Swallow Tattoos are recognized to be very meaningful to sailors to show off their experience. It is often drawn as an image of a barn swallow, also known as “European Swallow“. They are the national birds of Austria and Estonia. They are attractive birds that eat on flying insects and migrate distances yearly. The arrival of swallow birds means spring or summer. Many confuse swallows and sparrows for they have similarity in shape and have comparable names.
What does a Swallow Tattoo mean?
A swallow tattoo symbolizes travel, loyalty, and fidelity. According to tales, sailors possess Swallow tattoo on their chest, hand, and neck. If one sailor is tattooed with one swallow, he believed to have traveled 5000 nautical miles. If one has many Swallow tattoo, it indicates a very experienced and valuable sailor. Most Swallow travels from Europe to Africa avoiding the colds of winter. Most popular meaning of this tattoo is travel. 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. Enjoy!
Best Traditional Swallow Tattoos
1.Swallow Tattoo With Compass
A swallow bird is a traveler. They migrate from one place to another to escape the weather’s coldness. Above, a swallow tattoo shows the swallow bird traveling in the sky with a compass that indicates the bird is going west.
We often see birds travel together as a flock. The picture shows Swallows flying together. A good placement for a swallow tattoo.
3. Swallow Tattoo In The Arms
A small swallow tattoo on the arms with traditional colors. Swallows often signifies travel and fidelity.
4. Swallow Tattoo In Red and Black
Swallow birds are adventurous and almost lived all over the planet and comes in different shapes and sizes.
5. Blue Swallow Tattoo On The Shoulders
Swallow Tattoos usually have bright colors that are why it is cool and trendy to have one!
6. Traditional Black And White Swallow Tattoo
It was believed that Swallow Tattoos were inked on shoulders to show one’s experience in sailing. This is a classical swallow tattoo placed on a man’s shoulders.
7. Unique Blue Swallow Tattoo Design
Swallow birds are very significant to marines before modern times. They believed that Swallow birds are a sign that land is already near.
8. Colorful Swallow Tattoo With Flowers
Swallow tattoos always have these cheerful colors. Often, they are associated with springtime where we can see flowers bloom.
Swallow birds as a traveler, endure circumstances they encounter along the way like thunderstorms with lightning. This is a part of their journey as they return home every year.
10. Swallow Tattoos On Shoulder With Quotes
Just like Swallow birds, as adventurous as they can be, we should live our lives to the fullest. We should discover and explore our world and live life like there’s no tomorrow.
11. Swallow Tattoo On The Back With Sayings
Swallow Tattoos also symbolizes hope and new beginnings. Above it says “I believe that there’s hope buried beneath it all.” In life, we must not lose hope and be reminded that every struggle, victory is always waiting at the end.
12. Unique Swallow Skull Tattoo
A unique design of a Swallow Tattoo for men because the bird does not have its flesh and feathers.
13. Tiny Swallow Tattoo On Hands
Swallow Tattoos are also believed to be an indication of financial success. In some culture, in order for you to gain wealth, you must rub two coins together as soon as you see Swallow birds.
14. Side Swallow Tattoo
Swallow Tattoos are also a sign of newness and joy. It is also considered to be a lucky charm.
15. Swallow Bird On Shoulder
Swallow Tattoos are also found in Military men’s skin. They believe that swallow tattoos can bring them home safely to their families.
A swallow tattoo is considered to be an old-school tattoo but still continues to be a trend today for men and women.
17. Dandelions and Swallow Bird Tattoos On The Lower Back
Dandelions and Swallow birds are usually connected with each other for they often symbolize change and freedom.
18. Swallow Tattoo With Anchor
Swallow Tattoos are worn by sailors as a lucky charm for they believe it can bring them home safe. The anchor signifies the sea, and the flowers signify hope.
19. Bright Colored Swallow Tattoo With Compass and Anchor
Sailors often get swallow tattoos combined with nautical symbols like ropes, an Anchor, and a compass. The main reason is that swallow birds are the first they see when reaching the lands and are often good signs.
20. Swallow Tattoo On Arms
Sailors get swallow tattoos when they have traveled the Seven Seas.
Two Swallow tattoos mean that a sailor has traveled 10,000 nautical miles. It also means that they are very experienced and valuable when it comes to sailing.
Swallow tattoos can be a symbol of home and honor families upon return.
23. Swallow Tattoo In Black and White
Swallow tattoos always return home and are also symbols of loyalty and love.
24. Swallow Tattoo On Chest
Swallow tattoos have been a symbol of love. As they say, if you love someone, let them fly like a bird. If they return, they really are meant for you.
25.Swallow Tattoos With Names
Swallow tattoos can also be modified and be combined with names for couples.
26. Swallow Tattoo Carrying A Cross
A swallow tattoo carrying a cross which could actually love for a supreme higher being.
27. Swallow Tattoo With Clock
Swallow birds always return home to their homelands after migrating to other places to flee from the cold weather. Time is important to us as well to these birds and they return just in time when spring starts.
Women have also fallen in love with swallow tattoos. Swallow tattoos often symbolize a fresh start and rebirth of life.
29. Swallow Tattoo With A Flower On Its Wings
A swallow tattoo is a very significant symbol for the Japanese. They believe that swallows are connected with familial and maternal aspects.
30. Swallow Tattoo On Legs
Swallow tattoos are also of importance to the Chinese. They consider swallows are signs of danger, development, and loyalty.
31. Blue Swallow Tattoos On Legs
Swallow birds represent loyalty because they are known to have the same partner for life.
32. Swallow Tattoo With Flowers And Initials
Swallow tattoos are often drawn in different colors. It also depends on the placement. If it is used to symbolize the overcoming of a certain disease, the color of the bird is pink or green.
A customized swallow tattoo design. You can either combine with one name or put the names below the swallow birds and is a trend tattoo for couples.
34. Swallow Bird Carrying A Flower
Another swallow tattoo carrying a flower which signifies the start of a better tomorrow.
35. Swallow Tattoo With Quotes
The quote is actually very nice. It can remind us that sacrifices can go a long way. If we sacrifice for others and not for ourselves then we would be blessed.
36. Swallow Tattoo Flying From A Tree
Swallow tattoos are symbols of change. Here we can read a sad quote probably meant for someone he lost. We all lose someone we loved so dearly and sometimes certain circumstances force us to accept the fact that things will never be the same as before.
37. Simple Swallow Tattoo With Sayings
Another quote with a swallow bird. Like a bird it signifies freedom, but the quote means that we are not strong enough to live this life on our own.
38. Swallow Tattoo In Pink and Blue
A colorful swallow tattoo but the color pink and blue can be highly distinguished. Pink can mean unconditional love and blue means loyalty.
39. Swallow Birds Carrying a Rosary
A rosary is one of the religious symbols used by the Roman Catholics when praying. A rosary is a sign of faith, like the swallow birds, which are signs fidelity.
40. Swallow Birds Flying
Two swallow birds fused in one design often denotes strength.
41. Swallow Bird Flying High
Egyptians also give importance to swallow bird’s existence, it is a sign of motherhood.
42. Blue Swallow Tattoo
A blue swallow tattoo can denote positive symbols. It promotes peace and calmness.
43. Red and Blue Swallow Tattoo
Colors of tattoo indicate different meanings. Red can mean love, danger or war.
Two swallow bird tattoos are a beautiful choice because of their beautiful designs and profound meanings.
50. Swallow Tattoos On The Side
Swallow birds usually have blue back, orange cheeks, and white belly. But in case you want to customize, you can always choose different color and maybe add flowers to it.
Seeing swallow birds is a sign that their travel or journey is coming to an end and that they are towards their triumph. We as humans, return to our homes like these birds and come back to our families with great joy and gladness.
We hope you already have your swallow tattoo favorite designs. No matter where you put it, no matter what the color is, no matter how big or small, what matters most is the meaning and how they swallow depicts your personality and your story. You may have returned from a long journey, survived an illness, returned to your family from working abroad, as long the swallow tattoo will make you remember or your struggles and how you flew your trip to your own success, then it means your permanent swallow tattoo is worth the ink.
Hey readers! I’m Jeffrey and your tattoo artist of the day;) I have been drawing and painting my whole life, and after graduating high school I decided it was time for a bigger challenge and I started drawing on people. I’m so fortunate I got to express my creativity through my body art and even more so to share my passion with my now wife Emilie. She started working with me in my tattoo shop as a piercer and I started writing about and photographing, my creations on this blog. I love to hear from you and hope you enjoy our work together!
