Anyone who knows me knows that I am a HUGE tattoo art fan. I am also, however, one of the most indecisive people I know, so I have yet to be inked, simply cause I can't decide what / where (and there is that little predicament about being Jewish and getting inked...)
I'm getting closer to deciding what and where...it just seems like the right time for a lot of reasons. So I'm opening up the debate.
First, Sparrow vs. Swallow...the Sparrow apparently means soul mate, love and lasting dedication. Sweet, huh? I'm not quite there yet, but I think it's endearing and a pretty bird. Though apparently, you need to get two inked to get the meaning just right and I think that's a bit much for my first foray into tattooing.
The swallow apparently denotes freedom, safety, and is reminiscent of Sailor Jerry tats that are iconic and rich in historical meaning to the art of tattooing.
Frankly I like both meanings, but I can't tell the difference between either birds. So I've decided to forsake literal, and go visual. I'm sort of digging on the black, white, and gray the most just above.
Thoughts?
11 comments:
the last sparrow picture is the tattoo i have on my right hip, i love it.. but be careful with it because as soon as i got mine the whole myspace community got one just like mine same spot etc.
also another meaning for the sparrow.
matthew 10:29 talks about how we are more valuable than sparrows and not one will fall to the ground without the Father knowing.. kind of like a His eye is on the sparrow God is always watching you to take care of you thing... that's why i got mine, for reassurance that God is always with me
Hiya, it's a gorgeous tattoo...but the whole individualaity thing is definitely on my mind. I didn't know about the other meaning. Thanks for passing along and hopefully the next photo posted will be of mine.
I was actually going to go in to get that last tattoo in about a week. I'm kind of rethinking it now, since it seems it wouldn't be so unique. I love the idea of it, though, so I hope the tattoo shop can tweak it a bit to make it more individual. I'm so glad to have read this!
In case anyone reads this:
Swallows: Have a forked tail and are colorful. Meaningful to sailors. They are related to the Martin family and are generally seabirds. They migrate and often return home to the same place.
Sparrows: Do NOT have a forked tail, and a brown. Meaningful biblically. They are land birds and do not migrate. They are related to the Finch family.
They aren't the same bird. They don't have the same meaning, and they ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE.
EVERY PICTURE you posted was of a Swallow. In fact, I am not sure I've ever seen a Sparrow tattoo.
Here's a sparrow: http://blog.willamette.edu/stories/images/2005/101/full/Sparrow.jpg
There are many meanings
1. Original - Sailor has travelled 5000 miles for each sparrow (on chest) also has another naval relavence as seeing a sparrow signified land and going home
2. On hands - flighty fighter/tough man (if he's british and around 60)
3. UK Jail "bird"'s of the Teddy boy era had them to signify freedom and returning home - usually on hands
4. Usually with symbol of halo, devil fork, words eg. Mum... to signify a relative/friend who has passed... symbols denote thier personality
5. There are also a few 80's associations towards homosexuals - a few famous gay men had them during this time.
6. Nowadays usually a rocknroll/retro/music/worker theme
...unless its some chav gangster wannabe trying to make out he is tough....
My dad had them on his hands as he was a champion boxer (see reason 2) and he also did a spell in Borstal in the North so was a teddyboy tough man (reason 3) .... The tat's he had he did himself! The ultimate tough guy with a heart of gold. I'm looking for a more feminine version to have in homage to him.
Hope this was helpful
Jammie
Very interesting blog post... Fallen in love with the 3rd tattoo design : )
Just wanted to let you know that I've featured this tattoo on my blog and have linked your site as well : )
Best wishes,
Trish x
Egyptians also thought that sparrows where very sacred and would get them tattooed onto there bodies when a family member or loved one would pass.. because they thought it would secure them into a place in heaven and having a safe 'passage'.
I have a sparrow on my wrist w/ my friends initials because he passed away... so a sparrow can also represent s symbol of recognition for the dead, if you may, along with representing sailors and making a safe journey and return home. its said for every 5,000 miles they traveled they would get a sparrow tattoo or before leaving deck they would get a sparrow tattoo to ensure there safety on the trip. And sparrows also obviously represent love, once sparrows find a mate they stay w. them for life, they also represent loyalty, freedom and the ability to obtain a close group of friends
I'm not really sure the difference between the sparrow and the swallow but that's all i know about the sparrow.... swallow seems to be very similar.. Ive done my research haha
hey there. . . that second one (the swallow with the leafy filigree) is actually mine. not sure where you picked it up but no biggie--hope it provides someone inspiration if not mimickry. please do credit Deirdre Doyle (http://www.deirdredoyle.net) here in Boston, though, if you don't mind. it's her work, i love having them (i have one on each side), and i'd like her to get the credit.
cheers.
chris
i didnt even know the sparrows meant all that. anyways, i got two sparrows on my shoulder blades for my pap who was a ww2 veteran who got his tattoos while he was in the navy. he had them on his chest, so as little kids we always called him "pappy birdies" i love them.
idk how to add a picture to this but if you wanna see mine ill show you.
goodluck,
Danielle
Unfortunately, most tattoos of "sparrows" are actually of swallows, just like every picture you posted above.
Swallows are the birds sailors get after traveling 5,000 miles, and represent freedom, etc.
Sparrow symbolize loyalty and love since they are one of the few animals to only have a single mate their entire lifetime.
Too many people get tattoos of swallows before doing their research and call them sparrows.
The difference, besides the meaning, is the tail. A sparrow's tail is not split like a swallow so if you like the split...
P.S. All of those tattoos are of swallows, except maybe the last one.
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