Compass tattoo: the meaning of a guiding symbol for men and girls. Compass tattoo

Compass tattoo on bicep

A compass is designed to show direction to travelers. The device has retained its meaning in the symbolism of tattoos. However, its concept has been expanded and supplemented by related topics and interpretations.

When choosing such a symbol, focus on internal perception. The most successful choice of sign is always associated with the personal symbolism of the wearer.

Meaning of compass tattoo

The compass tattoo first appeared in the old school direction in the 19th century. This is a traditional thematic image whose meaning cannot be lost. The compass was not just a symbol; the sign protected the souls of sailors from various dangers of the changing elements of water.

The sea was believed to be filled with various inhabitants. These entities can harm a person’s consciousness and soul. The creatures that the sailors believed in had the power to confuse reality.

Perception distorted by their influence could lead to errors in calculations and actions. Therefore, the compass was an image that served as a talisman against such influences.

Today, the compass has a meaning that denotes the force of change. It is used by people who love travel and tourism. The meaning of the picture symbolizes freedom of choice, knowledge of true purpose and a sense of inner direction.

Men's tattoos

Tattoo culture is cosmopolitan, which means it is possible to apply a design to a representative of any age and status. However, the compass design changes meaning depending on gender.

So for men the symbolism means:

symbol of fidelity and constancy;
determination and focus;
aspiration for success, self-realization;
love of travel;
Confidence in your strength.

Most often, the symbol can be seen on the skin of men who have reached a certain age. The drawing is popular among audiences aged 25 and older. This is directly related to the conscious choice of drawing as a way to find one’s place in life and confirm one’s achievements.

Women's tattoos

For representatives of the fair sex, the design has the broadest interpretation. He presents a lot of surprises to those ladies who chose a tattoo by chance.

Often symbolism is tied to the internal perception of the world. But in some cases it is just a skin decoration without meaning.

For girls, a tattoo with a compass means:

freedom in relationships;
adventurism;
love for random turns of fate;
inconsistency in interests;
search for a spiritual path;
lopan - a philosophical approach to existence;
runic - protection from dark forces, esoteric practitioner.

Variations on the theme of the compass are chosen by women seeking to find protection in practices. For many ritual actions, a compass is necessary, since the arrangement of objects is necessarily oriented to the cardinal points. The compass is applied to the skin in order to establish an indestructible connection between the energy fields and the soul of the wearer.

Compass tattoo locations

Depending on the details of the interpretation changes. So the meaning of a hand tattoo carries the meaning of finding a way. A tattoo on the shoulder with a similar design emphasizes the passion for travel. A design applied to the shin or calf area makes it easier to find your life path.

The tattoo is applied in the areas:

on the wrist;
on the forearm;
on the foot
on the neck.

In the neck area, the symbol emphasizes that the owner is confident in his intuition and conscious choice. This sign emphasizes strength of spirit and knowledge of one’s purpose. The drawing simultaneously performs a protective function. It blocks the way to influences that can cloud the mind.

Half sleeve tattoo, photo from: https://www.instagram.com/p/BXISnP1A_1B/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Arrow and compass tattoo on arm
Compass tattoo in trash polka style
Compass tattoo - burst on the back
Compass and map tattoo on forearm
Compass tattoo on hand
Runic compass tattoo - vegvisor
Compass tattoo on a girl's side
Compass tattoo on forearm
Old school compass tattoo
Tattoo with inscription and compass Compass tattoo on hand

The image of a compass in the area above the heart emphasizes the search for a spiritual path. The image preserves the harmony of a person’s conscious and sensory experience. The drawing acquires the same meaning when applied to the shoulder blade.

When looking at photos of compass tattoos, the sketches can be divided into several groups. The most popular are realistic images. Schematic drawings are included in the list of directions:

old school
oriental
and Chicano.

Men's tattoos are often made in these styles.

To successfully create a sketch, pay attention to color. It is better to select the saturation of the gamut and the choice of palette according to skin color. The lighter and more transparent it is, the richer the choice. The shape and style depend on the structure of the body.

The choice of area will directly dictate the shape and type of expression of the drawing. Consult a tattoo artist, he will help you determine the best option for your capabilities.

Video - photo gallery of compass tattoo

The compass tattoo is a popular motif in body art due to its design variations and deep symbolism. In this article, we will look at the most original male and female versions of compass tattoos and talk about the meaning they carry.

Who is a compass tattoo suitable for?

This navigational tool has helped people for centuries, and is still widely used by sailors, travelers and explorers to this day. It's no wonder that it has become one of the most popular tattoo motifs for men and women today.

The first people to tattoo a compass on their body were sailors. The body drawings had a deep meaning for them: they helped them find the right path and successfully return home after long journeys.

A tattoo with a compass as a motif is suitable if:

you love seas and oceans;
you or your profession is related to the sea;
you want to travel the world and experience adventures;
you live away from your family and want to show your love for them;
you are a goal-oriented person who always follows your dreams.

Compass tattoo - meaning

General meaning of compass tattoo:

Decisiveness: You have clear goals and know exactly what you want to achieve in life;
Hope for a brighter future: if you are losing your way in life;
Protection during travel: for military and sailors;
Faith in God: the device shows the right path with the help of hidden power;
Love of the sea and travel.

Below we will take a closer look at what a tattoo means.

Symbol of happiness and protection. Today, many people get tattoos because they (like sailors) associate them with happiness and protection. The tattoo embodies their strength and courage and symbolizes their desire to follow the right path in their lives.

Home symbol. Nowadays, a large number of people live far from their home. Therefore, many girls and boys choose compass tattoos, investing in them meanings associated with family and home. Some people also dedicate tattoos to their spouses and relatives. These are often couples or siblings who are separated from each other for some reason.

A symbol of motivation to fulfill your dreams. The device shows the direction in which you want to move. Therefore, a tattoo with this device can serve as a reminder of your goals and symbolize motivation to achieve your goals.

Symbol of love for travel. Many travel lovers get a tattoo with this motif on their body. This is how they show their passion and love for research and discovery. Often the main element is complemented by a world map, airplanes or other typical travel symbols, thanks to which the meaning of the tattoo becomes even broader.

Best ideas for a compass tattoo

A compass tattoo can have many accompanying elements that complement its symbolic meaning, for example, a ship, stars, angels, butterflies, world maps, arrows, etc. Let's take a closer look at them.

Compass with the North Star. This is one of the most popular tattoo motifs. The North Star always shows the way to the north, so sailors used to use it as a night landmark.

Compass and anchor. Anchors have been important symbols of sailors for thousands of years: they ensure the ship's stability in the water and its stability. Hence, tattoos with it are associated with travel, safety and protection. The anchor is also a common symbol of the Christian faith. For this reason, such a tattoo can also have religious significance.

Compass and clock. Such a tattoo helps the owner not to waste time, but to use it with maximum efficiency.

Compass and roses. This tattoo motif is associated with passion, romance and the search for love. The different colors of rose petals play an important role. Withered roses, for example, are a sign of transitory life.

Compass and map. A map tattoo symbolizes a passion for travel and discovery. When a design is combined with a specific place, it can be a memory of a trip.

Compass and heart. This type of tattoo shows that its owner listens to his heart and not his head when making decisions.

Compass with coordinates. This is a sought after tattoo motif among people who want to show their love for a family or a place for example. Often couples or relatives in love get such tattoos to show their love for each other.

Compass with sea wave. A wave tattoo is a clear symbol of love for the sea.

Celtic patterns. The Celtic triquetra symbol consists of three connected arcs of a circle. The knot has no beginning or end, so it symbolizes the infinite nature of the mind. The symbol also means birth and rebirth, and when combined with the main motif, it symbolizes eternity.

Compass wind rose. This motive will act as a talisman for a person, guiding him along the right path, protecting him from making wrong decisions.

Runic compass. Compass tattoos became popular among the Vikings: they called it “Vegvisir” and believed that it would always guide them along the right path. The Scandinavian compass consisted of eight rays emanating from one common point, and each ray ended with a unique symbol that served a protective function.

Viking tattoos are a popular motif, mainly among men.

Compass tattoo: designs for guys and girls

This is a universal motif that is great for both women and men. It can appear on the skin in many different ways: as an antique pocket navigator with 3D detail, as a north star, or as a compass rose. Sometimes the symbol is drawn abstractly in the form of lines.

The best places to apply a design on the body for men are the area on the arm, chest, back, and hand.

For girls, the design on the shoulder, forearm, wrist or leg looks impressive.

It is believed that a compass tattoo is not particularly popular, and it cannot be classified as a symbol with deep meaning. This opinion can easily be dispelled once one learns a little about its origins and path.

Historians equate the first mention of a compass to the 3rd century BC. During the reign of the Chinese Song Dynasty, the philosopher Hen Fei Tzu described the device in the form of a polished copper plate with a spoon. It had engravings indicating parts of the world in the form of zodiac signs. The word “compass” itself supposedly came from ancient Britain, “compass”, which translated means circle.

Based on historical sources, in 600-700. Arab merchants sailed to China on trade visits and strengthened relations. After which, in the work of the Cairo scientist and researcher Bay-lak-al-Kabayaki, “Treasure of the Merchants,” a mention of a device for sailors surfaced. Thus, the compass migrated to the Arabs, then to the Italians, with the development of navigation it came to the Spaniards, then to the Portuguese. The last to know about it were the British and French. The most familiar form to us, the compass acquired in the 14th century, in Italy, the scientist Flavio Joy adapted the arrow to a special pin and attached it to a magnetic circle, which was divided into 16 points.

Symbol meaning

The symbol of the compass itself is movement in time and space. This image gained the greatest popularity among sailors. Due to long sea voyages and travels, the image of a wanderer was formed, looking for his path, direction in life. A tattoo in the form of a compass served for them as an amulet, a talisman, a symbol of hope for returning home. It is as close to travelers as a landmark on the road, as a sign of movement in life. In the modern world, navigators show us the way, but the meaning of the compass tattoo is still relevant and carries a deep, semantic load: balance in life, certainty, constancy and fidelity. Important!!! There is no need to look for a negative meaning in it, because there simply is none.

Whatever the tattoo looks boring, using your imagination and based on personal interests, life priorities, goals, profession, you can complement it with a thematic background. Secret desires can also be unobtrusively framed with blurry images reflecting the inner world, hopes or dreams.

Photos of compass tattoos with additions may be different:

- a compass lying on a table surrounded by books is suitable for a writer,
- for the military - a compass against the background of the flag or symbols of the troops,

- artist - easel, brushes, landscapes, favorite model

- rapper - chains, cars, baseball caps, weapons

Basic meanings of the compass symbol in the image.

The times are such that chain mail, horses and exploits have remained in history, and the desire to win the attention of the opposite sex, fortunately, is always relevant. Tattoo is one of the most affordable means to increase libido. Therefore, when choosing an image with a compass symbol, you should consider some more points. What can you tell about a person by his tattoo, his main qualities and features.

Meanings of men

Historically, the image of a compass was considered a male tattoo, due to the type of activity of the wearer. In modern times, the meaning of this tattoo has changed little. As a rule, the owner of the compass image can only be characterized as a positive character.

Enduring principles. A person whose words do not differ from his deeds. He knows what he wants in life and goes towards the goal. Most often, men striving for career growth, a high rank, or position.
Loyalty. A favorite of women, seductive, but at the same time faithful to the one and only. As a rule, this is associated with the type of activity (traveler, correspondent, expedition scientist)
Liberty. He does not limit himself in his desires, he is free to choose. Does not accept personal limitations. It can also be a symbol of detachment.
Confidence. Believe in yourself, your strengths and capabilities. They are not afraid of difficult situations, they will always find a way out, fortitude.
Constancy, balance. Always follows the intended path, there is no inclination to change a decision unless absolutely necessary.

Meaning for girls.

Representatives of the more beautiful half of the earth are also not averse to decorating themselves with such a non-standard symbol. And if you have already met such a person, then rest assured that this is a rare specimen.

Determination. One of the main and strongest qualities of this lady. If she has her mind set, then no amount of persuasion or prohibition will stop her. Achieves set goals.
True to herself, her principles and ideals. It will be difficult to convince her of something, to impose your opinion.
Eccentricity. There is never a dull moment with her, she can involve you anywhere, in anything and anyone. She can go on a trip completely spontaneously, waking up in the morning and deciding that she has become bored.
Attaches great importance to his spiritual world and its development. Puts it above material values.

Types of compass images.

With the meaning of the compass symbol, everything is transparent and clear. Now you need to decide which style to choose, which one best matches the image of the owner and conveys his character and intentions. At the moment, there are several popular compass images:

- A modern magnetic compass indicates the owner’s desire to find his way and gain confidence in the future.
- The runic compass tattoo, Scandinavian, is an ancient, magical image. Decorated with Kelsky runes. It was applied before setting off on a long journey by the Vikings. It gave me confidence in the hike and hope of returning home.

- Compass Lao Pan. Symbol of Feng Shui art. The image resembles a grid of geometric tables. It is believed that it brings good luck to the owner of this tattoo and charges with positive energy.

Rose of Wind. Image in the form of a six-pointed star. It is believed that this style is especially popular in the criminal world, as an echo of pirate recklessness, fearlessness and anger. In any case, the meaning of this particular type of compass is currently contradictory and changeable.

In what style to get a tattoo?

The most common images are those with an ordinary Chinese compass and an image with a runic pattern. There are quite a lot of drawing styles. First, you should decide which tattoo you like best: black and white, classic, or a compass tattoo in watercolor, colored and bright. The choice is not difficult to make; there are a lot of options for photo drawings of a compass. It is also worth paying attention to the technique of tattoo execution. Compass images look more advantageous in several styles:

- Graphics – done in paint and black and white. The peculiarity of its execution is that the shadows of the drawing are applied with dashes. The image has clear shapes and lines

- Classic - available only in black and white. And are more common style,

- Watercolor – for expressive and romantic natures. A bright and memorable image,
- Biomechanics - a very interesting look, organic interweaving, torn fragments of the pattern, 3D effects,

- Minimalism is a very laconic style. Elegant and simple design.
- Oriental – oriental images with color effects,
- Polynesia is one of the most rich and vibrant styles.

Determining where a compass tattoo will look best

If everything has worked out with the main points of choosing a picture, all that remains is to decide where it would be more advantageous to place it.

First of all, it depends on the size of the image. Because if the pattern is no larger than an average apple, then you should understand that on large areas, such as the back and chest, it will look like a dirty spot. Therefore, it is better to get a compass tattoo on your arm, in the area of the shoulder, collarbone, and back of the head. For girls, a compass design on the wrist looks quite cute. Again, take into account if the image is more or less round or elongated due to the additional background. An elongated image of a compass on the forearm looks more advantageous, in the direction of the elbow. If it is very large, then grabbing the chest or shoulder blade. The image of a compass on the leg will harmoniously fit into the calf area. It would be appropriate to place very small ones on the ankle, wrist, or hand. The pattern of a compass on the neck will seem piquant.

Let's summarize. Small images up to 10 cm2:

- Wrist,

- Wrist,

- Ankle,
- Neck, back of head

Foot.

Drawings from 12 to 20 cm:

- Forearm

- Breast

- Spatula

There are currently countless types of tattoos. The image of the Compass tattoo is rare in the history of tattoo art; The master always lays down a deep meaning in them. There are several types of “Compass” tattoo: a regular magnetic compass, a Lo Pan compass - which is an indispensable part of Feng Shui, a Viking compass - a runic one. The meaning of each of them must be considered separately, since the meanings of these three compasses are symbolically different.

The Lo Pan Compass is part of the Chinese art of Feng Shui. It is not very easy for an ignorant person to understand the meaning and main purpose of the Lo Pan compass. It consists of concentric rings, the number of which reaches thirty-six. The circles of the compass are divided among themselves by twenty-four rays emanating from the center. Each individual part of the resulting grid represents a fund of information about the object under study. The knowledge stored in the network sectors is subsequently required for the formation of geomantic tables.

Such a sophisticated compass is almost never used anymore, because basically all the necessary tables have already been compiled. And you can navigate by them using a regular magnetic compass. This is a Chinese compass that was invented to help navigate a given area. Long after its invention, it became a symbol that points to all eight parts of the world. A magnetic compass combines distances, movement and moments in time. It is very suitable for travel and adventure seekers, or simply people interested in globes, maps, and geography.

Another compass existing in the world is an ancient runic one, consisting of a circle of Scandinavian runes. There is a belief that it is he, in the form of a tattoo, that indicates to a person the choice of the right path in life, allowing him to find his inner compass. This amulet will not allow its owner to get lost either in life’s difficulties or in a truly unknown area. The compass is made up of a number of marine ones, therefore, it must be present both on the ship and on the body of a true sailor. Previously, it was worn by the Vikings, and during the times of conquest, when the Varangians found themselves in fog at sea, they were saved only by a compass drawn in charcoal on their foreheads.

The most popular tattoo is a compass among sailors; throughout their life, work, vocation, a sailor obeys the compass both in sea waters and on uninhabited land, and in the difficulties of life, and in thoughts. There is no compass, and there is no sailor as such, because he does not know otherwise his way home and can get lost at sea.

Today, the compass signifies balance in balance and certainty in life. Owners of such a tattoo are faithful to their established principles and thoughts; they will never stray from their intended path and reach their goal. In addition, no negative meaning has yet been identified in this symbol.

The compass tattoo is one of the rarest tattoos in the world. However, it is original and carries a deep philosophical meaning. The compass tattoo design is made in both color and black and white, and this image is applied to the chest, back, thigh, forearm and other parts of the body.

The meaning of a compass tattoo depends on the type of compass depicted. For example, the Chinese compass Lo Pan - a symbol of the art of Feng Shui - indicates the desire of its owner to find his own path in life, move confidently into the future and achieve success.

The compass consists of 36 concentric circles separated by 24 rays emanating from the center. The Lo Pan compass resembles a grid and was previously used to compile geomantic tables. A tattoo depicting a Chinese compass brings good luck in business and sends a positive flow of energy to its owner.

The Scandinavian runic compass, consisting of a circle of ancient Celtic runes, is an ancient magical tattoo. Such a compass was an integral attribute on the bodies and ships of famous Viking sailors. According to their beliefs, a compass tattoo helps you feel a similar compass inside yourself and determine the right path. This amulet will not allow its owner to get lost either on the way to home or on the path of life.

A tattoo depicting an ordinary magnetic compass, invented by the Chinese for navigation, is a symbol indicating the eight parts of the world. This tattoo is ideal for travelers and adventurers, as well as anyone interested in geography.

Depending on the chosen image size, a compass tattoo can be applied to the shoulder, wrist, shoulder blade, ankle, chest or back.

From ancient times to this day, the compass tattoo has been most popular among sailors, reminding them that they have a home where they are always loved and waited. In addition, the life and fate of the ship used to directly depend on the compass, and if it failed, the crew remained absolutely helpless at sea. That is why a tattoo with the image of a compass was necessary for sailors, as a symbol of hope for returning home.

Currently, a compass tattoo means certainty and balance, loyalty and constancy, devotion and achieving goals. A tattoo with a compass does not have any negative meaning.

Video of compass tattoo

And below are photos of tattoos with the image of a compass from different artists.