what does an anchor and swallow symbolize?
That got me thinking more about this symbolism and the metaphor of Hope. The anchor has been interpreted in different ways throughout history. The Anchor is the Victorian symbol for Hope. Early Christians used the anchor as a disguised cross, and as a marker to guide the way to secret meeting places. The anchor was a key Christian symbol during the period of Roman persecution. The first century symbol wasnât the cross; it was the anchor.
Bluebird tattoos are often confused with either sparrow or swallow tattoos, further complicating the meaning of swallow tattoos. A small swallow tattoo on the left shoulder, a popular symbol for travelers and adventurers. Most swallow tattoos are placed on the shoulders or chest. Tattoos that are displayed near the face are generally considered more symbolically important because of the high visibility of the tattoo.