A tattoo is one of the signs that people in a certain circle are different. It has been so common since ancient times that members of the same community, in order to distinguish each other, determine their place in the hierarchy and simply emphasize the uniqueness of their status, used images on the skin. They could be in visible parts of the body or, as in the case of secret societies, on the contrary, were carefully hidden by clothing. However, in any case, the tattoo carried great significance, was a symbol of a certain kind.
One of the most common topics was the anchor. Tattoos with his image were first met back in ancient Egypt. Later, this symbol appeared among Orthodox Christians, and among pirates, and among maritime communities. It was also found among the ancient Greeks, in ancient culture, Hinduism. What does an anchor mean, a tattoo with it or its elements?
As mentioned above, the first tattoo with anchors appeared in Egypt. There they meant the universe, the union of male and female principles. The bottom of the anchor, its paws, resembling a boat in shape, symbolized the female bosom. And the upper part is the masculine beginning. Therefore, the anchor itself (a tattoo with it) was sacred.
Religious significance
Later this symbol passed to the Christians. In this religion, the anchor was associated with hope, in the first place - with the hope of salvation - the foundation of Christianity. The first tombstones, monuments were decorated with this symbol, he often met in the decor of churches. And for true Christians, the anchor, a tattoo with the image of which pilgrims often made, promised to become a kind of talisman, guaranteeing a reliable marina, as it provides it to the ship.
With the beginning of the Renaissance, the main fans of the anchor as a symbol predictably became pirates and sailors. He still denoted hope, but now, to this list, people stuffing an “anchor” -tatu added love to the sea, the desire to indicate belonging to the sea element, their freedom and talent as a navigator. In addition, there was often a combination in the tattoo of an anchor and a dolphin - two opposites, stability and speed. These images are still adorned by sailors in all countries of the world. And in the USA, a tattoo with an anchor is a mandatory attribute of any "fur seal", a representative of the elite troops of the corresponding infantry.
Anchor Tattoo: MeaningAmong other things, in many religious teachings such an image has mythical meaning. He is associated with the ancient Greek god of the seas Poseidon, the mythical half-man half-fish Triton, the goddess Amphitrite (mother of dolphins) and the Hindu deity of the sea Varuna, who was responsible for the guardianship of people who died in the depths of the sea.
Conclusion
Now look for deep characters in tattoos with an anchor is not worth it. Yes, representatives of the coast guard and marine specialties still make it for themselves. But more and more often, the anchor becomes just a beautiful element of a tattoo, not bearing a special semantic load. So if you decide to get a tattoo with this symbol, then you can well come up with your own meaning for it, and it will also be true.