Swallow
Overview
Swallows nesting under a roof are traditionally read as a sign of a household's good standing, on the reasoning that the bird chooses where to nest.
Meaning
The swallow is the emblem of spring's return and of a household that is settled — the bird that comes back to the same eaves.
Traditional Interpretation
Sources use the swallow for seasonal return and for the constancy of the returning pair, and it appears frequently in poetry about change of season and of fortune.
Related Concepts
FAQ
What does swallow symbolize in Chinese tradition?
The swallow is the emblem of spring's return and of a household that is settled — the bird that comes back to the same eaves. Swallows nesting under a roof are traditionally read as a sign of a household's good standing, on the reasoning that the bird chooses where to nest.
Where does the swallow appear in Chinese art and custom?
Its use is documented across several registers at once. The swallow is the emblem of spring's return and of a household that is settled — the bird that comes back to the same eaves. The return to the same nest is the behaviour the tradition reads, which is why the swallow is about constancy rather than about migration.
How is swallow read in Chinese tradition?
Sources use the swallow for seasonal return and for the constancy of the returning pair, and it appears frequently in poetry about change of season and of fortune. It is grouped under Wood (木) in the five-element system.
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