Get some compass tattoo ideas from our incredible resource. We present a few of our favorite design concepts and the meanings behind them.

 

A compass is a tool that indicates the four cardinal points (north, south, east, and west) in relation to the user’s position.

It is also one of the most popular and visually appealing tattoo themes since it is rich in symbolic meaning and adaptable to nearly any style.

Continue reading to learn more about the symbolism of the compass in tattoo art, as well as some common compass tattoo design ideas.

We’ve curated a selection of stunning compass tattoos for both women and men.

Compass Tattoo Meaning

 

As we all know, a compass is used in navigation to determine the north, south, east, and west directions.

This enables the user to establish her position relative to these directions and, using a map, navigate unfamiliar territory.

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As a result, the primary significance of compass tattoos is the concept of finding your path and keeping on course. This could mean:
Consistency is never losing sight of your goals and ideals, following your path with confidence, and remembering to be true to yourself.

Protection – Compass tattoos are thought to be good luck charms, guiding you in the right route and keeping you from becoming lost in life. Compasses have long been a favorite tattoo among sailors, who consider them as symbols of safety and the prospect of arriving safely.

 

Loyalty – Compasses in tattoos are sometimes used as a symbol of loyalty, most commonly to a romantic partner. Again, this meaning alludes to the concept of picking the proper road (in this case, the person you love and who is suitable for you) and staying on it.

Choice – A compass tattoo can serve as a reminder that at any given time in your life, you have a number of options, or selections to choose. Compasses can represent both the freedom and responsibility that accompany life choices.

Independence – If you value freedom over conformity, a compass tattoo could be an excellent way to communicate this.

Finally, being vital symbols of navigation and adventure, compass tattoos may simply show a desire to travel and discover new places.

If you want to get a compass tattoo to represent a specific idea or value, the design and elements you choose will help highlight the tattoo’s intended significance.

Tattoo designs including a compass.

 

3D Compass Tattoo

3D tattoos use precise shading to achieve a photorealistic appearance. For compass designs, this method works best in monochrome or sepia.

Watercolor Compass Tattoo

A popular compass tattoo design option is one where the compass is outlined in black, with an abstract watercolor background.

This combination results in a colorful, light design suitable for almost any location.

Compass with a rose tattoo.

The middle part of the compass, where the lines point to the four cardinal points, is known as the rose.

Perhaps for this reason, a compass tattoo design with a rose flower in the center is a relatively common choice.

A 3D compass surrounded by red roses is another variation of this design idea.

Compass tattoo with map

If you find that a compass alone creates a design that is too small or doesn’t have enough layers to meet your expectations, consider adding a map as a background.

One of the best things about this idea is that the part of the world map you choose will add more meaning to your tattoo – you can choose a place that means a lot to you personally.

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Remember that you don’t have to limit yourself to the map of Earth: maps of fictional fantasy worlds from novels, movies, and games are also an option, as is creating your own unique map.

Vintage style maps and 3D style are the recommended options for this type of design.

Compass with anchor tattoo.

Both the compass and anchor are naval symbols, so it makes a lot of sense to combine them into a single tattoo design. In tattoo art, anchors symbolize strength, stability and balance.

Like compasses, they are also sometimes considered a kind of good luck charm: a ship does not drop anchor until it reaches safe harbor; Therefore, it is a symbol of safely arriving at a destination.

Minimalist compass tattoo

Another idea worth considering is a simplified interpretation of a compass, made with thin black lines.

This design consists of the compass rose: the two crossed lines pointing to the four directions, optionally with the intercardinal directions (e.g. southwest, northeast) added.

If styled in the right way, this simple minimalist tattoo will be enough to express the idea of a compass. A circle around the lines can help the design stand out like a compass.

Heart Compass Tattoo

This combination clearly expresses the notion of following your heart. If you firmly believe that your intuition is the most important guiding principle in your life, then this could be the right tattoo for you.

For this design, the center of the compass can be adorned with the outline of a heart, or the two elements can be tattooed side by side.

Recommended article: Check out our great guide to Japanese tattoos.

Christian Compass Tattoo

Combining the compass with Christian symbols such as the cross can indicate letting your faith guide you in the way you live and the decisions you make.

Compass tattoo with writing

For tattoos with a very specific personal meaning, writing is one of the most popular ways to express the intended meaning.

Consider adding a quote or even a single word that resonates with you, an important date, or the nаme of someone dear to your heart to your compass tattoo to highlight its deeper meaning.

Compass with arrow tattoo

Arrows are quite complex symbols, but in general they symbolize determination, courage, perseverance and direction, as well as protection from harm.

A popular way to combine these elements in a tattoo design is to overlap the two, with the compass halfway along the arrow.

Meanwhile, an arrow passing through a compass can express the idea of taking your own directions, following your own path and your own decisions, regardless of the rules.

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The compass design is the new thing among tattoo enthusiasts and above all, the arm is the most suitable place to get a tattoo. Other placement points include the elbow, back, chest, ankle, hip, leg, wrist, thigh, back of the ear, back of the neck, and side. Choosing where to get the tattoo really depends on the wearer, but it should be done in a spot where it appears prominent, because the purpose of getting a tattoo is to make it visible to others. At the same time, one should be sure about the design and placement before getting the tattoo as it involves a lot of money, time and the wearer has to suffer a lot of pаin to get the tattoo done. Furthermore, a tattoo is permanent and is part of the person throughout life.