Over 350 species of hummingbirds exist, with the majority dominating the forests and tropics of central and southern America. These colorful birds have dynamic and unique characteristics like fast metabolism, flexible mobility, sharp eyesight, high-altitude flights, and long-distance migration thus making them one of the most sought after species on the planet.
These birds separated from the swifts and treeswifts about 42 million years ago and got their interesting name from the humming sounds their wings make when alerting other birds during flight or feeding.
An average hummingbird measures between 3 and 5 inches in length, making it the smallest mature bird on the planet. These animals maintain a proper diet, including feasting on flower nectar and consuming small insects.
However, these little flying creatures represent many things to many cultures, like the Aztecs, who wore hummingbird talismans to indicate their energy and strength to do rigorous tasks. They also believed that their fallen warriors often reincarnated as hummingbirds.
Trinidad and Tobago, popularly called the land of the hummingbird, has the hummingbird as a significant component of its national symbol. You can find its coat of arms, one-cent coin, and logo on its national carrier, the Carribean Airlines.
In the culture of the Pueblos, one of the oldest tribes in Central America, the hummingbirds act as an intermediary between the Gods and the humans, serving as a vessel to bring blessings to cleanse the earth and convey gifts from humans to the gods living under the earth.
Hummingbird Spiritual Meanings
Despite its relatively small size compared to bigger birds, the hummingbird is packed with spiritual connotations that give a clearer meaning to life’s situations and your journey.
The delicate birds journey up to 2000 miles from Central to North America annually to reach their destination in search of sweetness and new homes.
The sight of this colorful bird in your dream may indicate a looming breakthrough in your life and a sign for you to enjoy and explore the simpler things of life while embracing the opportunities and curves life throws in your way.
Now, let’s dive in and explore more spiritual meanings of these popular birds.
1. Joy
The hummingbird is the classic representation of pure joy. They teach us to relish the moment and enjoy the savory things of life, like their fast wing flaps and ability to transition quickly from one flower to another during feeding with bursts of energy and excitement.
Hummingbirds represent lightness in a world blurred with darkness and heaviness. Thus, you can tap into their energy on dull days for radiance.
2. Perseverance
The hummingbird is famous for its resilience and ability to thrive in challenges and overcome impossible obstacles. People see it as a symbol of hope and perseverance regardless of their delicate nature and size.
These birds travel long flights and in harsh weather conditions in search of food and new shelters; thus, when faced with hopeless situations, the hummingbird reminds us to maintain steadfastness and positive energy and believe in a better future.
The hummingbird is also a strong and independent bird that can morph swiftly into uncomfortable situations.
3. Love
The bright and romantic colors of the hummingbird, coupled with its pleasant movements, may induce feelings associated with love and passion. Their ability to switch mid-motions and defy gravity by flying backward can symbolize love’s freeing and unpredictable nature.
Thus, the sight of this bird is a spiritual reminder that you must protect and preserve the friendships that bring you love and fulfillment. It may also inform you to be more affectionate towards the special people in your life.
4. Transformation
Hummingbirds have interesting life cycles and growth phases that are nothing short of miracles. Hence, seeing them in your dreams or your immediate environment might indicate the start of a transformative journey for you that you must consistently embrace and see to fruition.
If you dream about a hummingbird during a difficult period, perhaps it’s a sign that the fire is preparing you for a bigger purpose, and you’ll emerge from the situation as a better person.
5. Healing
Spiritually, hummingbirds are believed to signify healing and comfort to people during emotional or physical pain.
The presence of these unique birds can serve as a quiet reminder that comfort is around the corner, reassuring and bringing the victim peace during times of distress.
A hummingbird’s delicacy in extracting nectar without harming the flower teaches us the importance of adopting a subtle, gentle method when dealing with physical, emotional, and spiritual injuries for ourselves and our loved ones.
6. Humility
If the hummingbird is your spirit animal, then you’re definitely a humble person who treats everyone with respect and decency. Despite its unbelievable strength, the hummingbird conducts itself with decorum when interacting with other birds and their extended environment.
Humble people are typically the most unassuming of all, and what better representation of humility than a meek and gentle hummingbird?
7. Rejuvenation
The hummingbird exemplifies balancing a busy life and rest to rejuvenate the mind and body. If you see a hummingbird around you, especially when you’re engrossed in tasks and life, take it as a sign to take a much-needed break and gather strength for more work ahead.
8. Balance
Hummingbirds exhibit balance and precision when extracting flowers from the nectar from feeding while floating in the air with no stress.
You can learn this trait from the bird on balancing significant aspects of your life, be it spiritual, physical, or emotional, without losing focus on the things that matter. After all, balance is essential for enjoying the provisions and dividends of life itself.
The hummingbird also teaches you to use your energy wisely, gain total control over your emotions, and your body to be flexible in achieving your goals and aspirations.
9. Freedom
Hardly anything can keep a hummingbird down when it’s time to embark on a journey. Take the sight of this bird as a spiritual sign to not limit yourself or your reach by exploring new opportunities.
Freedom here might mean a new job, a new apartment, or a new personal project, and just like the hummingbird, you must spread your wings and remain flexible in your decision-making with the will to fly in all directions.
10. Creativity
The hummingbird is the epitome of creativity, from its wings to its bright colors and artistic feeding techniques, inspiring many artists. Dreaming about a hummingbird might be a sign to inspire and guide you on your professional or personal projects by evoking the creative side of your spirit.
By tapping into the hummingbird’s energy, you can find practical and original solutions to life’s challenges and do it on time.
11. Growth
The hummingbird’s life and flying pattern is a learning curve for everyone, as they’re the only kind of birds that can fly backward.
Thus, when you see a hummingbird in your dream or home, it’s teaching you to trace your steps, learn from your past mistakes, and heal yourself of all trauma and wounds from the past with the resolve never to repeat those same patterns while fixing your gaze on a brighter future.
12. Surrender
The hummingbird signifies absolute surrender, especially when walking the path of spirituality. This process involves shedding every weight of negativity, fears, tensions, and anxiety that can weigh you down and maintaining a state of lightheartedness to make the flight easier, just like the hummingbird.
13. Trust
Hummingbirds exhibit a high level of trust in the physical and spiritual- evidence of this is a study of their unpredictable and erratic flight pattern driven by pure intuition and blind faith in the universe.
If you see a hummingbird in your dream or around you, it’s time to trust your abilities and the universe’s plan for you, regardless of your circumstances.
14. Speed
When a hummingbird visits you, it means you should be prompt in your decisions, just like they fly with speed and swiftness. Time is of the essence in a hummingbird’s world, as they have to get all the sweetness they can from the nectars before they go out of season.
If you’ve been stalling on that move, be it moving to a new space, getting a new job, or starting a business, then sighting a hummingbird is your cue to get on with it and make your move swiftly.
15. Courage
Hummingbirds soar high into the sky with all the confidence in the world. When these birds visit you, they remind you not to crouch in front of unpleasant circumstances but rather face them with courage and boldness.
You should never let your size or current situation deter you from doing great deeds and breaking new horizons, just like the hummingbird does to new environments.
Conclusion
The hummingbird is a fascinating species due to its ability to move easily and quickly despite doing it all backward. Beyond these darling biological and physical qualities, it also holds great spiritual significance- to remind you of steadfastness and embracing your uniqueness.
However, you must note that these birds exist in different colors and species with special meanings, just as each individual is unique. However, we have drawn up the most common scenarios for these birds.
