Old School Swallow Tattoos Revisited

Swallow tattoos once common among sailors years ago now seem to have been rediscovered and transformed into a new school style of tattoo. It is not uncommon to see some retro chick with swallow tattoos emblazoned across her chest on her abdomen or even on her arms.

Temple Tattoo, Oakland.

Sailors would have swallows tattooed as a sort of metaphor for finding their way, because the legend goes that if you were ever lost at sea if you saw a swallow you could follow it home. There are different versions of why people get swallows and can also mean a person has done time in prison or 'bird'.

Placement of Tattoos

Swallow tattoos seem to be popular with those into Rockabilly and are usually tattooed on either side of the neck for guys or across the chest or abdomen for chicks. The most famous person with this style of tattoo is Marc Almond of SoftCell fame a British group popular in the 80's and early 90's.

Swallows tattooed on a persons hand usually means that the person has done jail time. That with dots tattooed on the hand can also mean that the person is a member of a gang. Swallows can also symbolize renewal and fresh beginnings.

Temple Tattoo, Oakland.