Almost a quarter of Canadians have a tattoo, and traditional designs are a common sight across the country. Tattoos are no longer considered a sign of rebellion; instead they are a way of expressing ourselves and our spiritual beliefs through personal art. We use them to celebrate our feelings about life, love and the strange world that we live in. Traditional tattoos are more than visual representations of swallows and anchors: these striking images have an incredible symbolism. If you'are planning to get a tattoo, you can choose a traditional design that really means something on a spiritual level. 

The Swallow

Swallows are always associated with sailors. Traditionally, each swallow was awarded to a sailor who had sailed 5,000 nautical miles. These incredible little birds actually fly from South Africa to the United Kingdom every year to spend the summer - a journey of 6,000 miles. If you're thinking about getting a tattoo, or choosing a design with meaning, then incorporating a swallow is extremely symbolic of your own personal and spiritual journey. It doesn’t have to mean that you’ve physically travelled a long way. It can be about overcoming a difficulty in your life, or working hard to achieve something that you've always wanted. A traditional swallow tattoo can be about the journey that you have made to get to where you finally are. 

The Nautical Star

Traditionally, a star tattoo was a reminder to a sailor to keep on course. They are also used for navigation - to guide a sailor back home. Think about your nautical star tattoo as being part of your own personal constellation - a light that will guide you, even in the darkest night. When you are troubled, or being challenged, a star is representative of everything that is important to you and everything that grounds you. A nautical star is a reminder of why you should keep moving forward with your plans towards a singular goal, and stars are always present in the sky, even when we can’t see them. 

The Bald Eagle

The bald eagle is an extremely symbolic bird. It symbolises pride, freedom and a strong nation. In terms of tattooing, the eagle represents prowess and power, and it is also a symbol of intelligence and ingenuity. The bald eagle means that you will stand by your convictions and have pride in your beliefs. Eagles are fierce, strong hunters that soar above all the other birds in the sky. Traditionally, they are always drawn from the back, showing the beautiful symmetry of the enormous wingspan. The feathers on their own are fragile and small, but altogether are enough to lift the eagle into flight. This shows the importance of standing together as a nation to fight for what you believe in. 

If you're thinking of getting a tattoo, then traditional designs are incredibly symbolic. They represent freedom, strength, hope and the personal journey that we all have to make.