50+ Meaningful Anchor Tattoos For Guys (2023) Traditional Black Designs

Do you know what does anchor tattoos mean? There meaning is very simple yet very deep. Anchors are used to stopping a ship at one point against the strong tides and current of the ocean. Anchor tattoos thus represent strength, stability, and hope.

Anchor tattoos are not just popular among sailors and navy men but it has stepped out and became one of the most popular tattoo designs in the world.

Here are 50 meaningful black anchor tattoos that will suit both men and women –

Simple Anchor Compass Tattoos

1. The Alignment of black anchor tattoo can also give a lot of suggestion and hints. For example, this anchor tattoo on inner bicep of this guy is aligned downward suggesting that it could not handle the immense biceps of him.

2. As I told that Anchor tattoo represents hope. If you try an anchor and rope tattoos design then it would represent that you believe your luck is in your own hand.

3. 3D anchor tattoo might look incomplete alone so add other simple designs to it such as compass tattoo.

4. Many tattoo artists would agree with me that foot is the best place to get an anchor tattoo. They represent steadiness. So anchor foot tattoos would represent that you have more faith in your self.

5. If your foot is already occupied by another tattoo design or if you do not want to try the anchor tattoo on foot then go for anchor leg tattoos. Here is a beautiful combination of anchor and lighthouse.

queen of spades tattoo meaning

Anchor and Rose Tattoos

6. To make the meaning of their anchor tattoos more complex many people like to add other designs to it. Such as here the man added a bald eagle and dog suggesting he loves his country and his dog.

7. Anchor tattoos designs look so beautiful and cute on women. Look at this colorful anchor tattoo design and I am sure it will suit almost every lady in this world.

8. Most women opt for anchor tattoos because anchor represents strength and calmness, the two things that we expect in all relationship. So a cool idea for anchor tattoo for girls would be to try the design with the word ‘Family’ tattooed on it.

9. The meaning of anchor tattoos for guys does not change much. Most guys take anchor tattoos as a symbol of power that can hold the whole ship. So they like to try it on their biceps.

10. Married men love to have name of their family members inked on their anchor tattoos especially if they are in navy. Do you know about the types of anchor and its uses?

traditional planet tattoo

Navy Anchor Cross Tattoos

11. If your husband or boyfriend is in navy then it would be great anchor tattoo idea to try them with some flowers along with name initials of your hubby.

12. Most men who are navy prefer traditional anchor tattoo instead of modern designs. They like to add the swallow bird to their tattoo. Swallow bird has one quality – it always knows the way back home.

13. If you want to show that you have seen hard days in your life yet you are strong then try black and white anchor tattoo on your body. It will represent that the anchor been used many times and faced many difficulties.

14. While women like to try anchor tattoo on foot, men love to have an anchor tattoo on ankle. It is a unique place to try such tattoos.

15. The chest is not so commonplace to try anchor tattoo design. However, if you have seen some wonderful things in the ocean then try the anchor tattoo with them. Such as this guy tried an anchor tattoo design along with a humpback whale suggesting he witnessed the glorious moment.

Old Anchor Tattoo

16. If you want to try small and tiny anchor tattoo then try them on the neck. In such cases, the tattoos should not be larger than the ear lobes.

17. If you try anchor tattoo on thigh then add some other design to it. I would prefer compass design with them.

18. Anchor tattoo on the wrist will look even more meaningful if they are matching tattoos that you got with your sibling (brother or sister) or Significant Other (Wife or girlfriend).

19. Anchor tattoo with flowers is the most commonly suggested tattoo idea to girls. It will look amazing on the rib cage and that too in large size.

20. Anchor tattoos represent strength in a relationship. It will be amazing to have Anchor tattoos with names of your loved ones along with a beautiful quote like this.

Eagle Globe and Anchor Tattoo

21. Most men and women love to have quote with their tattoos. Anchor tattoos with quotes will look meaningful only if the quote is inspirational and gives positivity like this.

22. Another variation that could be tried with anchor tattoo is the anchor and wheel tattoos. It will suggest that you are master of your own life.

23. Anchor tattoos are also great choices for best friends. If you have a best friend the try a matching anchor tattoo with him along with name initials.

24. Here is a smart tattoo idea – Try a boat anchor tattoo where the boat is tattooed on the upper shoulder and the anchor tattoo is inked near the elbow or wrist.

25. You can also try temporary anchor tattoos. I would suggest you to try pastel color anchor tattoos or watercolour anchor tattoo like this.

Twisted Anchor Tattoo

26. A cool anchor tattoo idea would be to add a rope to your anchor but in the shape of your name initial. Such as this Man got the rope inked in the shape of ‘S’. Probably he is Superman.

27. Many artists like to modify the anchor into crossed anchor tattoos. All one has to do is make the anchor look like a cross. Here the artist made a Celtic crossed anchor tattoo.

28. Anchor tattoo can be really good memorial tattoos. Add the name and date to your anchor tattoo and it would suggest that your deceased loved one will always be in your heart.

29. The Marine Corps emblem which features an eagle globe and anchor is one of the most popular tattoo design among sailors. It would look amazing on the full back.

30. If you have kids then a wonderful family anchor tattoo idea would be to get their date of birth tattooed near the anchor suggesting that they are your two strong pillars.

Crown and Anchor Tattoo Ideas

31. A Cool female anchor tattoo idea would be to add your date of birth in roman numerals to your tattoo design. But it should not be so large in size.

32. Forearm anchor tattoo need to be medium to small in size. One modified version you can try is anchor and compass tattoo like this.

33. Girls anchor tattoos can be made more meaningful by adding the name of their loved ones who are in the navy. Also adding a compass will suggest that they hope God will always guide them to home.

34. A really cool girly anchor tattoo idea would be to make an anchor tattoo design using flower vines such as this.

35. My favorite kind of anchor tattoo is those that use creativity. Such as this anchor tattoo seems to be pierced in the forearm.

Traditional Anchor Tattoo Designs

36. I bet you will fall in love with such little anchor tattoos. They can easily be worn on fingers or even behind the ears.

37. Usually, artists do not get creative with matching anchor tattoos. Here is a unique design where the artist added heart-shaped balloons to the anchor tattoo. What does it mean? It means that the relationship won’t be a burden but a joyful experience to share.

38. One unique anchor tattoo idea would be to show a cracked earth surface in the background of anchor just like this.

39. There are many quotes that can go with your anchor tattoo design. One of my favorites is ‘Sink or Swim’.

40. You can try the old school anchor tattoo where a lot of focus was emphasized on the coloring of the tattoo design like this.

Anchor Tattoo Meaning

41. If your anchor tattoo designs start fading away then recolor it with wateroclors and bring it back to life.

42. The anchor tattoo design need not be large in size to leave an impact on viewers. Tiny and little anchor tattoos like this are also impressive.

43. Have you been a fan of Popeye the sailor man? The guy has huge anchor tattoo on both of his forearms and you can copy his style too.

44. Opt for the neo-tribal tattoo art to get pretty anchor tattoos. This guy has one on his forearm.

45. That might look painful but this is how realistic anchor tattoos are. You should try this design only if you are sure it will look good on you.

Female Anchor Tattoos

46. Flower and anchor tattoo is a cool combination but you can vary the design by choosing a different type of flowers. I would recommend to either try rose or sunflower.

47. Here is a crossed anchor tattoo that is simple and very beautiful.

48. The quote below this anchor tattoo design is one of the best I have ever come across. If you try this then please use large size font.

49. Here is another creative anchor tattoo design where the artist inked the anchor in such style that it looks carved out of the skin.

50. Most traditional anchor tattoos will also include roses, rope and a crossed shape design.

Which Anchor tattoo from the above photo gallery you liked the most?