What exhibits more strength than Atlas, the historic Greek Titan, who purportedly bears the weight of the entire earth upon his shoulders? Tattoos of Atlas signify endurance, perseverance, and determination.

A classic tale and timeless myth in its own right, the story of Atlas being condemned to hold up the sky for all of eternity evokes the primal imagery of power in the face of abiding adversity.

Atlas, the mythological and primordial being, was the leader of the Titans who fought against the gods of Olympus. Directly related to name “Atlas” is our knowledge of astronomy. An atlas, of course, is aptly named as it refers to a book of maps and embodies the study of cartography and learning. Atlas also reminds us of the “supposed” first discovery that the earth was round, channeling the spirit of enlightenment.

Even the Atlantic Ocean means literally the “Sea of Atlas.” Iconic images of Atlas can be seen all over the world, most notably as a giant statue in Rockefeller Center.

Perhaps you are a fan of “Atlas Shrugged,” the classic novel by the famous Ayn Rand. Maybe you’re a world traveler, an adventurer, not afraid to take chances. Consider getting an Atlas tattoo that display the globe and highlight the shape of your favorite continent. Maybe you can emphasize the country your ancestors are from or idealize a place where you want to someday travel.

1. Black and Gray Atlas Tattoos

The widest variety of atlas tattoos come in black and gray, which is no surprise considering the old world nature of the symbology of having a Greek Titan etched a tattoo. Like a classic movie, some artworks just look better without the pizazz. If you think of yourself as a classicist (or you want your Atlas tattoo to be classic at the very least) then black and grey is a great option.