Sic Parvis Magna has become a popular script tattoo design or larger illustration. The quote comes from the Latin and means “Thus great things from small things (come).”
It’s the heraldic motto of legendary seafarer Sir Francis Drake that also features in the hugely popular Unchartered series of video games, where Drake’s ancestor Nathan is the star.
In tattoo design the quote is used most often as simple black ink in block quote or flowing handwriting, however some ideas incorporate elements from the video game series such as cover art, coinage, or illustrative nautical maps and compasses.
The following 101 Sic Parvis Magna tattoos show off the melding of history and pop culture in cool tattoo art, that can form the basis if your net tattoo.
1. Illustrative Sic Parvis Magna Designs
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2. Linework Body Art
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3. Upper Arm Sic Parvis Magna Ink
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4. Black Ink Sic Parvis Magnus Tattoos
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5. Compass Tattoo Ideas featuring Sic Parvis Magna
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6. Sic Parvis Magna Forearm Tattoos
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7. Simple Sic Parvis Magna Script Tattoos
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8. Sic Parvis Magna Color Tattoo Ideas
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9. Sic Parvis Magna Wrist Tattoos
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10. Uncharted Skull and Crossbones Tattoo Designs
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11. Sic Parvis Magna Chest and Side Tattoos
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What does the motto Sic Parvis Magna mean?
The quote comes from the Latin and means “Thus great things from small things (come).” It’s the heraldic motto of legendary admiral, seafarer, pirate and slaver Sir Francis Drake, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth after circumnavigating the globe.
The “small thing” Drake references in his motto was his commission from the Queen to mount a shipping expedition to the West Indies.
Drake went on to play a crucial role in protecting the coast of England from the Spanish Armada. Drake died from dysentery at sea in 1596 off the coast of Panama.
What does a Sic Parvis Magna Tattoo symbolize?
Most sic parvis magna tattoos are in reference to the popular video game series Uncharted. Lovers of the game and body art have gotten sic parvis magna tattoos to symbolize their enjoyment of the game and belief in the original motto.
Elements from the life of Sire Francis Drake are combined with fictional story elements to make up a large portion of plot in the Uncharted Games.
In Uncharted the main character Nathan Drake – himself an explorer, treasure hunter and seafarer – is believed to be a descendant of Sir Francis Drake.
For example, the motto sic parvis magna is inscribed on a ring belonging to Sir Francis Drake that Nathan Drake wears around his neck.
What type of Sic Parvis Magna tattoo should I get?
The majority of sic parvis magna tattoos come in script form but are executed in a variety of ways:
- Simple heavy black ink script
- Stylized quill and ink handwriting
- Stylized script from the uncharted video games
- Nautical/Map script
Other more illustrative tattoo designs referencing sic parvis magna include elements of the Uncharted game or nautical equipment such as compasses and maps.
Did you enjoy these sic parvis magna tattoo design ideas? Remember, if you’re unsure of a size, style, or tattoo design placement that you can get a temporary tattoo to test out the idea for your next tattoo. Click on the links below for more cool sea faring and video game tattoo galleries:
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