Swans are a type of waterfowl. They resemble geese in appearance, have loud calls, and feed on plants and insects. Although they are water birds, they are skilled at flying.
In Zhuangzi’s Heavenly Motion, it is said: “The swan does not bathe daily yet remains white; the crow does not sun itself daily yet remains black.” Swans are naturally white without bathing, while crows are naturally black without sunning. In Shuowen Jiezi, the swan is described as a bird that flies high, often mentioned alongside the wild goose, symbolizing lofty aspirations and ideals. In ancient Chinese literature, the swan often symbolized noble ambition, as in the phrase “the aspirations of swans and geese.”
Though swans may be separated during migration, their loyalty remains strong. They are considered lifelong partners — once they choose a mate, they usually stay together until death.
My ancestral home is Shanxi. When I was about ten, my parents and I returned from the northeast to Yuanping for the New Year to visit my grandparents. We lived on a farm, where I had never seen mountains, let alone rolling rocky ranges. Seeing Yuanping’s mountains filled me with excitement. My father took me to sit by a spring. The afternoon sun bathed the land, and shepherds whistled as they watched over their flocks. When a mischievous sheep strayed, the shepherd picked up a stone and threw it, striking the animal’s horn with precision. I was amazed. My father then began to tell a story.
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