![Top 80+ Best Hold Fast Tattoo Ideas – [2022 Inspiration Guide]](https://nextluxury.com/wp-content/uploads/traditional-hold-fast-tattoos-crazydayztattoo4life-1.jpg)
Top 80+ Best Hold Fast Tattoo Ideas – [2022 Inspiration Guide]
Hold Fast is the epitome of old school tattoo, often etched and scarred across knuckles all over the world.
To Hold Fast can quite literally be the difference between life and death for sailors, who live their life in the heavy rigging of ships, working against rough seas and treacherous weather.
A hold fast tattoo once meant you could handle yourself on the roughest oceans. This maxim was a staple of early sailor tattoos Hold Fast remains a proud example of American traditional design as the symbolic meaning has evolved along with wider body art.
According to Aitken-Smith’s Tattoo Dictionary, Hold Fast has grown to incorporate the ideal that “no matter how rough life gets, one must always be strong to see it through.”
As this gallery demonstrates, the traditional hold fast tattoos remain at the forefront of the message, however the ideal is opening to other styles and technical application.
1. Anchor Tattoos with Hold Fast Script
Source: @jimmykuderiii via Instagram
Source: @lowsodiumjim via Instagram
Source: @matt_fletcher_tattoo via Instagram
Source: @megan.mcnamara.tattoo via Instagram
Source: @needles_tattooing via Instagram
2. Upper Arm Hold Fast Tattoo Ideas
Source: @denimar_studio via Instagram
Source: @kaylastattoos via Instagram
Source: @smaddogsandenglishmentattoo via Instagram
Source: @mandanasty via Instagram
3. Forearm Hold Fast Tattoo Ideas
Source: @anton_schafer_ via Instagram
Source: @bigfoottattoos via Instagram
Source: @kevyn_harper via Instagram
Source: @bigfoottattoos via Instagram
Source: @herb.tattooing via Instagram
Source: @katattackmac via Instagram
Source: @metrallainktatto via Instagram
Source: @mswinter via Instagram
Source: @tylerhtattoos via Instagram
4. American Traditional Hold Fast Tattoos
Source: @lulabelle28 via Instagram
Source: @bryanmholt via Instagram
Source: @dragonerotattoo via Instagram
Source: @horifudo_loyaltytattoo via Instagram
5. American Traditional Linework Lettering
Source: @ambro.art.tattoo.raglan via Instagram
Source: @ambro.art.tattoo.raglan via Instagram
Source: @big_papa_ren via Instagram
Source: @wizardbarbell via Instagram
Source: @wizardbarbell via Instagram
Source: @ls_teeth via Instagram
Source: @passionateportraitsphotography via Instagram
Source: @octopink.tattoo via Instagram
Source: @riot.saiko via Instagram
Source: @things.we.carry via Instagram
Source: @stuffikindacareabout via Instagram
Source: @breeellaneeley via Instagram
Source: @uh_lyss_uhhh via Instagram
Source: @luisfdordzdlg via Instagram
Source: @inkjoneser via Instagram
Source: @drztattoos via Instagram
6. Hold Fast Thigh Tattoo Ideas
Source: @aftenstormcloud via Instagram
Source: @alexrobinsontattoo via Instagram
Source: @blacksailstattoostudio via Instagram
Source: @jluv_lucky13 via Instagram
Source: @maco_oculto via Instagram
Source: @mandanasty via Instagram
Source: @richwarburtontattooist via Instagram
Source: @roy_drage via Instagram
Source: @chooglin_stu_tattoo via Instagram
7. American Traditional Filled Hold Fast Lettering
Source: @allykernahan via Instagram
Source: @biffbiff_29 via Instagram
Source: @bigpit101 via Instagram
Source: @bodyartistsd via Instagram
Source: @brandon8_6ward via Instagram
Source: @crazydayztattoo4life via Instagram
Source: @darkstartat2 via Instagram
Source: @dear_jenna_photography via Instagram
Source: @edanalexander.tattoo via Instagram
Source: @highfiveg via Instagram
Source: @j_bachman13 via Instagram
Source: @jackthomasnewton via Instagram
Source: @jaime.paes.tattoo via Instagram
Source: @johntheconqeror via Instagram
Source: @jrgenadolfsen via Instagram
Source: @misterholt.tattoo via Instagram
Source: @artbydrex via Instagram
Source: @painfullartstudio via Instagram
Source: @pinkytbo via Instagram
Source: @royals_and_rags via Instagram
Source: @royaltytattoo via Instagram
Source: @rumbl3_43 via Instagram
Source: @showtime_2 via Instagram
Source: @siwood1979 via Instagram
Source: @voilierphilosoft via Instagram
Source: @handsometomtattoos via Instagram
Source: @ylfieson via Instagram
8. Holdfast Tattoos with Innovative Knuckle Lettering
Source: @axelle_pin_up_tattoo via Instagram
Source: @dynahogg via Instagram
Source: @jharris_tattoos via Instagram
Source: @ledarville via Instagram
Source: @muintsi via Instagram
Source: @savageimagez via Instagram
Source: @shomase_tattoo via Instagram
Source: @terence_tattoo via Instagram
Source: @rosi.i via Instagram
9. Hand and Wrist Hold Fast Tattoos
Source: @collybopink via Instagram
Source: @kbmovement via Instagram
Source: @bsas_rider83 via Instagram
Source: @macieldri via Instagram
Source: @riley_tattoo_art via Instagram
Source: @ink_and_iron_athletics via Instagram
Source: @john_slack_tattooer via Instagram
Hold Fast Tattoo FAQs
To Hold Fast was the difference between life and death for sailors, who lived their life in the heavy rigging of ships, working against rough seas and treacherous weather.
A line of rigging tied up and tightly secured is termed ‘fast,’ anyone braving the wild seas had to figure out quickly how to cling on tight.
According to Aitken Smith’s Tattoo Dictionary, Hold Fast has grown to incorporate the ideal that “no matter how rough life gets, one must always be strong to see it through.”
It is a symbol of strength – the metaphor of the sailor clinging to the rigging of his ship when the storm is hammering, and the seas are raging.
Hold Fast tattoos are overwhelming chosen to be tattooed across the knuckles of both hands.
The four letters of each word fit perfectly and being added to the hands used literally to hold on for dear life sum up the entire mindset behind the phrase.
For those who aren’t keen to explore finger tattoos – many seasoned collectors and rookies have reservations – a hold fast design can be placed anywhere you can fit an American Traditional tattoo.
They are often etched alongside nautical seascapes, old ships, and anchors, while swallows and sparrows are also popular design themes.
For the very quick, very small simple tattoos shops institute a shop minimum.
More complex work can cost around $200 for an hour from a well-established, skilled professional for a small tattoo.
In demand artists and single needle specialists can charge up to $500 per hour.
