according to samuel steward~ SECRET HISTORIAN,(the current title for antebellum's fetish book club) the sparrow/bird tattoos were a subtle reference to the penis ~ something that other "inverts" would recognize as a code for homosex.
"One of the most common bird tattoos that are popular these days are the sparrow tattoos. You would find that many people love these small, cute birds and get them inked onto their body. Usually, sparrow tattoos are associated with freedom and a disregard for the rules. In the past, mafia bosses used to endorse such sparrow tattoos to give off the impression of being impervious to law and rules. There is a special sparrow tattoo meaning associated with lovebirds and couples. Usually, couples get identical sparrow tattoos to show that they are madly in love with each other and don’t imagine life without each other. Another common bird tattoo is a swallow tattoo. Even though swallows look quite similar to sparrows, there is a lot of difference between the two birds. Deviating a bit from the sparrow tattoo meaning, a swallow tattoo used to be put onto the sailor’s arm to show his experience at sea. The swallow tattoo also linked a sailor with his family and his homeland, and was a symbol for true commitment. Like all other bird tattoo meanings, swallow tattoos also signify the same love for freedom and disregard for rules."
posted by david crocker & rick castro~ antebellum fetish book club members
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