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TATTOO DESIGNS & SYMBOLS - SWALLOWS
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Tattoo designs - S >>
Swallows
Swallow - The swallow, like the
bluebird, is a symbol of hope. As a nautical tattoo design, the
swallow has been sometimes mistaken within popular culture for the
bluebird, and the two very different species of birds - the Barn
Swallow and eastern Bluebird, to be exact - have quite similar
colouring, with bright accents of blue and and orange, verging to
both red and yellow.
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In ancient times, the swallow was associated
with the 'imperishable' stars and the souls of the dead. According
to Greek legend, secret texts told how to transform into a swallow,
something the ancient deities liked to do. It was also a totem bird
for sorrowing mothers who had lost a child. To kill a swallow was
very unlucky, as the swallow carried the souls of children who had
died. An ancient Egyptian artwork depicts a swallow on the prow of a
barque as it enters the Underworld. |
 Interestingly, both good luck and bad are attributed to the swallow.
It heralds the coming of spring and happiness, poets praise it, and
it appears on the flowering peach branch in classical Chinese
painting. In Egyptian love poetry, the swallow sings of the first
signs of a new love. For some, it's a symbol of fertility and
renewal, a harbinger of good and a symbol of transformation. For the
pilgrim to Mecca, the swallow is the symbol of constancy and faith,
and is said to fly to that holy city each year. Swallows mate for
life, and therefore represents fidelity and loyalty, but in Japan,
it can be a symbol of unfaithfulness. Some legends warn of a swallow
flying through the house, since it brings tidings of displeasure
from the gods, and likely foreshadows bad luck. In China it
symbolizes daring, danger and a change for good in the future.
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For more than a century the swallow has been a favorite tattoo motif
for sailors. It's often a sign that land is near. During migrations
that can be thousands of miles in distance, swallows are known to
travel far out to sea, but would alight on boats when close to land
- a welcome sign for the sailor hoping for landfall. It's a
tradition for sailors -- after logging 5,000 miles at sea -- to
sport the swallow (or depending upon your belief, the bluebird)
tattoo. Two swallows proclaims 10,000 sea miles. And a swallow with
a dagger through its heart is a memorial for a friend lost at sea. |
 Get
inspired by some really amazing images and photos in our
Swallow Inspiration Gallery
See also,
Nautical Tattoo Designs,
Bluebird Tattoos,
Bird Tattoo
Index
Choose your own swallow tattoo design from Tattoo-Art.com.
Find the classic swallow tattoo design that is perfect for you.
Choose your Bluebird/Swallow Tattoo Design from TattooJohnny.com.
Tattoo designs - S >>
Swallows
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