By Chris Ryerson
There is a long tradition in the art of tattooing for good luck. Many of the most popular tattoos that people get are symbols of good luck. This dates back to the tattooing tradition of sailors. They often lived a life of uncertainty at sea and need all of the good luck possible to come back home alive. Thus sailor often got tattoos like a sparrow for good luck and safe return.In recent years the art of tattooing has gone through somewhat of a rebirth or a neo classical period of sorts and some of the older tattoo designs are being brought back to life with new bright and vibrant colors. For example the sacred heart or sparrow tattoo are two classical images that have resurfaced into circulation and design themes. The difference is the new versions have lots of bright and vibrant colors. They offer a kind of retro look and a nod of appreciation back to the history of tattoos. Thus makes them fairly popular. Along with the resurgence of older or classic tattoo designs has come a strong resurgence of good luck symbols. Again they were once worn by sailors but now a good luck tattoo can be appreciated by many different types of people.
Below is a list of some of the more popular good luck tattoo designs
Sparrow Tattoo
Often used by sailors as a symbol of good luck because the bird would be spotted near land. Thus meant the sailors were returning safely home to family.
Nautical Star Tattoo
The exact meaning of the nautical star is somewhat shrouded in history and lore but most have come to interpret is a symbol of the northern star or Polaris which sailors would use to navigate by. So a Nautical star is kind of the guiding light through life and often thought to bring good luck.
Three 7's
Historical in western culture the 7 has become symbolic for good luck and of course three is also a symbol for good fortune thus three 7 is about the luckiest symbol one can have. Most people would agree that the significance of these numbers come from Christianity. Of course the three is symbolic of the holy trinity.
Horseshoe
The tradition of the horseshoe has been said to date all the way back to roman times when people would hand them from their front door. Some would hang them right side up to catch all the good luck while others would point them downwards so the bad spirits would bounce off and not enter the house.
Good Luck Amulets
Good luck amulets are another popular good luck tattoo. These can range fro religious amulets or medallions to a luck rabbit's foot amulet. The idea is that by getting these tattoo the symbol is close to you at all times and you will always have the good luck from it.
Shamrock Tattoo
Of course this harkens back to the Irish and we see them all over the place on St. Patrick's Day but the shamrock or four leaf clovers is another very popular design.
The Number 13
It is said that the tradition of the number thirteen dates back to the Aztec culture who believed that this number held significant importance because of their calendar system.
One of the most interesting things is that many of the symbols of good luck are often paired with symbols for bad luck. This is typically done to show both sides of good old lady luck or the roman idea of luck as a spinning wheel that has two sides. So often good and bad luck symbols will be tattooed together to show both sides of the equation. Without the bad luck there can be no good luck. It is very similar to the eastern concept of Yin and Yan.
