Why You’re Suddenly Seeing Swans Everywhere
A Cultural Reappearance, Not a Coincidence
I know it’s not just me. And I know it’s not just because you follow me here. But perhaps seeing the Swan Cradle my husband carved made you more aware of how prevalent swans have actually become.
Jake carved a swan cradle back in 2017 when we were expecting our first little miracle. His way of loving this life into the world was doing what he knows best: creating tangible ebenezers to mark milestones and God’s faithfulness.
In 2017 after the Swan Cradle was finished and our first daughter was born, we started seeing swans everywhere (some call it the “frequency illusion”). However, they went dormant again for a while, until now...Swans are hitting mainstream & you’re beginning to notice, too. You’re seeing them in your local Target on candles, in your Pottery Barn promo emails for kids’ rooms, McGee & Co. wall art and Anthropologie now has full wall displays with various swan-inspired glassware.
But why swans? And why now?
A migration back into our everyday lives
Throughout history, there are enduring motifs or symbols that repeat themselves.
They do not disappear. They go dormant. And when they return, it is usually during moments of cultural transition. The swan is one of those recurring symbols. For such a time as this.
Fidelity and family legacy
Take note: we’re seeing swans make strong appearances in nurseries. Why? Without realizing it, people are seeking hope and light, with a cultural shift towards family-centered life.
Divine Order
In an age of chaos, we’re beginning to see and yearn for the beauty of a God-ordered life. God uses all of creation to speak truth to the Crown of Creation (that’s us). Not only do swans mate for life but they are fiercely protective of one another. Swans are known for their “busking” position (seen below) with wings furled forward to ward off danger (chaos). I’ll go so far as to say this: Not only does the swan symbolize fidelity between a husband and wife, but ultimately the relationship God has with His people.
Fidelity Bound, by Jake Weidmann
A Renaissance of Symbolism
The idea of swans demonstrating calm, elegance, refinement, beauty and charm is not new. In ancient illuminated manuscripts and heraldry, they signified:
• Nobility & Royalty
• Loyalty & Fidelity
• Beauty & Order
• Elegance & Grace
• Purity & Reformed faith
Markers of Cultural Threshold Moments
The “swan song” idea — the belief that the swan sings most beautifully before death — positions it as a creature of threshold moments.
Endings. Transformations. Revelations
Fatherly Love and Protection
A Father’s love. I’m convinced that this is why the Swan Cradle goes absolutely viral every time we share it. Not only is it unqiue, functional and beautiful but add that it is made at the hands of a loving and caring father to hold his newborn babes...What a picture of our Heavenly Father and how He cares for us.
If you haven’t noticed swans migrating back into our daily lives, perhaps this will give you eyes to see them more clearly (and more frequently).
Obviously, they are such a personal symbol to my family and I – I can’t help but see them as “God winks” every time I see one.
They will forever point my gaze to God’s faithfulness, eternal beauty, protection, fierce loyalty and light.
Be encouraged, beloved. We’re on the brink of a massive cultural shift toward family, legacy mindset, strong marriages and light pushing back the dark. And the swan as a symbol is giving us a glimpse of that. A rebirth. A renaissance.
Beauty is on the way.
Hannah
