Commonly Used by members of the Navy or Marines to symbolize time spent abroad but an anchor tattoo has meanings that are more than just the sea and the ships it holds steady. In fact, in the past it is believed that the anchor design was used to camouflage and shelter the symbol of the holy Cross. This was done as a means to avoid being targeted but at the same time to have a symbol of their faith to be displayed in some form.
Actually the
anchor tattoo gaining a lot of popularity, initially it was believed that anchors belonged to those who work in businesses associated with the sea. That is sailors, seamen, navy personnel and others associated with the deep blue seas and oceans. But the scene has changed; the anchor tattoo is no longer the bastion of those associated with the sea. Now the rock stars have also taken on this tattoo with a great deal of enthusiasm and it has also become the design of choice with the fairer sex.
The anchor is what puts down roots deep into the sea to hold a ship in place, it has been associated with strength and stability, therefore can be seen symbolically as something that holds you in place and provides you the strength to hold on no matter how rough things what.
Some
anchor tattoos are dedicated to the near and dear one who played this role in your life. That is provided you the strength and wherewithal to hold on no matter what comes your way by being there through it all. Many people pick an anchor tattoo design to remind themselves that no matter how stormy and rough things get out there and how many the factors around you try to uproot you, you need to hold on and keep doing what you are supposed to.
Anchor tattoo represents in the physical level one of the elements of nature that fascinates us the most... the sea, an anchor tattoo is part of the fascinating sea and that too one that can withstand the force and power of the sea. Some of us love the sea and some of do not like it all, whereas there are some of us who fear it. But one thing we cannot feel towards the sea is complete and absolute indifference. And on an emotional level an anchor in your life has to be the most touching of things, symbolizing a faith that would not give up in the face of abuse and persecution has to be probably one of the most spiritual and profound significances of the anchor tattoo. For these reasons the symbolism and meanings of an anchor tattoo go beyond mere aesthetic appeal.
You can add more weight to an already significant design by choosing to have a message added around it. Pick a motif that goes with your beliefs and the location you are going to get the tattoo on. This way the world will not have to guess why you got an anchor tattoo in the first place. So no matter why you are getting an anchor tattoo it will carry with it the weight of its meaning and significance at a deeper level.
