Swing Symbolism, Meanings and Messages

swing symbolism meanings messages
tire swing

About Swing Symbolism

The idea for this meditation symbol came from a friend telling me about her experience with a meditation I’d written recently that she had tried. Though there were other aspects of the meditation, she found herself in the back part of the landscape of the meditation setting where she found a swing. Now of course the symbolism of the swing is really only a fraction of the significance of her meditation, but even the little pieces are good validation and encouragement for the things we do see while we meditate, especially if you start out thinking that you had intentions to see something else than what appeared to you.


The Meanings of Swings

Swings, as with most other symbols, have a variety of meanings.  In relationship to other details and ways the symbol came about, it’s a matter of discerning which one best applies. Two of the most important interpretations behind swing symbolism in this instance are:

Nostalgia.

swing symbolism meditation

Who doesn’t love an excuse to go swing?!  It’s fun to be a kid again, especially if you get to share the moment with your own kids.  Fond and vivid childhood memories come back.  (Well, there was that one time J. threw the swing chains in my face and I got my first black eye in elementary school, but that healed up). You can probably think of many nice lifetime memories associated with swings and playgrounds that come up for yourself too.  Your favorite old tire swing in the yard at the house where you grew up. Having someone you love going to swing with you and taking turns giving each other a push to get started.  Going outside to swing in the middle of winter and two feet of snow.  Or on a particular date, eating take-out pizza at midnight on the swings overlooking the lake in the city.  Freedom, happiness, inner child…. these are the best symbolic representations.

Decisions.

Have you been swaying back and forth about which way to go regarding an important choice you need to make?  It might be time to put your feet on the ground and decide one way or the other.  If you are on the swing in your meditation and it makes you dizzy or you are spinning and need to get off of it — that’s an even better indicator that this might be the symbolism intended for you.

For one moment… we are crayons and lunch boxes and swinging so high our sneakers punch holes in the clouds. For one breath everything feels better.

Laura Halse Anderson, Wintergirls

The thing about a swing is that is is under YOUR control.  You can make it keep going, you can make it go so high it’s scary, or you can make it stop.  It’s all up to you.  (If the case is that someone is pushing you too high on the swing  – i.e. forcing you to go out of control – you probably need to realize who this person is in real life and get them to stop).

Messages from Swing Symbolism

What are some possible messages to do with swings?

  • Remember the good times.
  • Get out and play!  Lighten up and find your inner child again.
  • Make up your mind.  You just need to settle on your choice.

meditation book

Also at Mandorla Academy

Follow Heather on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM
Also, add Heather Oelschlager Photography & Art on Facebook

You may enjoy:
Through the Blue Door Meditation Book
Through the Blue Door Companion Journal

Submit Your Symbol for Interpretation
Blue Door Blog: SYMBOLS Articles

Leave a Reply