What does a barn swallow tattoo mean?
In the early days of sailing, it was usually an image of a barn swallow tattooed on one’s chest, neck or hands. These days you can get your swallow tattoo anywhere you want to and can still represent your love of sailing or the fact that you are an experienced sailor.
What does the swallow tattoo symbolize?
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.
Why do sailors have tattoos of swallows?
A swallow – 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.
Are barn swallows good luck?
Over the centuries, barn swallows have become very popular. For example, barn swallow is the national bird of both Austria and Estonia. In many cultures, when a barn swallow builds a nest on a barn it is considered good luck.
Why do people get tattoos of sparrows?
The sparrow is also considered to be a symbol of joy to some people. As you might imagine, this is a meaning that a lot of people can get behind in their tattoos. The sparrow could represent a person’s want for joy in their life, or it could just mean that they are proud to bring joy into other people’s lives.
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.
Can Barn Swallows hurt you?
Barn Swallows are fiercely territorial and will dive bomb anyone who gets close to their nest site. They have been known to hit people while doing this and yes, it may hurt you when it happens. But they won’t hit you on purpose as it will hurt them even more than you, birds being very fragile animals.
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 is the spiritual meaning of a swallow?
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.