Swan Characteristics: Sophisticated • Gentle • Flighty
Scientific Name: Cygnus Atratus
Collective Term: A ballet of swans 

Stylish and Refined

Throughout the ages swans have been venerated for their elegant grace and gentle beauty so it's little surprise that these personalities attract admiration as they sail serenely through life. The swan's noble reputation is its greatest asset and it takes care to cultivate this image by always appearing calm in public.

Things are very different just below the surface... fueling the swan's elegant glide is a high-energy paddling that consumes most of its emotional stamina. While it's common for a bird personality to exhibit this kind of emotional volatility, it is particularly noticeable in the swan when contrasted with its tranquil exterior.

Swan Personalities are Somewhat Highly Strung

Supporting a high-profile swan persona requires substantial energy, and the need for such a high metabolism can leave them feeling exhausted and drained. So when life gets overwhelming they readily take off to find a tranquil, gentle place to meditate and recharge before returning to the real world. This unsettled aspect of their personality means that you've probably moved to a different city at least once your life, or are at least planning to do so.

Appearance is important to the swan who enjoys the finer things in life and it spares no expense in pampering itself. It would be a mistake to simply dismiss it as a fragile beauty though; for it is a well-traveled, worldly bird who has seen the best and worst of the human condition. Its experiences have made it a well-rounded and worldly individual who can adapt to almost any career. It has no problem with taking direction from a boss and is always prepared to accept input from others.

The Swan Personality's Career

Its work is well integrated into its life and it strives to find balance in its career and family life. Because swan personalities are often gangly and awkward as children, they have substantial experience in dealing with difficult people and are well equipped to handle conflicts in the workplace. Their innate empathy makes them ideal therapists, doctors, nurses or personnel managers. With their natural beauty they are also well suited for careers in the arts, with a particular affinity for music, ballet and acting.

Swans in the Wild

It is thought that the long, graceful neck of these magnificent birds evolved to facilitate feeding on the bottom of the shallow waters that they frequent. Unlike most water birds, swans rarely dive and prefer instead to float serenely on the surface.

Despite their weight, swans are excellent fliers. Takeoffs can be a bit of a problem, though, and they must build flying speed by running with their broad webbed feet on a long stretch of water. Like a small aircraft, swans maneuver poorly in flight and often lose their lives by flying into telephone and power lines.

Revered throughout history for their beauty, swans feature prominently in Greek lore, where Zeus disguised himself as a swan to seduce Leda, and in medieval England, where all swans were the property of the king, who issued licenses for their private possession.

Careers & Hobbies

Therapist • Doctor • Personnel Manager • Performing arts • Music • Ballet
Quiet vacations • Social causes

Love & Friendship

The swan swain is monogamous and mates for life. It brings an air of sophistication to its relationships and considers itself to be a connoisseur of sex -- willing to try anything at least once, provided it's in realm of good taste.

These birds enjoy being pampered and are happy to spoil their mates in return. If there’s a weakness to its otherwise unflappable personality, is that it has a habit of condoning its mate's boorish behavior. 

Swans covet their privacy and will take flight when provoked by unwelcome advances. They insist on maintaining some private space within their relationship, and interference in their personal affairs is the surest way to ruffle their feathers.

Because of its affinity for both the air and water, the swan is compatible with a wide array of love-partners and especially strikes a chord with the aqua-avian penguin who is an agreeably considerate partner. Dolphins and roosters add a rambunctious touch to its genteel life, while otters and eagles complement its graceful style.

Famous Swan Personalities

Princess Diana

Diana made an indelible impression on the world with her grace under fire and the serenity with which she navigated a public and tricky divorce from the future king of England.

Natalie Portman

It's no coincidence that Natalie Portman was chosen for her role as a ballerina in Black Swan. She makes everything she does seem effortless -- although she's probably paddling furiously under the water.