swallows?

could someone refresh my mind on the meaning or the most common one anyway, of the swallows tattoos...knew once but just can't think of it. Thanks

Sailors would have swallows tattooed as a sort of metaphor for finding their way, because the legend goes that if you were ever lost at sea if you saw a swallow you could follow it home. There are different versions of why people get swallows and can also mean a person has done time in prison or 'bird'. Swallows can also symbolize renewal and fresh beginnings.