What Does a Hummingbird Symbolize?
Humans have been fascinated by hummingbirds for probably all of human history. What is it about this little bird that captivates us so?
- Fly backwards, hover up and down, and go from flying full speed to an instant stop
- Has wings that beat up to 80 times per second, creating an almost bee or insect-like humming sound
- Has the smallest bird eggs in the world
- The world's smallest bird is the bee hummingbird of Cuba, which measures a mere 5 centimeters from the tip of its beak to the end of its tail.
The tiny hummingbird reminds us of many important things. Have you ever been outside for a walk, perhaps feeling a bit tired and depressed, when suddenly, a hummingbird flits into your view?
In the excitement of hearing its buzzing wings and seeing its rapid movements as it darts about looking for the next flower, you have momentarily forgotten what you were brooding about. It's as if the hummingbird was saying, "Hey, things aren't so bad. Lighten up - just look at all the beautiful flowers and sweet nectar we have yet to find!"
Hummingbirds, in their seemingly carefree and happy flight, remind us to live in the moment and enjoy life's simple pleasures. Also, because they often seem to appear out of nowhere, they remind us that joy is unpredictable and can often be just around the corner.
With their long, thin beaks, hummingbirds can reach beyond the tough, untasty parts of a flower to find the sweet nectar within. In this way, they remind us to always be seeking out what's good in life.
Hummingbirds are also a symbol of tenacity and endurance in the pursuit of our dreams because some hummingbirds are known to travel up to 2000 miles to reach their destination.
Furthermore, because of their unique ability to fly backwards, sideways and hover up and down, they remind us to stay adaptable and to accept the reality of change with a happy heart.
Have you ever thought that hummingbirds seem like something out of a fairytale? There is something magical about their colors, shape and the way their move, as if they are reminding us to seek out the magic in life.
Lastly, did you know that hummingbirds alone have the ability to fly moving their wings in the pattern of an infinity symbol (the figure 8)? In this way, they are a symbol of eternity, continuity and infinity.
The meaning of a hummingbird visit
Hummingbirds have a long history of folklore and symbolism in native cultures. The Aztecs saw them as messengers between them and their ancestors or the gods. In Native American culture, hummingbirds are seen as healers and bringers of love, good luck and joy.
In Central America, they are a sign of love and will bring love to the person who spots them.
While there is no direct mention of hummingbirds in the Bible, they are sometimes considered to be a messenger from Heaven, gently nudging us to move on and release the burden of people or things that have passed and can no longer be a part of our lives.
When a loved one has recently passed away, they may be a sign that the loved one has successfully made it to the other side and is doing just fine.
Some people also see them as signs from Angels, reminding us to follow what makes us happy and to enjoy the present moment.
Hummingbirds in Dreams
Seeing a hummingbird in your dreams may be a reminder to you to pay attention to the small or budding ideas in your mind. Like the little hummingbird, little ideas have the potential to become great things, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem.
A hummingbird in your dream may also be a reminder for you to embrace your freedom and to trust in your instincts, just as a hummingbird lives and flies along, happy in her pursuit of the next sweet flower.
Conclusion
In the end, hummingbirds are a reminder that our happiness lies within us. Only when we accept that there are bitter parts to life, will we be able to allow our inner peace to grow, which in turn, gives us the freedom to enjoy the sweet side of life.
Just look at the tiny, insignificant hummingbird, who everyday finds delicious nectar deep within the tough, bitter parts of the flower.
And she does this joyfully. Though she must work to find food, she does it cheerfully, while humming with a happy heart.
This article is brought to you by Woot & Hammy - "Our mission is to be a place for Wiccans, Pagans, and others to find affordable, high-quality jewelry that will help them express themselves and their beliefs, and by doing so, help to expand awareness and acceptance of them and their communities." Click here to visit our site.
Photo credits:
The picture of the hummingbird on a branch is by GuideYourPet (https://guideyourpet.com/where-to-hang-hummingbird-feeder/)
Hummingbird eggs photo by Yerandy1990 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.
315 Comments
Love all these stories just had a visit from 2 inside our home held them long enough to take and turn them loose , I have feeders everywhere such fragile small and beautiful angels all ways lifts me to watch them, lost my dad in 2012 to a liver disease and my brother in 2015 to an electrical accident, miss them both so much .
My relationship has been taking a turn for the worst lately and I’ve been extremely depressed about it but recently I’ve been seeing humming birds everywhere. My friend mentioned she wanted a feeder for them, shortly after I just happened to have one given to me and gave it to her. Another friend had one caught in her green house and she cupped it in her hands to get it out, my tattoo artist uploaded a tattoo he just did of a humming bird for someone, I’ve seen endless posts about them (more than I ever have) I recently pulled the hummingbird from my oracle deck. All this past week.
I just know it’s a sign
Thank you so so very much for this post.
I was at work the other day outside and a humming bird flew right by my right ear. The next day at work I happen to look out the door and there she was again just hovering in front of the door felt like she was looking right at me then flew away. I haven’t seen her since that was a week ago.
My 9 year old died last december 2018 due to sickle cell complications. She believed in reincarnation and loved humming birds. On may 23, 2019 i was at work and saw a humming bird just staring at me for about a minute thwn flew away. I believe that my baby visited me. Not sure what that meant.
Hummingbirds have always had a special place in my heart. I anxiously await their return each spring. These last few weeks I have been struggling with an x- husband and all of his abuse to my children plus all of the vicious lies he has told everyone about me like emtying a feather pillow into the wind.
Last week a little hummingbird flew into our glass sliding door. I didn’t find him until several hours later laying in the grass wet from the rain and cold from the really cold wind that was blowing. He could move a little but could not fly. I gently picked him up and brought him in out of the cold. He layed several hours nearly lifeless. I just kept dipping his beek into the sugar water I had made for him. Each time he would eat was amazing to me. I thought sure he would be dead by morning. By the end if that day he managed to get to the feeder in his container which is a big plastic tub. His wings stuck together from the sugar water so I gave him a bath. Next day he needed another bath but by this time he was handling eating better. He is the most determined little fellow and putting up such a fight for life and freedom that I have named him Little Fighter. Somehow he just radiates love from his very existence. Today he totally amazed me as he flew out of his tub. He made several laps around my family/living room before landing on some decoration above my kitchen cabinets. I’m looking forward with bittersweet emotions to the time he is strong enough to set him free to go back into his world. he is my hero. He brought into my life just what I needed right now to help heal some ugly wounds.