What is the symbolism of anchor tattoos?

The anchor is a symbol of a surface crossing (by boat or ship) of the Atlantic Ocean.

A description of what anchor and other tattoo designs mean can be found on the related link. Anchor tattoos were all the rage for sailors. It was often the symbol of a very experienced sailor. Anchor tattoo designs are one of the oldest types of tattoos. However with an interest in all things retro and chic these have come back into fashion. In fact in the tattoo field as a whole retro tattoo designs have been experiencing a resurgence. These retro tattoo designs have come back to life with new more vibrant tattoo colors, designs and placements on the body. This trend originated on the west coast mostly and has even become known as west coast tattoo style. Retro themes in tattoo designs are especially popular with the rockabilly group. So what is the symbolism behind the anchor tattoo design? While the earliest forms of an anchor being used as a symbol harkens all the way back to the early Christians. They would often use the anchor as a hidden symbol for the cross. This was often used to show that they were Christian while escaping persecution from the Romans. The symbol much later became popular with sailors. This is a pretty obvious connection here being that sailor use anchors constantly in their work. The anchor tattoo design has become a symbol for stability and a strong foundation. It can also mean a boyfriend, girlfriend or significant other in someone's life. You see a man might get an anchor tattoo to show that his girlfriend is the stability in his life. These have become increasingly popular for women to get and they often place them just below their collar bone on the right of left side. So the anchor tattoo is a great tattoo with lots of symbolism and history behind it. If you are looking for something to remind you to stay grounded or want to symbolism a particularly stable or grounding relationship that you have then an anchor tattoo design might be something to look into.

Apparently it symbolizes a safe return to port.

In the US Navy, An anchor means that a sailor has transversed the Atlantic.