In the olden days, sailors relied on stars to steer and find their way home safely. Nautical stars were used as direction-finder to guide and protect the sailors in the wide open seas at night to prevent deviating from set destination. The Plough constellation is the best signpost to use in the Northern hemisphere, whereas The Southern Cross is the navigating star in the south. Sailors in the bygone centuries are believed to be the early group who ink nautical star tattoos on their body.
There has been much controversial debate over the real meaning of nautical star tattoos. The tattoos were worn by many groups over the decades to embody different symbolical meanings. In the past while lesbian community was not openly visible, nautical star was adopted as a sign for lesbians to identify other partners. Usually they wore nautical stars on their wrists. This symbol was also used by the soldiers, the gays and the punk rockers as well over the years.
Nautical star tattoos look superb to be worn on the lower stomach, lower back, feet, armbands and shoulders. Other popular star artworks you can also consider are the shooting star tattoos, tribal star tattoos, star and moon tattoos, the Star of David and pentagram tattoos.