The Southern Cross tattoo has fallen out of favour, with an increasing number of punters requesting cover-up ink or even laser removal.
Parlours report fewer people are requesting tattoos of iconic constellation, and one Sydney tattooist says she only does one a year.
The patriotic tattoo first lost popularity after it became associated with the Cronulla riots, and some came to view the symbol as racist.
The Southern Cross tattoo has fallen out of favour, with an increasing number of punters requesting cover-up ink or even laser removal (pictured is a covered-up tattoo)
Parlours report fewer people are requesting tattoos of iconic constellation, and one Sydney tattooist says she only does one a year (pictured is a covered-up tattoo)
‘It was a way to show our patriotism to our country and love for our country,’ said David, who got the tattoo after turning 18, ABC News reported.
Years later the Newcastle man began to have regrets, and reported feeling judged for the tattoo while at the beach or running out onto the football field.
‘To me it sort of like [symbolises] Australian rednecks now,’ he said.
The patriotic tattoo first lost popularity after it became associated with the Cronulla riots, and some came to view the symbol as racist (pictured is a covered-up tattoo)
Emily, who had a Southern Cross tattooed on the top of her foot, had it covered-up for a similar reason.
‘It is frowned upon to be a proud Australian and I don’t like that at all because we all should be allowed to be proud of where we live.
‘I definitely think it’s become racist to have a Southern Cross, which is terrible, because that’s our flag.’
‘It was a way to show our patriotism to our country and love for our country,’ said David, who got the tattoo after turning 18 (pictured is a removed tattoo)
Abby Rose, a tattooist who spent four years working in Cronulla, said the tattoo lost its lustre years ago, as it developed negative connotations (pictured is a removed tattoo)
Despite thinking there is nothing racist or wrong with the symbol, Emily decided to cover it up anyway.
‘I’m sick of being judged for it and I’m sick of being made out to be something that I’m not.’
Abby Rose, a tattooist who spent four years working in Cronulla, said the tattoo lost its lustre years ago, as it developed negative connotations.
Now she only does one a year, and that is usually on a tourist, with many locals opting for native flowers or animals instead.
Andrew Chim, who runs a laser tattoo removal business in Sydney, said his clinic has removed at least 20 Southern Cross symbols in the past year.
‘They just regret it because I guess it has a bad stigma,’ he said, noting many of his clients got their ink in their 20s and are worried it might affect their careers.
Emily, who had a Southern Cross tattooed on the top of her foot, had it covered-up and replaced by flowers (pictured)
Whether the tattoo is racist or not has been debated for years, with some likening it to a swastika while others say racists should not be allowed to appropriate it.
‘As a symbol of the Eureka Rebellion it stood for democracy in a multicultural movement for independence,’ said a Reddit user in a discussion about the tattoo.
‘In modern times it is used as a symbol for worker solidarity. Why let a handful of racists wipe away this heritage?’