What do swallow bird tattoos mean?
sailing experience
The swallow tattoo was a symbol used historically by sailors to denote their sailing experience. Of British origin in the early days of sailing, it was the image of a barn swallow, usually tattooed on the chest, hands or neck. It is also said that if the sailor drowns, the swallows will carry his soul to heaven.
How many miles is a swallow tattoo?
5,000 nautical miles
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 tattoo do you get for crossing the equator?
Shellback turtle
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 meaning of swallow bird?
Definition of swallow (Entry 1 of 3) 1 : any of numerous small widely distributed oscine birds (family Hirundinidae, the swallow family) that have a short bill, long pointed wings, and often a deeply forked tail and that feed on insects caught on the wing. 2 : any of several birds that superficially resemble swallows.
Where to get a tattoo of a swallow?
You can get a swallow tattoo placed anywhere, but the most popular places to get the swallows tattooed are chest, shoulders, hip and lower back. The swallow has always been a symbolic bird, especially when it comes to sailors.
Why do sailors get tattoos of swallow birds?
Sailors often get swallow tattoos combined with nautical symbols like ropes, an Anchor, and compass. The main reason is that swallow birds are the first they see when reaching the lands and are often good signs.
What does it mean when you have a swallow on your neck?
Swallow on your neck can mean that you might have spent some time in prison. It is actually represented by a Cockney slang which says, “done your bird” that comes from “bird lime” that signifies “doing time”.
What does the return of the Swallows mean?
In countries like Austria and Estonia, the return of the Swallows signifies Spring that is believed to be associated with change, a start of a new commencement and brand-new life. It is also a symbol of joy and peaceful times. We have prepared a list of Swallow Tattoos that you can use as a reference before getting inked.