After hundreds of years (or possibly thousands), the world of tattoo art is finally becoming a legitimate art form with the star foot tattoo design as one of its most popular.
History of the Star Pattern in Tattooing
The star has been a popular tattoo since the beginning of modern tattoo art. The idea of the star began with the early sailors and pirates as a nautical star. The nautical star tattoo is probably the most widely known of all tattoos.
The sailors would have the star placed on their hands as a way to be granted good luck not just on their journey at sea but in their journey in life. The nautical star has since become a symbol surrounded by controversy due to the groups who have adopted it. Other groups, like the punk movement, use the star as a means to show their unity to each other and to identify themselves as a "true" punk. The punk movement adopted the star as a sort of tribute to a tattoo artist from the days of piracy by the name of Sailor Jerry.
Military personnel have taken to having the star tattooed on their hands and forearms as a good luck charm to symbolize protection and to point their way home. The North Star is also a popular variation on the nautical star but is more widely used these days as a cultural symbol of the gay and lesbian community.
The shooting star pattern often found in tattoos on the foot is a derivative of the nautical star design used as the main component in the finished shooting star designs, incorporating two star concepts.
Today's Star Foot Tattoos
There are many reasons why someone will get one of these designs. Unlike its ancestor, the nautical star, the star foot tattoo has a completely different tradition and several meanings behind it that include:
- A moment in time that is fleeting that has had some sort of significance, for example:
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- A quick romance or friendship
- Graduation from high school or college
- Loss of a true love
- Reaching the goal that one has set
- The desire to be a star
- Those interested in astronomy and its meanings
- New beginnings such as a new love, marriage or birth
Not every star foot tattoo has to have an underlying meaning. It is possible that someone just thinks the design is cool and that the style will always remain "in." For as long as the night sky shines over the Earth the image of a shooting star will always remain somewhere in popular culture as an everlasting beauty.
Women typically prefer the shooting star pattern as many men consider it "girly" and will opt for something more horrifying. Women appreciate the beauty more (or at least can show their love for it better) and the majority will have it placed on the foot but will also consider other locations like the back or ankle.
Celebrity Influence
The shooting star has always been the sign of dreams coming true. You see a star fall and you must make a wish within a few seconds or you will blow your chance. Many celebrities have begun to find a great love with having star tattoos. Kate Hudson has a shooting star pattern on her foot, for instance. Tennis star Anna Kournikova also has a star tattoo. Other celebrities and athletes sport many tattoo designs that can either be seen or are cleverly hidden but the influence that a celebrity holds on the general public is staggering to the point where fans will often get tattoos that match.
Make Yours Unique
The star itself is very common in the tattoo world. Going that extra mile to make yours unique is the essence of tattoo. Tattoo shop portfolios can only take one so far. Add things to the star. Embellish it. Some ideas you can use could be:
- Add streaking lines to give the appearance of speed in your star
- Add detail and texture to your star to make it appear three-dimensional
- You can try adding an expression to the star to give it (or its brothers) a personality
- Backgrounds can always make the star tattoo stand out
- Space dust can be added to your collection of stars to further give the illusion of falling and of speed
- Try incorporating tribal patterns with your stars
The sky is the limit when you are designing your tattoo. Take the time to come up with something that you like and it is always in your best interest to tell that tattoo artist a little about yourself and what you want your ink to represent. A good artist will be able to take this information and conceptualize it for it within the price range you are shooting for.
Care and Feeding of a Foot Tattoo
There is much pain involved in getting a foot tattoo as the needle is striking very close to bone, muscle, veins and cartilage. This makes foot tattoos some of the most painful and the slowest to heal. The following tips can lead you to a fast and speedy recovery after obtaining a tattoo on the foot:
- Flip-flops or open toe shoes should be worn during the healing process because the skin needs to heal and being confined will keep it from doing so properly
- Keep pants rolled up so they do not touch the tattoo
- Your tattoo should avoid direct sunlight
- Clean your feet religiously with mild soap in warm water and dry them off with soft, dabbing motions with a lint-free towel
- Use a good ointment often
- Never rub, scratch or pick at your tattoo
- Don't go into a pool until the tattoo is healed
