Swan (Period)

The swan is a water bird, both graceful and fierce, famed for its death song; it was said to bring good luck.  It’s found in the arms of Dale as early as 1387 [DBA2 153].  The young swan was also called a “cygnet”, especially for canting, as in the arms of Synnot, c.1470 [DBA2 178].

The swan is rousant or rising by default, as in the famous badge of Bohun, later of Henry IV [HB 109].  However, it’s very frequently found naiant in Society heraldry; this too is a period posture, as in the Belgian arms of Lanchals, c.1488 [von Volborth, The Art of Heraldry, 1987, p.90].

For related charges, see goose.

The Prince of Cynagua bears:  Quarterly argent and Or, a swan rousant, wings elevated and addorsed sable, maintaining in its sinister foot a laurel wreath vert.

Amina de Talavera bears:  Azure, a swan naiant argent crowned Or.

Nikolai Mikhailovitch bears:  Or, three swans rousant gules.

Thomas Blackswann the Lefthand bears:  Argent, three swans rousant contourny sable.