In the 21st century, ship tattoos are not necessarily a thing just for sailors. The symbolic meanings they carry are seen almost in all cultures. In human consciousness, they are deeply ingrained.
These tattoos are popular mostly among men. Primarily, they signify adventure, hope, journey, discovery, courage and last but not least, the desire to explore the unknown. Ship tattoos can be shown with a variety of nautical symbols such as waves, anchors, swords, pirates and many more. Stick around as we are about to walk you through all of them.
Ship Tattoos Designs
We have gathered over 90 unique ship tattoo designs for you to go over, each one with their own symbolism. Please note that you do not necessarily have to copy the whole design we have shown you here. Let your creativity run free and make your own adjustments to the designs.
Now without further do, let’s get started, shall we?
Traditional Ship Tattoo
By getting a tattoo that is traditional, you are respecting the art form and keeping the tradition alive. Here are some cool traditional ship tattoos for you to go through:
1. A Way of Life
A Way of Life This traditional ship tattoo depicts a basic sailing vessel with full sails, ropes, and a flag, done in thick black outlines with subtle blue wave shading. What makes it special is the timeless nautical simplicity that echoes lifelong commitment to sea life. Suits dedicated mariners or travelers. No body part shown, but best on the calf for everyday reminder of personal journeys.
2. New Beginnings
New Beginnings The image features a classic ship breaking through choppy waves, sails puffed out, in vibrant reds, blues, and blacks with fine line work for depth. Its uniqueness lies in symbolizing fresh starts amid chaos, ideal for those overcoming hardships. Perfect for optimists restarting life. Not placed on body in photo, recommend upper back to represent carrying forward.
3. Monochrome
Monochrome Black ink only, this ship tattoo has intricate mast details, swirling clouds above, and dark sea below, using heavy shading for contrast. Standout for clean, dramatic effect without colors, appealing to minimalists who want bold statements. Fits introverted explorers well. Shown on no specific area, but forearm suits best for subtle display during movement.
Viking Ship Tattoo
These tattoos typically stand for recklessness and bravery. Viking ships looked like there were always going to be some raids and battles that followed.
4. Heart Full of Courage
Heart Full of Courage Realistic Viking longship with carved dragon head, oars dipping into water, gray shading for wood texture and foam splashes. Special because of lifelike ferocity capturing inner strength. Best for brave souls facing battles. Visible on chest in image, ideal placement there too for heart-centered symbolism.
5. Bravery
Some of these tattoos also look quite good on the thighs and just on the thighs, especially if they’re minimalistic in nature. It does look very simple but that’s what makes the tattoo look elegant.
6. Recklessness
Recklessness Bold Viking ship charging waves, with horned helmets on deck, red accents on sails, rough crosshatching for storm effect. What sets it apart is the wild energy evoking daring risks. Great for thrill-seekers embracing chaos. No placement visible, suggest bicep to flex that audacious spirit.
Sunken Ship Tattoo
The tattoos in this section symbolize the risks and dangers one might face when they lead a life at sea. Some of these tattoos can also be used to honor the lives lost at sea.
7. Falling Apart
Falling Apart Black ink sunken ship tilting sideways, broken masts, bubbles rising, dense shading for underwater gloom. Special for portraying vulnerability in decay, a reminder of impermanence. Fits reflective types dealing with loss. Not shown on body, but lower leg works best to ground the sinking ship tattoo meaning.
8. Troubled Waters
Troubled Waters Detailed sunken vessel amid turbulent swirls, cracked hull, fish swimming by, blue-gray tones with layered ink for depth. Unique in capturing struggle’s beauty, ideal for survivors of tough times. Suits resilient adventurers. Image shows it on back, perfect there for broad canvas on this troubled waters ship ink.
9. At Wit’s End
At Wit’s End Monochrome ship half-submerged, tattered sails hanging, dark vignette shading around edges. Standout for raw desperation theme, symbolizing limits pushed. Best for those who’ve hit rock bottom and rebounded. No body part in view, recommend shoulder blade for hidden yet personal at wit’s end tattoo expression.
Clipper Ship Tattoo
Clipper ships were actually renowned for their grace, beauty, and speed. In their day, these ships indicated the highest level of shipbuilding. Below you’ll find some head-turning clipper ship tattoo designs:
10. Honor
Honor Clipper ship with tall masts, crisp sails billowing, gold highlights on hull, fine lines for speed illusion. Special due to elegant glory vibe honoring achievements. Fits honorable professionals or veterans. Shown on arm, and forearm is prime for displaying this clipper ship tattoo honor symbol.
11. Call To Adventure
Call To Adventure Clipper vessel against sunset clouds, orange hues blending into blue seas, dotted stars above, smooth gradients. Unique for inspiring wanderlust with dynamic composition. Suits dreamers heeding exploration calls. Not placed visibly, suggest chest for heart-pounding call to adventure ship design.
12. Spiritual Voyage
Spiritual Voyage Serene clipper gliding on calm waters, ethereal glow around, pastel purples and whites, soft blurring for mystic feel. What makes it special is the transcendent journey portrayal. Ideal for spiritual seekers on inner quests. Image has no body, but inner arm best for intimate spiritual voyage tattoo reflection.
Rocket Ship Tattoo
Rocket ship tattoo designs express the desire to travel and explore. They signify a man’s thrust beyond the earth, technology, and science. Check some of them out below!
13. Explorer
Explorer Vibrant rocket ship blasting off, flames trailing, stars dotted around, bright reds and yellows with metallic sheen. Standout for blending space exploration with ship motif, modern twist on adventure. Fits curious innovators. Shown on wrist, great there for daily explorer rocket ship tattoo motivation.
14. Shooting For the Stars
The phrase in the caption is not meant to be taken literally. It means to aim high or to set one’s ambitions or goals super high. A person with high ambitions may be able to relate to this tattoo on a spiritual level.
15. Aesthetically Pleasing
Aesthetically Pleasing Abstract rocket amid cosmic swirls, geometric lines, pastel gradients, no hard edges. Special for pure visual appeal without deep meaning, artistic freedom. Best for style-focused individuals loving aesthetics. Not on body in photo, suggest ankle for subtle, pleasing rocket ship tattoo flair.
Ship Wheel Tattoo
The wheel of a ship represents a journey. It also stands for a lot of other things such as destiny, purpose, discovery, and life’s path. Scroll down to find some of the best-looking ship wheel tattoos:
16. Guidance
This tattoo design can symbolize an individual trying their best to find their way through life. It reminds the tattoo bearer that right or wrong, we all must choose a path.
17. Finding Oneself
The tattoo etched on the man’s forearm kind of symbolizes spiritual enlightenment. The design is also pretty realistic because that’s what a ship’s wheel usually looked like: old and wretched.
18. Purpose
Of all the wheel tattoos we have looked at so far, this one is probably the most simple-looking but it allows you to come up with your own powerful interpretation, so get creative with it!
Ghost Ship Tattoo
Ghost ships are actually worn and torn-down vessels in which there is no living crew. Tattoos on such ships typically give off an ominous vibe. People get them mainly because they just look cool and stylish.
19. Red Alert
Skull tattoos, in general, look quite cool. But who would have thought a skull tattoo combined with a tattoo of a ship will look even better?
20. No Mercy
This is what a combination of a skull and a ship tattoo looks like from the side. Vertical tattoos such as this one look best on people’s arms so take that into account as well.
21. Bloodthirst
This tattoo is somewhat related to pirate tattoos. Pirates were violent in nature and would not show any mercy to their enemies. Therefore, the red-colored sea symbolizes their thirst for blood.
Loose Lips Sink Ships Tattoo
This phrase was first used in the Second World War. It means that careless talks and conversations can create huge problems by passing on useful pieces of information to enemies.
22. Consequences
This tattoo might be referring to a tight-lipped individual who is really good at keeping secrets and can be trusted almost with anything.
23. Brute Force
The tattoo design shown in the photo above is a true work of art as the detailing here is absolutely on point. The inclusion of the Popeye cartoon character also adds some edginess to it.
24. Hope
The tattoo etched on the girl’s thigh in the picture above is a remarkable example of a good color combination that also goes well with the vibe the design is giving off.
Kraken Ship Tattoo
Some people believe that these tattoos are a sign of fear and power. Some people also believe that they represent the unknown. The interpretation actually depends on the person wearing the tattoo.
25. Terror
The tattoo above represents an individual who has the capacity to strike intense or overwhelming fear into someone else with their words or actions.
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Sailing Ship Tattoo
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Sailor Jerry Ship Tattoo
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Small Ship Tattoo
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Trad Ship Tattoo
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Navy Ship Tattoo
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Old School Ship Tattoo
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Space Ship Tattoo
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Burning Ship Tattoo
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Ship Wreck Tattoo
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Tall Ship Tattoo
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Anchor Ship Tattoo
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Octopus Ship Tattoo
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Ship Anchor Tattoo
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Ship Steering Wheel Tattoo
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Planet Express Ship Tattoo
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Ship Helm Tattoo
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Skull Ship Tattoo
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Abstract Ship Tattoo
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Ship Forearm Tattoo
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Minimalist Ship Tattoo
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Ship Chest Tattoo
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This blackwork ship chest tattoo shows a battleship anchored amid waves, encircled by heavy chains, topped with an eagle and roses, bottomed by an anchor-rose combo. Traditional style with bold lines stands out for its naval symmetry and patriotic feel. Ideal for men honoring military service or sea heritage. Visible on upper chest; chest is prime spot for this large nautical ship tattoo design to command attention.
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Here’s a shaded pirate ship tattoo sailing through clouds and waves, paired with a detailed compass rose pointing north. Realistic black and grey gives it depth, unique in blending navigation themes seamlessly. Fits adventurous souls or history buffs well. Placed across the chest; best on chest or upper back for expansive viking-inspired ship tattoo ideas.
Odin Viking Ship Tattoo
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The design features Odin’s stern face in a horned helmet, fading into a viking longship on stormy seas with ravens flying. Black and grey realism captures intricate beard textures and wave motion, special for mythic storytelling. Suits Norse mythology fans or those seeking powerful symbols. Shown on forearm; forearm or calf works great for detailed odin viking ship tattoo concepts.
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Similar vibe but focused more on the ship: Odin’s portrait above a drakkar vessel battling waves, birds adding drama. Hyper-realistic shading in monochrome highlights facial wisdom and ship sails. Distinct in combining deity with seafaring lore. Perfect for history enthusiasts or bold personalities. Seen on arm; arm or thigh ideal for elaborate black and grey viking ship tattoo variations.
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Odin’s bearded gaze overlooks a classic viking ship with curved prow, amidst misty clouds and ocean swells. Fine linework in black ink emphasizes expression and hull details, unique for spiritual depth. Appeals to cultural explorers or resilient types. Displayed on upper arm; best on sleeve or back for immersive norse ship tattoo inspirations.
Conclusion
That will be all for now! These were some of the most unique and striking tattoo collections we had in store for you and we hope this article has made things easier for you in choosing your next tattoo design .
The next step can be a bit overwhelming but if you’re looking for the perfect tattoo design of a ship, you must do it. You’re going to have to go through all of the designs one at a time and pick the ideal design you would want to get etched onto your body. Once you’ve completed that, it’s all smooth sailing from there.
The last and probably the easiest step will be to consult your local tattoo artists and make sure they get the job done perfectly. After that, you’re definitely going to be ready to get the tattoo design. Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a ship tattoo mean?
Ship tattoo designs are typically associated with new journeys or beginnings, good luck, direction, a way of life or even a troubled past.
What does a sinking ship tattoo mean?
These tattoos symbolize the dangers and perils one faces at sea.
What does a ship symbolize?
Spiritually, a ship signifies the voyage of life.
What does a ship in a bottle symbolize?
For associating oneself with the maritime domain, ships in bottles are a great way to do so.
