Compass Rose Tattoo

Compass rose tattoos have always been the domain of sailors, hence they are also at times referred to as nautical compass rose tattoos. This was a favorite tattoo option for sailors due to a number of reasons. There is a strong belief as to why did the sailors wear this tattoo design. The seamen believed that compass rose tattoos would bring them good luck, and at the same time ensure that the seamen made it back to the shore alive. I am sure the seamen did require luck as they faced a rough, unpredictable life on the high seas, which was full of hazards.

Compass Rose Tattoo Meaning

Although these tattoos were used by sailors, for the modern-day tattoo aficionados, there are other meanings attached to this tattoo design. The meanings attached to the compass rose tattoo are a little philosophical. To some it stands for focus. It reminds the wearer of the tattoo to focus on the future and let the bygones be bygones. This is especially true about moving ahead after a rocky and tumultuous relationship. It can also indicate leaving an addiction behind. The last of the meaning is to start life afresh and look forward to the things that life has to offer.

In case someone has drifted away in life without any direction or goal to pursue, a compass rose tattoo can be a reminder that if you want to achieve anything in life, then you should have the right direction. To some this tattoo design can also be about remembering, honoring and learning from the past, and at the same time looking forward and being open to whatever the future holds for the person. It is actually an all-encompassing view of life, rather a very healthy view of life.

Compass Rose Tattoo Designs

There is basic trend which is followed in compass rose tattoos. There are four cardinal directions which point to the north, south, west and the east. These cardinals are placed in their appropriate positions around a circular base. Often the inside of the compass rose is filled with an ornate star, which is seen as a symbol of the North Star. It is the North Star which has been used as a principal navigational tool by the people to guide themselves from one point to another.

There are changes which have come about in the modern tattoo designs. Instead of the nautical star at the center of the tattoo, personal zodiac signs, symbols or characters are being used. These can be taken from the western or from the eastern astrological characters. Kanji characters can also be used to add greater depth to the personal meaning attached to the tattoo design. The characters used are often the universal themes such as love, peace, truth or may be other symbol, which is closer to the heart. If you have to look at some Celtic tattoo designs, you will come across compass rose tattoo design there as well. Incidentally, Celtic compass rose tattoo makes for a wonderful, yet a different tattoo design.

You can also be innovative with your tattoo design. An idea would be to turn the compass rose tattoo into a sun and use the extended rays of the sun as the four cardinal directions. There are a number of Celtic and tribal tattoos designs which can also be incorporated into the tattoo design. The colors which were used to draw these tattoos,were basic blues, browns, gray and black. However, these days there are many color combinations used to make compass rose tattoos. The most commonly used combination includes peach and medium green, pink and purple, yellow and peach, teal blue and green, etc.

Compass rose tattoos can be placed either on the back or on the upper arm. According to me, along with the nautical star tattoos, compass rose tattoos make for an elegant and beautiful tattoo design.