For the Love of the Swallow

This pendant necklace, For the Love of the Swallow' pays homage to the swift, agile little bird who doesn't stray far from home, the swallow.

The Swallow is associated with navigation...... and mariners. It is an old nautical tradition that a sailor could only get a swallow tattoo after they have sailed over 5,000 nautical miles. Swallows were considered good luck because they don't fly far from land and if a sailor sighted a swallow they knew they were close to land and if they followed the swallow it would lead them home.

The heart represents love for the swallow.  In the centre of the heart is the powerful symbol of the North Star. In the nautical tradition and before the invention of the compass, mariners and explorers looked to the North Star (Polaris) to determine which way was north. As the North Star is directly above the North Pole it was always visible at night. If the sailors drew a vertical line from the North Star to the horizon they knew that was due north so they could navigate which way was south, west and east. 

This idea of navigation with the North Star can also be considered on a personal level.

Only you can decide where your north star is by considering what is important to you. What lights your fire, what are your life goals, personal values, principles, dreams and aspirations? All of these answers combined point to your own North Star.

• The 45 cm chain is made from 925 sterling silver.
• The Swallow is sterling silver
• The heart is made from solid sterling silver and has a garnet at its centre.