![]() Later, in Japan, spearfishing with poles (harpoons) was widespread in palaeolithic times, especially during the Solutrean and Magdalenian periods. As the earliest known harpoons, these weapons were made and used 90,000 years ago, most likely to spear catfishes. In the 1990s, harpoon points, known as the Semliki harpoons or the Katanda harpoons, were found in the Katanda region in Zaire (called the Democratic Republic of the Congo today). History Epipaleolithic Azilian Le Mas-d'Azil, Ariège, France "Manner in which Natives of the East Coast strike turtle." Near Cooktown, Australia. For example, the Inuit have short, fixed-foreshaft harpoons for hunting at breathing holes, while loose-shafted ones are made for throwing and remaining attached to the game. A harpoon can also be used as a ranged weapon against other watercraft in naval warfare.Ĭertain harpoons are made with different builds to perform better with the type of target being aimed at. It accomplishes its task by impaling the target animal and securing it with barb or toggling claws, allowing the fishermen or hunters to use an attached rope or chain to pull and retrieve the animal. Inuit hunter with harpoon in Kayak, Hudson Bay, circa 1908-1914 Unaaq ᐅᓈᖅ, a harpoon used by Inuit, 172 cm (5.6 feet) long, MHNTĪ harpoon is a long spear-like projectile used in fishing, whaling, sealing, and other hunting activities to shoot, kill, and capture large fish or marine mammals such as seals, sea cows and whales. For ships with the name, see Harpooner (ship). Turtle Tattoos:Ī hardback turtle was a symbol of passing the equator."Harpooner" redirects here. A swallow will always find their way home, and it was thought that the swallow would bring luck and mean that the sailor would return safely home. One of the most well-known of nautical tattoos, a swallow represented every 5000 miles a sailor voyaged. Ship Tattoos:Ī ship with full sails marked a sailor’s voyage around Cape Horn, which is where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet. Showing bravery and a willingness to fight, a dagger through a rose symbolised a fearlessness of conflict or confrontation. Rope Tattoos:Ī rope around the wrist meant that the sailor had served as a deckhand. ![]() Often sailors wouldn’t see females for months so a pin up served as a reminder of love left at home, or a sense of female company on an excursion. Pig & Rooster Tattoos:īoth pigs and roosters were kept on board in crates that floated, so a pig on one foot and a rooster on the other was thought to protect a sailor from drowning. Nautical Star Tattoos:Ī nautical star was a popular emblem sailors would get to be sure they would be guided home safely. Having a mermaid tattoo protected against the dangers of the sea. It was thought that the beautiful lure of a siren’s voice would misguide a ship, and cause it to wreck, or pull a sailor into the sea to find her where he would drown. The call of the siren was a superstition. It was also known to represent home and shelter. Lighthouse Tattoos:Ī symbol of guiding light and protection against a ship crashing against the rocks. Hula Girl Tattoos:Ī symbol that signified that a sailor had been to Hawaii. Written out on the knuckles across both hands, “Hold fast” was for deckhands and was a signal that a sailor would never let go of the rope no matter what. Harpoon Tattoos:Ī harpoon was a mark of having belonged to a fishing or whaling fleet. It was also chosen by sailors that enjoyedĪ dragon symbolized that a sailor had been to China. Dice Tattoos:Ī set of dice was often chosen by a sailor to show that he was a fearless risk taker. Two cannons overlapping served to demonstrate that a sailor had served in the naval military. Placed on the hand between the thumb and forefinger, two overlapping anchors signaled a sailor was a boatswain, which is an officer of the ship responsible for the crew and equipment. Compass Tattoos:Ī compass was so a sailor would always be able to find his way home. An anchor placed anywhere on the body represented that a sailor had completed a voyage that crossed the Atlantic.
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