The modern re-inventing of an old tattoo, the red nautical star has a history of at least one hundred years. The North Star and the Southern Cross were the two sparkling dots on the sky that showed sailors their way on the sea at night; as long as one of these two was visible, the ship was on the right course. Sailors would therefore tattoo nautical stars on their arms most of the times out of superstition, and to increase chances to get home safe. Compass stars were also popular for the very same reason of staying on the right course at all times. The red nautical star is a modern recreation of this old belief or tradition.

Just like sailors, soldiers wear the read nautical star too, with the same idea of getting home well in mind. The symbol of guidance and good fortune, this star is trusted to show one the right direction in life, influencing the person who wears it to make the good decisions. The upward direction of the nautical red star indicates a higher outlook on life, but personal choice makes the distinction. There are other colors for the tattoo even if black and red represent the classic; green and black, blue and black are very often used too. Without the black color included in the design, the red nautical star symbolizes just the energy of the life force.

People choose to attach all sorts of meanings to the red nautical star tattoo and often they also add a distinctive element that sets the design apart from the classical variant. A person wearing a red nautical star in a visible place on the body may be willing to explain the meaning he or she gives to the tattoo. Thus, there are people who express their solidarity with those who donate their organs, others imagine the tattoos as homage paid to a moment or person with a special significance in their lives, while others will choose the red nautical star because it suggests optimism and vitality.

You can get a red nautical star tattooed in any salon, but you need to be careful about the choice so that all the hygiene conditions are met properly. The size of the red nautical star depends on where you want to wear it. The arms, the legs and the back allow for a larger nautical star, but many people, especially women would rather go for some little discreet tattoo that emphasizes femininity and makes a point at the same time.