Meaning of Billy Hope's Tattoo
There are several shots in Southpaw where the tattoo behind Billy Hope's ear is prominently displayed. It appears to be a bird, what kind? And more importantly, is there symbolism associated with this kind of bird that will enhance the experience of watching the film? Not that the film needs an extra kick, but if there's an esoteric message, it's good to know...
Best Answer
That's a Swallow.
The swallow tattoo was a symbol used historically by sailors to show off their sailing experience. Of British origin in the early days of sailing, it was the image of a Barn Swallow, usually tattooed on the chest, hands or neck. According to one legend, a sailor tattooed with one swallow had travelled over 5,000 nautical miles (9,260 km); a sailor with two swallows had travelled 10,000 nautical miles (18,520 km). Travelling these great distances was extremely difficult and dangerous in the early days of sailing, so one or more swallow tattoos denoted a very experienced and valuable sailor. Another legend holds that since swallows return to the same location every year to mate and nest, the swallow will guarantee the sailor returns home safely.
It's a fairly generic tattoo, symbolizing Returning Home, Love, Loyalty, hard work, etc. Apparently it also represents a fast hitting fighter.
A search shows multiple reviews mentioning the Swallow in that same vein:
And fyi, both Billy And Maureen have the same Swallow tattoo.
Pictures about "Meaning of Billy Hope's Tattoo"
What is the tattoo in Southpaw?
"Fighter Father " tattooed on arms of Jake Gyllenhaal for his role in Southpaw.What does jake gyllenhaal tattoo say?
The actor received praise for his delivery of emotion and zeal at playing the boxer. However, it left most fans wondering whether the tattoos on the actor's body were real or not. Currently, Gyllenhaal has no tattoos, and the ones he had in Southpaw were merely a result of makeup and fake ink.What does a sparrow tattoo mean?
The sparrow, while not the flashiest bird type, has become a popular choice for tattoos. Sparrow tattoos are usually associated with freedom, love, and commitment, but there are many other great meanings that can be attached to these designs. For decades, they have been used as a standard in animal tattoo imagery.Who is Billy Hope? (Outlast)
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Images: Willian Alves, Артур Костерин, Karolina Grabowska, Hipkicks