Traditional tattoos, also known as old school tattoos, are a style of tattoos that originated in the West in the early 20th century. The style is often characterized by bold black outlines and colorful, saturated imagery. The designs usually depict humans, animals, plants, and religious symbols and are usually done in a heavy black outline with bright colors and shading. Traditional tattoos can also often be seen with a nautical theme, such as anchors, ships, and the occasional mermaid.