Why Does J.R.R. Tolkien Use Swans for Emblems?

Q: Why Does J.R.R. Tolkien use Swans for Emblems?

ANSWER: One of the most memorable groups of warriors in The Lord of the Rings is Prince Imrahil’s small cavalry force, the Swan-knights of Dol Amroth. People sometimes ask why Imrahil’s emblem is a swan. The swan is frequently associated with Elves in Tolkien’s stories, particularly elf-women. Eärwen, daughter of King Olwë, was called “the swan-maiden of Alqualondë” in The Silmarillion. The maia Ossë, friend of the Teleri, gave them swans to help them reach the shores of Aman when they finally departed from Tol Eressëa; and they name their city Alqualondë, the Haven of the Swans. They built their ships in the shape of swans as well.

When Tuor was living alone in Nevrast, he saw seven swans flying south, and he took them for a sign that he should leave the place where he had been living. Eärendil’s ship had a prow shaped like a swan. When Celeborn and Galadriel bid farewell to the Fellowship of the Ring in Egladil, they arrive in a “swan-ship”. Prince Imrahil’s emblem is a silver swan-ship on a blue field.

The southern border of Eregion is the Glanduin (“border river”), which flows west from the Misty Mountains down to the Greyflood river, joining the larger river in a marshland known as Nin-in-Eilph (translated as “Swanfleet” and “waterlands of the swans”). Swanfleet was the name later given to the entire river by the end of the Third Age.

In Greek literature and mythology swans were often associated with music and poetry, and Tolkien created a strong affinity between his elves — especially the Teleri from whom came the Sea-elves and Wood-elves — and music and poetry. In Norse mythology swans are the symbols of the Valkyries, who are called swan-maidens and who are said to have the ability to wear swan-skins or change into swans. Swans are also associated with fairies in British folklore.

Tolkien’s use of swan imagery for many elements associated with his elves thus implies that he was very much aware of their special associations and that he wanted to reflect those associations in his own mythical explorations. Hence, Tolkien’s use of swans as Elvish symbols and omens foreshadows historical swan symbology in literature, legend, and folklore.

# # #

Have you read our other Tolkien and Middle-earth Questions and Answers articles?