A swallow tattoo represents tradition linked to sailors traveling 5,000 miles on the ocean or representing being close to home The swallow is also utilized in other old-school nautical tattoo imagery or exploring themes such as love, monogamy, loyalty, and even duality.
What goes well with a swallow tattoo?
A swallow either side with their own banner can say various things or even names. And they can round out the centerpiece nicely (usually roses, a compass or a heart ). If you’re wanting to make a serious statement with your ink you could do a lot worse than a swallow chest tattoo.
What’s the difference between a swallow and a sparrow tattoo?
What is the difference between a sparrow and a swallow tattoo? The sparrow is a more common tattoo design choice than the swallow, but they are both small birds. Sparrow tattoos are often used to depict independence, whereas swallow tattoo designs are usually done as an ode to love or life’s journey.
What do two swallow tattoos mean?
A legend claims that the tattoo of a single swallow implies that the wearer has sailed five thousand nautical miles, and that two swallows represent 10,000 miles at sea – no mean feat in the 17th or 18th centuries when sea travel was risky and fraught with danger.
Why do men have swallows tattooed on their hands?
For the fighter: Men would often get swallows tattooed on the backs of their hands to show they were quick, strong, and ruthless fighters ! In some cultures the swallow is a symbol of rebirth and positive change which is something nearly all human beings experience at some point in their life.
What does a swallow symbolize?
The swallow is an elegant bird known for its freedom of movement and representation of spring Some of the oldest civilizations recognize the swallow as a positive symbol of luck, prosperity, and fidelity.
Are swallow tattoos feminine?
Swallow tattoo designs are quite popular on the thighs, they give the symbol of femininity and gracefulness , similarly to the design that we detailed above. A good idea would be to ink a swallow on each thigh if you’re trying to symbolize love and relationship.
Are swallow and sparrow the same?
No, the swallow and the sparrow are different birds Swallows are in the family Hirundinidae, while sparrows are in the family Emberizidae.
How many miles do you need to get a swallow tattoo?
Swallows Sailors earn a new swallow tattoo for every 5,000 nautical miles traveled , which is about 5,754 regular miles, roughly the distance between New York City and Tel Aviv.
Why do sailors get tattoos of swallows?
A swallow with a dagger would be used as a memorial of a lost comrade at sea. Swallows are known for their migration patterns where they travel long distances from home and back again, a swallow tattoo would also mean that a sailor could always find their way home.
What does a swallow tattoo on the neck mean?
Swallow tattoos on a man’s hands and neck originated in British prisons from the term ‘jail-bird’. It simply means you have been to prison and served your ‘bird’ Freedom.
What is the difference between a swift and a swallow?
Spot the Difference Swallows’ distinctive forked tail have long, tapered feathers, while they also have a black head and red chin strap Confusingly, swifts have forked tails that look quite similar to the martins, however they are dark brown all over, while house martins have white bellies and rumps.
Where did the swallow tattoo originate?
The swallow tattoo was initially used as a symbol by sailors to display their sailing experience In the early days of sailing, it was usually an image of a barn swallow tattooed on one’s chest, neck or hands.
Are swallows lucky?
Swallows are widely regarded as omens of good fortune In much of northern and eastern Europe, a farm without swallows was regarded as an unfortunate farm.
What does sparrow tattoo mean?
The sparrow, while not the flashiest bird type, has become a popular choice for tattoos. Sparrow tattoos are usually associated with freedom, love, and commitment , but there are many other great meanings that can be attached to these designs. For decades, they have been used as a standard in animal tattoo imagery.
What is tattooed on johnny depp‘s hand?
Johnny Depp’s right hand has a tattoo of a crow in flight , symbolizing protection, power and spiritual guidance. He used to have a tattoo of the word “SLIM” on his knuckles, from when he was married to Amber Heard (it was a nickname). He changed it after they got divorced, however.
What do barn swallows represent?
So they often move away in the winter and come back in the spring. Swallows, therefore, symbolize new life and fresh starts They symbolize renewal, revival, and a return to life after grief. You might see swallows around you after losing a loved one – we mentioned that before.
Does Johnny Depp have a Jack Sparrow tattoo?
Jack Sparrow Tattoo Johnny’s sparrow tattoo on his right arm is very similar to the one that his Pirates of the Caribbean character, Jack Sparrow, has – except Johnny’s sparrow is flying towards him and now away. That is likely due to Johnny’s love for his son Jack, born in 2002.
What is a Sailor Jerry tattoo?
For a sailor, ships are both practical and metaphorical. It’s where you go for work – but also for meaning and adventure. Sailor Jerry loved ships and held master papers on every major type of vessel. His legendary clipper ship tattoos represent both the call to adventure and the determination to be “Homeward Bound”.
Why do people tattoo birds?
Many tattoo lovers connect the feather to travel, and freedom , while in Native American culture it signifies trust, honor, strength, freedom, and wisdom. Some people attach supernatural connotations, historical meaning, and even aspects of luck and superstition in the depiction of their feather tattoo idea.
What does 3 teardrop tattoos mean?
Teardrop (Photo trendfashion2013) One of the most widely recognized prison tattoos, the teardrop’s meaning varies geographically. In some places, the tattoo can mean a lengthy prison sentence, while in others it signifies that the wearer has committed murder.
What does 2 teardrop tattoo mean?
A teardrop tattoo is a small tattoo in the shape of a teardrop near one or both eyes. It is closely associated with gang and prison culture, where it often indicates one has served time, one has been humiliated, or one has killed Others may get such a tattoo to represent sorrow or loss.
Is a swallow a symbol of hope?
This led many sailors to start embracing the Swallow as a symbol of hope and the successful completion of a long voyage. Seeing swallows was a sign that they were nearing shore as these birds never travelled far out to sea and so motivated the sailors on the final miles of their journey back to the mainlands.
What is special about a swallow bird?
Swallows are small birds with dark, glossy-blue backs, red throats, pale underparts and long tail streamers. They are extremely agile in flight and spend most of their time on the wing They are widespread breeding birds in the Northern Hemisphere, migrating south in winter.
What are swallows known for?
According to a sailing superstition, swallows are a good omen to those at sea This probably arose from the fact that swallows are land-based birds, so their appearance informs a sailor that he or she is close to shore. An old term of venery for swallows is a “flight” or “sweep”.
What does a swallow look?
adult males are blue-green above and white below with blackish flight feathers and a thin black eye mask; females are duller with more brown in their upperparts, and juveniles are completely brown above. Juveniles and some females can show a weak, blurry gray-brown breast band.
Why do they call birds swallows?
Some sources propose an onomatopoeic origin, which de Vaan finds “possible, but the suffix remains unclear;” he suggests as more likely the suggestion that the swallow is named for its forked tail , which could connect it with wand (n.), but this is just a guess. “an act of swallowing,” 1822, from swallow (v.).
Is a barn swallow a sparrow?
Adult (American) Sparrow-sized swallow with broad shoulders that taper to long, pointed wings. Adult males have a steely blue back, wings, and tail, and tawny underparts. The throat and forehead is rusty.
What tattoo do sailors get when they cross the equator?
An anchor tattoo symbolizes a Sailor’s crossing of the Atlantic. Sailors may get a Shellback turtle once they have crossed the equator and get initiated into ‘King Neptune’s Court’.
What does hold fast mean tattoo?
“Hold Fast” written across the knuckles indicate a sailor’s career as a deckhand It’s said that having “Hold Fast” on each of a deckhand’s fingers would give them the grip they needed to work with the ship’s lines and rigging.
Citations
https://www.savedtattoo.com/swallow-tattoo-design-meanings/
https://nextluxury.com/tattoos/swallow-tattoo-meaning/
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FAQs
What Does A Traditional Swallow Tattoo Mean? | TattooIdeas? ›
Swallow tattoos symbolize travel and freedom, as well as returning home. Once used by sailors to show sailing prowess, swallow tattoos now come in all shapes and sizes with a variety of designs and colors.
What does a traditional swallow hand tattoo mean? ›The swallow tattoo was traditionally a symbol that a sailor had returned home safely after a successful voyage. But it can also be a symbol that someone has spent time in prison. The tattoo is supposed to mean that you have "done your bird, done your time".
What does a swallow symbolize? ›Significance and symbolism for swallows dates back thousands of years. In Ancient Greece, swallows were associated with Aphrodite. In addition, they were bearers of good luck. The ancient Greeks allegedly believed gods could take new form as swallows, and harming one of those birds could bring bad fortune.
What does a swallow sparrow tattoo mean? ›Sparrow tattoo designs represent humility, freedom, and true love. This bird tattoo is loved by many, and people ink this to symbolize human bonds and emotions. The sparrow and swallow tattoos mentioned above represent a commitment, loyalty, and love.
What is the history of the swallow tattoo? ›The first-known origins of the swallow tattoo date back to a mutiny on board a ship named The Swallow. The seven crew members who staged the mutiny each had a swallow tattooed on their chests so that they could identify their co-conspirators.
What does 2 swallows tattoo mean? ›Swallow Tattoo Designs
In some circles, they represented the experience of the sailor with one swallow signifying the completion of 5,000 nautical miles, while two swallows indicating the sailor had completed 10,000 miles. The swallow sailor tattoo was typically placed on the chest, hand or arm.
Ant Tattoo Symbolize Strength, Discipline, Harwork Done by Bruce RedGrey | Ant tattoo, Skin art, Tattoos.
What is the message in swallow? ›The plot is centred on Hunter, a young pregnant wife, who develops a disorder which tempts her to swallow random objects. As the story unfolds, we get to know her past and how it is going to affect her future. Swallow is a film about control and breaking out of the vicious loop.
What does 3 swallows mean? ›The presence of two swallows might well be a sign of preliminary nesting behaviour. The presence of three, or 17, suggests that they mean business.
What does the swallow teach us? ›Instead the Swallow and the Happy Prince were the ones who had compassion for the people. They were charitable and helped them during their sufferings. This teaches us to be empathetic and generous towards those who are in a less fortunate situation than ourselves. Was this answer helpful?
What is the difference between a sparrow tattoo and a swallow tattoo? ›
The Difference between Swallow Tattoos and Sparrow Tattoos
Swallow tattoos and sparrow tattoos are often confused, which means that the meanings of both sparrow and swallow tattoos have become jumbled. The main difference between swallows and sparrows is that they are different species of bird.
Each swallow represents 5,000 nautical miles in a sailor's career. The circumference of the earth is 21,639 nautical miles – about 4.16 swallows. A swallow with a dagger would be used as a memorial of a lost comrade at sea.
What does a Russian swallow tattoo mean? ›Popular with sailors, the swallow reflects a wish to come home safely. Traditionally, a sailor only had a swallow tattooed on his chest after completing 5,000 nautical miles.
What is the oldest tattoo symbol? ›The world's oldest figurative tattogos have been discovered on two 5,000-year-old mummies from Egypt. Tattoos depicting a wild bull and a Barbary sheep were found on the upper arm of a male mummy, while the shoulder and upper arm of a female mummy bore “S” shaped motifs.
What is the rarest tattoo? ›- Eyelids. ...
- Inside The Ear. ...
- Bottom Of The Foot. ...
- Palm. LightField Studios/Shutterstock. ...
- Inner Lip. sirtravelalot/Shutterstock. ...
- Face. IvanRiver/Shutterstock. ...
- Genitals. IvanRiver/Shutterstock. ...
- Area Above The Butt. Lena Pan/Shutterstock.
The neck, especially the throat, is also often associated with the communication. So for some people, neck tattoos are a symbol of being open to new people and experiences, and might possibly even imply the person likes to take risks!
What does a dagger and swallow tattoo mean? ›Dagger Through Swallow – This tattoo would be used as a memorial of a lost comrade at sea. You'll remember the swallow represented 5000 nautical miles, and in this circumstance, it also represented the sailor who sailed those miles too. Identification.
What do 5 dots tattoo mean? ›These dots differ greatly from the previous tattoo – five dots represents time done in prison. Also known as the quincunx, the four dots on the outside represent four walls, with the fifth on the inside representing the prisoner. This tattoo can be found internationally, among both American and European inmates.
What does the sailor sparrow tattoo mean? ›Before the days of advanced navigation systems, sailors would only know they were near land once they spotted swallows in the skies. This transpired into the tattoo meaning of a safe return to home.
What tattoo is mental health? ›The semicolon tattoo is a mental health tattoo used to represent suicide prevention and mental health awareness. It symbolizes that the wearer has chosen to continue their story despite any hardships they may have faced.
What are symbolic tattoos for anxiety? ›
"Spiritual tattoos — mandala, hamsa, chakra, tree of life, Budha, lotus, etc. — are common for battling anxiety. They symbolize the overcoming of struggle, protection, self care, rebirth, the circle of life, kindness, strength, new challenges, and new beginnings."
What tattoo symbols are for mental illness? ›- Be Still.
- Semicolon.
- New Beginnings.
- Ability to Change.
- Growing Pains.
- Florals and Fortitude.
- Climb Your Everest.
- Making Waves.
Swallows and Folklore
The Ancient Greeks had a custom of keeping swallows in their homes as living decorations, and they were also used to represent guardian deities. Swallow's are often seen as signs of divine protection, and the Chinese believe that swallows were originally born from the tears of gods.
The blue swallow (Hirundo atrocaerulea) is a small bird within the swallow family which is in the order Passeriformes. Swallows are somewhat similar in habits and appearance to other aerial insectivores, such as the martins (also a passerine) and the swifts (order Apodiformes).
What does swallows flying low mean? ›“Swallow flying low means the air is damp and their insect prey are flitting near the ground.” “Larks fly high in the air when the weather is destined to stay fine.” Page 3 The increase in humidity, at times of bad or wet weather, draws insects to the surface, this is a reason for insect-seeking birds to fly low.
Why are swallows a popular tattoo? ›Sailors traditionally received a swallow tattoo for traveling 5,000 nautical miles (9,260 km), and a second for traveling 10,000 nautical miles (18,520 km), often on either side of the chest. The bird is typically a barn swallow, reflecting that these birds migrate far from home and back again.
What does 1 swallow mean? ›idiom saying. used to say that because one good thing has happened, it is not therefore certain that a situation is going to improve.
Is a swallow a symbol of hope? ›This led many sailors to start embracing the Swallow as a symbol of hope and the successful completion of a long voyage. Seeing swallows was a sign that they were nearing shore as these birds never travelled far out to sea and so motivated the sailors on the final miles of their journey back to the mainlands.
What does a swallow symbolize in literature? ›In Greek and Roman mythology, deities were able to change their form and metamorphose into a swallow. Grieving mothers considered the bird to be sacred, as it was thought to carry the soul of their deceased children; killing a swallow was deemed unlucky.
What was the last wish of the swallow? ›What was the last wish of the swallow? The swallow knew that her end had come. He flew on to the shoulder of the Happy Prince and said, “wish to kiss your hand.” The Happy Prince asked him to kiss him on the lips.
What is the character analysis of swallow? ›
The Swallow The swallow is kind-hearted and polite. On discovering that the statue was not made of solid gold, he did not make any personal remark. He had to leave for Egypt to be with his friends but stayed back when the prince insisted.
What is the most common bird tattoo? ›Swallows are the most common bird type in traditional tattoos, and they're often seen in pairs. If you like the idea of double swallows, consider getting them in separate areas—like the hands or the ankles—where they can both stand alone and together.
Are swallow tattoos feminine? ›The swallowart is preferred by both, men and women, which makes it an appealing design option. Additionally, the design can be made unique by incorporating different elements with it, most of which gel with the basic swallow design to create a perfect, new tattoo design.
What does 12 birds tattoo mean? ›Demi's 12 birds on her outer forearm were brought to life by Kat Von D. Although it's now understood that they symbolize the 12 steps of Alcoholic and Narcotics Anonymous, when she first got them she didn't have that in mind, she told iHeart Radio.
Can non sailors get a swallow tattoo? ›Sailor tattoos go back thousands of years. While today anyone can get an anchor, a swallow or a sailboat tattooed on their body, in the past these tattoos had a distinct meaning.
What is the 4 dots tattoo? ›A common tattoo in American prisons for Hispanic inmates, is four dots or three dots. The dots represent that you have earned your keep in your gang. The three dots would represent the 13 of the southern gangs and the same for the northern gangs with four dots :: for 14.
What does 3 dots on chin tattoo mean? ›The three dots tattoo represents “Mi Vida Loca,” which translates to “my crazy life.” It often means the struggles of the underprivileged and the minorities. It's a way of saying, “my life is crazy, but I'm thankful for it,” or “life may be crazy, but I'm still here.”
What do 2 teardrop tattoos mean? ›What does teardrop tattoo mean? A teardrop tattoo is a small tattoo in the shape of a teardrop near one or both eyes. It is closely associated with gang and prison culture, where it often indicates one has served time, one has been humiliated, or one has killed. Others may get such a tattoo to represent sorrow or loss.
What does a teardrop tattoo on the right side mean? ›A teardrop tattoo on the left eye means that the person murdered someone in jail, and a teardrop tattoo on the right eye means the person lost a family or gang member to murder. In recent years, it's become an extremely popular tattoo for rappers and celebrities in an effort to play up their “gangster” image.
What does the black tear tattoo mean? ›In West Coast gang culture (USA), the tattoo may signify that the wearer has killed someone and in some of those circles, the tattoo's meaning can change: an empty outline meaning either the wearer attempted murder or that a fellow gang member or friend died and when filled in, the wearer sought revenge.
What does the Bible say about tattoos? ›
But in the ancient Middle East, the writers of the Hebrew Bible forbade tattooing. Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.”
What do you call a person with tattoos? ›See definition of tattooed on Dictionary.com. as indrum.
What tattoo style ages best? ›Thin lines, shading, small words, and small tattoos all fade much more quickly. Some like the effects age has on their tattoo. However, that tattoo will likely blur together if it's got too much detail. Bolder lines, thicker lines, and larger designs will better stand the test of time.
What is the most overused tattoo? ›- The Deathly Hallows symbol. ...
- Anchors — usually accompanied by the words "Don't sink." ...
- Chemistry formulas. ...
- Big cats in crowns. ...
- Forests around people's arms. ...
- The entire Bible. ...
- Little sun/moon combos. ...
- Palm trees.
Participants told us they regret getting tattoos on these spots: upper back, upper arms, hips, face and butt. Size matters. Apparently, the smaller your tattoo, the more likely you are to regret it. We found that 63 percent of people with a tattoo smaller than the palm of their hand regret it.
What does a swallow tattoo mean for love? ›Swallow tattoo meaning true love & loyalty In addition, because the swallow is a bird that chooses a mate for life and will only nest with that mate, tattoos featuring two swallows are often meant to represent true love or soul mates.
What is the tattoo symbol for depression? ›A semicolon tattoo is a tattoo of the semicolon punctuation mark (;), which is used as a message of affirmation and solidarity with those who have dealt with suicide, depression, addiction, and other mental health issues.
What is an oral tattoo? ›Mouth tattoos refer to any tattoo inside the mouth or on the lips. This can be either on the palate (roof of the mouth) or cheek, however, the most popular place is the inside of the bottom lip. Some people also have lip tattoos around the edge of the mouth as a way of having permanent 'lip liner'.
What does a sailor traditional swallow tattoo mean? ›A swallow –
Each swallow represents 5,000 nautical miles in a sailor's career. The circumference of the earth is 21,639 nautical miles – about 4.16 swallows. A swallow with a dagger would be used as a memorial of a lost comrade at sea.
What does a sunflower tattoo symbolize? The meaning of a sunflower tattoo is usually joy or happiness, and sometimes it means faith or growth. Sunflower tattoos also can represent hope and warmth.
What does a bird throat tattoo mean? ›
It represents freedom (mental autonomy, physical capability, spiritual self-direction, and freedom of choice). Connection: A bird can flit from the ground to the sky so it connects us with not only the earth but the whole universe.
What is the difference between traditional swallow and sparrow tattoo? ›The Difference between Swallow Tattoos and Sparrow Tattoos
Swallow tattoos and sparrow tattoos are often confused, which means that the meanings of both sparrow and swallow tattoos have become jumbled. The main difference between swallows and sparrows is that they are different species of bird.
In West Coast gang culture (USA), the tattoo may signify that the wearer has killed someone and in some of those circles, the tattoo's meaning can change: an empty outline meaning either the wearer attempted murder or that a fellow gang member or friend died and when filled in, the wearer sought revenge.
What does the 3 finger tattoo mean? ›Triquetra tattoo
Triquetra tattoos can also be used to represent the concept of everlasting life and eternity.
A Banana tattoo is a great reminder to find happiness in the smallest of things in life.
What does half lion half flower tattoo mean? ›Some people like to get different forms of flowers with their lion tattoo. It can mean different things for different people but in general it would mean that the person has a kind and soft heart but they can also be fearless and courageous when it's time to protect the ones they love.
What does a hummingbird tattoo mean? ›Hummingbirds in particular have come to represent renewal, joyfulness, transformation, protection from evil spirits, and even immortality in some cases! These meanings can be incorporated into a unique tattoo design for those seeking something special in their body art.
What does turkey feather tattoo mean? ›Typically, feather tattoos stand for free-spiritedness, bravery, and strength. It's for those who want to always believe in themselves no matter what and never give up. The spiritual meaning of a feather comes from its roots in Native American culture.
What does a blue swallow tattoo mean? ›The most popular inference of the swallow tattoo is travel. According to British folklore, sailors would get the swallow inked to commemorate the distance they had traveled across the seas and as a talisman for safe travels.