Sailors and their tattoos are deeply connected in our minds. But what do those tattoos mean? Why do sailors have so many? How has the culture changed over time? Though there has been minimal academic study, the historical data correlates with current culture and folklore. Life at sea has always been hard, and the people at sea form special bonds through tradition and ritual. Tattoos are part of these bonds and show shared experiences, places traveled, religious beliefs, identity and even sociopolitical ideals.