A swan is a large water bird with a long neck, usually white, that glides gracefully on lakes and rivers. Swans are often symbols of beauty, love, and loyalty.
From Old English 'swān', related to Old High German 'swan' and Old Norse 'svanr', all meaning the same bird. The word is ancient and has changed very little across Germanic languages.
Swans mate for long periods, sometimes for life, which is why they show up in love stories and art. The 'ugly duckling' tale hides a fun fact: young swans really do look gray and awkward before they turn elegant.
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