Vegvisir Tattoo Idea? Try It for 2 Weeks
Vegvisir Tattoo Idea? Try It for 2 Weeks
Lasts 10–14 days
A vegvisir, often called a Viking compass, is an Icelandic magical stave of guidance and protection. Its name means wayfinder: it was meant to keep the bearer from getting lost in rough weather. People wear it to hold their course through hard times. Despite the nickname, it first appears in the 1860 Huld manuscript.
At InkToday, this vegvisir is 2 x 2 in and lasts 10–14 days, so you can live with the design before you book a real tattoo.
Size: 2 x 2 in (5.2 x 5.2 cm) · Best placement: inner forearm, back of the hand or chest
See more tattoo ideas for men → · Temporary tattoos for men →
What's in the kit?
Every InkToday tattoo ships in its protective sleeve, with an application guide to help you put it on.
How do I apply my tattoo?
Our tattoos are painless and very easy to apply yourself – it only takes a few simple steps.
Follow the application guide supplied with your tattoo, or watch our video tutorial here.
Once applied, the ink reacts with the proteins and the keratin in your skin, and darkens within 24 to 36 hours.
Your tattoo then stays visible for 10 to 14 days depending on where you apply it on your body, before fading away naturally.
Colour and appearance
Unlike most temporary tattoos, INKTODAY ink bonds to the surface of your skin instead of simply sitting on top of it.
Once applied, the ink reacts with the proteins and the keratin in your skin, and darkens within 24 to 36 hours.
The final result looks like a real tattoo, in a deep blue-black colour.
How long does the tattoo last?
INKTODAY tattoos are designed to fade within 10 to 14 days.
How long they last depends on where you apply them, on your daily activities and on how hydrated your skin is.
The ink fades gradually as your skin renews itself naturally.
Here is an estimate of how long they hold, area by area:
🦵 Leg: day 1 to 5 (very dark colour), then day 6 to 12 (colour fading).
🦶 Foot: day 1 to 8 (very dark colour), then day 9 to 14 (colour fading).
🦵 Knee: day 1 to 6 (very dark colour), then day 7 to 12 (colour fading).
💪 Forearm: day 1 to 6 (very dark colour), then day 7 to 12 (colour fading).
💪 Shoulder: day 1 to 7 (very dark colour), then day 8 to 14 (colour fading).
💪 Upper arm: day 1 to 7 (very dark colour), then day 8 to 14 (colour fading).
✋ Hand: day 1 to 4 (very dark colour), then day 5 to 8 (colour fading).
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InkToday ink: how we designed it
We developed our InkToday formula drawing on the natural, ancestral practices of tribes who used plant sap to mark their skin.
Our unique formula lets our INKTODAY tattoos last longer while giving a deeper, blacker colour.
Water-resistant and incredibly realistic, our tattoos offer an authentic, long-lasting experience.
Discover our founders’ story and how InkToday ink was created here 👀
Shipping and returns
We ship to most countries worldwide, free above the amount shown in your cart.
All non-personalised orders can be returned within 14 days, as long as the tattoo’s individual packaging has not been opened, of course.
Why try it before the real one
- See if 2 x 2 in is the right size where you want it (inner forearm, back of the hand…).
- Watch how it looks on your skin, day after day.
- Love it? Show it to your tattoo artist. Not sure? Try another design next month.
What a vegvisir tattoo means
The vegvisir is an Icelandic magical stave often called the Viking compass. It is traditionally linked to finding your way, even when you can't see the road ahead.
How to apply
- Clean and dry the skin.
- Press the tattoo on firmly.
- Peel off the backing.
- Let it develop: the ink darkens over 24–36 hours.
InkToday makes plant-based semi-permanent tattoos that develop on the skin over 24–36 hours, look like real ink and last 10–14 days, so you can try a tattoo design before getting it for real.
Meaning
The vegvísir, Icelandic for “wayfinder”, is an Icelandic magical stave intended to help the bearer find their way through rough weather. The earliest known attestation is in the 1860 Huld manuscript. Despite its lack of a clear connection to the Viking Age, the symbol is often erroneously called a Viking compass. It is an Icelandic charm from the 19th century, not a Viking relic.
Source: Wikipedia, article “Vegvísir”
Size and placement
Design size: 2.1 x 2.1 in (5.2 x 5.2 cm)
| Placement | How it looks at this size | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Inner forearm | The 2 in circle fits the width of the arm and the eight arms stay readable | Guys who want to see their symbol every day |
| Back of the hand | It covers most of the back of the hand | Guys who are fine with a tattoo that always shows |
| Chest | Close to the heart, it stays hidden under a T-shirt | Guys who want a more personal symbol |
FAQ
What is the Vegvisir Viking compass?
The Vegvisir is an Icelandic magical stave with eight arms, nicknamed the Viking compass. Its name means wayfinder, and it was meant to stop the bearer from getting lost in bad weather. The nickname is misleading: its earliest known source is the 1860 Huld manuscript, long after the Viking Age. It is a charm, not a real navigation tool.
What does the runic compass mean?
The runic compass is another name for the vegvisir. It stands for guidance, protection and finding your way home. Its eight arms point in every direction, so the bearer is never lost. Many modern versions add a ring of runes or dots around it, like this one. Today, people wear it for direction, protection and inner strength.
What is the meaning behind a Norse compass tattoo?
A Norse compass tattoo, or vegvisir, means guidance, protection and staying on your path through life's storms. Many guys pick it for a new start, a long trip or a hard period they got through. The symbol itself comes from 19th-century Iceland rather than the Viking Age, but its message is simple: keep your course.
What does having a compass tattoo mean?
A compass tattoo usually means direction, travel and finding your way back home. Some sailors believed a nautical star or compass rose would help them find their way back to port. The vegvisir carries the same idea in a Norse style: a charm against getting lost. Both suit someone who has moved, travelled or rebuilt their life. Pick the one that fits your story.
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