Why do sailors get swallow tattoos?

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.

What does a swallow tattoo represent?

Interestingly, swallow tattoos are usually inked by sailors who are exploring the seas and oceans. It has been that way throughout history. Usually, hawks and eagles are associated with freedom but swallows are those that represent inquisition, curiosity, and will to explore.

What does a swallow tattoo mean on a sailor?

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.

When can a sailor get a swallow tattoo?

Only sailors, after 5,000 nautical miles at sea, could acquire an inked swallow image on their chest (9, 10). After 10,000 nautical miles, that person could add another swallow tattoo; however, variations on the theme existed (11).

Where do sailors get swallow tattoos?

A swallow also became a mark of experience. It was traditionally tattooed on the chest for every 5,000 nautical miles that a sailor had travelled. These journeys were riddled with hardships, starvation, sickness, and death, and so the more swallows the sailor had on his chest, the more experienced and respected he was.

A Guide to Sailor Tattoos

How far can a swallow tattoo go?

Swallow tattoos are one of the most popular in the navy and have a number of meanings. 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 sparrow tattoo symbolize?

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.

Why do sailors get pig and rooster tattoos?

Pig and Rooster

The foot tattoos of pigs and roosters were worn by sailors in WWII in the hopes it would keep the sailor from drowning. The Navy shipped these animals in crates at the time. When ships went down, the crates floated, and the animals inside would sometimes be the only survivors.

Are swallow tattoos feminine?

Swallow tattoos are considered to be a very old-school and traditional design, since they have been around for so many years and remain a pretty unisex choice!

What tattoos 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 is the spiritual meaning of a swallow?

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.

What do sailors tattoos mean?

Representing the North Star (historically used by sailors use for navigation) a nautical star tattoo was believed to keep a sailor on course. As such, they were also considered to help guide a sailor home.

What's the difference between sparrow and swallow tattoos?

While sparrows are plump, have shorter wings, and are grayish brown, the swallow birds are blue, with forked tails and pointed, curved wings. Sparrow tattoos carry religious connotations and are not very common. On the other hand, the swallow tattoo designs are pretty popular among sailors.

What does shaking hands tattoo mean?

Shaking hands tattoos, or friendship hands as they are often called, are an old school tattoo design that is great for a filler tattoo. They're small, simple and quite awesome! Representing anything from friendship, love and brotherhood to respect and loyalty a handshake tattoo is great piece of classic ink!

What does an eight ball tattoo mean?

Eight balls are symbols of both good and bad luck, perfect tattoos to reference the idea of "chance. '

Why did sailors get mermaid tattoos?

Mermaid/Siren Tattoos:

It was thought that the beautiful lure of a siren's voice would misguide a ship, and cause it to wreck, or pull a sailor into the sea to find her where he would drown. Having a mermaid tattoo protected against the dangers of the sea.

Why do pirates have sparrow tattoos?

Pirates symbolize freedom, bravery, unity and loyalty. On the other hand, if someone is specifically looking for meaning out of their Jack Sparrow tattoo, they might be looking to invoke Jacks silly spirit and his good fortune as he is able to outwit or out-luck people coming after him and there are a lot of them.

What does Captain Jack Sparrow tattoo mean?

For example, in nautical ink terminology (and for pirates in particular) the swallow tattoo that Jack boasts means a long distance covered (5000 nautical miles for pirates), and also implies the promised safety of reaching home.

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.

What do birds symbolize in a tattoo?

Bird tattoos are popular because they are so versatile. They are found in lots of different cultures and suit lots of different tattoo styles. Birds symbolize independence and freedom, as well as peace, optimism and happiness.

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.

Why do sailors have so many tattoos?

Sailor tattoos have served as protective talismans in sailors' superstitions, records of important experiences, markers of identity, and means of self-expression. Common symbols include swallow tattoos on either side of the chest, nautical stars, and anchors.

Are swallows a good omen?

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 a blue swallow mean?

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).

Why are swallows good luck?

In China, the reliable migratory patterns of the swallow have been closely connected to Spring. Spring means the arrival of warmer weather, good change, flowers blooming, and all the gifts of the closing of winter. Therefore the swallow is an emblem of good fortune and positive change.