Before the days of advanced navigation systems, sailors would only know they were near land once they spotted swallows in the skies. This transpired into the tattoo meaning of a safe return to home. They would also mark certain sailing accomplishments with a swallow such as traveling over 5,000 nautical miles, sailing all seven seas, crossing the equator, and sailing around the Horns (the bottom of Africa and South America). A bit more on the morbid, yet spiritual side, it was believed that the swallows would carry a drown sailor’s soul from the depths of the ocean up to heaven. To honor a fallen comrade, a swallow with a dagger through its breast would often be depicted.

For the lover: Swallows will choose only one mate and remain true to them for life so they’re often a representation of finding true love or loyalty.

In some cultures the swallow is a symbol of rebirth and positive change which is something nearly all human beings experience at some point in their life. It’s a way to mark the passage through tough times or the promise of better ones ahead.