The boat and ship tattoo can be done in many different sizes and colors, It's up to you to choose which one best suits your style. While some are small and discreet, others are large and colorful, and can even serve as an option to close the arm or any other part of the body.
In any case, it is essential that before getting a boat tattoo you reflect on the possibilities and talk to your tattoo artist to achieve a unique design that reflects your personality.
What's Its Meaning?
The meaning of the boat tattoo can vary depending on the model you choose. For example, while the paper boat tattoo symbolizes the fragility of life, the sailing boat represents courage and the spirit of freedom.
More broadly, the boat and ship tattoo has a rather metaphorical meaning, which was built by sailors in the XNUMXth century to represent both their desire to find new adventures and their determination to return home safe and sound.
In contemporary society, the meaning of the ship tattoo is linked to new discoveries, independence, passion for freedom and getting to know new places and people. It can also symbolize resilience: despite the rough waters, it is always possible to overcome adversity and find paths to a calmer place.
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-4.jpg)
Boat / Ship Tattoo Pictures and Ideas
Boats have existed since the most remote times of humanity and were used by several civilizations as a vital instrument for their economic development. That's why, have had different types of formats and functionality over the years until they reached the standard we know today.
Just like in real life, boats in the tattoo universe can follow many different patterns. For example, you can choose to tattoo an old boat, like that of the Vikings, or a more current boat, so that the options are so diverse that it is even difficult to decide.
As for the size and coloring, your creativity will be a great ally, after all this tattoo looks great on just about any area of the body, with or without color. Here are twenty boat and ship tattoo ideas for your inspiration, divided into four categories: sailing, pirate, viking and paper. Check out:
Sailing
The sailing ships tattoo was very common among sailors, who used it to show that they had bypassed Cape Horn, a stretch that despite being inhospitable and dangerous, was essential for circumnavigating the globe along trade routes.
Crossing Cape Horn with a sailing ship was a feat worthy of much celebration, as only the bravest were able to accomplish such a feat. In this way, tattooing a sailing ship is a representation of bravery; that even with all the difficulties imposed it is possible to find a solution and achieve success through perseverance.
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-5.jpg)
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-6.jpg)
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-7.jpg)
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-8.jpg)
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-9.jpg)
Pirate
Even though it ceased to exist a long time ago, thePirates still wield enormous influence in our society, having its history reproduced through important means such as literature and cinema.
In addition to resulting in visually fantastic tattoos, this ship has a very deep meaning by reproducing the pioneering spirit of pirates. Thus, a person who adheres to this tattoo will be emphasizing his adventurous personality, who is not afraid to navigate uncharted waters.
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-10.jpg)
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-11.jpg)
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-12.jpg)
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-13.jpg)
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-14.jpg)
Viking
Boats were inextricably linked to Viking culture. With a focus on combat and exploration of new territories, theviking ships had an extraordinary speed for the time and had an incredible look, always with a mystical animal carved in its frontal region.
The tattoo of a Viking ship works as a way of to show respect or pay homage to this complex and significant culture. The tattoo can be done in a more realistic or a more playful style, it's up to you to decide which fits best within your style.
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-15.jpg)
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-16.jpg)
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-17.jpg)
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-18.jpg)
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-19.jpg)
Of paper
This tattoo has a high poetic content and a very subjective meaning. The paper boat is a fragile structure, but despite its limitations it opens up new horizons, serving as a metaphor for the tattoo bearer: don't let any limitation repress your desires, seek what makes you happy.
Different from the other tattoos presented in the post, this one is characterized by the Minimalism. For this reason, it can be performed on smaller areas of the body, such as the finger or wrist, making it an ideal option for those who want a discreet tattoo, but full of meaning.
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-20.jpg)
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-21.jpg)
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-22.jpg)
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-23.jpg)
![Boat and Ship Tattoo: Meaning & 20 Incredible Ideas to Get Inspired](/images/posts/6295f820074a1ee44d59fa64e36d02e9-24.jpg)
Which tattoo is more your style: Sailing ship, pirate, viking or paper? Tell us what you think in the comments. To learn more about it, visit our Piercing and Tattoo section.