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In our Facebook Group called RV Camping for Newbies questions about flamingos and upsidedown pineapples come up all the time. People want to know what flamingos and upside-down pineapples mean.
If you’re on the naïve side like me, you might believe that upside-down pineapples ripen better when inverted. Maybe a pineapple at your door is a sign of welcome.
Those are a few of the answers you’ll find when you Google the question. I saw someone answer the question on Quora with an entire explanation regarding pineapple upside-down cakes.
Of course, I would be the one that would graciously put the pineapple back the way it belonged or ask someone why their fruit was upside down. Unfortunately, the upside-down pineapple flamingo pairing has nothing to do with cake.
To avoid an awkward situation, we’ll explain what upside-down pineapples with flamingos mean. We’ll also talk about how the idea started and some other variations that relate to it.
What Does an Upside Down Pineapple Mean?
An upside-down pineapple is a secret sign that the people behind the symbol are into the swinging lifestyle. People who wear these symbols look for others who share this way of life.
Does a Flamingo Symbolize Swinging?
Although less common, the flamingo symbolizes someone looking to swing. Yet the pink flamingo is mostly a harmless RV patio feature that dates back to the Vintage Era (1945-1970).
What are Swingers?
Swingers are people who participate in group sex or who swap partners in a group setting.
What’s the History of the Upside-Down Pineapples?
The history of the upside-down pineapple without the flamingo is much less questionable than today’s interpretation. It’s commonly associated with hospitality and has been used as a sign in places where guests are welcomed. Some say the symbol originated from Hawaii and represents the local’s friendly hospitality.
Some say the upside-down pineapple originated in Europe as a symbol of welcome during the Renaissance period. However, at one time, it was only used by royalty.
It’s also said to be a sign of prosperity and good fortune.
What’s the History of Pink Flamingos?
Pink flamingos were first designed in 1957 in Massachusetts by Don Featherstone. He was hired by Union Products to sculpt a pink flamingo and ducks. The pink bird was a hit to brighten up tract homes in post-WWII neighborhoods. The flamingo was a great way to differentiate your house from all the other places on the street.
Flocked By Pink Flamingo
Over the decades, pink flamingos rose and fell in popularity. Then, in the late ‘70s and early ’80, the pink flamingo became part of a prank culture where people put them on other peoples’ lawns as a joke.
Oddly enough, Featherstone was awarded a Nobel Art prize for their creation and eventually became president of Union Products.
How Did Pineapples and Flamingos Become the Mascot of Swingers?
While it’s not abundantly clear why upside-down pineapples and flamingos became the “secret” symbol of swingers, the cat’s out of the proverbial bag thanks to social media. It could be that the welcoming symbols were used to show hospitality, and it just spilled into some being more “hospitable” than others.
Turning your pineapple upside down in your shopping cart can indicate that you’re looking for a swinger party.
Several other symbols are used to indicate the swinging lifestyle. There are different ways the upside-down pineapple without the flamingo, in particular, can be worn. Be aware of shorts or t-shirts with pineapples or even pineapple jewelry. Even a right-side-up pineapple can be misconstrued.
Other symbols include:
People wearing red ballcaps
Wearing a thumb ring
Wearing a toe ring
Switching the wedding ring to the right hand
Garden Gnomes
Metal Star on the front of the house
Yin-Yang tattoo
A black ring on the right hand
White rocks around a mailbox
Where Might You See an Upside-Down Pineapple?
You can see an upside-down pineapple just about anywhere you go. They have become popular on the cabin doors of cruise ships. You can also go on a “swinger” cruise.
They’re also becoming more common on RVs. You might see one outside an RV, on the door, or even a symbol on the doormat. You might also see the symbol on a person’s clothing or jewelry.
The number of swingers in the RV community could probably reflect that. I haven’t seen these symbols, and I don’t know anyone in this lifestyle, but out of curiosity, I’ll probably be looking to see how often I see them in my travels.
Bottom Line: Could Pineapples and Flamingos on your RV Put you in an Awkward Position?
Absolutely, yes, these symbols could be misconstrued. There are stories about awkward encounters for those who aren’t in the “know” of these symbols.
If that is what you like, I don’t believe that these hijacked items should keep you from decorating your RV space with pineapples or flamingos.
A courteous response to anyone that inquires about swinging is all you need to give. Now that you know the meaning behind upside-down pineapples and flamingos, you won’t be caught off guard by inquiries.
Terri Nighswonger and her husband Todd are full-time RVers and work campers. They have been living full-time in their RV for nearly three years with their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Newton, and their Minnie Australian Shepherd, Remi.
They originate from the Midwest but plan to enjoy the west for a few years, wintering in Arizona and summering wherever the road may lead. Writing is Terri’s passion, but she also loves hiking, kayaking, walking her dogs, and anything she can do outdoors.
Upside-down pineapples are the most common symbol on a cruise to indicate couples are interested in swinging. However, pink flamingos are another symbol used to indicate the same thing.
According to the Sun, flamingos symbolize swinging, with partner swappers placing plastic replicas of the bird in their front yards to let others know they're up for a good time. Birds of a feather flock together! Swingers place plastic flamingos in their front yards to let others know they're up for a good time.
“Flamingos and pineapples outside your RV as decor mean you're a great neighbor who's gracious and caring.” -Hannah C. “These are just dumb urban legends. No one in those lifestyles are using those as signals, and most people with those things out have nothing to do with that lifestyle.
What does an upside down flamingo mean? There's no meaning to an upside-down flamingo. Flamingos advertised outside a room or home can indicate that someone is into swinging, and an upside-down pineapple can mean the same, but the idea of an upside-down flamingo is just the two symbols being muddled together.
For a small plastic lawn ornament there are a lot of rumors and legends surrounding the pink flamingo. One of those is that the people who put them on their lawn are swingers. This carries over to RV parks where you'll see the decorations outside of campers.
On a cruise ship, the secret symbol of an upside-down pineapple is regularly used as a code for swinging or “wife-swapping”. In most cases, an illustrated and upside-down pineapple is fixed to the cabin door of a guest interested in swinging and partner swapping.
Fundamentally, flamingos stand on one leg to avoid muscular fatigue. “It's an energy-saving activity, basically,” explains Dr Paul Rose, zoologist at the University of Exeter. “Believe it or not, flamingos are more stable for long periods of time on one leg than they are on two.
Someone who favors gnomes is projecting a playful personality, one of ironic sensibility. Gnomes are whimsical, but because they're small, they're less noticeable. Flamingos tell a different story; the neon pink ornament is in-your-face, projecting a sense of counter culture and flaunting of rules.
A pineapple (Ananas comosus) posted on a door is a simple symbol of welcome. Many businesses and hotels, especially in Hawaii and the U.S. South, display the prickly skinned fruit to demonstrate their desire to serve. Residences also display pineapple-shaped door knockers and plaques to show goodwill to passersby.
Similarly, on dating apps, pineapples and unicorn emojis are often used as signals that they are open to swinging. Unicorns are people seeking couples to swing with.
It used to be a symbol to show your hospitality and morphed from there. Today, the pink flamingo meaning is used as an indicator of a swinging lifestyle. This type of symbol is not as common as the others, but it does exist.
American colonists began importing the pineapple from the Caribbean in the 17th century. Due to its seemingly exotic qualities and rareness, the pineapple soon became a symbol of hospitality in early America.
The bright pink color is a symbol in itself. The powerful shade evokes emotions of happiness and romance that are now connected to the flamingo. This is why it's a popular tattoo choice among women, as the color has a long history relating to femininity and romance that should be embraced.
What Do Flamingos Symbolize? Flamingo symbolism and meaning include beauty, balance, potential, and romance. Frequently, these meanings emerge from the striking characteristics they have.
The campgrounds at Flamingo offer an unforgettable year-round experience in Everglades National Park. Campgrounds include bathhouses, dump stations, picnic tables, grills and an amphitheater for winter programs. Non-electric campsite fees per night: $30 Mon-Thurs, $35 Fri-Sun, $55 for group sites.
This word is used quite often by the crew members and means bad time, bad feeling, or disappointment. Here are some examples are shown in funny cruise ship photos of the meaning of banana. Have fun and enjoy your banana cruise.
The prickly but sweet 🍍 signifies a “complicated” relationship, but this fruit-filled code has many other ingredients in the mix: : Single. 🍎: Engaged. 🍒: Committed relationship. 🍋: Single and loving it.
Pineapple car stickers can mean different things in different parts of the world. In Hawaii and other tropical locations, it is often a reflection of the tropical lifestyle. It can mean that the driver is into swinging. Some people use pineapple stickers to show that they are a helpful driver.
People put pink flamingos as lawn decorations because they are John Waters fans and want to pay tribute to his iconic film. (Maybe not so much). Some are ex-Floridians and are nostalgic for the state and some have kitsch cravings and see them as cute. Some (obviously) have a visual affinity or liking for the view.
These movements are group courtship rituals in which males and females identify suitable mates. The “dancing” is thought to be performed in a group to synchronize breeding within the flock so that the eggs will all be laid around the same time – when environmental conditions are the most favorable.
The more a muscle is used, the more likely it is to become tired and so most animals standing on one leg need to regularly switch. But flamingos can use one leg for much longer periods of time without needing to switch.
According to Wiki, Flamingos symbolize beauty, balance, and grace. Flamingos are also pink, which can be used to symbolize femininity and innocence, among other characteristics. Flamingos also tend to represent confidence.
It calls us to be originals among many copies. To conclude, the saying “ be a flamingo in a flock of pigeons” simply means, embrace yourself and your individuality and authenticity, and others will accept and love you for that.
The game involves girls putting fruits on their stories that secretly represent their relationship status. Wojdylo Social Media wrote about the trend, and broke down what each fruit means: Blueberry = Single. Pineapple = Complicated. Raspberry = Doesn't want to commit.
In the American South, for example, the fruit is considered a symbol of warmth, welcome, and hospitality, so a pineapple tattoo may represent a sense of home or something personally familiar. They can also symbolize affection, so it's a great idea for a couple or best friend tattoo.
On social media, rainbows represent the birth of a baby following miscarriage or stillbirth, with parents using the nickname for their first child after loss.
In popular culture. In the media and fiction, plastic flamingos are often used as a symbol of kitsch, bad taste and cheapness. The movie Pink Flamingos is named after them and helped them become an icon of trash and kitsch.
So there you go: Flamingos stand on one leg because it's physiologically easier for them to do so. The way their legs work means they can rest all of their weight on one side without having to use their muscles to maintain balance. Great.
The flame analogy resonates with me as it reminds me of a bible passage from the Gospel of Matthew, specifically Matthew 5: 14–16. 14 You are the light of the world.
Early Christians saw them as a representation of the resurrection and rebirth. For spiritual tattoos, the white species, due to the color's connection with purity, is the most common subject. In Hinduism, the peaco*ck symbolizes success, and it was believed the bird walked with the Goddess of good fortune, Lakshmi.
The Flamingo - National Bird of The Bahamas - Government - Details. The scarlet, long-legged flamingoes are found in three major nesting groups in the West Indian region, Great Inagua being one of them (the others are in Yucatan, Mexico, and Bonaire Island in the Netherlands Antilles.)
It was the hope that most people see Pink Flamingos on lawns, but if the flamingo were blue (the color to signify diabetes awareness), people would start to talk and get involved.
Head flagging is one of the more common dance moves. This warms the flock up to the idea of breeding and is most often started by the largest, most dramatically pink males, although both males and females join in.
Just to let you know that we went to flamingo land yesterday , you are not allowed to take anything on the rides with you so everybody was leaving their bags and shoes if needed at the exit side with the attendants, all of the staff were lovely and helpful. There are also lockers for hire as well.
They are also found in the microscopic algae that brine shrimp eat. As a flamingo dines on algae and brine shrimp, its body metabolizes the pigments — turning its feathers pink.
Grasp the scenic views of the sun-kissed sand and gleaming waters at Renaissance Private Island. Take your vacation at Renaissance Aruba to a new level with a private, oceanfront cabana at Flamingo Beach. Make sure to book your Private Cabana before your stay and create memories for a lifetime.
Does a Flamingo Symbolize Swinging? Pink flamingos may also symbolize the swinging lifestyle. Although less common, the flamingo symbolizes someone looking to swing. Yet the pink flamingo is mostly a harmless RV patio feature that dates back to the Vintage Era (1945-1970).
Flamingos have several moves they display to attract a mate, and they do them together, in groups. They usually start by raising their heads with a very straight neck, then moving their heads from side to side.
The most likely explanation for this avian balancing act is that it helps them conserve body heat. One study discovered that flamingos are significantly more likely to stand on one foot in bodies of water than on land, while another found them to adopt a one-legged stance more often when the weather is colder.
According to Wiki, Flamingos symbolize beauty, balance, and grace. Flamingos are also pink, which can be used to symbolize femininity and innocence, among other characteristics.
Flamingos are serially monogamous. They mate for one year, get divorced, and find a new mate the next year. New mates are mutually agreed upon — males and females both dance in search of a compatible partner.
What Do Flamingos Symbolize? Flamingo symbolism and meaning include beauty, balance, potential, and romance. Frequently, these meanings emerge from the striking characteristics they have. Life balance: their effortless grace and ability to stand on one leg represent balance and harmony.
Flamingos are a social species, choosing to live in flocks of hundreds or even thousands of individuals. This safety in numbers approach helps to protect them from predators. Flamingos commonly mate for life, and also make loyal, life-long friends.
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