What is the nautical star?

A nautical star is a star characterized by dark and light alternating pieces within the star. The star has informal meaning indicating members of the U.S. Navy, but the star has also become popular as a tattoo for people outside of the Navy as well.

The five-point star stems from the stars on the U.S. flag, while the alternating colors signify a compass used for navigation for members of the Navy. The tattoo of this star is popular for people who live near the sea or are avid sailors and has evolved to represent many different things for different people.