Map and Coordinates Tattoos
Short answer: A map tattoo puts the map of a city, a country or the world on your skin, while a coordinates tattoo records the latitude and longitude of an important place. The meaning is personal and depends on the place you're connected to: your hometown, your birthplace, the site of a memory or a city you miss. Map and coordinates tattoos look very elegant when done minimal and fine line; the wrist, forearm, collarbone and shoulder are the most common placements.
Map tattoos are about a "bond with a place." That bond can be your hometown, travel, love or a memory.
Types of map tattoos
City and country maps
A map of Turkey, the outline of a province or district, a city's street map. It expresses love for your hometown or a bond with a city.
World map
It symbolizes a passion for travel, global citizenship and a spirit of exploration; usually done at a large scale on the arm or back.
Coordinates tattoo
The latitude and longitude of a place (for example, your birthplace, where you met someone, where you got married). A simple, coded personal mark.
Map and compass composition
A compass, old paper texture and direction markers over a map. Compass Tattoo Meaning
Topographic map (contour lines)
Mountains, valleys or lakes shown with contour lines; geometric and elegant.
Map combined with a heart or symbol
A heart, flower or bird inside the map; love for your hometown and a sense of belonging.
Meanings
- Roots and hometown: The place you were born or the place you miss.
- Travel and exploration: Places you've been or want to go.
- Memory: The place connected to a person or an event.
- Direction and belonging: Where you belong.
Where to get one
- Wrist and forearm: Small coordinates or a minimal map
- Collarbone: Horizontal coordinates lettering
- Shoulder and upper arm: A medium-size city or country map. Shoulder Tattoo Ideas
- Back and leg: A world map and large compositions. Back Tattoo Ideas
- Ribs: Vertical coordinates and lettering. Rib Tattoo Ideas
Things to watch out for
- Accuracy: Double-check the coordinate numbers and map borders before you get tattooed; a wrong digit is permanent.
- Sensitivity: Map borders and place names can be sensitive topics; choose the design carefully and clarify it with your artist.
- Size: A detailed map at a small scale can become unreadable; a minimum size matters for coordinate lettering too.
- Font: Simple, legible fonts for coordinates. Tattoo Lettering Ideas
- Make it personal: Add a date or lettering to the map to make it your own.
Choosing an artist
In the TattooVerseCo Artists section you can find artists experienced in minimal and fine line work. You can describe your map idea in the Design Studio to create a draft, and browse ready-made map and compass designs in the Design Studio section.
Frequently asked questions
What does a map tattoo mean?
It symbolizes a person's bond with a place: a hometown, travel or a memory.
How is a coordinates tattoo done?
By writing the latitude and longitude in numbers; the font and placement are decided with your artist.
Can you get a map of Turkey tattoo?
Yes; clarify the design and geographic accuracy with your artist.
Where do you put a map tattoo?
The wrist, forearm, shoulder, back and leg.
How much does a map tattoo cost?
It depends on size, detail and the artist; you'll need to get a quote.
Put a place on your skin. Start with the TattooVerseCo Design Studio designs, the Design Studio drafting tool and the Artists section.