The Symbolism Behind A Pirate Jack Sparrow Tattoo
So, you’ve been to see the Pirates of the Caribbean movie and enjoyed it! Maybe you’ve also noticed how many people are getting sparrow tattoos inked. Don’t be misled, though, as it’s not because our anti-hero Jack Sparrow just happens to have one. No, sparrow tattoos are quite old and have been around for ages – way before the pirate Jack Sparrow tattoo. Sparrow tattoos are very specific and have a definite symbolism. many folks think of them as visual poems for the skin! Maybe it’s our unconscious that responds to the image, almost like we respond to images in dreams.
True Love
Sparrows are thought to mate for life, although some recent scientific studies have thrown this old chestnut into doubt. However true the notion may be, it is ingrained in most societies that sparrows mate for life. This is admired by those who’ve had to suffer monogamy and find the sparrow a great comfort and inspiration. When used in this way, the sparrow tattoo often features two sparrows instead of just one.
Protection For Sailors
In the old days, sailors got a sparrow tattoo for every 50,000 miles they traveled by sea. This was a permanent resume if there ever was one! There was also a legend – and this one has some scientific backing – that sparrows will always know the way home. So, no matter how far a sparrow tattoo wearer may roam, he or she will always somehow find a way to return to the ones they love. There is also another notion that sparrows are just fond of sailors. When a sailor saw a swallow flying over the waters, that was a telltale sign that they were near land.
Freedom
An ex-prisoner or a survivor of abuse may choose to get a sparrow tattoo, to remind them that they survived their time of imprisonment but are now free. Sparrows, as well as birds in general, can also symbolize the souls’ freedom from the body. In Ancient Egypt, it was thought that sparrows acted like a psychopomp, bringing the souls of the dead to rest among the stars. Some might get a sparrow tattoo as a poetic reminder and tribute to all of their beloved dead.
Sadly, in modern times, many sparrow species are in danger. In England, the once common house sparrow is under threat of extinction. If you work to maintain the environment, a sparrow tattoo can be a reminder to keep on fighting.