140 Best Anchor Tattoos to Stay Grounded

The anchor tattoos have been around for decades. It was trend among sailors and those who have lived most of their lives at the sea. But if you dig up its history, the anchor symbol was deeply associated with Christianity. It was their hidden symbol of the cross which also means hope and salvation. They used the anchor symbol to signify that they were Christians while escaping persecution of the Romans.

Later on, the anchor tattoos started to have different meanings. In the US Navy, they get this traditionally when they have crossed the Atlantic ocean, and among sailors, it meant  strong foundation and stability. These days however, it stayed popular and those who have them tattooed on their body have their own meanings.

So here are 140 Best Anchor Tattoos ideas for your skin:

1. Back piece anchor tattoo

As you can see, this is a woman with an anchor tattoo at her back. There are more photos of women here with anchor tattoos than men. Probably women love to have their photos taken more than men.

 

2. Symbol of safety

 

3. Twin anchor tattoos

I think it looks cool in black and much more beautiful if colored.

 

4. Feminine anchor tattoo

I love the effect of the roses here, so feminine.

5. 3D effect

I love the 3D effect of the water drops and the femininity of its design.

 

6. Anchor tattoos for couples

It probably means they are anchored to each other.

 

7. Colored anchor tattoo with heart

 

8. Anchor and birds tattoos

 

9. Small anchor tattoo

I love the placement of the anchor there. Something I would consider having soon!

 

10. Anchor and feather tattoos

I also have an article about feather tattoos which commonly means freedom. This is quite ironic since feather tattoos mean freedom and anchor tattoos mean being grounded or stability.

 

11. Anchor tattoo

I love the heart detail.

 

12. Colored anchor and roses

The rose and anchor tattoos together symbolizes love, loyalty, honor and most of all ultimate sacrifice.

 

13. Anchor wrist tattoo

I prefer anchor tattoos to be small like this one.

 

14. Flowered anchor tattoos and others

I love the details of the tattoo and the perfect color of the flowers.

 

15. Anchor tattoo on rib

 

16. Colored anchor and rope tattoo

The rope and anchor tattoo is quite popular among sailors.

 

17. Rope, anchor and bird tattoos

Don’t know what  this means, but it look nice.

 

18. Anchor and tree

I don’t know what this means, but probably the owner of this tattoo couldn’t decide if he wanted a tree or an anchor so he got both at once! But that’s just me.

 

19. An anchor of flowers

 

20. Anchor with ship’s wheel and latitudes

“I refuse to sink” cliche is commonly associated with anchor tattoos

 

21. Fouled anchor tattoo

Most navies have the fouled anchor tattoo.

 

22. Anchor and birds

love the idea of an anchor and birds combined together in a tattoo

23. Anchor, heart and ship’s wheel

 

24. “Let it go”

 

25. Anchor tattoos with rope and chains on the other

Popular design among the US navy.

 

26. Anchor tattoos with initials

 

27. Anchor with skull tattoos

Could be a friendship bond among them.

 

28. Simple small anchor tattoo

 

29. “Maybe the past is an anchor holding us back”

Anchor tattoo with a nice quote.

 

30. Anchor and birds

I love the effects of the birds.

 

31. Anchor ankle tattoo

 

32. Simple anchor tattoo

 

33. Anchor tattoo on calf

 

34. Anchor chest tattoo

A good placement of an anchor tattoo

 

35. Couple anchor tattoo

 

36. Cool anchor tattoo

 

37. Nice anchor tattoo

I love the pastel color of the flowers and the rustic effect of the anchor.

 

38. Anchor tattoo and purple flowers

 

39. Wrist anchor tattooin black and gray

 

40. Black and Gray anchor tattoo

We all know that the heart symbol are always associated with love, and it makes the anchor tattoo more symbolic despite the simplicity of its design.

We hope our  anchor tattoo history lessons helped you in some way. The anchor tattoo associated with other symbols have different meanings, sometimes it all depends upon the person getting it. You may combine the anchor tattoo with flowers, a heart or even birds. Back then, it was mostly men who get anchor tattoos, but these days, women get them too, and they make it look more fashionable than ever!