One of the animals associated with Beltane is the swan. The magical meaning of the swan is love, union, and partnership: swans mate for life. Just as the Goddess and God join in union on Beltane, swans reflect this eternal commitment in their own union. Swans also represent loyalty, fidelity, and faithfulness, reflecting the joining of Mother Earth and Father Sun when the sun is released from its bondage of winter and able to rule over summer and life once again. Swan symbolism includes grace, power, inner beauty, elegance, purity and balance.