STILL tattoo: history, meaning and 200 photos to inspire you

Getting an anchor tattoo is a choice of great character , as well as of great taste. The tattoo still has important meanings.

The anchor, in the nautical field, is a heavy object used to keep a boat stationary at a specific point on the seabed. Anchors are generally made of metal and connected by means of a rope or chain to the boat floating in the water. The anchor is an ancient tool used by the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Romans that over time has evolved both for its shape and for the materials used such as cast iron, iron or steel.

Let's see together all the meanings of tattoos with anchor, their use in the past until today, the different types of anchors and numerous tattoo examples still to be copied and inspired by.

In fact, the tattoo still represents a classic but at the same time modern style , refined and full of deep meanings: discover them with us in this article, accompanied by photos to inspire you.

STORY TATTOO STILL OLD SCHOOL

What's the history of tattoos yet? The tattoo still falls into the category of old school tattoos, the most classic type of tattoo , which originated in the 40s and 50s. The old school tattoos are in fact the ones that the sailors of the time chose to be able to draw their life, their emotions and their bonds on their body.

In the category of old school tattoos, in addition to anchors, which we will talk about in detail today, we find roses , sailing ships , mermaids , pin ups , hearts , swallows and even daggers and guns . Often these elements are combined in classic tattoos and are enriched by the use of bright and 'full' colors, such as red, blue, green and yellow.

Another distinctive feature of classic old school tattoos lies in the use of black, which delimits the edges of the design in a strong and decisive way, giving the tattoo a very defined look.

STYLE TATTOOS AGAIN

Over time, however, the anchor symbol has acquired a different connotation, being adopted by many people all over the world, who have given it very different meanings and styles .

In fact, tattoos can still be made in many ways. Among these we find in fact the still classic tattoos, the still colored tattoos , the still realistic tattoos, the still watercolor tattoos, the tattoos still with symbols and so on.

Furthermore, also the shape of the anchors can be different because there are different types of anchors : log anchors; articulated sea anchors; plow or plow anchors; spoon anchors; grapnel or umbrella anchors. There are temporary anchors, which are those that are kept on board ships and are used in case of mooring and permanent anchors that are used to anchor floating docks, oil platforms, buoys, etc. Finally, there are the floating anchors used to tow the boat or a seaplane, to brake it in case of bad weather and storms, or the bow to keep it oriented to the sea and the wind. Just because there are different types of anchors, it is possible to create images of different anchors.

TATTOO MEANING AGAIN

What is the meaning of an anchor tattoo? What are the symbolisms? Let's see them all, from those of the past connected to an esoteric or seafaring meaning to the more modern ones connected to feelings and love.

The anchor is a strong symbol that represents stability, strength, fidelity and security . Getting an anchor tattoo can represent the need to have a 'safe haven' , whether we can be ourselves or a loved one, as well as the need to bond firmly to someone or something.

The anchor also represents courage . Sailors who began tattooing their anchors in the 1940s chose them to represent their boldest feats: those who crossed the equator or crossed the Atlantic Ocean often wore this symbol for life.

The anchor also has a religious significance linked to the Bible. It is the symbol of hope in God's promises and faith in the resurrection. In fact, the anchor is identified with Jesus who, thanks to his death and resurrection, led Christians to the mainland of communion with God. It is no coincidence that the way of saying 'anchor of salvation' is famous.

The tattoo can also be interpreted as a need to have something, real, like a place or a person, or abstract, like a religious belief, to 'cling to' in times of difficulty.

The meaning of anchor and rudder is different , two elements that are often present in the same tattoo. In the nautical field, the rudder is the directional organ of the boat. Together with the anchor it indicates the ability of a person to make their own choices independently, to drive, to lead, to decide and at the same time also the ability to brake and to be stable and safe.

The anchor tattoo is also often chosen for couple tattoos , and it certainly means: 'you are my lifeline'.

Of course, everyone can choose to interpret the tattoos still to their liking: deciding to indelibly draw this special symbol on their body can also be a simple choice dictated by aesthetics.

In short, do you still like the tattoo but you are not driven by deep meanings ? It does not matter , what matters is that you are sure of the design you prefer and that you can rely on your trusted tattoo artist to create a beautiful design that fully represents you!

WHICH STILL SHAPED TATTOO TO CHOOSE?

As anticipated, the possibilities of choice are many. The anchor tattoo can be colored or black and white, large, small, combined with other symbols, with a geometric or gradient design. There are typically masculine tattoos that are popular with men and others that are very feminine that are suitable for women.

Below you will find lots of ideas: look at the photos and get inspired to create your own!

STILL BLACK AND WHITE TATTOOS

If you love the minimalist and realistic style and you love the classic black and white shades that give three-dimensionality to the subjects, the choice of a black and white tattoo is the one for you.

Black and white tattoos are more discreet than colored ones and allow you to create really very beautiful plays of shades and chiaroscuro , just like the ones we see in the following images. In this photo of inspiration for tattoos still in black and white we find realistic tattoos of anchors, but also still with musical notes, still with feathers and again with ropes, certainly the most classic choice.

STILL COLORFUL TATTOOS

Colored tattoos, on the other hand, represent a bolder choice and a livelier taste. In fact, by playing with colors, our tattoo artist can draw incredible works of art on our skin .

The still colored tattoos can in fact have large shades of color up to being real watercolor tattoos , a kind of tattoo that refers to the watercolor technique giving an extra light and romantic aspect to the design.

Those who choose a still colored tattoo can also opt for old school style colors, so full and in bright nuances such as red, yellow, green and blue, or decide to create a composition outside the box, creating a completely colored tattoo, including lines, as for the still white tattoo you see below.

WHERE TO DO TATTOO AGAIN?

Have you decided that you will tattoo an anchor but you still don't know where to make your tattoo? The places in which to engrave your heart symbol forever are countless, and they vary according to your tastes and your physicality .

In fact, you can choose to tattoo an anchor in a particularly visible place , to be able to admire it every time you go and make sure that others can always have it in sight, such as on the wrist, arms or hands , or decide to get the tattoo in a more hidden and intimate place , to make it almost invisible unless you want to highlight it, such as the back or side .

Let's see together now with many inspirational photos.

STILL SMALL TATTOO ON HANDS AND FEET

Tiny and very cool, tattoos still on the hands are very popular these days. Whether you want to have this symbol of stability tattooed on your fingers or hands, such as doses, palms and side portions, we suggest you choose very simple and not very elaborate designs, preferably in black and white.

As surely as the skin of the hands is very thin and delicate and in this area subject to sweating and often in contact with water and detergents it is possible that the color 'migrates' creating unsightly spots. Of course , your tattoo artist will advise you on the perfect design for a 10 out of 10 hand tattoo.

STILL WRIST AND ARM TATTOO

Here is another visible area of ​​the body on which to tattoo a beautiful anchor. In this case we have a lot of space in which to create very elaborate and showy anchor tattoos , rich in colors, details and shades. Among the most beautiful we find tattoos with anchor marina and rudder, but also with a mosaic effect, still stylized and even of tribal inspiration, a truly unusual choice. It can be a still small tattoo or it can come to surround the arm like a bracelet.

TATTOOS WITH ANCHOR ON THE SIDE

As we said, tattooing an anchor on the side is a choice that may be of interest to the most reserved people, who do not like to show their tattoo all the time. In the following images you can see some beautiful examples of anchor tattoos, both large and small , really impressive.

STILL FOOT TATTOO

A nice foot tattoo is also a good choice if you choose an anchor. It is in fact a type of design that goes well with rich styles as well as minimal ones, therefore even a small area like the foot can carry this kind of tattoo.

The tattoos still on the foot that we show you as inspiration are in some cases accompanied by writings such as 'family', family or 'I refuse to sink', which means 'I refuse to sink'. Also in this case we can choose a colorful old school mood or basic black and white , as well as create a beautiful 3D effect of an anklet with charms that falls gently on the foot like a real jewel!

WITH WHICH OTHER SUBJECTS TO MATCH TATTOO AGAIN?

As mentioned above, in the old school style the predominant symbols are often combined. For this it is very common to find tattoos with anchors combined with compasses , rudders, hearts , flowers , infinity symbols and much more. Below you can see the most beautiful ones to get ideas!

STILL TATTOOS WITH COMPASS

Whether it's the compass or the wind rose, choosing a tattoo of this kind suggests the freedom to be yourself and live your life without forgetting your origins. In the same way, we can attribute to such a tattoo the need to have fixed points in our life , such as the anchor, but also the desire to discover unexplored places, thanks to the compass or the blowing of the wind.

STILL AND RUDDER TATTOO

If the anchor is a symbol of stability and fidelity , we can attribute to the rudder a meaning of strength, a driving element, a guide. It is in fact thanks to the rudder, and to its captain, that an immense ship can sail the seas in the desired direction.

These two symbols are naturally linked, being part of the symbolism linked to the world of the sea and sailors, as well as to that of old school tattoos . Both the rudder and the anchor are also seen as two symbols that bring good luck: in short, perfect tattoos!

TATTOO STILL WITH HEART

Those who want to give the anchor tattoo a more romantic or sentimental meaning can instead choose to combine the symbol of sea ​​travel with a heart. The heart can be included in the silhouette of the anchor or adorn it, such as in the image where the rope wraps around the anchor creating a beautiful heart.

STILL TATTOO WITH FLOWERS

Probably more feminine than masculine, the tattoo still with flowers is a romantic and classy choice because it ' softens ' what is a typically masculine design, linked to the strong figures of sailors.

For this kind of design, roses are surely the most chosen flowers to adorn the anchors, in any case there is no way of developing a tattoo with peonies, gerberas, daisies or any other heart you like or represent.

TATTOO STILL AND INFINITE

The infinity symbol is a beloved, well known and very tattooed symbol. Many choose to join it at anchor precisely to further strengthen the meaning of one and the other.

Those who opt for this design often include the two symbols in each other creating a single design that has continuity , but it is possible to simply place them side by side or overlap them, perhaps playing with shades of color.

STILL TATTOOS WITH WRITINGS

Each tattoo conveys a message. This message can be clear to everyone, like a ' motto ', a word or phrase from a song, or more intimate, like a phrase from a book, the name of a loved one or that of our pet.

The tattoo of an anchor expresses a deep and personal meaning and often accompanying it with an inscription is a winning choice because it allows us to fully customize what is a very beautiful but very common and known design.

STILL TATTOOS WITH SKULL

Despite its eerie nature , the skull always has a certain appeal for those who love tattoos. For this reason, creating an anchor tattoo with a skull reflects the tastes of those who love the more gothic and rock'n'roll style , but also those who are fans of pirates and their imagery.

Have you found a design you like? What style of anchor tattoo do you like most? Let us know your opinions and your impressions by leaving us a comment!

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