100 Awesome Lighthouse Tattoo Designs for Men

From hazardous shoals, to reefs and dangerous coast lines, lighthouses have helped guide ships out at sea dating all the way to the Pharos of Alexandria.

Though, their less known purpose has been to help serve in aerial navigation too.

Before they were truly invented, the first lighthouses were technically hilltop platforms with roaring fires to help mariners identify ports. Within time, towers arose from the ground with beacons of light from blazing wood and coal for easier visibility.

By 1782 the Swiss scientist Aime Argand has invented the Argand lamp, which dangled thorium dioxide over the flame. For the flame itself, everything from whale oil to colza, olive oil and vegetable oil was used a fuel source. However, it wouldn’t be until 1970 for Kerosene to take over as the most popular choice.

Eventually it too would be replaced by acetylene gas and the standard today, electric. Speaking of today, you might be surprised to discover the keepers of lighthouses have nearly all vanished. It’s due in part to the Global Position System, GPS, however there’s still fifty staffed towers in Canada keeping the traditional alive.

Now, when it comes to tattoos the lighthouse has numerous meanings behind it. For instance, they were once seen as a archetypal public good, considering there was no cost for ships to utilize them. Not to mention, as beacons of safety many regard this design to represent things like protection, truth, and influence. Of course, they still hold a special place in every sailors heart too.

With that said, I’d like to share with you the top 100 best lighthouse tattoo designs for men in this collection. From the classic scene of ships out on sea guided by the light’s beam to the more simple and small designs on the arms of men.