What's the significance of bluebird tattoos?

Factual Questions
1

IIRC, Mark McGrath has two bluebirds tattooed on his back.

So does the host of VH1 All Access, Rachel Perry. I saw her tattoos in a photo in Maxim magazine. They’re on her lower abdomen, one on each side.

Anyone know the significance of these tattoos?

2

I think they mean you got loaded one night and went to a tatoo parlour. LOL.

3

I’ve heard that the bluebird is a symbol of happiness.

So I googled “Bluebird of Happiness” and strike me down if the first hit isn’t from Teemings, in a poem by our very own Arden Ranger.

4

Gettin’ loaded - sounds pretty happy to me… :@)

5

Well, its orignally from the WWII era flash, I think.

I’ve seen references to the ‘bluebird of happiness’, so it might have something to do with that.

6

Well you clearly live up to the stereotype of Dublin residents.

As do I.

7

I Googled too… The closest thing I found was a theory about bluebirds=jailbirds.

??

8

Here’s my search results. (Link will obviously degrade after today).

9

Mebbe they like bluebirds? I dunno, a buddy of mine has the bluebirds, of course, he also has a tattoo of Elvis making out with a chick on couch across his chest. I don’t think he really has a reason for either. Oh wait…see above “got drunk” reference.

10

Thanks jjimm, I think. I’m not convinced that they have anything to do with the “Bluebird of Happiness.”

11

Sure, 'twas only a guess.

12

Some sources say the bluebird tattoo meant that a sailor had accumulated more than 5000 miles at sea; you got a second when you doubled that. A chicken on one foot and a pig on the other was a traditional charm against drowning. In WWII, they added an updated version…propellers on the butt cheeks!

Modern day, it’s just a nod to traditional flash art, as opposed to some of the modern styles. Gotta keep in touch with your roots.

13

Maybe I should describe them better. Both Mark McGrath and Rachel Perry have the exact same tattoos.

Two bluebirds, one on either side of the body’s midline. They look like they’re diving down…?

Now that I think about it, I think I remember seeing the same tattoos on the lead singer of Crazytown… Shifty?

14

Yeah. Nowadays, it’s just a common tattoo of American traditional style, like a heart that says “mom,” or a battleship on your chest, or a hula girl, etc.

15

Yeah, they’re exactly the same because they’re flash, or designs from a book of art you can pick right off the wall, kind of a la carte.

16

Hmmm. Okay. Thanks y’alluns.

17

…Hijack…

Hey jjimm - if we don’t keep the Guinness flowing the Irish economy could slump. I’m doing ** MY ** bit for the Euro. Gald to see you’re helping too

18

Is there anything Mark McGrath DOESN’T have a tattoo of? He looks like a 13-year-old-girl’s doodled school binder.

19

Accordingto this page, http://www.doctors-at-work.com/news_article.jsp?news_storyID=1232 , the Irish Government’s recently released “interim report of the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol” says that

It sounds to me like it’s the flow of Guinness that’s causing the Irish economy to slump.

20

It’s not a bluebird…it’s a swallow (try searching for that). Just a traditional tattoo like the battle ship, eagle, or mom.

It’s regained popularity because of the retro thing going on…just about every Rockabilly has the same tattoo. I actually like it and would consider it myself.