Tattoos with a vintage theme or symbolism belong to the old school.Old School Tattoos showcase a slice of history, telling us about the designs and styles that were common in older times. You often find nautical themes in these tattoos, as sailors were one of the earliest groups to take up tattoo art, years ago in America and Europe. Ships and anchors are a popular theme in old nautical theme tattoos. A ship inked on the side of the body, creates an interesting vertical design tattoo.
Text often adds to the impact of an old style tattoo. For example, a giant ship sprawled over the back is framed by the text, ‘Journey’, creating a meaningful tattoo design. A flying swallow tattoo with the text, ‘Live Your Life’, celebrates the theme of freedom. Background patterns with swirls and stars, give a rich look to an anchor foot tattoo on the foot. Old tattoo designs often draw on traditional symbolic meanings for inspiration. A swallow is an age-old symbol of fortune. You often see curvy swallow tattoos, inked in colorful or monochromatic patterns. A pair of symmetrical bird tattoos below the collar bones is a popular romantic tattoo idea. Here are some tattoo pictures.
If you liked our selection, perhaps these other posts will interest you too, Tribal Lion Tattoos, Cross With Wings Tattoo, Fire Tattoos and Monkey Tattoos.
Happy Journey Old School
A giant ship spreads across the back. The word ‘Journey’ with two roses, frames the ship.
Devil Decorations Old School
Solid colored inkwork decorates the upper chest and arms. A red devil looks on from the upper arm tattoo design.
Flying Swallow Design Old School
A colorful swallow spreads its wings. The hand tattoo with fine borders looks neat.
Flying Swallow Design Old School
Skull Dressy Old School
A skull sits on the side of her neck. A large red rose frames the skull. A necklace of pearls sits at the base of the design.
Old School Swallows Symmetry
The swallows look elegant, framing the collar bones. A colorful symmetrical tattoos idea.
Old School Birds Monochrome
The curves give the bird tattoos a stylized look. The birds are softly shaded in monochrome.
Against Violence Arm Tattoo
The shading in monochrome, gives a realistic look to the pistol. An old fashioned anti-violence tattoo.
Vintage Camera Celebration
The camera is lightly curved, giving it an artistic look. Leafy patterns frame the vintage camera.
Wanderlust Old School
A colorful swallow flies on the foot. A curvy text banner saying ‘Wanderlust’, frames the design.
Deep Hued Bird Old School
The deep shading gives a rich look to the swallow tattoo. Swirly clouds and stems with flowers, pattern the backdrop.
Curvy Bird Old School
The curve adds an artistic feel to the dark shaded swallow. The vertical design tattoo looks elegant.
Finger Stickers Old School
The fingers show off cool stick-on tattoos with skulls, stars and other symbols. Colorful and arty.
American Eagle Old School
The straight-edged wings give a powerful look to the American eagle. A flower frames one side of the back tattoo.
Swallow Colorful Old School
The combination of blue and red looks cute. Highlights add an arty touch to the swallow tattoo.
Nautical Theme Old School
Three large roses sit on the anchor, in this nautical theme tattoo. The sun rises behind the anchor.
Lovebirds Old School
A pair of lovebirds flies among flowers. The design with vintage color tones looks pretty on the back.
Old School Swallow With Key
A curvy bird flies with a key in its mouth, in this leg tattoo. The red, orange, and black combination is striking.
Old School Two Birds
The fat little birds with curvy bodies look colorful, in this chest tattoos design. Each bird holds a text banner in its mouth.
Old School Bird Dancing
The flowy curves make the lines dance, in this bird tattoo. The blue and pink hues make a sweet contrast.
Old School Roses N Skulls Tattoos
A red rose on one foot, contrasts with a blue rose on the other foot. Skulls sit at the center of the roses.
Old School Roses N Skulls Tattoos
Old School Foot Anchor Tattoo
A colorful anchor sits on the foot. Tiny stars form the backdrop of the design.
Old School Sailing Ship
A golden ship with an eye in front, is inked on one side of the body. Fiery waves lap around the ship.
Victory Eagle Old School
An eagle flies above the globe with a long text banner surrounding the design. The flowy inkwork looks stylish.
Live The Old School Life
The blue and gold hued swallow flies with a text banner in its mouth. The words read, ‘Live Your life’.
Old School Swallow For Fortune
A swallow is cradled within a horseshoe, framed by roses and dices. The deep red and black combination is rich.
Old School Swallow For Fortune
Old Ship Blue Balloon
The tall ship with a blue balloon on one side looks stylish. Text banners frame the ship on either side.
