Hummingbirds are phenomenal birds that can mean many different things to many different people. But is there any “official” hummingbird symbolism? These birds mean more than many birders realize!

Who Decides Symbolism?

Symbolism does not happen immediately, it is the result of cultural interpretations, legends, and history. Faith can play a part in symbolism, as can individual leaders and authorities who may designate official symbolism. In many cases, the origin of symbolic meanings becomes lost in time as the beliefs span from generation to generation. Symbolism can also evolve differently for different groups, and the same object might have completely opposite symbolism for different cultures or faiths.

Hummingbirds have inspired symbolism for millennia because these birds are so eye-catching and unique. Their vibrant, metallic colors and extraordinary flight, along with their astonishingly small size and stunning bills are all features that make them memorable. The more they are noticed, the more they are likely to be part of cultural symbolism.

General Hummingbird Symbolism

Hummingbirds are associated with many different symbolic traits, including:

• Joy, happiness, and pleasure
• Energy and vitality
• Love, passion, and romance
• Adaptability and resilience
• Balance and equilibrium
• Endurance and perseverance
• Healing and renewal
• Spirituality and awareness

These general traits are easy to connect to hummingbirds, from the joy seeing these birds brings us to the energy of their acrobatic flight to the endurance they have for phenomenal migrations.

How Different Cultures View Hummingbirds

Many ancient cultures have long revered hummingbirds, seeing these birds as far more than just pretty fliers. Their ancient histories are often myths or legends, but still add to the overall lore of hummingbirds.

Aztec
The Aztec people of ancient Mexico considered hummingbirds as the embodiment of warriors for their fierceness, courage, and aggression, as well as their sword-like bills. The fearless birds were often associated with sun gods, and ceremonies involving Aztec warriors often featured hummingbird costumes.

Maya
In southern Mexico and Central America, the ancient Mayans saw hummingbirds as symbols of love, beauty, and even fertility. The birds’ glorious colors illustrate passion and their beauty is clear, while the connection to fertility could relate to nest loyalty and how the flowers they sip from continually regenerate more nectar.

Inca
The Incan Empire of western South America saw hummingbirds as the bringers of rain in times of drought, as well as mediators between the gods and humans. Hummingbirds were believed to carry the prayers of humans on their wings as they ascended to the heavens.

Navajo
In the southwestern United States, Navajo tribes also saw hummingbirds as spiritual messengers. The tiny birds were believed to originate from pieces of rainbows that explain their bright and glittering colors, and are most often associated with joy and positivity.

Caribbean
Throughout the Caribbean, hummingbirds also have spiritual connections and many indigenous peoples see the birds as connections to their ancestors. While this can sometimes be sad, it is more often a happy and comforting association to help people feel close to their loved ones with every hummingbird they see.

Modern Hummingbird Symbolism

Today, hummingbirds even have some official symbolism that celebrates their uniqueness and distinction.

The red-billed streamertail (Trochilus polytmus), locally known as the doctor bird, is the official national bird of Jamaica. The bird is endemic to Jamaica and found nowhere else in the world. On the island, it’s fairly common in appropriate habitats except on the eastern end of Jamaica, where the closely related black-billed streamertail (Trochilus scitulus) is found.

In Vancouver, Canada, the Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna) was voted the official city bird in 2017. These tenacious hummers are found in Vancouver year-round and help raise awareness for all birds in the ecosystem to encourage residents to create sustainable habitats for birds to enjoy.

What Hummingbirds Can Symbolize to You

With so much history and beauty associated with these birds, what do they mean to you? Fortunately, symbolism can be a very personal decision, and hummingbirds can mean whatever you like. For many people today, these birds symbolize the return of spring or favorite blooming flowers, or they may be reminders of someone special. And has been true for millennia, these birds can always symbolize beauty, joy, fierceness, endurance, love, and so much more for everyone.