Do Pink Flamingos Have a Secret Meaning? Get the Full Scoop Here

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Plus, learn why swingers use secret signals & symbols

Co-authored by Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: August 1, 2025 Fact Checked

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Pink Flamingo Meaning

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Connection to Swinging

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Other Swinging Symbols

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Avoiding Assumptions

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Purpose of Secret Signals

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Pink flamingos are associated with many things, and you may have heard that they're associated with swinging—but are they really? Pink flamingos have been the topic of many conversations since the association became popular, and in this article, we'll explain everything you need to know. From their other meanings to how they became a symbol for swinging, we'll dig into it all.

The Meaning of Pink Flamingos Explained

A pink flamingo may be a sign that someone is a swinger, but this isn’t super common. When paired with other swinging symbols, like upside-down pineapples, it's more likely the person may be a swinger. For most people, though, pink flamingos are just fun and kitschy decor with no deeper meaning.

Section 1 of 5:

What do pink flamingos mean?

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Pink flamingos can be a sign that someone is a swinger. Using the pink flamingo as a swinger symbol seems to be most popular in RV parks, on campgrounds, and on cruise ships. In these cases, the pink flamingo is usually paired with another swinger symbol—the upside-down pineapple. Although using the pink flamingo to indicate swinging isn't super common, it can still potentially be a sign of swinging.^{[1]
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- Keep in mind that pink flamingos can represent a host of other things. It’s important to avoid making assumptions about someone's lifestyle because of their decor choices.
- Swinging is the act of ethical non-monogamy where two or more couples swap partners and sleep with them.
Since the early 1970s, pink flamingos have represented poor taste thanks to the film Pink Flamingos. When the movie was released, it was labeled as a vile, stupid, repulsive film by Variety, despite becoming an underground sensation among movie fans. Some people have used the pink flamingo to show off their intended tackiness.^{[2]
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Pink flamingos may also symbolize fun, flamboyance, and visibility. Not only are pink flamingos vibrant and fun to look at, but a group of flamingos is also called a flamboyance, leading to the bird being associated with the concept of flamboyance in general.^{[3]
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Research source} So, if you spot a flamingo in someone’s yard, it may just represent the homeowner’s inner flamboyance and exciting nature.
- In some circles within the LGBTQ+ community, the flamingo has been used as a symbol of pride and visibility.

Section 2 of 5:

How Pink Flamingos Became a Symbol for Swinging

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Pink flamingos became a swinger symbol through word of mouth. Historically, pink flamingos were often spotted in RV parks, on campgrounds, and on cruise ships, and were mostly just fun, kitschy decor. For unknown reasons, rumors began to spread that pink flamingos were associated with swingers. People continuously consulted the internet about the term’s meaning and origin over the years, and it gradually became solidified as a symbol for swinging.^{[4]
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- The more people have talked about the pink flamingo as a symbol for swingers, the more it has become associated with them.

Section 3 of 5:

Other Swinging Symbols

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Upside-down pineapple A pineapple is a welcoming symbol in the American South, but when it's upside-down, it can mean something else entirely, especially on cruise ships and in RV parks. When someone places an pineapple upside down, whether it be on a door, in a grocery cart, or in a car window, it may be a discreet symbol that they're a swinger.^{[5]
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- To avoid any confusion if you're not a swinger, keep your pineapple upright. Some may still see it as a swinging signal, but it's less likely.
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Pampas grass Pampas grass has been linked to swinging for a long time, although it isn't super clear when the connection was made. Once people started to catch on and it became popular as a swinger symbol, pampas grass sales even declined for a while.^{[6]
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- That said, most people are totally unaware of the swinger connection. They probably just love pampas grass! If your neighbor plants pampas grass in their garden or lawn, it does not necessarily mean they're a swinger.
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Black rings When worn on any finger but the middle one on the right hand, a black ring it may be a signal to others that the wearer is a swinger. When worn on the middle finger, however, it can be a symbol of asexuality.^{[7]
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Garden gnomes Garden gnomes placed in suggestive positions or behind rose bushes, they may be a sign that the homeowner is a swinger. That said, this is relatively uncommon symbol for the swinger community. Most people just think the garden gnomes are cute (and they are!), so that's why they display them in their yards.^{[8]
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Section 4 of 5:

Avoiding Assumptions About Swingers

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Remember, many “swinging symbols” are common for other reasons. For most people, symbols like pink flamingos, pineapples, and black rings mean nothing at all. They just like the way it looks and that's all there is to it. These symbols potentially could indicate a person is a swinger, but it's rare, so definitely avoid making that assumption.^{[9]
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- If you see multiple swinger symbols, like a upside-down pineapple paired with a pink flamingo, it's more likely they're a swinger (but even still, don't assume).
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Approach the potential swinger at your own risk. When you spot an upside-down pineapple paired with a pink flamingo, it’s a strong indicator that someone’s a swinger, but not all the time. If you’re confident that the person is a swinger, approach them at your own risk. If it turns out that they’re a swinger, get to know them if you’re interested in that lifestyle.
- According to relationship psychologist William Gardner, PsyD, as long as everyone is on board and agrees, whether it’s an open relationship, polyamory, or swinging, the relationship is fine.^{[10]
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- If they aren’t a swinger, kindly apologize and explain that you were mistaken, then go on about your day. Try to laugh it off if you can!
- If someone approaches you because you’re wearing or displaying a pink flamingo and you aren’t a swinger, kindly let them know that you’re not into it.

Section 5 of 5:

Why do swingers use secret signals?

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Depending on your circle, the swinging lifestyle may not always be accepted. To combat this and keep their lifestyles private from coworkers, family, and anyone else they don’t want to reveal their nighttime activities to, swingers have adopted various secret signals to keep themselves discreet while strictly communicating with other swingers, in a sort of “if you know, you know” type of way.