Tattoo meanings

Does anyone know of a site that lists Tattoo meanings, in particular traditional tattoos. If not, will someone explain the reasons behind the birds (sparrows I think) that have their head tucked down and the butterfly with the skull for a face. Just curious. Thanks

Do a search for "sparrow" and you'll get a lot of the past discussions about them. Or find a copy of Sailor Jerry's manuscript...

yeah dude im not sure if they are sparrows or swallows, but sailors used to get them ryt above their chest on the front of the shoulder, theirs alot of reasons i heard, one is that you get each one to symbolize 5,000 miles youve sailed so wen u hav 2 uve sailed 10,000 miles anothe ris that swallows always return to capistrano so they would ge tit as a sybol that they would return home after their time at sea anf the only other reason i heard was that if a sailor drowns the swallows on his chest would carry his soul out of the water up into heaven. as foor the butterfly i hav no idea? maybe a reference to the moth with the skull from silence of the lambs? hope i was helpful.

sparrows symbolize a few things. they symbolize for the sailor every 50,000 mi. not every 5,000 or 10,000. they also symbolize freedom. a lot of x-cons get them as a sign of their freedom. a lot of ppl get them as a way to symbolize that they have found true love because the sparrow is one of the only brids that finds its one mate and stays with that one other sparrow for the rest of its life. hope i gave ya a lil more info on that.

Why should a meaning from other people matter? I think that you should get something that you love and have meaning to you. If it has no meaning, then you shouldn't get it. People get "addicted" and they put $hit on their body randomly and ten years from now...they don't like it. Don't waste your money.

Can anyone explain the upside feather thats tip is dipped in red(blood I think?)

Can anyone explain the upside down feather tattoo thats tip is dipped in red, appearing to be blood?

rope

http://tattoo.about.com/cs/tatfaq/a/symbols_pride.htm i just found this on google.

I am in the Navy and I have sparrows on my chest. My sparrows are holding a ribbon that says "family". One is blue and one is red. For me, the red sparrow represents hard times and the blue represents good, Two things that a family goes through. The sparrows together are so that my family never falls. They are held up by good times and bad. The sparrows also represent land. After being out to sea for 6 to 9 months straight, sparrows are a wonderful thing to see. reminds you that your almost home. those are just my views on them. to each his own. Hope I helped a little.

i don't know if any one was actually reading what the original question was but it wasn't what your personal meaning for your tattoo was or what you think a tattoo should or shouldn't mean. it was what the TRADITIONAL MEANING of a tattoo is. alright now that that is out of the way, i used to have a book of traditional navy tats. now it didn't have anything besides naval tats, and i can't remeber the name of it (it might have been sailor jerry's manuscripts) but here are a couple of the tats that i remeber being significant.religious tats on the back cause it was unlawful to pray, pig and chicken on the feet so you don't drown, red and green nautical stars, there are a few. one of course port and starboard, two so you can always find you way home. and here are some more that were in the book that i can't remember there meanings: 3/4 ship, whole ship, sails drawn, sails furled, the anchor...... hope some was useful

La Tisha posted: ____________________________________________________ Why should a meaning from other people matter? I think that you should get something that you love and have meaning to you. If it has no meaning, then you shouldn't get it. People get "addicted" and they put $hit on their body randomly and ten years from now...they don't like it. Don't waste your money. ____________________________________________________ Jesus tittyfucking christ, shut the fuck up. As a sailior myself, I understand the meaning and symbolism behind tattoos like this. You obiously have never sailed or possess any nautical experience whatsoever otherwise you wouldnt have posted something so absolutly retarded. These types of tattoos are a manifestation of over 200 plus years of maritime tradition. These tattoos are generally a testiment of ones experience at sea and are EARNED. As someone that has 2 sparrows (100,000 nautical miles under sail,) a fouled anchor (crossed the atlantic,) turtle/shellback (equitorial crossing) and a pig and chicken on the tops of my feet (drowning protection,) I can say that each one of these tattoos, although their meaning and symbolism has been set by other people over the years, means everything to me and the people that i share this tradition with. Although i do see people with these tattoos that have never set foot in the water before, I dont see it as some dipshit who is "addicted" to ink and a waste of money. The fact alone that these tattoos have seeped into the mainstream shows maritime's influnce on the tattoo culture. If someone wants to get these tattoos because they think they are cool and want a little bit of history behind them... good for them and go for shit, its good to see that traditional work is still running strong. But hey newsflash there before you run and troll this post some more, people sometimes get ink because they appreciate the art and tradition of the tattoo culture in general. Who are you to mandate that all tattoos should have meaning to them? Are you the newly elected tattoo authority? It sounds like the OP has an interest in nautical tattoos and was doing a little of research so when assholes like you ask "what does it mean?" he can have something to tell you so you shut the fuck up. To the OP, its cool for taking an interest and good on you for research this, it doesnt matter if this ink has special meaning to you, if it interests you and you are well aware that tattoos are PERMANENT then get whatever the fuck you want, its your bod man. Dont let assholes tell you why, when, and where to get your ink... assholes like La Tisha and other jackasses like that are the reason why tattoos still have this slightly negative stigma. Express yourself and the free thought you were born with. Oh and for the record not all my tattoos are nautical, i have several just because they look awesome.

well i have the swallows, two nautical stars, chicken and pig, and a shell back. all earned. swallows are good luck and are earned for 50,000 for one and 100,000 for two.shell back is for crossing the equator.the stars are red and green and mean sailing in two oceans on one boat without a port( red is port starboard is green so you can find your way home) i hate seeing people with these tattoos who dont earn them cause it takes away the meaning.

Hi, i'm currently in a writing class and i have to write an argument paper in relation to tatooing and i can't seem to find a good one. I was hopin that you might be able to give me a good idea. from your posted message i assume you must know a hell of a lot more than i do. thanks