10 Nautical Tattoos And Their Meanings

Cape Horn is the most southerly point of South America and prior to the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, was the only real path to take when circumnavigating the globe.

A journey that involved rounding Cape Horn was for sure a feat that meant a lot in any Mariner's life and career. Running through heavy seas and looping around the most Southerly point of a continent, where the waves are notoriously rough and the weather unbelievably brutal was indeed noteworthy.

Historically, a sailing ship with full rigging and (optionally) the phrase "Homeward Bound" were tattooed on a sailor that had completed this task. Being as far away from home as you are ever likely to get is worthy of a painful reminder and one of the largest offerings on this list.

Due to its size and detail, this tattoo needed a large canvas and while the rib cage is popular but agonising, there were other large spaces that became preferred. Backs of legs, backs and full chest pieces are other places you might see this sported. Whatever way it was done, a big feat necessitated a large piece of ink.