Bird tattoos have always been around, these are now considered old school and bear a lot of meaning.
The origins of the swallow tattoo date back to a ship called The Swallow. A swallow was tattooed on the chest of seven of the crew members because they staged a mutiny and had to recognize each other.
From then on, the swallow was used as a design to show of sailing skills and experience.
Traditionally, the more swallow tattoos a sailor had on his chest, the more experience he had. Usually a swallow was tattooed for every five thousand nautical miles the sailor has traveled.
The Barn swallow was used in the early years of sailing in Britain. Usually the Barn Swallow was placed on the chest, neck or hands. The legend says that if a sailor drowns, the swallow will carry his soul to heaven. This design also represents hope and freedom.
For sailors, birds were a sign that land is close. So it always had special meaning, bringing the joy that they arrived home safely. Former British Royal Navy sailors, sport swallow tattoos on their hands above the thumbs as a symbol for the successful voyage.
Tattoos of two swallows together represents soul mates, joined for life. The swallow chooses a mate for life, that makes is an international love symbol.
Another symbol for the swallow is loyalty to family.
These designs also bear other rich meanings like victory, overcome and survive; but most of the time, they mean something special for the person that wears such a design.
