What Does a Hummingbird Symbolize? All you need to know!

Hummingbirds are undoubtedly one of the most majestic and ethereal creatures on the planet. Despite their small size, they can travel great distances.

They are even able to fly backward. 

They have been given importance in numerous cultures and traditions due to their magical qualities.

Many ancient tribes consider them a totem.

There are numerous symbols associated with hummingbirds worldwide. 

Hummingbirds Meaning and Symbolism

Hummingbirds mainly signify lightness and enjoyment.

They look like fairies when they flutter about in gardens with their bright wings.

Hummingbirds Meaning and Symbolism

This signifies the lifting of negativity from one’s life and expression of love and affection. 

Hummingbirds resonate at high vibrations and frequencies.

This is why many believe them to be closely connected to the spirit realm.

The general symbolic meaning of hummingbirds include:

  • Playfulness and joy
  • Lightness and enjoyment of life
  • Removal of negativity
  • Independence
  • Swiftness and agility
  • Resilience 
  • Travels across great distances
  • Adaptability 
  • Endurance and perseverance

Let us explore the symbolic meaning of hummingbirds in different cultures and situations.

Infinity

When hummingbirds flutter their wings, it creates a figure 8 or the symbol of infinity.

This is interpreted as continuity and eternity. 

Hummingbirds are seen as heavenly creatures that connect the mortal world with the divine.

They bring in messages and prophecies from above. People see them as  eternal and prospering. 

Lightness and Enjoyment of Life

Hummingbirds are the smallest and lightest birds in existence today.

The small size of the hummingbird symbolizes how one shouldn’t carry the burdens of the world.

They hum around flowers for nectar, fluttering their wings at 50-80 beats per second.

The fast-fluttering hummingbird wings depict how one should enjoy life with ease and lightness. 

A hummingbird is also a reminder that we should enjoy the simpler pleasures in life.

They create a humming sound that is the origin of their name. 

Fluttering around flowers, hummingbirds remind us of the little things we must enjoy.

They remind us how we should also seek sweetness in our lives. 

Swiftness and Flexibility

Hummingbirds can move swiftly, which allows them to change direction suddenly.

Their movement is so flawless that they seem like they’re gliding. 

This quality of the little but might hummingbird symbolizes the flexibility we should have. 

In addition to being swift, we should also be willing to move in any direction.

This mimics the lightness and wisdom hummingbirds show when dealing with unforeseen circumstances.

Endurance and Perseverance

Despite being the smallest bird species, hummingbirds can travel great distances at immense speed.

Many Native American tribes hold hummingbirds in high honor.

They respect their courage, bravery, and endurance in times of hardship. 

Removal of Negativity

A hummingbird retreating its beak from a flower after feeding symbolizes growth.

It shows us that when something doesn’t serve us positively, we should move on.

This holds true regardless of a guarantee that we’ll find that sweet nectar again.

This shows us that we must cherish the good and sweet times. It also reminds us to be optimistic about the future and plan boldly.

A hummingbird depicts happiness and lightness of mood. 

Hummingbirds as a Native American Symbol

Native Americans view hummingbirds as healers.

Many tribes believe hummingbirds to be good omens. Some legends even say that hummingbirds were the original bringers of fire to Earth. 

The Ohlone people tell tales of a world filled with water, where fire wasn’t yet discovered. 

Only the Badger people had fire, and they lived underground.

The responsibility of bringing fire from the underground to the surface was given to a hummingbird. 

They’re also associated with devotion, luck, permanence, and the cycle of life.

Some believe that hummingbirds were birthed from flowers, and they return every spring to give gratitude. 

The Hopi and Zuni tribes believe that a hummingbird convinced gods to send down rain.

The hummingbird is thus also associated with rain, abundance, and fertility of lands. 

Hummingbird as a Christian Symbol

The Bible states that every creature is a gift from God.

In religious terms, the hummingbird is a symbol of resurrection and rebirth.

It is seen as a messenger from heaven and is related to death positively.

This symbolism stems from how hummingbirds appear lifeless when they’re not moving.

Many who come across might believe them to be dead. However, when they do move, it seems like they’ve been reborn.

People find comfort in a hummingbird, especially when someone passes away or is near death. 

People have often found hummingbirds lurking nearby when grieving the death of a loved one.

They believe it a sign that their loved ones are happy and content in the afterlife. 

The hummingbird is a reminder not to live in the past.

Their existence reminds all humans to shed the negativity holding them back. It encourages us to move on and enjoy the present moment. 

Hummingbird as a Celtic Symbol

In ancient Celtic mythology and folklore, hummingbirds were thought to be messengers between gods and humans.

They were said to deliver prophecies and guidance from the divine. 

Birds are associated with the element of air, which is linked to wisdom and thoughtfulness.

This is why they’re considered worthy of carrying messages from the gods.

What Does It Mean When You See A Hummingbird in A Dream? 

Seeing a hummingbird in a dream is a very positive omen. It may be related to your career, romantic life, or your family.

It is said that seeing hummingbirds in a dream means your ideas will come to fruition.

The dream may also hint at incoming good news or the blessing of good luck.

Seeing a hummingbird flying may mean you are unable to stay stagnant.

It could mean that you are a free soul. Boundaries make you uneasy, and you don’t like to follow the rules. 

Hummingbird as an Omen

Hummingbirds are a positive omen that signifies good news. If you see a hummingbird during stressful times, it might indicate the end of the difficulties. 

It is also an omen that indicates you will follow your dreams, unfazed by obstacles.

If a hummingbird visits you after a loved one passes away, it means that you will heal.

It means you must move on. Hummingbird is associated with patience in times of death. 

It’s a sign of optimism if a hummingbird makes eye contact with you. It’s essentially telling you to find good things in life.

People naturally feel happy when a hummingbird makes eye contact with them. 

Seeing a dead hummingbird means you are ready for commitment and long-term relationships.

It signifies that you’re ready to settle down and not flutter from place to place. 

Hummingbird Mythology and Folklore

Mayans and other cultures believed that the feather of a hummingbird has magical powers.

According to the Mayans, the sun transformed into a hummingbird when it wanted to woo the moon.

The Aztec God Huitzilopochtli is presented as half-man and half-hummingbird in Aztec traditions. He’s believed to be a God of sun, war, and human sacrifice.

A folk tale exists about two lovers that were unable to unite because they came from rival tribes.

Unable to stay apart, they escaped the rules by turning into a hummingbird and red flower. The boy turns into a hummingbird to meet his love.

This is why hummingbirds are symbolic of lovers united, especially when their love is forbidden.  

Hummingbird as a Spiritual Animal

Hummingbird appears as a spirit for people in need of guidance. They might also come to those wishing to change something. 

The spirit indicates other things and the need to focus on love, finding pleasure, trusting your abilities, etc.

It means that you should be open to change while exploring new things in life. 

Hummingbirds are associated with freedom and liberty. They also indicate that we need to not focus on material things. 

Their symbolic meaning encourages people to focus on their spirituality forget in day-to-day activities. 

Conclusion

As we have seen throughout this blog, hummingbirds are positive omens, symbols, and interpretations of dreams. 

Various aspects of hummingbirds hold different meanings.

Their flight, colors, beaks, sleep habits, diet, and other features symbolize different things in different cultures and traditions.

The next time you see a hummingbird, think about how positive and joyful these tiny creatures are. Try to internalize some of this positivity. 

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