A compass is known to be a popular tool used by travelers, especially those traveling by sea or air. That’s because a compass can help them achieve a sense of direction. when the compass was first made, they were not used specifically for space navigation. instead, people used them as a tool for divination, guiding people spiritually, rather than physically. The compass was invented in China during the Han dynasty. but it wasn’t until the 11th century that people started using it as an object to help them navigate things.
In addition to its utilitarian value, the compass also has a sleek, modern look. so it’s not exactly surprising that a lot of people want to get a tattoo of a compass. It doesn’t matter if it is purely for looks or for utility purposes, the compass tattoo is very popular among people all over the world. Compass tattoos were first highlighted in the navy, but today you can see this type of design on fishermen, travellers, explorers, and other tattoo enthusiasts.
types of compass tattoo designs
- Star compass tattoo: This tattoo design is used to represent the north star, which was actually the first point of origin to guide people in any direction they wanted. choose. People in the ocean and on land have used the North Star as a guide to help them navigate in the right direction to their destination. there is a lovely aesthetic appeal that adds to the fondness for this type of tattoo design.
- Anchor Compass Tattoo: This combination of an anchor and a compass tattoo is great as they both contain deep meanings. while a compass serves to provide people with the right direction, the anchor is a symbol of stability. and without both present, it was basically impossible for seafarers to cross the treacherous seas. This is why many tattoo fans choose to pair these two when getting a design. if you choose this combination, it is strongly recommended that you do it on the back, thigh, or chest, as it will give the artist enough space to incorporate both objects in the most artistic and creative way possible.
- Compass Map Tattoo: People who like to travel also decide to get a compass tattoo on their body, to tell people that the whole world is their home. These designs are often accompanied by an item used for travel, such as a giant map or an airplane, as this makes the meaning of the tattoo seem even clearer.
- Airplane compass tattoo: Keep in mind that the compass is used as a tool for travel, both by land and sea. this is a tattoo that is perfect if you love to board planes and travel from one corner of the world to another, learning and absorbing as many cultures as you can.
- 3d compass tattoo: The look of the conventional compass has always fascinated people, thanks to its rounded face and pointed needle in the center. This is known to be one of the best 3D tattoo designs as the image of the object can be tattooed in all dimensions giving it a solid feel. a simpler version of the tattoo would have to be four needles pointing in all directions. This tattoo has been painted in a unique color and its main purpose is to create a contrast with your own skin. so this is the reason why you can choose any color for this type of compass tattoo.
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compass tattoo meaning
The compass tattoo is considered a protective amulet. it has been held in high regard by so many people. People who have served in the military often wear this compass tattoo as a sign of their loyalty and trust in their branch or rank. compasses are also connected with religious symbolism. Since the compass has been used for centuries by all kinds of people, it is considered an ancient symbol of safety and security. boots, seabirds, anchors, and axes are used to represent a hiking or naval background.
Compass tattoos are also a symbolic representation of a traveler who loves to explore the world. Sailors are known to have compass tattoos so they won’t get lost while out at sea. And in general, a compass tattoo can symbolize guidance, direction, safe travels, and protection. a compass also gives us a sense of security when it comes to direction. we fully trust and know the magnetic guidance that a compass gives us. Many people use the compass as a tattoo design, to represent staying on course when an obstacle comes along.
A compass could also be associated with the pole star, as its location remains reliable and static. home can also be found with a compass, and this is why many travelers equip themselves with a compass when they go on a journey.
Compass tattoos can be decorated with globes and nautical stars to show this meaning nicely.
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compass tattoo placement
The position of a compass tattoo will depend on the wearer, of course, but the best locations are the forearms, hands, shoulders, back, and mid-sleeve for men. females, meanwhile, can wear them on the spine, thigh, quarter sleeves, ribs, and forearms. And as for the variety of color options, the compass tattoo looks amazing in black ink. however, these designs can also be more attractive. You can get a unique compass tattoo on your body or customize it by incorporating other elements into the design.
These compass tattoos can be worn on all parts of the body such as the foot, arms, wrists, ankles, and chest. It’s always good to make sure that the design you choose for a compass tattoo goes very well with the body’s complexion and should be used in a place where it fits well.
From a small compass to a detailed nautical design, you can create a compass tattoo almost anywhere you want. A small sailor-inspired design works great on the ankles and wrists, and it’s still trendy to include these designs in a half sleeve or full sleeve arm tattoo. a back piece often combines the compass with other travel-related tattoos, large enough to cover a large area, and you’ll end up seeing sparrows, knotholes, and anchors scattered across the wearer’s shoulders, especially those who can appreciate these tattoo designs .
compass tattoo preparation tips
make sure there are no significant marks on the skin. this includes thick or unhealed scars, scratches, and deep cuts. that’s because this can create an uneven patch of skin that makes it difficult for the artist to work. so try to make sure the leather is in perfect condition before heading to the store for your appointment. hydrate your skin for a week or two before the big day. this can help make your skin more supple and easier to work with.
Drink plenty of water the night before your appointment. stay hydrated throughout the day, especially just before the session. The more hydrated your skin feels during the tattoo, the better it will end up absorbing the ink. Not only will this make the entire process much faster, resulting in a cheaper final price for your tattoo in the end, but the overall experience will be much better for both you and the artist.
It’s also important to eat a full meal at least three to four hours before you can get a tattoo, especially since you’ll be sitting for many hours. Not eating enough carbohydrate- and protein-rich foods could lead to fatigue or, worse yet, vomiting and passing out in the store. Eating the right food boosts your immune system and can help your body deal with the amount of endorphins.
Are compass tattoos painful?
Getting a tattoo will definitely hurt, and there’s no getting away from it. But a couple of body parts are considered to be very sensitive to pain, and only the bravest souls would dare to get a tattoo on those parts. our fingers, for example, have many nerves. touch is a very important sense, and even the most delicate and fragile nerves in our body can be found in our hands. hands also contain multiple joints that don’t contain much muscle or fat in them, which can possibly increase the amount of pain you’d expect from a tattoo. therefore, the hands are one of the worst places to get a tattoo, and you will most likely have to keep checking it every time you get a touch-up.
Many tattoo artists today use precise, clean outfits to store the dye, mechanically inserting one or dozens of clustered needles in and out of the skin, some 150 times per second. And with each needle stick, the dye is injected directly into the person’s skin, and their body’s immune system will respond by sending out white blood cells to deal with the threat.
frequently asked questions about compass tattoos
Many tattoo artists will get you to sign a waiver. this keeps the artist protected from possible lawsuits due to an allergic reaction or infection coming from the tattoo ink. Please note that while getting a tattoo is safe when done in a clean and sanitized area, there is still a potential risk of infection.
In the excitement of choosing a tattoo design and placement, you should never forget to consult with your doctor or an expert dermatologist to ensure that your skin can withstand the procedure. A complication after getting a tattoo includes a possible allergic reaction or, even worse, an infection. If you have any concerns or questions about the procedure, the store will encourage its customers to visit a doctor first. It’s still possible to have an allergic reaction to the pigment even weeks after getting the tattoo, and you should seek proper medical care for complications like these.
Because blood is involved here, every responsible tattoo artist should ask their client for a medical certificate or medical history, to ensure that the client does not contract any blood-borne infection or disease from the session. they have to ask them as many questions as the client would ask them in return.
Before you can get a tattoo, you must first consider your career. Please note that there are still some businesses that do not allow visible tattoos, or tattoos in general, in the workplace. this is important for the user’s career. You could be a student working part-time at a trendy restaurant where tattoos are accepted, but if you want to work as a top executive in an office, a tattoo might not be the best idea. however, this does not mean that you cannot get a tattoo. it just means you need to consider where you want to put it so you can cover it up in professional attire should your employer require it.
many customers leave tips for their tattoo artist. This is a service that is being provided as many customers will leave a tip after their tattoo is complete. Saying whether a person has to leave a tip after the session is really a personal choice, which she can make for herself in case she is not satisfied with the store’s service. there are many different opinions about who you should tip and who you shouldn’t. It’s not uncommon to tip your artist.
How much does a compass tattoo cost?
The average price of a tattoo depends on the color, intricacy, detail and how good the artist is. Other hidden factors, such as increasing cost, can also increase the final price of your ink.
Certain parts of the body are difficult to reach, and it could be a challenge for a tattoo artist to do their work in that area. in certain cases, they are required to sit in an uncomfortable position for so many hours in order to finish the job. they also carry a very heavy tattoo machine. these things can cause muscle strain and eye strain, so it’s completely understandable if they charge a huge final price, even for a simple tattoo.
A compass tattoo doesn’t have too many detailed designs. but you still need a lot of time to finish even a single complete compass design. If you prefer to have a colorful compass tattoo, this means that you will be charged more than just a service fee. A compass tattoo is made up of over 3.5 inches long and 2.5 inches wide. it may cost upwards of $50 to $100. However, this will all depend on your current location.
compass tattoo maintenance tips
Be sure to follow your artist’s advice. Maintenance and aftercare advice for tattoos will depend from shop to shop, and sometimes two artists coming from the same shop will have different advice on how to care for your new ink properly. so listen to the instructions your artist will give you – many of them will give you a booklet with tips before you leave the shop.
The aftercare process begins once the tattoo is done. The artist will apply a thin layer of petroleum ointment over the tattoo, then cover everything with plastic wrap or a bandage. this covering prevents bacteria from reaching the skin. It can also protect the tattoo from getting irritated or rubbed off by clothing.
You can now remove the bandage after a couple of hours. wash your hands with warm soapy water. Gently wash the tattoo with mild, unscented soap and water, then pat skin dry with a soft cloth or dry paper towel. Place in a small amount of oil on top of the tattoo. don’t re-bandage your tattoo so your skin can breathe.
And for the first few days, tattooed skin may feel hot to the touch and take on a red appearance. the colors may also look a bit bright against your skin. your tattoo will start to look less vibrant as it heals.
