Tattoos are an interesting way of skin adornment. The pigment of the skin is changed by injecting colorful inks into the dermis layer of the skin. It bears an ancient heritage. It has been an Eurasian practice since the Neolithic times. Pre-Christian Germanic, Celtic and other central and north European tribes were often heavily tattooed. Evidences also show that the tribes used to have special tattoo ceremonies. Various cultures have their specific tattoos bearing particular symbolic meanings.
The compass rose tattoo is a symbol of good luck, and first started as a popular design among sailors more than a century ago. Combining the shape of a star and finding a direction on the high seas, a Compass Rose Tattoo comes in many creative designs and variations. Tattoo artists play with the basic design and use the North Star as the center of the pattern. Around this star which is believed to be a guiding star, the four cardinal directions are inked. The form of this tattoo is usually a circle and can indicate that a person has found a direction in life. Being in the circular shape it also shows that a cycle is over, or a chapter in life is gone, and now it is time to start a new chapter. This tattoo, whether it is done in a simple black and white design, or filled with colors, is a message about hope and looking forward to the future. In the olden days the compass rose held a promise that the sailors would come from the stormy high seas to the shores. In modern times it signifies that the wearer has found a way out of the storms and is ready to head to more peaceful shores of life. The tattoo can be done in a very intricate way with the compass hands and face styled with traditional motifs. Often color combinations like aqua blue and black or bright red and green can be used to give a bright look to the design. With the basic form of the compass in place, leafy motifs or abstract geometrical patterns can be added to make it more interesting.
If you like this article, you might be interested in some of our other articles on Free Tattoo Pictures, Face Tattoos, Eyebrow Tattoos and Russian Prison Tattoos.
Circle Arm Tattoo
The large circle shows the form of a traditional compass in this woman’s forearm tattoo. The Northern Star is multi-pointed in the design.
Circle Arm Tattoo
Colors Of Compass Rose
The Northern Star is shaded in black and gold in this tattoo with the light brown pigment surrounding the circular design.
Golden Compass
A compass with a matte gold metallic surface is inked on the upper thigh in this tattoo. The banners hold names with dates in the intricate tattoo design.
Ideal Compass Rose
The foot compass rose inked in bright colors sends a message to walk on and enjoy the amazing opportunities that open up in life’s journey.
Simple Compass Rose
The compass rose tattoo is inked with narrow black lines. The sides of the star are filled in with solid black pigment to give a distinctive look to the design.
Basic Directions Tattoo
The directions are named in a traditional lettering style in this basic geometric compass rose tattoo done in black.
Bold Geometry
Bold black areas in the sides of the Northern Star give a dynamic feel to this confidently inked compass rose tattoo.
Marine Theme Compass Rose
This is an intricately inked tattoo with faces of crocodiles on both sides of the traditionally designed compass rose.
Compass Rose Old Design
The bold black outer circle done in a basic style gives a comfortably old-fashioned feel to this compass rose forearm tattoo.
Compass Rose Old Design
Compass Rose Shades
The shaded areas in this compass rose tattoo on the arm give a metallic feel to the design, making the compass look very real.
Aqua Compass
The shade of aqua green used in the design gives a unsual look to this compass rose. The stylized motifs of leaves complete the design.
Arrow Compass Rose
You can see the series of sharp arrows pointing to the directions in this stylish compass rose tattoo.
Northern Star Tattoo
This tattoo is elegant in its design primarily done with straight lines. The black shaded areas give a three-dimensional look to the design.
Symbolic Compass Rose
Gorgeous shades of red, green and gold color this upper back compass rose tattoo designed with knots and intricate runic symbols.
Two Circles Compass
Two elegant narrow lined circles frame this Northern Star in the compass rose tattoo on the back of the leg.
Two Circles Compass
Patterns Compass
A pattern of squares and triangles gives an elegant look to this colorful compass rose tattoo inked on the hand.
Small Compass Rose
The upper thigh is inked with a small and intricate compass rose done in black shades in this tattoo design.
Small Compass Rose
Religious Compass Rose
Patterned around the circular face with messages about keeping the faith strong, this compass rose tattoo is full of religious significance.
Compass Rose Lines
You can see the straight lined strokes giving a spread out look to the design in this simple compass rose tattoo.
New Life Tattoo
Let go and move on in life by being in flow, is the message of this powerful compass rose text tattoo inked on the arm.
New Life Tattoo
Blue Black Compass Rose
A deep shade of blue combines with black in this two colored compass rose tattoo design.
Blue Black Compass Rose
Love Compass
A romantic rose blooms at the center of this elegant traditional design compass inked in delicate colors on the arm.
Powerful Compass Rose
The fine lined compass rose has deeper areas of solid black in this striking arm tattoo design.
Beautiful compass tattoos i like the love compass tattoo very much as it shows the meaning that wherever you will take that love compass it will show love in all directions.
Aqua Compass is a different type of compass i m seeing and its beautiful.
These compass rose tattoos are very cute i liked the Aqua Compass very much.
I like the Simple Compass Rose the most. It’s just simple but cute.
All the compass tattoo are so beautiful but i don‘t know why people get compass tattoo inked on their body.
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