Anchor Tattoo: A Timeless Classic!
Some tattoo motives are absolutely timeless. One of them is the anchor tattoo. We tell you the meaning of the anchor symbol and present great motives for inspiration.
Anchor Tattoo: Introduction
Anchor tattoos have been very popular for many years. While many motifs come and go rather than trends, anchor tattoos hold up steadily. But where does the anchor originally come from?
- An anchor is basically a symbol from the shipping industry. It anchors itself to the bottom of a body of water and thus stabilises the ship that belongs to it. Especially in stormy times, an anchor can save lives by keeping the boat from drifting.
- The anchor already played an important role in the sailors’ days, so that many sailors wanted to get an anchor tattoo. Back then, the tattoo was considered a statement that the wearer had already crossed the Atlantic at least once.
- But the anchor is also attributed another meaning. In ancient times it was considered a symbol of rootedness with Christianity and in Poland a symbol of resistance during the German occupation.
Modern meaning of anchor tattoos
Nowadays many people get an anchor tattoo because its shape alone looks beautiful. But the elementary meaning of the anchor as hold and stabilizer has not changed. In today’s life, however, the anchor, especially as a tattoo, can have a variety of meanings:
- Protection and safety: The anchor stands as a support in stormy times. It gives us symbolic support and protection. Since everyone sets different anchor points in his or her life, these can also be different. For some it is the family as support, for others perhaps a special place.
- Love and faithfulness: For many of us, the partner as an anchor is an absolute stop in life. Thereby the anchor tattoos symbolize the bond of the relationship, which expresses itself through love and loyalty.
- Hope: Especially in hectic times, an anchor can also be interpreted as a signal of hope that calm times may soon return. Just like an anchor, the swallow motif also symbolizes this hope for return, which was already expressed in seafaring.
- Wanderlust: At the same time, an anchor tattoo can also stand for setting out, loosening all clutches and initiating a new stage in life or setting off on a great journey and awakening the spirit of adventure.
- Return: The anchor as a symbol of our supports in life can remind us of them and also give us confidence to be with them again soon. Anchor tattoos can therefore connect us closely with our loved ones.
Anchor Tattoo: Popular with both men and women
- While anchor tattoos used to be popular exclusively with sailors, today both men and women want to have anchor motifs engraved.
- As a woman you probably don’t want to get a too masculine looking anchor tattoo. Therefore, it is recommended that you choose a discreet, minimalist design and get a tattoo style like Dotwork or Watercolor. The tattoo motifs can also be wonderfully combined with soft elements such as flowers, hearts or ropes.
As an anchor can be displayed in different creations and sizes, there are also many possibilities where anchor tattoos can be placed on the body:
- Behind the ear
- On the wrist
- On the finger
- On the upper arm
- On the chest (especially for men)