Las Golondrinas/ The Swallows

Swallows have been said to be a symbol of endurance, renewal, and loyalty. Footfalls to the Alamo includes a song, La Golondrina, with words that reflect a bird “being tossed about by the wind'” while longing for its homeland yet traveling on.

Swallow pairs mate for life and sometimes return to familiar breeding areas. “These birds and their nests are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 by state and federal regulations.” (SUNYsb.edu) Their average life span is three years on average. Feeding on insects, they spend the majority of their time on the wing. (homeandroost.co.uk) For thousands of years, these birds appear to have used man-made structures for placing their nests. Virgil’s Georgics, written in 29BC says something like “Before the twittering swallow hangs its nest from the rafters…”

Some swallows appear as tattoos in various forms like this:

But what is the meaning of the swallow tattoo? It’s been stated that:
“People who choose swallow tattoos are generally loyal and loving and wish to express those traits. They are often committed to one person and choose the swallow to symbolize that because the swallow mates for life.”
Sailors often wore swallow tattoos to not only display their wandering spirits, but to show off how many nautical miles they’d sailed. One swallow meant 5,000 nautical miles. Two swallows, 10,000, and so on. (From https://www.tattooswithmeaning.com/swallow-tattoo-meaning/)

In the early 1800’s newcomers to various parts of Mexico and later Texas may have seemed much like swallows swooping down on new and unfamiliar places. In my book, the reader will find that María Andrea Castañon’s mother is often homesick; she longs for simpler days when her family roamed the hills and mountains of Guanajato. Instead, like las golondrinas, they moved here and there heading north from present day Guerrero where María Andrea was born. I hope you get a chance to read about her amazing journey!