For centuries, tattooing among sailors mostly happened during downtime at sea, applied by hand with needles and tattoo ink made with simple pigments such as soot and gunpowder.
The earliest inks used were made of charcoal, ash, and varying materials that could be found in nature. As time passed the complexities intensified the recipes and methodology used in the invention of tattoo inks.
Greeks and the Roman Empire
The Roman scholar and physician Aetius was among the first to record his ink recipe in his journals. His recipe called for the use of Egyptian pine bark, corroded bronze mixed with vinegar, gall nut (a type of insect larvae) and vitriol.
Realistically it is unknown if pirates had tattoos or not. They were criminals who frequently visited places such as Africa and the Polynesian Islands, both of which had rich body modification taking place at this time, which makes it plausible.
Over eighty percent are carbon-based while roughly sixty percent are azo pigments. Some tattoo ink may be produced using animal products. Certain ink varieties may include bone char, hoof gelatin, beetle shellac, or animal fat glycerin. Others may contain beeswax, cod liver oil, or lanolin.
What did Vikings use for tattoo ink? The origins of tattooing are still largely a mystery, but Vikings likely used wood ash to dye their skin dark blue.
Rather than ink, these needles would have been dipped in charcoal soot or indigo powder, both of which act as natural antiseptics. As such, the dark pigment used in the designs was limited to black, green and blue colours. The needle would have been repeatedly pricked into the skin to create a permanent design.
According to the Inside the Brethren Court feature in the DVD/Blu-ray release for Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, the "Desiderata" was tattooed on Jack Sparrow's arms, chest, and back. However, in the film itself, the tattoo was more visible on Jack's arms and back, and through his hallucinations.
A swallow –
Each swallow represents 5,000 nautical miles in a sailor's career. The circumference of the earth is 21,639 nautical miles – about 4.16 swallows. A swallow with a dagger would be used as a memorial of a lost comrade at sea.
At sea, the anchor is the most secure object in a sailor's life, making it the perfect representation of stability. This is why you'll often see anchor tattoos emblazoned with "Mom" or the name of a sailor's sweetheart (the people who keep them grounded).
It is likely, however, that the tattoos were probably dark blue, a color that comes from using wood ash to dye the skin. While Ibn Fadlan describes the tattoos as trees, he could have see the Vikings trademark gripping beast or other knotwork patterns of which the Vikings were fond.
Hand poking is the oldest technique of tattooing. Similar to stick and poke, a single needle is used to pierce ink into the skin dot by dot. It is a slow method which is typically minimal in pain. Artists who preform hand poke tattoos are preserving traditions of tattooing.
Tattoos have been documented since ancient China, first in the Western Zhou Dynasty. They reached an apex of historical development during the Tang dynasty, but became increasingly rejected by mainstream society throughout the subsequent Song dynasty.
The earliest artifacts of Chinese inks can be dated back to 12th century BC, with charred materials, plant dyes, and animal-based inks being occasionally used, mineral inks being most common. Mineral inks based on materials such as graphite were ground with water and applied with brushes.
The earliest ink, from around 2500 BCE, was black carbon ink. This was a suspension of carbon, water and gum. Later, from around 3rd century CE, brown iron-gall ink was used.
Celts created their tattoo ink by harvesting and drying the leaves of the native Woad plant, which they boiled, strained, then boiled again to create a blue paste-like dye. To apply the tattoo, they would tap the Woad paste into their skin with needle-like implements that forced the blue stain under the skin.
Only a sailor who had sailed 5,000 nautical miles was allowed to get a tattoo of a swallow. And why the swallow in particular? Strongly associated as a symbol of return, the swallow is able to cover great distances and still get back home. Because of this, the tattoo was also used for good luck and protection.
This tattoo is also a symbol that a Sailor has served in Hawaii. Mermaids: Mermaids are a reminder of how dangerous and exciting the sea is, as mermaids were said to seduce Sailors into the sea towards their death. It's usually the sign of a humble Sailor who never forgets the dangers of the sea.
While sparrows are plump, have shorter wings and feathers, and are grayish brown, the swallow birds are blue, with forked tails and pointed, curved wings. Sparrow tattoos carry traditional religious connotations and are not very common. On the other hand, the swallow tattoo designs are pretty popular among sailors.
“The “Z” or the zig zag is a common Native American symbol and motif. The straight horizontal line in Native American glphys represents movement upon Mother Earth and closing connections with Father Sky. Damien Echols got the same tattoo in celebration of Johnny's adoption.
Angelica. Despite all the aforementioned characters being Jack's old flames, Angelica is the only one that particularly received the status of a true love interest.
“Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate.”
Jack's deepest and most profound quote. Words to live by. What's your favorite Jack Sparrow quote? Stream Pirates of the Caribbean on Disney+ to find your favorite.
Sumi (墨) is Japanese for black ink.
Nara sumi is made by collecting the soot from burning pure vegetable oil—usually sesame or pauwlonia—and combining this with a glue derived from vegetable starch. This is shaped into sticks and dried.
The oldest discovery of tattooed human skin to date is found on the body of Ötzi the Iceman, dating to between 3370 and 3100 BC.
Along the Pacific Coast of Northwest America, the practice of tattooing among indigenous people was done by a method called 'skin stitching'. It basically involves soaking a thread in ink, and then stitching it through the skin on a needle.