Some birds sit still.
They perch, they nest, they hold their ground.
But not the Swallow.
The Swallow is always moving.
It swoops. It circles. It leaves and returns, again and again.
That’s why, across cultures and generations, the Swallow has become a symbol of movement, change, and new beginnings.
It’s not just a bird... it’s a marker of life’s next chapter.
Why the Swallow?
Swallows have flown alongside humans for thousands of years.
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Sailors used to tattoo Swallows on their skin to represent safe travels and the promise of return.
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In folklore, Swallows were said to carry the souls of loved ones home.
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Farmers saw the first Swallow of the season as a sign that spring had arrived and the hard winter was over.
They’re birds of hope, transition, and coming home.
The Swallow and New Beginnings
When someone’s starting fresh, a Swallow is the perfect symbol.
It says:
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“Go ahead... move forward.”
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“You don’t have to know the whole map yet.”
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“Leaving isn’t losing; it’s part of the cycle.”
Whether it’s:
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Moving house
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Starting a new job
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Retiring
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Coming back from something hard
The Swallow marks the moment.
Why We Made the Swallow Metalbird
We added the Swallow to our collection because people kept asking for a bird that captures change.
They wanted something for:
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Kids leaving home
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Friends moving away
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New chapters after grief
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The “next step” moments that are both exciting and terrifying
The Swallow fit perfectly.
The Rust Tells a Story Too
Like all our birds, the Swallow is cut from Corten steel.
That means it:
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Develops a protective patina that seals and protects the silhouette
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Blends into the landscape over time
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Marks change without trying too hard
When you hammer in a Swallow, it starts sharp and clean.
Then the weather takes over.
It softens. It shifts. It becomes part of the place.
Just like new beginnings do.
Real Stories From the Flock
Here are a few ways people have used the Metalbird Swallow to mark life’s next chapters.
When the Kids Leave Home
“We gave our daughter a Swallow when she moved out. She put it on her new balcony. It’s a little reminder that she can always come back, but she’s also meant to fly.”
– Mike and Sandra, Wellington
Moving Into a New House
“Our friends bought their first home after years of renting. We gave them a Swallow for the garden. They said it made the place feel like theirs straight away.”
– Rachel, Sydney
Starting Over After Loss
“After my husband passed, I needed to make a new start but didn’t know how. A friend gave me a Swallow and said, ‘For the next chapter, whatever that looks like.’ It’s on my fence now, catching the sunrise.”
– Emma, Toronto
Leaving a Job, Starting a Dream
“I left my corporate job to start my own business. My brother gave me a Swallow with a note: ‘Time to fly.’ It’s in my office window.”
– Alex, London
The Power of Symbolic Gifts
A Swallow isn’t just about birds. It’s about life moving forward.
It’s about:
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The courage to leave
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The grace to come back
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The beauty of cycles
That’s why it works as a gift.
It’s not just something to unwrap... it’s a marker of the moment.
How to Gift a Swallow
Pair it with a simple note.
Here are some ideas:
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“For the next chapter.”
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“Fly, but remember where home is.”
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“New beginnings are brave.”
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“This is your season to soar.”
You don’t need to say much. The Swallow does the talking.
Why We Love This Bird
Out of all the birds in the Metalbird collection, the Swallow might be the most hopeful.
It’s about:
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Movement, not endings
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Return, not just departure
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Growth, not just change
It’s a bird that says, “You’ve got this... even if you don’t know exactly where you’re going yet.”
For Gardens, Balconies, and Beyond
You don’t need a huge garden for a Swallow.
We’ve seen them:
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On apartment balconies
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On beach house fences
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In shared community spaces
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Above doorways, like a good luck charm
Wherever you put it, the Swallow brings a sense of movement and grace.
Want to Mark a Moment?
If you... or someone you love... is stepping into something new, a Swallow is a quiet way to say: “I see you. Keep going.”
It’s not loud. It’s not flashy. But it lasts.
And sometimes, that’s exactly what people need.
Find your Swallow here.
Suggested Image:
A Swallow Metalbird catching the morning or evening light, mid-flight on a fence post or balcony rail. In the background: moving boxes, a new key, or an open horizon. Quiet symbolism, no staging.