A slick sailor vibe can be achieved with nautical tattoos. These dazzling ocean emblems are fearlessly refined for any man who feels connected to expansive waters.
For a dash of deep sea haziness, men all over the world are discovering a match made in heaven through nautical tattoos.
These old-school illustrations are bringing ancient cartography back to life. In many hipster scenes, 18th century maps are on display with all their misconceptions of the planet. faux geography combines with warnings of non-existent sea demons to create magically enchanting illustrations. this nuanced convergence marks a premier niche of body art divinity.
Ancient ships are also in the stages of a grandiose revival. retro ships are coming back to fruition in all of their impressive originality. archaic gear is great for rummaging around for tattoo inspiration.
As proof, the masts are a fundamental element and always attract the attention of the intrigued public. the crow’s nest is another pertinent piece of the general temptation. anchors and compasses are also invaluable for the aquatic style. black flags emblazoned with skulls and crossbones will add a pirate’s common sense.
To reach wacky depths of gentle mystery, simply dive into our pool of nautical tattoos.
nautical tattoo ideas
a stunning rustic anchor entwined with rope that adds to its aesthetic appeal. This muted black, gray and a touch of earthy brown tattoo is deeply saturated and in high definition for added dimension. its contrast with the pale skin of this human canvas is striking. is the perfect background for this attractive work of art. great shading work by the tattoo artist making this boring piece of metal look polished, attractive and extremely sexy on this guy’s well toned torso.
This modern approach to nautical tattoos, in particular these twin anchors on either side of the upper chest. the illustration is outlined with fine lines, outlined with dark gray shadows to achieve depth and a more realistic appearance of these metal anchors. If the desire to choose two anchors on both sides of the neck is for stability and direction, then these two tattoos are a good place to start. it will be a persistent reminder of the goal.
A sheep wheel symbolizes various meanings in sailor tattoos, but it usually represents leadership, victory, and is a reminder for the wearer not to drift and stick strictly to plans. paired with the compass, which basically has the task of providing directions in real time. Both of these nautical tattoos are the best tools once you have to make sure to be with you once you set out on a new adventure. this tattoo is done in wood tones, different shades of multi-dimensional earthy browns for this simple and unassuming concept.
This is a well executed geometric pattern filled anchor tattoo in shades of blue. black is cleverly added for the outline throughout the tattoo. this piece is drawn in three dimensions giving the whole drawing additional texture and body.
This is a collection of small nautical tattoos placed on the arm with an abstract background at the lower arm. This is a perfect black and gray piece for the man who loves the water and sailing.
the lighthouse is a beacon of hope on nights when tragedy strikes your nautical adventure. this black and gray piece is made with soft, delicate strokes to mimic the illusion of lighting. the artist added some other details to make the lighthouse scene add aesthetic beauty to the artwork. swaying grasses of varying sizes surround the lighthouse, a power plant, a rock formation, and of course, restless water.
a traditional black and gray illustration of the north star with the rose and anchor as added details. this is impressive in its execution; lines are defined and contours are deeply saturated. the use of black for the outline provides a beautiful contrast to the skin of the canvas and adds depth to the illustration by giving it extra dimension. this piece should be a tribute from the sailors to their wives who stay on the other side of the ocean to take care of the family. these women: mother, wife, girlfriend or daughter is the anchor that keeps them grounded, content and happy.
the old school has a dark humor embedded in its creation. this has a fantastic color scheme from warm yellow to cool bluish gray for the water that cradles the ship on all three of her masts in glorious display. it is definitely the anchor, symbolically drawn and attached to both sides of this creation, that keeps everyone safe and balanced.
This is a more subdued lighthouse tattoo design on the lower leg of this canvas. the cloud work, the outline and contrast of these cotton formations, is used as a background while also providing texture with the way the clouds were shaded. the illustration of the top of the tower is more saturated but also has more lights to illuminate it from above. this lighthouse was given more height and dimension as it stood tall and reclined against some dark, churning clouds. the water below mimics the behavior of the skies, restless and moody.
The traditional American tattoo is definitely classic and will never go out of style. in the head, it’s completely a completely different level. the location and design are unique. A Polynesian tribal border sets the artwork with the plumeria on top to welcome explorers in friendship and economic growth for both parties. lines along the rim and at the nape indicate change, growth, and progress. Of course, in the center is the main feature, a full rigged sailing ship with its three masts on splendid display. This is a cohesive and vibrant illustration tattoo with the colors deeply saturated.
the inside of the arm inked with a full rigged sailboat, on the waters with the rectangular rigs showing. This black and gray illustration has fine line detail due to the various string lines. the clouds above the ship and the waters below are the same hue providing balance to the piece in terms of shading.
This black and gray tattoo of a sailboat with its masts flying high and proud. the edge of the illustration is a frill further interlocked by the constraints of the anchor. adventure calls the sailor, smell the sea and feel the salty breeze on your face, listen to the sound and strength of the current, raise the adrenaline of uncertainty and possible discoveries. he sets sail, is in control of the navigation, and is the anchor that will eventually bring you home. this is a detailed and deeply saturated of the three symbols that are considered sacred to some, significant to others because of what it represents to them.
the symbolic triad of the sailboat, the north star and the nautical compass, all in one magnificent tattoo. The body is a huge canvas to fill and it is the perfect place for this black and gray tattoo in the technique of realism, shading and contrast bring this creation to life with texture and definition. the compass, it looks amazingly real and gleams like a real metal. the artist was able to add three-dimensional detail inside the compass, even the fingers have shadows. the masts are finely shaded with extra feathered and extra delicate strokes. the outline of the rigging gives it such a body that the viewer feels the sea breeze even just by looking at this creation.
frequently asked questions about nautical tattoos
what do nautical tattoos mean?
The sailor and the modern man who are also drawn to the water, whether to hang out or sail, can get nautical themed tattoos for their skin. there are several popular symbols, objects or talismans to choose from as most are superstitious although they won’t admit it on record.
I have narrowed down the list according to what is popular with the above gallery and provided their meanings. here are five:
- Sailing Ships: There are several stunning fully rigged sailing ship tattoos that the owner can be proud of or even those who are considering getting ship tattoos. a fully rigged ship is one with three or more masts, square sails fully unfurled. the inspiration is wide, very varied and the style of tattoo realism is gaining popularity and a large following, even ships can now look very real on the skin. Traditionally, a tattoo of a fully rigged ship from the age of sail signifies that the sailor had been close to Cape Horn, the rough and stormy waters that surround the southern tip of South America.
- Anchor: In the Navy, sailors get an anchor tattoo after successfully crossing and returning from the Atlantic Ocean. It is also the safest item on the ship, so its image serves as a symbol of stability and unwavering faith. A simple anchor means the sailor crossed the Atlantic or has been a member of the Merchant Marine, a fleet of civilian ships that carry military cargo. In times of war, this fleet is mobilized to transport war material, including troops and supplies. In recent years, an anchor can also see the name of a love.
- compass: is ultimately a good luck charm for a sailor to find home. it also protects them from losing their way or losing their sense of self along the way. the long sea voyage can sometimes get the best of you. nostalgia is also not easy to overcome. Some compass designs feature the north star and compass rose, which is usually a tribute to the wife waiting for the husband to come home. When compasses were originally created, they were used as divination instruments, intended to guide people spiritually. Compasses first appeared in China during the Han dynasty, and it was only in the 11th century that they became popular as navigational tools.
- lighthouse – symbol of guiding light and protection against a ship hitting rocks. it was also known to represent the home and refuge of lost sailors. It is also used to signify guidance, warning, safety, hope, direction, and faith.
North Star: This is a popular emblem sailors would have to ensure they would be guided home safely. traditionally used for navigation on the high seas. Sailors often tattooed nautical stars or “compass stars” for superstitious reasons, hoping that the star would guide them through the night and lead them safely home. The nautical star tattoo has now become popular among members of the navy and coast guard. The nautical star tattoo is usually depicted as a pentagram with alternating colors to mimic the colors of the compass rose found on nautical charts. the nautical star is a very popular tattoo, even today.
