A swan is a large, graceful water bird known for its long, curved neck and typically white feathers. Swans glide across lakes and ponds with what looks like effortless beauty, though beneath the water their feet paddle constantly. These elegant birds mate for life and can be fiercely protective of their nests, even chasing away dogs or people who get too close.

Swans appear throughout literature and culture as symbols of beauty and grace. In Hans Christian Andersen's story “The Ugly Duckling,” a baby swan grows up thinking it's an awkward duck until it realizes its true nature. The phrase swan song refers to a final performance or accomplishment, coming from the ancient belief that swans sing beautifully just before they die.

People sometimes describe a graceful movement as swanning around, though this phrase can also mean moving in a showy, overly confident way. When someone glides through a room looking elegant and receiving admiration, they might be said to be swanning about like royalty.