Jackspeak of the Royal Canadian Navy

Sparrow and Swallow Tattoos

Sailors traditionally received swallow tattoos before they went out to sea, because swallows always come home. Nowadays, one swallow, or a sparrow, means you've sailed 5,000 miles, and two means 10,000 miles. Also, two swallows, one on each hand means "these fists fly" ie. the sailor likes to fight. Swallows on the chest are meant to lift the soul to heaven if the sailor perishes.

Added: 2014-11-01 Last modified: 2014-11-01