35 Amazing Compass Tattoo Designs To Try In 2023

Compass tattoo designs are gaining massive popularity among travel enthusiasts, and anyone who loves exploring new destinations and topography can’t resist trying this design. They are meaningful and can be drawn in both minimalistic and intricate ways, often incorporating coordinates or other cartography elements. If you are travel savvy and love moving around, this tattoo speaks your personality for you.

A compass tattoo is not just for wandering souls; it carries a deeper spiritual meaning. The needle and magnet, essential components of the compass, can also symbolize surveying and mapping, highlighting the importance of careful planning and itinerary. Earlier, the compass was not just used as a navigation instrument, but it was believed to connect people to their spirituality and provide orientation. Hence, a good leader can wear this tattoo with pride.

Did You Know?

The first use of a compass dates back to the Han Dynasty in China (20 BC – 20 AD). It is celebrated as one of the Four Great Inventions of China, along with printing, papermaking, and gunpowder.

Beautiful Compass Tattoo Designs With Meanings

1. Anchor Compass

The anchor is a common symbol of the Christian faith and represents holy guidance. In general, the anchor is a symbol of stability and control.

2. Nordic Compass

The Nordic compass is commonly associated with extremist beliefs. It looks quite similar to a Celtic compass. A Celtic compass expresses one’s pride in their ancestry.

3. Heart Compass

This tattoo design portrays one’s willingness to let their heart guide their actions in life.

4. Map Compass

For the adventurous souls out there, this design symbolizes a passion for discovery, expedition, and travel. This design embodies the spirit of wanderlust and a desire to chart a new course in life.

5. Nautical Compass

A nautical compass tattoo means peace and harmony. It is quite popular among sailors and maritime enthusiasts or people who desire to explore the globe.

6. Rose Compass

The compass rose tattoo denotes a passion for romance and a search for true love.

7. Star Compass

A star compass tattoo, based on the North Star, represents those who seek guidance. It is often associated with wayfinding and route planning.

8. Vintage Compass

The vintage compass tattoo is best suited for those who have a passion for History. If you’ve spent time in the navy, it also symbolizes protection, exploration, and pathfinding.

Fun Fact

The earliest compass systems were made of a central body of water surrounded by spherical shapes to indicate celestial positions.

1. Feet Compass Tattoo

Get inked on your feet with this traditional compass tattoo that is paired with an anchor. A tattoo on the foot symbolizes direction and being grounded. This a favorite among travelers who don’t know where they will end up as they journey on. This trendy design is simple yet attractive. A little shade work on the monochrome design gives it a quirky edge.

2. Chest Compass Tattoo

This one’s a beautiful design that can be etched above your upper abdomen. The monotone tattoo is a perfect fit under the chest cavity. The mandala design circling the compass is a flawless example of intricate geometric design. It symbolizes the desire to find someone who understands you.

3. Celestial Compass Tattoo

This beautiful design is a masterpiece in itself – a compass in the middle is surrounded with soft smoke and dotted geometric flowers. The solar system around the compass adds a unique touch to it. It fits the back of the neck and upper back beautifully. This astrological tattoo is popular among those seeking spirituality.

4. Butterfly Compass Tattoo

Here’s a chic angle to the regular compass tattoo. This design consists of a bold black compass surrounded by a scenic landscape that’s enclosed in the wings of a majestic butterfly. Your upper back is certainly a great location for it.

5. Abstract Compass Tattoo

This compass tattoo on the forearm is an innovative design inspired by the ‘dark academia’ art form and marks eight sub-directions with tridents of different designs. The center of the tattoo is a hollow sphere, which gives it a magical appeal. It symbolizes a tidy, educated, and rigid person.

6. Back Ear Compass Tattoo

Give yourself a trendy treat with this tattoo etched behind the ear. Its colorful design has a set of thin-lined compass arrows in the middle, accompanied by a fiery blaze of purple and blue hues in the background. Pair this quirky design with a pixie haircut, and you’re all set to rule the world.

7. Lower Back Compass Tattoo

Check out this tattoo design that tastefully fills your lower back. The design plays with colors in the background with blue waves hitting a bold black compass. The flowers on the top left also add a distinct contrast to the design. This tattoo also symbolizes motherhood for those who love to mix nautical and earthy designs.

8. Animal Compass Tattoo

This turtle sketched at the back of a compass is the ideal tattoo for your arm. Symbolically, the turtle signifies strength and stability. Its intricate design is an unquestionable eye-catcher and is also regarded as a mark of good luck. Just like the turtle, the people who sport this tattoo prefer water-based adventures.

9. Thigh Compass Tattoo

Flaunt your thighs with this fashionable crescent-shaped tattoo, another take on the Nordic compass. This design has four roses encircling a compass. The latitudes and longitudes of the place that means most to you inked beside the compass provide an added charm.

10. Compass Tattoo Behind The Arm

Designed with ultra-thin strokes, this tattoo represents an uphill scene with pine trees and a ridge below. It symbolizes difficulties that the person has overcome or is yet to overcome. It is topped with a compass that is encircled with sub-divisional strokes. The wolf, signifying strength to face your challenge head-on, above the mountains only adds to its uniqueness. The placement of the tattoo behind your arm signifies the memories you leave behind.

11. Side Body Compass Tattoo

This beautiful design for your waist represents an adventurous soul. Its semi-colorful style has a distinct design in the middle. Along with the splashed watercolor pattern in the background and its abstract concept, this tattoo will certainly stand out when you flaunt your body in crop tops.

12. Neck Compass Tattoo

This simple yet attractive compass tattoo design looks perfect just below your neck. This is commonly called the “My Crazy Life” tattoo and represents rebellion. The right lines depict the need for order and control, while the geometric shapes break free. The classic layout of the compass bounded by a circle of tiny drops and traditional waves adds some serenity to the look.

13. Spiral Compass Tattoo Design

This compass tattoo is ideal for your calves or arms. It consists of a compass, a direction star at the bottom, and a rope going around your arm. The background is a cartographer’s map. If you are a traveler, this is the perfect tattoo to express your love for adventures.

14. Dreamcatcher Compass Tattoo

This unique design combines a dreamcatcher and a compass. Fitted in the web of the dreamcatcher, the compass has its spokes pointed at directions represented in Roman numbers. The dreamcatcher is in a simple shade of black, and surrounding the web is the quote, “Not my will, but your will be done.” The two seagulls at the bottom represent the ability to adapt to different situations in life.

Quick Tip

Compasses have been a symbol of direction, limitations, and were a guiding tool in ancient cultures. A compass tattoo can be a meaningful reminder of your purpose and goals in life and motivate you towards accomplishing them.

15. White Compass Tattoo

The best way to make a tattoo trendier is to get it in white. This simple design of a compass surrounded by two radars and a tiny silhouette of a plane is not only cool but also very classy. If you are blessed with dusky skin, this is a great way to flaunt your skin tone and stand out from the crowd.

16. Shoulder Compass Tattoo

Shoulder tattoos may hurt a lot during the tattooing process, but they look oh-so-cool. Give yourself a treat with this pretty compass design that is adorned with a flower circle. It is perfect for flaunting on a cold-shoulder top.

17. Illuminati Compass Tattoo

Teaming the concept of the eye with a compass adds a touch of mystery to your tattoo. Its semi-realistic design and spectacular shading effects are amazing.

18. Stylish Compass Tattoo

A compass design right above your ankle will definitely make you stand out in the crowd. This design flaunts a simple round compass in monotone with the world in the background – the perfect match to your quirkiness.

19. Embellished Compass Tattoo

This tattoo in an oil finish and hyper-realistic colors portrays a bronze compass and a peach-colored rose. No matter where you get it done on your skin, this will be the focal point of everyone’s attention.

20. Tell A Story With A Compass Tattoo

Make your tattoo speak your stories out loud. If you love traveling and solving puzzles, this is the perfect option for you. This design flaunts a well-shaded vintage compass as a focus, and in the background are pieces of a puzzle waiting to be put back together. It is also said to symbolize autism awareness.

Infographic: 6 Eye-Catching Compass Tattoo Designs For You To Try

Whether you are someone who loves to travel or a wandering soul always lost in their thoughts, the compass tattoo is perfect for you. It symbolizes surveying and mapping and is believed to connect people to their spirituality. The infographic below highlights the best eye-catching compass tattoo designs and their meanings. Check it out!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which way should a compass tattoo face?

Most compass tattoos point toward the north. It is believed that they symbolize guidance. It can also represent a pilgrimage or a journey towards a personal goal, as it offers a sense of direction.

What does a broken compass tattoo mean?

A broken tattoo symbolizes a turning point in a person’s life. It also indicates the change of a path or tribute to a significant one who has passed away.

Where on the body is a compass tattoo commonly placed?

It depends on personal preference. Mostly, compass tattoos are placed on the forearm, chest, wrist, or back.

Are there any specific colors or elements commonly incorporated into compass tattoo designs?

Compass tattoo designs are often paired with stars, anchors, and maps. Colors such as red, black, and blue are commonly used in compass tattoos.

What is the significance of the direction the compass points in a tattoo?

The direction of the compass points in a tattoo can vary based on personal symbolism or significance. It can represent new beginnings, finding one’s path, and settling down.

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Rian OthusTattoo Artist

 

Rian Othus is an accomplished global expert in tattoo-related science and philosophy with over two decades of experience. He currently serves as the vice chairperson of the Oregon EBAP board. Rian started his journey in the early 2000s by seeking out professionals to help improve his tattooing skills and found that many shop owners only offered training in what they...more

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Nisha is a contributor to StyleCraze and has 3 years of experience in content writing for different genres. She is a makeup aficionado and combines her love for makeup and writing to provide her readers with the latest information in the beauty world. When she is not working, Nisha loves trying out the newest makeup fads and curling up with...more

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Joyce JoysonBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Joyce Joyson is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over a year of experience crafting short-form content for the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle niches. She has a triple majors bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science, and Geography from IIS University and a master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kristu Jayanti College. Her academic foundation has equipped her with...more