Hummingbirds have fascinated humans for centuries. There is something magical about these small creatures that can do incredible things, such as beating their wings up to 80 times per second and flying backwards.
With such abilities, it isn’t surprising that hummingbirds represent totem animals and omens in a variety of cultures. Before getting your hummingbird feeder installed, here’s what attracting hummingbirds to your yard might mean.
1. Hummingbird Symbolizes Good Luck
Hummingbirds are some of the most exquisite birds in the avifauna kingdom. They are adaptable and resilient creatures, but attracting them to your backyard is sometimes challenging.
Since hummingbirds can be quite fussy, most cultures around the world consider them a symbol of good luck.
When you spot a hummingbird nearby, or when one chooses to return to your garden repeatedly, you can feel blessed and expect your luck to change for the better.
2. Hummingbirds Represent Joy
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If hummingbirds were to teach us anything, it would be to do anything that makes us happy. That’s because these tiny birds do exactly that.
Hummingbirds live their short life flying from flower to flower in search of delicious nectar. They aren’t monogamous either, meaning that they don’t suffer too much if something happens to their partner.
Their life might not be filled with good things only, but hummingbirds still choose to focus on good things alone.
There are over 350 known species of hummingbirds. Each species has distinctive traits, but a common factor is the beauty of the plumage and the vibrancy of colors.
Moreover, all hummingbirds are tiny and delicate. Hence, it doesn’t come as a surprise that these tiny birds are widely considered a symbol of beauty.
In most representations, they can be seen next to hibiscus or other tropical flowers, which further contribute to the symbol of purity and beauty.
4. Hummingbird Represents Variety
The variety of hummingbird species, their vibrancy, and their way of moving from one flower species to another give a new meaning to these tiny birds, which is variety.
In a broader sense, hummingbirds are often attracted to brightly colored flowers that also attract butterflies and bees. These birds prefer native gardens rather than sterile lawns, which are known for their color and variety.
5. Representation Of Agility
Hummingbirds might be tiny, but they are some of the fastest birds in the world. They routinely attain speeds up to 30 miles per hour, but can fly faster than that for short distances.
Their wings beat up to 80 times per second. While flying at full speed, they are also perfectly capable of drinking nectar.
Drinking nectar while flying is obviously possible thanks to the impressive agility these birds display. For this reason, hummingbirds are considered a symbol of agility.
6. Healing And Vitality
A very small bird that has co-evolved with flowers, the hummingbird is involved in a beautiful symbiotic relationship with the plant species it prefers.
Flowers provide these birds with nourishment, keeping them strong and healthy. Likewise, hummingbirds transport pollen from one flower to another, propagating pollination and helping plants thrive.
This essential circle represents life, healing, and vitality.
Whether you’re struggling with physical or mental health, unhealthy relationships, or other imbalances, spotting hummingbirds over and over again – or dreaming about them – can be interpreted as a sign that healing is on its way.
Hummingbirds are speedy little birds, not only due to their speed and wing flaps per second. Despite their size, these creatures play an important role in the ecosystem.
Alongside bees and butterflies, they are pollinators and propagators of life on earth. From a spiritual standpoint, their energy can pass from their bodies to the Earth.
Hummingbirds are reminders that everyone is important, no matter how small or insignificant they might feel.
In this sense, hummingbirds symbolize positive energy, helping you achieve your dreams and goals, no matter how small or big.
8. Representation Of Angels
Due to the small size and beauty of hummingbirds – as well as the unique things they are capable of, such as flying upside down and backwards – hummingbirds are considered Earthly manifestations of angelic creatures.
Like dragonflies, blue jays, and cardinals, hummingbirds are also seen as messengers between this world and the world of spirits.
Seeing or dreaming of a hummingbird may mean that someone you loved and lost is trying to communicate with you from the other world. The constant presence of a hummingbird in your yard or dreams may also mean angelic guidance.
9. A Symbol Of Perseverance
Hummingbirds are native to the Americas, where they coexisted with Native American tribes for hundreds of years. As omen birds, Native Americans have attributed hummingbirds a meaning of perseverance.
The meaning is linked to the hummingbirds’ ability to persevere through hardship. Their life might not be the easiest – these tiny birds have many predators – but they still fulfill their role as pollinators.
Some Native American cultures even have hummingbirds as totem animals. In these cultures, they are considered devoted defenders and caretakers of their homeland.
10. Hummingbirds Represent Eternity
A little-known meaning of hummingbirds is that of continuity, infinity, and eternity.
This meaning is derived from the species’ resilience, but also the fact that hummingbirds move their wings in a number eight shape, which is universally interpreted as the infinity symbol.
11. Bearers Of Good News
Hummingbirds might be native to the Americas, but they are beloved worldwide.
In Asian cultures, their presence is often interpreted as a symbol of good news and good luck (even though their presence in Asian countries is pretty much nonexistent, as there are no hummingbirds in Asia, India, Australia, or Europe).
Nonetheless, these birds are a huge part of Chinese culture. They are often depicted on murals or greeting cards, nursery walls, and schools. Like most birds, the Chinese consider hummingbirds as bearers of good news.
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Want more birds in your backyard? Get simple tips on attracting feathered friends and maximizing your bird feeding setup. Our free cheat sheet has got you covered!
James is a native Texan with a love for birding and outdoor adventures. When he's not birdwatching, you can find him hiking, camping or playing the piano.
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