A full rigged ship or fully rigged ship is a sailing vessel with three or more masts, all of them square rigged. A full rigged ship is said to have a ship rig.
A tattoo of a full-rigged sailing ship, with the words, "Homeward Bound" is one of the most recognizable of all maritime and nautical tattoos.
There is perhaps no tattoo design more associated with sailors and seamen that the tattoo of a full-rigged sailing ship under full sail, it's bow splitting the waves, clouds and seabirds in the background. Most of the sailing ships depicted in these tattoos were Clipper Ships. These tattoos were often very large and took place of pride on a sailor's back or chest, with smaller versions on upper arms and shoulders.
When a full-rigged sailing ship was done as a chest or back piece it was frequently framed in rope and underneath the ship was a scroll with the words, "Homeward Bound", although occasionally the words were tattooed at the top of the design. This tattoo was done in part out of pride for a way of life, but also as an amulet to ensure that a sailor would return home safely.
Below you will find a gallery of inspirational images that will help you in your quest of creating the perfect Nautical tattoo.
Also Check out: Nautical Tattoo Index, Nautical Tattoo Designs,
