Swallow Tattoos: Historical birdies

Nine facts about the maritime history of swallow tattoos:

1.Swallow tattoos were traditionally used to show how many miles a sailor had traveled -- five thousand nautical miles got you one swallow, ten thousand the second.

2. Sometimes, when a sailor had retired, he would tattoo laundry hanging between the two swallows.

3. If a sailor's friend was killed at sea, one of his swallows would have a dagger tattooed through it.

4. Swallows always return home -- so the swallow tattooed on a sailor was meant to symbolize that he would return.

5. And if the sailor didn't return, the swallows would help carry him to heaven.

6. In England, the swallow tattoo indicates a willingness to fight -- "these fists fly."

7. Apparently, in American jails, the swallow tattoo can mean that the wearer is into white power. (but hopefully, with an ever-growing number of liberally inclined young ladies getting this tattoo, that message is getting diluted.)

8. To a sailor at sea, the sight of sparrows meant land, and a return home.

9. Luke 12:6 says..."Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God."

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