50 Beautiful Compass Tattoo Designs and Meanings

A compass is a popular tool among travelers, especially sea farers and military personnel, as it gives them a sense of direction. Besides its utilitarian value, a compass also looks cool and classy. So, it is no wonder that many people want to tattoo a compass on themselves.

Whether it is for utility or looks, compass tattoos are popular among people all over the world. In this article, I am going to discuss 50 beautiful compass tattoo designs along with their meanings. Let’s start.

What is Compass Meaning Tattoo?

The meaning of a compass tattoo is to symbolize several things, like guidance, adventure, and the pursuit of personal goals. It can also represent a reminder to stay true to oneself and values.

A compass tattoo can also represent the need for guidance, both internally and externally. Most people design compass tattoos as a symbol of protection and good fortune and can serve as a magic charm for safe travel.

50 Compass Tattoo Designs on Body

A compass can be designed with different levels of shading, squares, and filled-in arrows. Here are the best Compass Tattoo Designs for you.

1 – Compass Tattoo on Upper Shoulder

Meaning:

Compass Tattoo Shoulder explains a combination of a pocket watch and a compass. Besides the addition of a stopwatch, this design emits class by extending the North needle of the compass offering it a unique look. It’s a decent choice for people who like to wear tank tops or leave their shoulders bare usually.

2 – Compass Tattoo on the Forearm

Meaning:

Forearm is a minimalist compass tattoo designs for people who prefer having small drawings on their bodies. These are great body parts to show off tattools. It’s not very blunt but still looks stylish. It’s a standard compass and any local artist might be able to make it for you.

3 – Compass Tattoo on Chest

Meaning:

Compass tattoo chest is a perfect design for military men since it has spaces to add memorable dates around the compass. Besides memorable dates, you can add any quote in the middle as well. It’s overall design is artistic and directions are written in classic fonts.

4 – Compass Tattoo on Upper Side of a Foot

Meaning:

For people who prefer having a tattoo on their feet, this simple yet explanatory compass idea is the best. The design includes a few extra details compared to a simple compass. The direction letters are unique and written in small letters. The north direction needle has a corn icon which makes this idea unique.

5 – Compass Tattoo on Biceps

Meaning:

Compass Tattoo on Biceps elaborative form of compass design is a decent choice for people who like to show off their biceps. Its design is classic and has a scalloped design around it. The direction needles are standard and give a 3D look.

6 – Simple Compass Tattoo on the Wrist

Meaning:

This wrist idea is perfect for those preferring just a minor design on their bodies. It’s not very bold but still delivers an artistic look. Besides wrists, this idea is suitable for the back of the neck or hand as well.

7 – An Aesthetically Appealing  Compass Tattoo

Meaning:

It is a very detailed and aesthetically pleasing idea suitable for big tattoo lovers. It has a proper compass that includes degree details as well. Besides this, it’s got a huge eagle in the middle giving a majestic to the overall design.

8 – Compass Tattoo on the Back Side of Your Palm

Meaning:

This grungy tattoo idea is perfect for having on the back of your palm. It’s a perfect design for people who are into dark aesthetics and have an introverted personality. The design includes a poorly drawn compass along with some feathers and colors.

9 – Compass Tattoo on Lower Forearm

Meaning:

The lower forearm is a lengthy part of our bodies. A Compass tattooincluding extended north and south direction needles is a perfect choice here. To add more details, you can add the names of your loved ones in the front of the north needle

10 – Big Compass Tattoo on the Back

Meaning:

If you’re looking for a more elaborate design, having this compass tattoo design at the back will be a great idea. The design in the image below has a lot of details in it. However, you can keep the design less detailed as well. The back compass tattoo idea is to just cover the upper back of your body with a stylish compass tattoo.

11 – Compass Tattoo to Signify You are Moving Ahead

Meaning:

A compass can sometimes be used to signify that you are moving forward from a bad situation or tragedy in life. It can be elaborated by adding an arrow going from south to north on your inner forearm/wrist.

12 – A Stylish Compass Tattoo

Meaning:

The tribal abstract design has been a priority of many tattoo lovers. Drawing a compass with this design is a decent idea. Its needles are inked with this pattern. Although it can be inked anywhere, having it on the lower back of the neck will look great.

13 – Compass Tattoo With a Sailing Boat in the Middle

Meaning:

This tattoo is particularly popular with seamen. The image given below elaborates on it perfectly. You can see a boat in the sea in the middle of the compass and there are two anchors as well going from north-east to south-west and north-west to south-east.

14 – Compass Tattoos as a Form of Inspiration

Meaning:

Another great idea to ink a compass tattoo is to have it in the middle of the chest. It is simple yet elaborative and looks magnificent. It’s a great idea to add it at a place where you already have some ink.

15 – An Artistic Representation of a Compass Tattoo

Meaning:

In case you like birds, having a rising bird compass tattoo will be perfect for you. It is a more detailed and artistic version showing a bird rising from the compass. It has an anchor hanging on the lower side giving the sailor-ish look to the tattoo.

16 – Compass Tattoo As a Beacon of Life

Meaning:

This tattoo with a rose in the middle signifies that people should leave behind their thorns (miseries) and take the path of the rose (happiness). In other words, it means people should learn to be happy regardless of their situation.

17 – Compass Tattoos with Additional Messages

Meaning:

3D tattoos are amazing and look good no matter where you get them inked. So, having a 3D compass design can be a great and unique idea. As you can see in the image below, the compass here is inked in a 3D version.

18 – A Dash of Color to a Compass Tattoo

Meaning:

If you want the design to be colorful instead of all-black, try out this one. It has splashes of colors thrown all over the main object giving it an artistic look. The special thing about this idea is that you can pick your favorite color and add it to the design for more personalization.

19 – A Compass Tattoo to Depict Dangerous Professions

Meaning:

For people who prefer having realistic tattoos, this idea is perfect for them. It includes two main objects which are a detailed compass and a realistically drawn rope surrounding it. Also, there’s a world map drawn in the background adding more details to the design.

20 – A Black Ink Compass Tattoo

Meaning:

This tattoo’s design adds much depth to the overall look of the tattoo.The idea revolves around drawing the compass on a torn skin. Below the skin, there are details about the map of a location. It’s another top choice for people who like realistic tattoos.

21 – Dark and Imprinted Compass Tattoo

Meaning:

The celestial compass idea is perfect for people who have an interest in space. It revolves around the idea of adding planets and stars in the tattoo along with a compass. The best thing about this design is that you can add any space object that you like.

22 – A Compass Tattoo In the Middle of a Rose Branch

Meaning:

This idea combines a rose branch with a compass giving it a natural look. The compass itself is very detailed and includes artistically drawn needles. It is a decent combination of nature and man-made objects representing the balance of life.

23 – A Compass Tattoo With a Strong Message

Meaning:

For people having a poetic personality, the ‘Lost and Found’ compass tattoo idea is the best. It is basically about drawing a detailed compass and surrounding it with a quote stating “Take Me Home”. It represents someone who was lost and found asking to take him home.

24 – Another Powerful Message About Life

Meaning:

This design includes an anchor along with a message on life. This message is surrounded by an anchor and a compass. Both of these objects are tied to each other with the help of a rope. You can include any message that inspires you in the design.

25 – Compass Tattoo With a Strong Religious Message

Meaning:

The design here combines the words “Captain” and “Soul” giving a decent quote. It is an inspirational design that explains one’s belief in himself. The overall design, on the other hand, is in the form of a compass that is attached to a small chain.

26 – A Breezy Compass Tattoo Design

Meaning:

If you want to take your tattoo to the next level, try out the oceanic compass design. It includes a simple yet finely detailed compass. It is surrounded by a rising oceanic wave which is colored blue giving it a realistic look.

27 – A Detailed Tattoo of Roses and a Compass

Meaning:

You can also try out this detailed drawing that includes two roses. The specialty of this design lies in the way the roses are designed. They are placed at the north-east and south-west corners of the compass making it even more artistic.

28 – Compass and a Koi Fish

Meaning:

Koi fishes have strong symbolism in both Chinese and Japanese cultures as they show how a person can remain strong in the face of adversity. It is a very detailed tattoo and a normal or amateur might not be able to make it. So, try contacting experienced artists to get it inked.

Koi fishes have strong symbolism in both Chinese and Japanese cultures as they show how a person can remain strong in the face of adversities.

29 – Compass Tattoo with the Accompanying Globe

Meaning:

You can have one or more globes along with your compass tattoo if you like traveling or even specific countries that you like the most.Try to ink this tattoo in a big size to increase its visual appeal.

30 – Show Off Your Profession

Meaning:

This idea combines two different types of compasses together. They are combined on a single point and aren’t completely attached. Each piece is attached with an arrow acting like the border. It is a creative design that look’s good on an arm.

31 – Sleek on the Heel

Meaning:

It’s a simple yet decent idea for people who like tattooing their feet. It includes a small and simple compass. Ideally, it should be inked on the inner side of the heel to make it more apparent.

32 – Compass and Arrows

Meaning:

Compass and arrows always go well together as they are similar in meaning and design. In fact, an arrow complements a compass well. It looks perfect when drawn with dark ink. Also, try getting it on the inner side of your wrist or arm to increase its look.

33 – Multiple Compass Tattoos Joined By a Dash of Color

Meaning:

For more elaborateness, adding multiple tattoos instead of just one is a great idea and it includes colors as well. It’s a great work of art and only experienced artists might be able to make it. Also, try getting it on the back since it will be easier to add details to the design.

34 – A 3D Compass Tattoo

Meaning:

This idea is all about having a huge and detailed 3D compass on either your shoulder or arm. It is a more well-detailed version that includes roses and a message. The message can be any quote you love. Also, it’s best to make it colored instead of just black.

35 – A Compass Tattoo with a World Map in the Center

Meaning:

Instead of a traditional compass, this idea includes a world map at its center.It’s a huge tattoo that includes different types of details in it. It is basically in the form of a helmet that is made of wood. Its needles are pointy which delivers a classic look.

36 – A Ceramic designed Compass Tattoo

Meaning:

This design involves a bracelet shape surrounding the arm and has a compass attached to it. It is a very unique design that can be detailed in any way you like. The image below shows an airplane getting away from the south needle which makes the design look very cool.

37 – Antique Compass Tattoo Designed to Transport You to a Different Time

Meaning:

Antique lovers can try out this idea based on old compasses along with a complete rose. It’s a finely detailed tattoo that deliversan artistic look for both the compass and the rose. It also includes a chain of beads going around the compass and the rose.

38 –  Spiral Compass Tattoo Design

Meaning:

As you can see in the image below, the compass here is made in the form of a heart giving it a unique look. It’s a simple yet very elaborate design that emits creativity. The needles of the compass are very detailed making the overall design look extremely sharp.

39 – World at Your Feet

Meaning:

This design is symbolic to mean a lot of things such as you want to have the world at your feet or you want to travel the entire world – just depends on what you want!It’s a great choice for those who like to make bold decisions in their lives and have great faith in themselves.

40 – A Compass Caught in the Branches of a Tree

Meaning:

This design revolves around a huge tree where the compass is caught in the branches.As you can see in the image, it’s a gigantic tattoo, and the best place to have it is the back. It also includes details like an owl sitting on a branch.

41 – Combined Compass Tattoo

Meaning:

Combine compass-related objects such as airplanes to create a splendid tattoo for yourself.The best way to employ this design is to draw compasses in different positions. It gives the design more details while enhancing the tattoo’s overall look.

42 – Intricate Compass Tattoo Design

Meaning:

It is a design with a simple compass and a complex design of the surroundings. Besides the complex surroundings, the inner side of the compass is very complex as well. You can see its finely detailed needles which make it look more majestic.

43 – Compass and Anchor

Meaning:

A compass and an anchor complement each other well because they are closely related to each other.It is a creative idea and looks great when drawn in a small size. Ideally, you should draw a compass on one hand and the anchor on the other to keep a design balance.

44 – Finger Compas Tattoo Design

Meaning:

The tiny design is a great idea for having a tattoo on your fingers. The image explains the design well. Another thing you can try out with this design is making multiple tiny tattoos on different fingers.

45 – Just a Beautiful Compass Tattoo

Meaning:

As the name suggests, the stained glass compass tattoo includes the design of stained glass. It includes multiple colors that have decent contrast between them.Another special thing you can see in the design is the greenish leaves surrounding the object making it more beautiful.

46 – Say a Story with a Compass Tattoo

Meaning:

This design includes weaving a story around a compass tattoo. The image shows a compass, the world map, and the story inked together. However, you can add anything else in the place of the map such as a lighthouse.

47 – A stylish Compass Tattoo

Meaning:

This idea focuses on details within the compass. Its needles are designed traditionally but are surrounded by multiple other needles. Also, there are several other small lines and shapes drawn on the inside making the tattoo look unique.

48 – An Embellished Compass Tattoo

Meaning:

This one elaborates on a stylish design with a small rope revolving around the compass. Its needles are designed with a three-dimensional perspective. It’s an amazing idea that suits perfectly when inked on the upper shoulder.

49 – A Simple and Flowery Compass Tattoo

Meaning:

If you like flowery designs and want a minimalistic tattoo, this idea is perfect for you. Here, the body of the compass is made in the form of a flower instead of the traditional one. Its creativity, combined with simplicity, makes the tattoo look tremendously attractive.

50 – Intricate Compass Tattoo

Meaning:

Intricate Compass Tattoo is another complex idea where the compass is surrounded by several other tattoos. The specialty of this design is that it can be inked at any part of the body. Also, it’s a great idea in case you already have a lot of tattoos on your body.

Sum Up

Compass tattoos are a popular choice for their deep symbolism and aesthetic appeal. They represent guidance, protection, adventure, and staying true to one’s values. We have listed the unique compass tattoo designs, each with its own style, meaning, and artistic touch.

These designs incorporate elements like roses, anchors, globes, and many more things. You can customize these ideas to create a meaningful tattoo that reflects your journey and personality.