MEANING: The children’s story of The Ugly Duckling is illustrative of Swan’s power of Awakening to Self. The story covers the journey of one who is labeled as a misfit, different and rejected for it, yet grows and develops into the most elegant Swan. Thus, Swan teaches us that we all have inner grace and beauty, and discovering this teaches us self-esteem. When we realize our own beauty and worth we find that innate ability to bridge new realms and new powers within ourselves.
Swan’s Wisdom Includes awakening the power of self, balance, grace, inner beauty, innocence, self-esteem, understanding dream symbols, seeing into the future, understanding spiritual, evolution, developing intuitive abilities, divination, grace in dealing with others and commitment.
In Celtic tradition, The Swan is one of the most ancient and powerful power animals and is associated with deities of healing waters and the sun. They are associated with music, love, purity and the soul. They are shape-shifters, can take human form, and have mastered the elements of water, earth and air. They can always be recognized by the gold or silver chain that hangs around their neck.
Among Druids, the Swan represents the soul, and is associated with the Festival of Samhain. Swan aids us in traveling to the Otherworld. Swans are also sacred to Bards, who were both poets and musicians, and their skin and feathers were used to make the tugen, the ceremonial Bardic Cloak.
Swans appear throughout Irish folklore. An Otherworldly bird, they are often the disguise of Fairy Women. At certain times of year, a swan maiden can transform herself back into a human, such as Summer Solstice, Beltaine or Samhain, when the veils between the worlds are thin.
The White Swans of the Wilderness were children of the Tuatha de Danaan, who settled Ireland, and became the sidhe after the invasion of the Milesians.
There are many other tales of humans shape shifting into swans within the Celtic/Irish lore that highlight the deepest meaning of Swan medicine.
Swan represents grace and beauty on many levels. It is associated with love, poetry and music. The swan was sacred to Venus, the love goddess in Roman mythology. The swan was often pictured singing to a lyre in Greek tradition.
This is a mini version of Coop's wood carved Swan.
THE CARVING: Our carvings are single pieces of western red cedar, designed and carved to be wall hangings. Each piece is finished with a blend of clear oils that brings out the natural color of the wood. For more information on the process of creation, please see my profile.
SIZE: One picture has the piece on a quilting board, lined up on the 1 inch marks. So subtract 1 inch from the height and width for the stock size. Measurements may vary slightly from piece to piece.
