Reviewed and updated: October 27, 2022 by Jamie Wilson BA
If you are a fan of birds and want to show it off then you can’t go wrong with the swallow hand tattoo. Here is a list of some tattoo ideas.
The practice of getting bird tattoos has existed for the longest time in the tattoo industry and barn swallows have been a popular design of the bird tattoo genre.
The swallow tattoos are one of the oldest tattoos, they were tattooed on sailors at the beginning of a long voyage on the ocean. These tattoos are therefore often seen on old men who were former sailors.
Surely this tattoo idea exploded when it was introduced to the modern tattoo market and several unique designs were created around the bird. If you’re wondering what a swallow tattoo on your hand means, you might be surprised to learn that the meaning of the swallow changes depending on the design. It is often seen that two swallows are inked on different parts of the body. The two swallows tattoo idea has meaningful symbolism. The traditional tattoo means longing and departure. Swallow tattoos are often inked in pairs. Popular among lovers, the paired swallow tattoos symbolize loyalty as swallows choose a single partner for life. Find a suitable design for yourself from the swallow hand tattoo images below.
Minimal swallow hand tattoo
The swallow tattooed in the picture is simple but the piece looks sharp and classy. If you are looking for a simple bird tattoo then look no further. The tattoo is designed minimally, it does not contain any other additional element, yet it can be described with a single glance. In the swallow tattoo, the bird appears to be taking higher flight, symbolizing the determination of the person who wears it to never stop until the goal is achieved.
The swallow tattoo is worn on the top of the arm above the wrist. Not only is it minimalistic in design, but it is also small. However, due to the efficiency of the tattoo artist, every part of the bird is very visible. The entire piece is full of life, although the artwork is extremely simple.
Offbeat Swallow Hand Tattoo
The swallow tattoo in the image above is a perfect example of how fancy ideas are created with the age old tattoo idea. A swallow flies from a heat formed tattoo. The heart is entirely filled with black ink, except for a few star-shaped areas that create a ringing effect.
The bird flying out of the heart-shaped dark window appears like flying out of space. Bright yellow color is used to outline the bird and heart, intensifying the 3D effect attempted in the tattoo.
Detailed wrist swallow tattoos
Detailed tattoos always look much more appealing and stand out from the crowd. They are much more informative and have a larger audience due to the intricate designs. For example, when a tattoo like the above image is worn by a person, you can never miss the tattooed birds.
The tattooed swallows are intricately designed in black ink. It is not inked on a large canvas, making the tattoo compact. Overall it is a perfect piece if you are looking for intricately designed swallow tattoos.
Swallow Hand Sleeve Tattoo
Swallow tattoos are often observed to be inked on the hand and the sleeve is a popular choice. The case offers a larger skin area, so that the tattoos can be designed elaborately. If you want a larger swallow tattoo on the hand, the sleeve is the perfect region. The flying swallow stands for freedom. It looks mesmerizing and looks perfect ideal as a sleeve tattoo.
The swallow is observed approaching an object, probably an attractive fruit or flower. Using subtle colors makes the tattoo much more realistic. The sharpness of the design has an underlying feminine touch that is appropriate for women all over the world.
Swallow in flight hand tattoo
A flying swallow represents freedom, it can fly for miles without being exhausted. The leaves around the flying bird could symbolize that the bird flies for miles through forest trees to get where it belongs. The swallow in the tattoo image above gives you the spirit to run towards your goal without getting exhausted. It catches the bird in its natural form in the home.
The swallow tattoo is a meaningful piece and a great one if you are looking for a boost of motivation in your life. It is tattooed on the lower part of the arm above the side wrist but fits well on the sleeve area as well.
Swallow with a Rose Hand Tattoo
On the one hand, swallow tattoos stand for distance and longing, on the other hand, two swallows are a sign of love. The swallows tattooed in the image above are a representation of the latter meaning. The swallows are affectionately tattooed opposite each other while each carrying a rose in their beak. It’s a romantic piece and ideal if you want to get a tattoo for your partner.
The details in the tattoo look premium which makes the piece much more alluring. The inclusion of the rose sets it apart from all other swallow tattoo designs and enhances its beauty.
Swallow hand tattoo with a halo
The swallow with halo is again a fancy idea but looks very aesthetic and revealing. The swallow in the tattoo flies up and looks up as if flying in the sky. A halo with a fine dot pattern is drawn around the swallow’s head. The swallow in the tattoo looks like a celestial being, it probably commemorates a lost loved one.
The swallow tattoo was painted in memory of a sailor who lost his life, it was believed that the swallow carried his soul from the ocean to the sky. Perhaps this tattoo is a representation of that traditional meaning of swallow tattoos.
Swallow Hand Garden Tattoo
Pairing your tattoo with floral elements can never go wrong and this swallow tattoo idea further justifies it. The way the floral elements are inked into the tattoos conveys the idea of a garden. A barn swallow is inked in the upper corner of the tattoo. The tattoo exudes a warm spring mood where the bird is drawn to the blooming flowers in search of nectar. Bees and other insects are also inked among the floral elements that add warmth and life to the whole swallow tattoo.
It is a very happy tattoo design, every single element is finely detailed starting from the bird at the top to the leaves at the bottom. The art is abstract, yet the meanings can be easily understood. The tattoo covers the entire lower part of the hand and looks very vivid despite being done with black ink only. Alternatively, such swallow tattoo designs can also be used as garden tattoo ideas.
Swallow hand tattoo with an arrow
Although the meaning of the swallow tattoo on hand has evolved over time, there are some designs that are synonymous with the meaning of the traditional swallow hand tattoo. The swallow tattoo with an arrow fits into this category. While swallow tattoos symbolized the freedom and sailing experience of seafarers, arrow tattoos are a symbol of hardship and victory. Even though the meanings have evolved, the combination of two tattoos is still a popular and highly fashionable tattoo idea.
The swallow tattoo is inked on the lower part of the arm while a beautiful arrow is inked in the background. Both the bird and the arrow are intricately designed, making the piece a standout. The bird tattoo is only shaded with black ink but looks no less than art on a canvas. If you fancy a swallow tattoo of this kind, then this piece is a perfect inspiration.
Colored swallow hand tattoo on both hands
If you are missing someone and want a tattoo on their mind, swallow tattoos on two hands are a perfect piece. The two birds are colored as if they are mirror images of each other. It can also be a great tattoo idea for couples where a swallow and its reflection of the swallow are inked on the hands of the two lovers.
The swallow hand tattoo in the image above is colored. The splash of bright colors on the hand will attract the attention of any person on the street. The two swallows are drawn in a fictional style, making the entire piece appear like tribal artwork.
The swallow tattoos are considered to be one of the most versatile ideas, both men and women can sport the tattoo gracefully. Now that you know so many great swallow hand tattoo designs, you can easily choose a piece that best suits your personality. However, if you’re still unsure, here’s a list of some additional designs that might help you close the deal.
- Swallow around the ocean tattoo
- Swallow tattoo as a symbol of hope
- Swallow tattoos with an anchor
- Swallow and ship tattoo
- Floral swallow tattoo
Featured image from Pinterest