Swallow tattoos are one of the most popular tattoos because of their attractive designs and deeper meaning. Many people confuse sparrows and swallows because the birds resemble each other in shape and have similar sounding names, but the meanings of these two bird tattoos are very different. Some swallow species travel great distances each year, migrating from one part of the planet to another; an act that has granted swallow tattoos meanings that are associated with travel and home coming.
A swallow tattoo on the hand can symbolize travel, loyalty or patriotism. This classic American tattoo style
is very popular and is also referred to as traditional tattoo design and old school tattoo design.
This color scheme is very popular in swallow 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. Even though they look similar and share a few behavioral traits, the two birds have their own meanings as totem animals and in tattoo designs. Unfortunately the mix-up isn’t limited to just sparrows and swallows. Bluebird tattoos are often confused with either sparrow or swallow tattoos, further complicating the meaning of swallow tattoos.
A small swallow tattoo on the left shoulder, a popular symbol for travelers and adventurers.
Most swallow tattoos are placed on the shoulders or chest. Tattoos that are displayed near the face are
generally considered more symbolically important because of the high visibility of the tattoo.
This design is semi-realistic, showing off the natural colors of this swallow species.
Swallows live all over the planet and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. The most popular swallow used in tattoo designs is the Barn Swallow, also known as the European Swallow. This colorful bird has a blue back, orange cheeks and a white belly. In tattoo designs the colors are often emphasized or replaced with even brighter shades. Sparrows are generally smaller than swallows and come in a variety of brown and cream shades. The sparrow’s tail feathers are also not as long or as elegant as a swallow’s tail feathers.
A creative cartoon tattoo of a swallow. The stylized tattoo design boasts detail in the wing and tail feathers
which draw the focus to the bird’s head and body at the center of the design.
This artistic black and white swallow tattoo is posed as though viewed from below. The forked tail is
a characteristic body trait of swallows that looks great as part of the silhouette of swallow tattoo designs.
The most popular swallow tattoo design was created by Norman Keith Collins (January 14, 1911 – June 12, 1973), who is popularly known as Sailor Jerry because he mostly tattooed sailors. Sailor Jerry’s swallow tattoo design is an iconic American tattoo with smooth, elegant lines and an expressive pose. The colors used in Sailor Jerry swallow tattoos are generally true to the blue, red and white of the Barn Swallow’s plumage, but sometimes greens or browns are added. The red, white and blue version of the Sailor Jerry swallow tattoo are popular with people from America, England, France and other countries which have these three colors in their national flag.
A Sailor Jerry tattoo design of two sparrows carrying a banner that reads, “Live free.” The style and slogan are
typical of Sailor Jerry’s tattoo designs. His sparrow tattoo designs are especially popular.
The Meaning of Swallow Tattoos
Although there are dozens of species of swallows that don’t migrate, the most popular meaning for swallow tattoos is travel. Some species of swallow travel from Europe to Africa, crossing most of the planet in order to avoid the cold of winter. In countries where migrating sparrows live, the return of the birds is a sign that spring has arrived. In the past, swallows were believed to actually carry spring with them as they flew. Spring is associated with change, new beginnings and new life. As the creature that brings spring to different parts of the world, swallows are a symbol of both newness and the return of joy and easy times.
A classic style sparrow tattoo design. It is good practice for tattoos of people and animals to
face forwards unless the character in the design has something to do with the person’s past or
is a guardian that is watching the person’s back.
Sailors of the past were very aware of the movement of birds because the appearance or flight of certain birds were signs of the weather turning. Swallows were a good sign that the stormy winter seas were soon going to calm, making a sailor’s life safer and easier. Sailors respected swallows because like them, the little bird traveled great distances even though travelling was dangerous. It is said that one swallow tattoo on a sailor’s body meant that he had traveled 5,000 nautical miles. Two swallow tattoos meant that the sailor had traveled 10,000 nautical miles, a great achievement for a sailor of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Two swallows was a symbol that the sailor was responsible and courageous; deserving of respect and admiration.
Traditionally, two tattoos of swallows meant that a sailor had traveled 10,000 nautical miles.
Placing the swallow tattoos puts the birds close to the person’s heart, a part of the body associated with
love and passion. The swallow tattoos are also above the lungs, organs that are associated
with breathing and communication.
Swallow tattoos are worn by military personnel as a good luck charm to bring them safely home.
Tattoos of swallows can also be a reminder of home for people who spend long periods of time away from home.
Two swallow tattoos decorate this girls belly with red, blue and white colors. This color scheme is
perfect for people from countries that have red, blue and white flags.