Why did so many sailors have a crucifix tattooed on their backs in the 1700's?

Question

WOW....this coffee is sure is strong!! Thought it was about time peeps chilled and asked proper questions....fed up with the "What do you think of the Brits?"" What do you think of the Americans?" .......and it's something I really want to know the answer for!! So there!! lol

Answer 1

as a brit, a limey,a pom,a tar. i can tell you that sailors in the 1700
not only had tattoos of the cruicifix, the reason behind this type of tattoo was one of personal safety, this is the era of press gangs,ships were small and packed with men space was at a premium, possessions easily lost or stolen, flogging,keel hauling as punishments for minor infringements of very draconian rules of conduct, and dicipline ,the thinking behind the christ depiction was that they would hardly flogg the image of christ, it didnt work ,other part not tattoed were flogged instead, the buttocks for example, the saying is ''wooden ships, but iron men '' regards LF

Answer 2

It was supposed to help the captain be lenient when giving out lashes. When disciplining the sailors the captain would give out lashes and the hope was that as good Christian men they would reduce the number of lashes as the scars would deface the crucifix and so the sailor would not have to endure a worse punishment. Not sure that it ever worked......

Answer 3

Sailors would have been able to hold on to realitively few possessions then, so tattooing was one way of keeping something precious to you. The fear of the sea and its power ... sailors commited to God as a sign. The tattoo was the easiest was of doing that. Off for a coffee now too!

Answer 4

If a sailor committed an offence on board ship where the punishment involved a whipping, it was thought that the person doing the whipping would be reluctant to beat a christian symbol. Or, at least not whip so hard.

Answer 5

To be recognised by their saviour as they floated dead in the sea.