were meant to denote a new birth and changes in ones life and also a wish for a better life. Shooting star tattoos are very pretty and versatile on women. They are placed on lower stomach, shoulder blade, arm, foot or ankle, usually to exude sex appeal. They are suggestive of going for one's dreams or goals in life or an indication of wishes coming true. They can also be an expression of one's inner desire to be a star and they generally look cool and sexy. Just like the brief wonder of seeing a shooting star race across the night sky, shooting star tattoos can also symbolize a brief fleeting moment in ones life. Whether inked in variety of colors or just plain black, shooting star tattoos always come out very striking and interesting.

Aside from nautical and shooting stars, there are literally hundreds of variations for these tattoos. There are star tattoos group together with the sun, or the moon, or all three of them together. There are Star of David, pentagram and six pointed stars. There are even designs combine with other celestial bodies like planets and comets as if mimicking the galaxy. They can also be executed and look great wit tribal or Celtic touch.

Whether it be a nautical star for men and shooting star for women or combine with other heavenly bodies, star tattoos are exuberant and naturally dazzle and will always be a favorite.

Nautical Star Tattoos - Ancient and Modern Symbolism of Nautical Star Tattoos

BY Mike K

Nautical star tattoos possess deep symbolical meanings. This symbol was particularly popular among sailors. It is an old tattoo design which has penetrated the modern era. Its beginnings can be traced back to more than centuries ago.

From way back during the days of yore, prior to modern means of navigating, sailors used to navigate the seas with the aid of stars in the night sky. The North Star, which is visible in the Northern hemisphere along with the other different constellations of stars, served as guides for the navigators through the night.

Sailors would have nautical stars tattooed on them since they relied on to guide them home safely. They believed that stars used to lead them back home. Furthermore, they had a superstitious belief that their nautical star tattoos would allow them to get home to their families safely.

Nautical star tattoos had also gained popularity among soldiers as well. There are a lot of soldiers who choose to have nautical stars tattooed on them for basically the same reasons - for protection and guidance. From these basic facts which clearly reflect the origins of nautical star tattoos, it can be concluded that this tattoo design signifies ones hope to be guided safely through a journey, even possibly the journey of life.

The nautical star tattoos or any tattoo design which depicts a star, based on old beliefs, are meant to protect and guide. In the modern times, a broader perspective about nautical star tattoos had emerged. This tattoo design represents one's direction in life. It had imposed a meaning not only among sailors and soldiers but to ordinary people as well. It is meant to guide a person towards the right direction in life.

Other interpretations state that a star pointing in an upward direction means that the person has a higher outlook or perspective in life. It may also represent big ambition and higher goals in life; the desire to succeed in all endeavors. Nautical star tattoos can symbolize different things for different people. It is important to find a design which best depicts what it is you wish to express.

Beliefs Associated with Nautical Star Tattoos

By Ajay Charvak

There is no universal agreement about the basic design of nautical star tattoos. But most people agree that the sailors are the inventor of nautical star tattoos. Today the basic design differs according to the belief. Majority of designs are classified according to the points of the star. There are 4, 5,6,7,8 and more points in nautical star tattoos. Following are some of the common beliefs attached with the various nautical star designs that have different points or tips of star.

With four tips

The Nautical star tattoos with four points or tips are supposed to be developed by sailors and marine related people. They argue that it is the representation of compass. Compass shows east, west, north and south directions. So, the design of this type of tattoos must have four points. This argument also leads to the eight pointed designs, since modern compass also points to another four directions like southwest, northeast, southeast and northwest totaling eight directions.

With five tips

Majority of people believes that nautical star tattoos must have five points or tips. This type of design is very popular. If you ask someone to draw a star then they will draw the five pointed star, since it is the first design we learned as a child. You can draw it without lifting your pencil. Five doted star is also known as pentagram. Pentagram represents powerful but often misconceived meaning.

With six tips

Many religious people claim that the true nautical star has six points. Their argument is based on the belief that the Star of David has six points. Pagan God Remphan is also symbolizes with six pointed designs.

With seven tips

There are many fairy tales that has drawings of stars with seven points. It is also believed to represent the childhood or innocence. Some thinks that nautical star tattoos with seven points are a symbol of whimsical mind.

With eight tips

Apart from the sailor's point of view, there is one religious point of view also. According to some, the eight pointed designs represent the cross of St. John. Some people see the Knight of Malta's emblem in this type of drawings. Knight of Malta was the most powerful religious organization of Middle East in olden days.

With more than eight tips

Abstract artists of today have created many nautical star tattoos with more than eight points. There are no specific meanings attached to it but individual and some groups attached their own meaning to it.

Reverse pentagon designs

Generally it is believed that the common pentagon has one point upwards. But if the design of pentagon is reversed making the upward point look downward then it is also believed that this type of reverse pentagon design represents witchcraft and Satanism. Some believes that tattooing the upside down pentagon in their body symbolizes their belief to rule over the spirits of others.

When deciding to ink any type of nautical star tattoos, it is advisable to see as much new sketches of nautical star tattoos as possible. It is worthwhile to become member of a good website that offers unique sketches of nautical star tattoos to their members only.

Star Tattoos

By Blake Allen

Star tattoos may include the single, solitary star, or can involve an elaborate display of either patriotic, celestial, or nautical designs.

The Different Types and Meanings of Star Tattoos

While some star tattoos are just that, tattoos of a common, ordinary star, there are many other types of specific designs that incorporate a certain type of star and are increasing in popularity.

The signs of the Zodiac are commonly tattooed along with stars or moons. Also, there are plenty of star tattoos that include elements such as crescent moons, shooting stars, planets, clouds, the heavens, and of course, the largest and greatest of all stars in our galaxy, the sun.

Star tattoos may also be used to signify numerology, and the number of points on the star is used to indicate different meanings.

The four pointed star was widely used by early Native American tribes in various forms of artwork, and the five pointed star, the most popular of the star designs, invokes different meanings to different people, which is why this particular star is further divided into three groups.

The five pointed star that is completely filled in, similar to those seen in celestial art or the US flag, is the most popular type of star tattoos and is usually accompanied by other celestial objects.

The five pointed star known as the pentacle, is said to symbolize the Wiccan religion and represent the five different elements; earth, air, fire, water, and spirit, although it is often mistakenly thought to be associated with Satan.

The reversed pentacle, on the other hand, has come to symbolize evil and darkness and will usually feature a goat when meant to symbolize Satanism.

The six pointed star, known as the Star of David, is also called the Star of Remphan, who was an ancient pagan god, and can be dated back to a few thousand years before the birth of Christ.

In the Middle Ages, the six pointed star became associated with the Jewish faith, but was also still found amongst the architectural stylings of many Christian churches.

The septagram, the seven pointed star, is a symbol of whimsy, magic, and childhood, or it can also signify the seven wonders of the world, the visible colors of the rainbow, or the seven notes on the musical scale.

Star Tattoos - Why Are They So Popular?

By Gustavo Gomez

The star tattoos is one of the most commonly requested types of custom design. A star is one of the classic tattoo designs, as it is all things to all people. Star tattoos are extremely popular for a number of reasons;

1) Star tattoos are a popular choice for first timers who are anxious about the whole process. They provide the perfect introduction to the world of tattoos, because they're small, flexible, less painful to get done and to heal, and are much easier to cover up.

2) Star tattoos are often small in size and therefore relatively inexpensive (a small star design stencil may cost $10 and the artist may charge $50-100).

3) As most star designs are made up of a number of stars and other celestial bodies, it's much easier and cheaper for a good tattoo artist to create a unique design. Your star tattoo can easily be tailored to express the individuality of your personality.

4) Many people make the mistake of basing their designs on their current interests (favorite TV shows, hobbies, jobs, people etc), but things change, and in the future they may live to regret these decisions. But stars are timeless. They've been around for millions of years and for most people will be just as relevant in the future as they are today.

5) Star tattoos can symbolise a wide range of beliefs and ideas. But in general they're seen as a symbol of positivity. They show that you're somebody who is fun and light hearted.

6) Stars designs are gender neutral and can be worn by either men or women without looking out of place.

7) As these designs are popular among women, the rapid growth in this market has boosted the demand for star tattoos.

8) And finally, due to their size, star tattoos extremely versatile with a massive range of styles, sizes, shapes and colors. A collection of stars and other celestial symbols can form their own design. But they can also be used to brighten up existing tattoos or cover up unwanted designs.

Star Tattoo Placement

The location of your star tattoos can also be used to enhance the character of your design. Depending upon the design, shoulders, ankles and around the navel are the most popular locations for star tattoos. Although the small of the back has emerged as the new sexual and sensual place for discreet star designs. But before you decide, it's important to take certain considerations into account.

First, if you want your tattoo to remain discreet (either for privacy or professional reasons), bear in mind the type of clothing that you normally wear. The location and size of your star design should allow it to be easily covered by your normal style of clothing.

Second, bear in mind the effects of aging on the body. As you get older, certain parts of your body stretch and sag. All tattoos, but star designs in particular, do not respond well to stretched skin and a loss of muscle tone due to their symmetrical nature.

So while it may seem like a good idea to place a star tattoo around a woman's navel, weight gain, pregnancy, loss of muscle tone etc can wreck havoc with the overall symmetry and look of the star design. Areas such as the shoulders or lower back suffer less from the effects of aging.

Nautical Star Tattoos The History, Meaning And Symbolism - What A Strange Mix!

By Chris Ryerson

The history, meaning and symbolism of nautical star tattoos is a hotly debated topic. Today many different groups have adopted the Nautical star tattoo as a symbol for their own movement and they have all ascribed their own meaning and history to the symbol. Thus has lead to a wide disagreement as the the meaning of the tattoo.Historically most everyone agrees that Sailors were the first people to get nautical star tattoos. In fact the very word nautical
relates back to sailing. So this connection has been pretty firmly established. Most people would agree the sailors were a pretty superstitious group historically and sailor lore abounds with superstitious and fantastical stories of life and death and being lost at sea. Early on sailors navigated by the stars at night and the north star became the symbol for finding ones way home. Once you know where the north star is you can point your ship in the right direction to get home. So the star became a symbol for finding ones way home or more symbolically even finding ones path in life. Therefore many sailors would tattoo nautical stars on their forearms as a good luck symbol in hopes of returning home. However their modern day meaning is a more debated topic.
Many believe that groups including gay and lesbians, punk rockers and those in the military have adopted the nautical star tattoos as a very important symbol. The diversity of these three groups has lead many to argue the meaning of their tattoos.

For the military the connection is pretty obviously point back to the early sailors and the symbolism and meaning is the same as the early sailors. Many military people get a nautical star tattoo as a symbol for finding ones path home safely. Of course this can also include more symbolically just finding ones way in life. Here is a quote we found from a member of the armed
services and his interpretation of the tattoo: "I am in the United States Army, an MP who searched towns and villages for Al Quida and insurgents. I was in Iraq for 1 year. I have a red and black nautical star on my wrist. The reason I got it was because when I was out there, I felt it was a guide to guide me home to my family safely. I got it so that it would remind me that I am going to make it to see my son grow up. I am not gay, it doesn't matter what you believe it represents, it means something different for everyone. Out in the desert, I would look up at the stars and think about home. So anyone can think what they want to, that is what it means to me. "Punk rockers have also adopted this as a popular symbol to have tattooed. The punk movement traces its history and use of the nautical star tattoo back to Sailor Jerry. Sailor Jerry is historically one one of the most famous tattoo artists ever. He was well known for his innovative and "cool" designs. Punks have taken this symbol and it has very much the same meaning of finding one way in life. Being the rugged individualists type Punks are drawing to the symbolism of true north and finding one own unique way in life. So the Nautical star has become a symbol for this. You see many punk bands that have full sleeve tattoos typically incorporate nautical star tattoos either on their elbows or elsewhere.The lesbian and gay connection is the one that does not seem so obvious at first. Historically back in the 1940's and 50's when alternative lifestyles were not the norm and often women had to hide their alternative choices they would sport a hidden nautical star. Often they would get the star tattoo done on the inside of their wrist where it could easily be hidden by a watch during the day but shown off in the evening when out on the town. Today many lesbians where the nautical star tattoos to show their connection with their early pioneering sisters. Here is a little evidence to support my points."Here's the passage (with some pieces dropped) from "Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold: The History of a Lesbian Community" by Elizabeth Lapovsky Kennedy and Madeilne D. Davis copyright 1993 p. 189.(talking about the 1940's and 1950's):"...During this same time period, the cultural push to be identified as lesbians- or at least different- all the time was so powerful that it generated a new form of identification among the tough bar lesbians: a star tattoo on the top of the wrist, which was usually covered by a watch. This was the first symbol of community identity that did not rely on butch-fem imagery. We can trace this phenomenon back to an evening of revelry in the late 1950's, when a few butches trooped over to "Dirty Dick's" tattoo parlor on Chippewa
Street and had the tiny blue five-pointed star put on their wrists. Later, some of the fems of this group also go the idea one night and did it...The community views the tattoo as a definite mark of identification..."the Buffalo police knew [that] the people that had the stars on their wrist were
lesbians and they had their names and so forth. That it was an identity thing with the gay community, with the lesbian community". The fact that the star tattoo was created by those
who were firmly into roles, in fact by the group that was considered the butchy butches and their fems, suggest that the force to assert lesbian identity was strong enough to break through the existing traditions of boldness based in butch-fem roles. The stars presage the methods of identity created by gay liberation. In fact, the mark has become something of a tradition in local circles and has seen a revival since the 1970s."This meaning of the symbol has of course created a lot of problems and arguments among the other two groups of bearers of nautical stars. Most puck and military people do not want to have a nautical star that points back to anything from
the lesbian movement so many will say that there is no connection there and this is false.

Here is a quote from another armed forces member about the symbolism of the nautical star among the gay community:"This "gay symbol" is a load of hooey that someone made up VERY recently. The nautical star tattoo has been around nearly as long as tattooing itself. The late Celts (or early Irish, depending on your view of World History) were said to have been the first to have the tattoos, although evidence of it being used on ships in Spain has been found pre-dating the Irish claim.

As a Marine, it's a very commonplace symbol amongst us if we have been part of a Boat Raid company, red for port, green for starboard on varying parts of the body. On ship, I saw about a million different variations on the Sailors I was was serving with, obviously harking back to the sailor roots."Here is a quote from a punk rocker and his feelings about the symbolism of the tattoo:"what idiots..even the military boys dont know what it really means....JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW!!!!!it was used by OLD sailors.. and the symbol represents North on a Map ...and it is the North Star the sailors would use it as a baring to get home....you can find it on Really really old maps and old navy vessels... Punk Rock.. well we use it because we can and because Sailor Jerry made the coolest tattoos who started putting them on everyone.. my grandfather even had one thus being used as a traditional icon"It just goes to show that when the same powerful symbol is
used over and over again over decades of time it can taken on very different meanings for different groups. So all of those that you see sporting a nautical star tattoo might not all have the same interpretation of its symbolism.So do you have a nautical star tattoo or think about getting one in the future? Which meaning of the symbol will you get the nautical star for? As long as you know what the symbolism behind the star is for and you have gotten it for the right reason to either support the lesbian movement or as a symbol to finding your way!

What Makes Star Tattoos So Popular? Everything from Shooting Star Tattoos, to Nautical Star Tattoos

by Chris Ryerson

Star tattoos seem to be a pretty old and yet a very popular design. It is one of the most requested custom designs. Why are they so popular and are they over rated? You know there is this on going controversy between the "tattoo traditionalists" and the new generation of "tattooers". I put those in quotes because they are terms that I made up for this article.

A "tattoo traditionalists" like the old school tattoos. Things that are done in black ink and nothing that would be considered popular. They feel that each tattoo should be unique and say something about the individual. They are strongly against anyone that gets a tattoo because it is a popular design. For example they are against star tattoos because of their popularity. They would most likely be against the good old tribal arm band tattoo or a barbed wire arm band etc. You know the tattoo designs that are so popular and done over and over again. The "tattoo traditionalists just hate these.

The new generation of "tattooers" are pretty much the opposite. They like what is cool and hip and want to get tattoos done that are popular and in style. They will often look at celebrity tattoos or the tattoos of friends to get their ideas from which they might do some customizing and etc. Their designs typically feature a lot of color and are bright!
I have written more about these groups in other articles so for now I will stick to the topic at hand of star tattoos. You see there is a phenomenal growth in star tattoos designs. Tons of people want to get everything from simple star tattoos, groupings of moon and star tattoos, nautical stars, and even shooting stars. Star tattoo designs are pretty much everywhere.

So why are they so popular?

1. Star tattoo designs and celestial tattoos are especially popular themes among women and this is a rapidly growing market.

2. Star tattoos can be very gender neutral. Men and women can get star tattoos done.

3. Star tattoos are often inexpensive to get designs of and cost very little to get done.

4. Star tattoos often make a great first tattoo design for someone who is a little worried about getting started in tattoos. They are small and easily covered up and also less painful to get because of their size and therefore popular among first timers.

5. Star tattoos because of their size can fit into or among other existing designs or can make great cover up of a bad tattoo.

6. Stars are pretty universal symbols of good things. Most all religions have some type of star symbolism and star and stars don't make a strong statement about the world but just kind of thought of as fun and light hearted.

So who is right? Are star tattoos a great design to get done like the new generation of tattooers is doing or should you avoid them at all costs because they are not unique and they are overdone like the traditionalists would say?

Well, like all great questions in life and in the world of tattoo design the decision really is your to make. It will be your tattoo and one that you will live with for a long time. I think the best middle ground between the two groups is to just get something you like. If you like star tattoos for their own sake if they are popular or not then go ahead and get one and who cares. However if you are just getting a star tattoo because your friend just did or because the latest pop diva got one then it might be better to wait. Either way the choice is your to be made.