The Windrose tattoo has existed for a long time, it symbolizes a special meaning in the criminal world and has a long history of occurrence. The “Wind Rose” tattoo was originally used by sailors, because at sea they had one star guide, and their assistant and companion was the sea wind. That is why the wind rose tattoo took first place in their popularity. This six-pointed star reminded the sailor of the goal he was striving for, and was an indicator of all four cardinal points and his home.
And in fact, before the advent of the compass, ancient sailors could only hope for the stars at sea and trusted them with their fate. The sailors, being highly superstitious, believed that such a tattoo could show them the right path in the seas and oceans and help them survive in a difficult situation, as well as shape their destiny in the worldly cruel and no less stormy sea. Later, such a tattoo began to be considered an emblem of high promotion or a high award, a sign of distinction and valor. The wind rose tattoo was often found among pirates.
All people who seek to gain freedom, both external and internal, these usually include not only sailors, but also ordinary travelers, can wear a wind rose tattoo. Also, such a tattoo may be characteristic of people with broad interests and views. 
But, in addition to all the above transcripts, in the last century, the wind rose tattoo has another interpretation. This interpretation is connected with the criminal world. All prisoners who have such a tattoo on any part of the body (knees, shoulders) have some kind of belonging to some kind of "criminal diaspora". If the wind rose is depicted on her knees, this can only mean one thing - “I will not kneel!” if the wind rose is located on the shoulders, then it is safe to say that this person had authority in the zone, he lives according to his principles and principles.
In general, the meaning of the wind rose tattoo is multifaceted and is very fickle. Today, the original meaning of this tattoo, as a symbol of people who love to travel, has already been lost. And young people and teenagers often depict it on their bodies, without putting much meaning into the tattoo, it's just a cool drawing and that's it. Young people do not think about the symbolism of this image, which has been going on since ancient times, they are only interested in visual beauty.
The word "rose" in the name of the tattoo is a symbol of perfection and striving for indestructible and beautiful.
Today, the body of almost every young person is decorated with tattoos, but not everyone knows how this or that underwear pattern appeared and what it means. Some of them are allowed to be worn only by the so-called "thieves' stars". A person who does not have a certain status does not have the right to wear such tattoos according to prison laws.
Origin story
On the body of some prisoners, you can see a tattoo depicting the so-called Wind Rose, which previously protected sailors from trouble during their travels. For navigators, for a long time, the starry sky served as the only reference point. A tattoo in the form of a star, according to many, helped them return from long sea voyages absolutely unharmed. This pattern also adorned the bodies of pirates who demonstrated their aggression and cruelty.
A tattoo in the form of a star could also be seen on some warriors. If during the battle a warrior demonstrated special courage, it served as his hallmark.
So the Wind Rose acquired a new meaning, becoming a symbol of the life path and simply the meaning of life. It is precisely this meaning that it has for those serving sentences in prison. A prisoner's priorities can be determined by his "thieves' stars".
Various types of tattoos
Wearable designs in the form of stars consist of two identical symmetrical figures, usually located on the knees, shoulders and under the collarbone. They belong to those few types of underwear that do not contain any inscriptions. Words are not needed, because knowledgeable people immediately understand their meaning. In the center of the star, you can often see images of animals and any objects, various symbols and portraits of famous people.
A star with eight rays, divided into white and black halves, calls for "crushing activists." The colors themselves also have a meaning: corporal symbolizes the human principle, and dark - thieves. Such a contrast suggests that this person lives according to human and thieves' laws both in the zone and in freedom. If a cat is depicted inside the star, most likely the prisoner is a pickpocket. The wolf is an illustration of the phrase "man is wolf to man".
What kind of tattoos and who is allowed to wear
To have this or that tattoo on the body, it must be earned. This is stated by the rules established in the zone in the middle of the last century. The wind rose, which is also called the "thieves' star", can only decorate the shoulders of a thief in law. Stars, pricked under the collarbones, testify that the prisoner is a "denier" (not recognizing the routines established in the zone). If the stars are pinned on their knees, the person has never humiliated himself before any of the representatives of the law or those serving time.
The danger of some tattoos
The tattoos described above should not be worn by those who have nothing to do with the criminal world. Even if you understand the meaning of the pinned stars, and are willing to demonstrate your unwillingness to bow down to anyone, problems will not take long. Cellmates will demand to prove the right to wear tattoos not by word but by deed. It is customary in the zone to be responsible for actions and words. Therefore, it is hardly necessary to explain what threatens the "thieves' stars" pinned on the shoulders to a simple prisoner.
The wind rose tattoo is one of the oldest symbols used by sailors to decorate their bodies. To this day, its image has remained unchanged - it is a stylized North Star with rays of the same length, indicating the cardinal points. Four long rays indicate north, south, west and east, and four short rays indicate intermediate points. The number of rays can be different - from four to sixteen.
A sketch of a wind rose tattoo may contain other elements: a rose, a skull, a map, a feather, and so on. Depends on your idea and vision of the master. The tattoo looks equally good both in black and white and in color.
The image served as a talisman for superstitious sailors - they believed that the compass star would lead them home, would not let them go astray and die. Indeed, in ancient times, the sea route was often laid without a map, focusing on the stars, and a fair wind always helped sailors.
The meaning of the wind rose tattoo is the desire for a goal, a guide to the cardinal points, the direction to your home. Later, this image became a sign of the highest valor, belonging to the bravest warriors. This tattoo was also used by pirates.
The wind rose sign is also suitable for those who do not swim in the sea, but simply love travel very much, strive to brighten up the routine and rush away. For them, such a tattoo represents freedom. Sometimes this tattoo means finding your way.
This image also has another meaning associated with prison symbols. It is worn by thieves, representatives of the highest rank among those arrested. Prisoners wear paired tattoos with the image of an eight-pointed wind rose on their knees, under their collarbones and on their shoulders. It means rebellion, denial of the prison regime. The stars on the shoulders are the sign of a thief in law.
A wind rose tattooed on the knees indicates that its owner will not kneel before the law. Tattoos under the collarbones belong to those prisoners who are against prison orders.
The image of the wind rose is very common: for example, it is a symbol of the Russian Emergencies Ministry and the Special Forces of South Africa. A rose with four rays adorns the NATO flag, symbolizing the desire of this organization to strengthen its influence on all continents. A rose with 16 rays is the symbol of the CIA.
Wind rose tattoo, as a rule, is chosen by men, pricking it on the shoulder or ankle. The image is often one-color.
Romantic women can also choose this sign, sometimes a real scarlet rose is applied in the center instead of vector rays. This tattoo is beautiful in color.
Wind rose tattoo video
And below are photos of tattoos depicting a wind rose from different masters.
The meaning of the wind rose tattoo in the criminal world, among sailors and in modern culture is completely different. It can be both positive and negative. The symbolism of the element primarily depends on its location on the body, as well as on the shades used in the tattoo and even additional elements.
History of the tattoo
Initially, the compass tattoo (wind rose) was stuffed by sailors. The fact is that in ancient times, only the stars were the reference points for ship workers, and the sea winds were the main companions and satellites. There were no other opportunities to correctly evaluate your path and change direction. Because of this, what the wind rose tattoo means was extremely important to sailors. For them, it was the only possible helper and even, in a sense, a guardian angel.
Later, such an image was stuffed not only by peaceful sailors, but also by pirates. Over time, the tattoo became popular among the jailers, for them it carried a special meaning and helped to identify a member of the highest caste.
In our time, the designation of the wind rose in tattoo culture has remained the same. Most often, it is depicted as a stylized North Star with rays of equal length. It is also important that there are four corners of the world. Sometimes intermediate rhumbs are also depicted in the tattoo - four short rays. The total number of rays can vary from four to sixteen.
Wind rose tattoo meaning
The wind rose is a special symbol associated not only with the four parts of the world, but also with the same number of elements, seasons, human temperaments. It means a variety of some manifestations, and also indicates the importance of the center, cross and circle, that is, it symbolizes the "golden mean".
By its meaning, the drawing is suitable for all travelers and lovers of freedom, independence from circumstances and people around. For those who want to brighten up boring everyday life and change their lives, a tattoo can be a reminder that everything is in our hands. In this case, the wind rose symbolizes freedom, and in some cases also the search for one's destiny, life path.
Often a tattoo is stuffed and as a sign of the right choice already made as a symbol of success in business, getting rid of risk or the successful resolution of important tasks. Sometimes it can also mean a return home or a desire to stay in their native places under any circumstances.
In some sources, the interpretation of a tattoo with a compass may be somewhat different. It is believed that it is also a symbol of determination and a sign for strong, self-confident individuals. In some cases, the wind rose is also a symbol of good luck, endless luck and eternal prosperity. People with such a pattern easily cope with life's troubles and calmly survive the blows of fate.
Sometimes the wind rose is a special amulet for the owner of the tattoo, which helps to go and achieve their goal and not go astray, exchanging little things. In some cases, the sign also symbolizes courage, honor and valor.
The interpretation of the phrase “wind rose” itself is also interesting, which, perhaps, influenced the meaning of the wind rose tattoo in the zone. The fact is that the word "rose" means purity, perfection, indicates an ideal person, and "wind" indicates the direction of movement. In any case, the image is great for a person with deep knowledge in a wide variety of fields, travelers, lovers of extreme adventures and changes in life, those who like to defy fate.
What does a wind rose tattoo mean for sailors?
For the sailor, the image of the wind rose on the body was a reminder that he must first reach the goal and return home. In some way, the image served as a sign of native places, in which side of the world they would not be. The sailors were quite superstitious and believed that the wind rose tattoo means not just a symbol of the cardinal points, but
also a kind of guide that will help you survive the difficult journey and come to the port. Later, among sailors, such a tattoo was considered a sign of the best reward or encouragement from the captain; it was stuffed only with distinguished and valiant employees.
After some time, not only respectable sailors, but also pirates began to fill the drawing. The symbolism of the sign they have is somewhat similar to the meaning of the wind rose tattoo among the prisoners. At pirates, the compass was filled with exclusively aggressive, fearless, adamant and firm in their decisions to men, and in prison this tattoo indicated a thief in law, an extremely respected person. However, the symbolism of the wind rose among the prisoners should be considered in more detail.
Prison tattoo meaning
In the twentieth century, tattoos became common not only among sailors, but also in places not so remote. Prison laws forbade tattoo designs that would not correspond to the position of the owner of the tattoo or somehow embellished his status. Those who wanted to rise in the eyes of the jailers with the help of “not true” tattoos most often found themselves only severely punished.
The criminal meaning of the wind rose tattoo is somewhat similar to that of the pirates. If among unscrupulous seafarers a tattoo meant an evil and aggressive man, then among convicts it symbolizes a person’s belonging to “thieves”, most often indicates a thief in law. Also, a tattoo can indicate a rebel, a jailer who denies the accepted regime.
With a different location of the image, the value of the wind rose tattoo on the zone will be different. Some tattoos indicate a person who will not kneel before the warders or even the law itself, generally denies the right and condemns the legal system.
Placement of the wind rose on the body
Sailors most often stuffed themselves with such a tattoo on their shoulder, as well as other drawings. A sketch with a modern interpretation can be stuffed on the forearm, placement in the wrist area is especially popular. Less commonly, tattoos are stuffed on the ribs, chest, or in combination with other symbols on the calf.
The correct location of the pattern for Zekov's tattoos is especially important. So, a prison wind rose tattoo can be pricked either under the collarbones or on the shoulders, or on the knees. In the first case, the tattoo indicates a "thieves" person. If the tattoo is placed on your knees, then the tattoo says "I will not kneel!".
Tattoo colors
Photos of the wind rose tattoo clearly show that most often this pattern is stuffed in black or gray, this is especially true for marine or prison tattoos. Modern images are sometimes decorated with other shades, although this option is not common. The most successful colors can be considered marine tones: blue, blue, green or purple.
Differences in the meaning of the wind rose tattoo for a girl and a guy
Since in ancient times there were no female sailors (and even now you won’t meet them), then the drawing with the compass was not found among the girls, like other drawings on the body. As for prison tattoos, images with a romantic meaning were more common among women, so the meaning of the wind rose tattoo among female jailers was not preserved.
If we talk about sketches with a modern interpretation, here the symbolism of the tattoo is preserved for both sexes. Regardless of who owns the drawing, it symbolizes determination, independence, a life path, acts as a talisman or points to a traveler in life or in the soul. In general, the compass tattoo is considered predominantly masculine, although it can also be found on women's bodies.
Style decision
To date, the most successful style for a wind rose tattoo is old school. It originated in the 19th century, and it was among sailors. Until our time, the style has undergone many changes, not only in appearance, but also in the process of stuffing, however, it has remained the best option for those tattoo lovers who want to see a real sailor tattoo on their body.
One of the other popular styles used for this pattern is minimalism. The peculiarity of this technique is the use of exclusively black paint and the maximum simplification of the symbol, turning it into a small and understandable graphic drawing. Occasionally, minimalism is also complemented by elements of graphics, dotwork, watercolor, realism and other styles.
Additional elements for a tattoo
In the case when the sketch is made in the old school technique, it is often supplemented with other drawings characteristic of this technique. These include a swallow, a rose, an anchor, a map, skulls, and others. If the tattoo means a desire to find your place in life, it is better to supplement it with an anchor, and in the case when the owner of the tattoo is a traveler, the combination of a wind rose with a map will look interesting. A wind rose tattoo for girls can be decorated with stars, flowers or a beautiful ornament. However, the final choice primarily depends on the imagination of the master and your vision of your sketch.
Wind rose sign in modern times
Occasionally, the wind rose can carry a completely different meaning. In general, this symbol is quite common, it is a sign of the Russian Emergencies Ministry and the CIA, adorns the NATO flag and is found in a number of other countries. Sometimes a tattoo with a wind rose can be stuffed by people who are in any way connected with these services, although this option, of course, is less common than the above. Sometimes the drawing on the body does not carry any meaning at all, but is simply an adornment of the body.
The symbol "Wind Rose" is also called the "Room Rose" and "Sea Rose", it began to be used in cartography around the 14th century, although it appeared on medieval maps a little earlier. The origin of the original sign "Wind Rose" is unknown, it was definitely not known in antiquity and the Early Middle Ages.
The meaning of the "Wind Rose" in cartography stems from the graphic representation of the symbol. The traditional "rose" can have four, eight and sixteen rays that indicate the cardinal points (figuratively - "winds"). As for the word “rose” itself, it obviously arose due to the fact that medieval compasses often had an ornate shape and were either stylized as the corresponding flower or supplied with its image. At the same time, the sign "Wind Rose" among the first sailors was accompanied by many other heraldic images. For example, on compasses and maps, the royal lily indicated the direction to the North, and the Maltese cross - the direction to Jerusalem.
You need to understand that medieval compasses and cartographic images with the sign "Wind Rose" (photo below) did not have a single standard. As already mentioned, the "rose" could have a different number of rays of variable length, as well as additional directions (except for cardinal points). In the four-beam "Wind Rose", the designations of the rays determine the directions North, South, East and West. At the eight-beam, adjacent rhumbs are added - Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest, respectively.
Structurally, the cartographic “Wind rose” denotes the main geographical azimuths, and the symbol is called the “Room rose” if the total number of rays is 32 directions. In heraldry, the meaning of the symbol "Wind Rose" is quite obvious - this is a designation of comprehensive activity (figuratively - "in all directions"). Sometimes the heraldic "Wind Rose" is credited with the meanings of freedom, adventurism and even purity of thoughts. In the latter case, the sign "Wind Rose" is apparently associated with the image of the North Star, which is also inextricably linked with this symbol in a nautical context.
The Wind Rose symbol can be seen on the coats of arms of cities (Kovdor, Artem, Volzhsky and others) and in the emblems of various organizations. For example, on the emblem of NATO we see a four-beam "Wind Rose", on the emblem of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation - an eight-beam, and on the emblem of the CIA the "Wind Rose" has sixteen rays.
Due to its versatility, as well as its simple and understandable meaning, the Wind Rose symbol has migrated from cartography to meteorology, where today it is a vector diagram that describes the wind regime. But the rays of such a “rose” are always of different sizes, because their length depends on the frequency of wind gusts from a specific direction in a specific location over a given period of time. The designation "Wind roses" in this case can have many graphic variations - from several vectors with numbers to a "star" with 360 rays. A photo of the sign "Wind Rose" in some of its variations is presented in this article. All these signs are used in climatology today.
Often, they try to attribute an esoteric and occult meaning to the Wind Rose symbol, but such hypotheses are in fact far-fetched. The "rose" never had such symbolism. It is indeed present in several medieval "magic" treatises, but only in connection with determining the direction of the wind for the "ritual". In other words, there is no esotericism in the “Wind Rose”, although in church texts the Mother of God is sometimes called the “Wind Rose”, which can probably be associated with the image of the Polar Star, as the key point of the sky, from which all cartographic and astronomical calculations are carried out, which always had for sailors of decisive importance.
