It seems that first and foremost,
sparrow tattoos were originally popular with sailors. Life on the high seas was brutally rough in days gone by, and a lot of sailors that put out to sea never returned. Whether they succumbed to storms, rough waves or other sailors, it was considered a
badge of honor just to make it back to port. Enter
sparrow tattoos. It became a tradition for a sailor to get one
sparrow tattoo for every 5,000 nautical miles of travel.
Sparrows were also believed to bring a sailor good luck, so sometimes a seaman would get his tat before heading out in the hopes it would act as a talisman, and help bring him safely home again.
Sparrows in nautical themes are often depicted with stars, perhaps as a
symbol of following one’s destiny.
Sparrow tattoos also have their place in prison culture, where the
birds symbolize freedom. Certainly everyone with a sparrow tat isn’t a convict, but some convicts choose
sparrows as a statement about their own freedom, especially when they are nearing release. These tattoos are typically worn somewhere on the hands, wrists or arms, but they can really be placed anywhere.
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